Thursday, 21 May 2026

T’way one step closer to rebranding as Trinity

South Korean budget airline T’way has gotten the green light from domestic authorities to rebrand and change its name to Trinity Airways. As reported by AJP News Agency, the airline confirmed on the 18th of May 2026, that South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport had issued a revised license.


The rebrand was first announced in September last year, following T’way’s acquisition by Daemyung Sono Group in February 2025, and was approved by shareholders at the group’s annual meeting in March 2026. The airline now awaits clearance from foreign aviation regulators before officially adopting the new name. A company spokesperson called the license approval an important first step, emphasizing that safety and service quality will remain top priorities during the transition.

The ministry has also instructed the airline to keep consumers informed about the changes and to maintain its safety management system.

On the T’way website it states: 
“Operations will begin once all approval procedures from relevant domestic and international authorities are completed, which generally takes several months. The official start date will be announced separately once finalized.”

T’way will continue to use the airline code TW and familiar flight numbers following the name change and rebranding.

On official registration documents, the company’s name has already been changed to Trinity Airways, but operations and communications will only be updated once all the necessary approvals are given.

The name "Trinity" originates from the Latin Trinitas. It symbolizes the group's strategy to merge three core pillars of travel: aviation, accommodation, and tourism services.


Wednesday, 20 May 2026

The end is near for Asiana Airlines

Asiana Airlines will take its final flight on the 17th of December 2026, nearly 40 years after its founding, as it merges into rival Korean Air following a $2 billion takeover that will propel the flag carrier into the world’s top ten airlines. 

ASIANA AIRBUS A330-323 HL7746 (MSN 772)

The take over means Asiana will leave the Star Alliance group since Korean Air is part of SkyTeam, but the Asiana Club loyalty program will continue for another decade, offering status matches to Korean Air Skypass tiers and allowing mileage transfers. The airline has already shifted from Incheon’s Terminal 1 to Korean Air’s Terminal 2 hub, where upgraded business and first-class lounges will more than double seating capacity from 898 to 1,560 passengers. 

Asiana has operated as a Korean Air subsidiary since the late-2024 merger, with the 17th of December marking its full legal incorporation and dissolution as a company. The brand will fade gradually, remaining visible on aircraft for a transition period while digital platforms and service systems switch over first, and aircraft liveries change in phases. The unified fleet will total around 250 planes, though the future of Asiana’s Airbus A380s remains under review as Korean Air finalizes its post-merger network plans.

Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Have you ever wondered, "who owns this airline?"

I started wondering which airlines fully own or partially own other airlines, so I did some research and the results are below. 

Africa

Ethiopian Airlines Group Owns:
  • Ethiopian Airlines
  • ASKY Airlines
  • Ethiopian Cargo
  • Ethiopian Aviation Academy
  • Stakes in several African startup carriers

Kenya Airways Owns:

  • Kenya Airways
  • Jambojet

Asia-Pacific

Qantas Group Owns:
  • Qantas
  • Jetstar Airways
  • QantasLink brands
  • Network Aviation
  • Eastern Australia Airlines
Partial ownership:
  • Jetstar Japan (33%)
Alliance Airlines (~20%)


Virgin Australia Group Owns:
  • Virgin Australia
  • Virgin Australia Regional Airlines
Ownership: Bain Capital (major owner)


Air New Zealand Owns:
  • Air New Zealand

Fiji Airways Owns:
  • Fiji Airways
  • Fiji Link Airways

Singapore Airlines Owns:
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Scoot
  • Partial ownership:
  • Vistara (before merger into Air India)
  • Tata SIA joint ventures historically

Malaysia Aviation Group Owns:

  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Firefly
  • MASwings
  • Amal

ANA Holdings Owns:
  • All Nippon Airways (ANA)
  • Peach Aviation
  • ANA Wings
  • Partial stakes:
  • Air Do
  • Philippine Airlines interests historically

Japan Airlines Owns:
  • Japan Air
  • ZIPAIR
  • J-Air
  • Japan Air Commuter
  • Partial stakes:
  • Jetstar Japan
  • Spring Japan

Korean Air Owns:
  • Korean Air
  • Jin Air

Asiana Airlines Owns:
  • Asiana Airlines
  • Air Busan
  • Air Seoul

Cathay Pacific Owns:
  • Cathay Pacific
  • HK Express
  • Air Hong Kong

HNA Aviation Group Owns:
  • Hainan Airlines
  • Grand China Air

China Eastern Air Holding Owns:
  • China Eastern Airlines
  • Shanghai Airlines
  • China United Airlines
  • China Cargo Airlines
  • OTT Airlines

Minor stakes in:

  • Air France–KLM
  • Sichuan Airlines

China Southern Air Holding Owns:

  • China Southern Airlines
  • Xiamen Air
  • Chongqing Airlines
  • Hebei Airlines
  • Jiangxi Air

Minor stakes in:

  • Sichuan Airlines

HNA Aviation Owns:

  • Hainan Airlines
  • Beijing Capital Airlines
  • Tianjin Airlines
  • Lucky Air
  • Urumqi Air
  • West Air
  • GX Airlines
  • Fuzhou Airlines
  • Hong Kong Airlines
  • Suparna Airlines

AirAsia Group Owns:

  • AirAsia Malaysia
  • Thai AirAsia
  • Indonesia AirAsia
  • Philippines AirAsia
  • AirAsia Cambodia
  • AirAsia X
  • Thai AirAsia X

EVA Air Owns:

  • EVA Air
  • UNI Air

Europe

Lufthansa Group Owns:
  • Lufthansa
  • Swiss International Air Lines
  • Austrian Airlines
  • Brussels Airlines
  • Eurowings
  • Discover Airlines
  • Majority/partial ownership:
  • ITA Airways (moving toward majority ownership)

International Airlines Group Owns:

  • British Airways
  • Iberia
  • Aer Lingus
  • Vueling
  • LEVEL
  • Iberia Express
  • BA CityFlyer
  • Partial ownership influence:
  • Qatar Airways owns a large stake in IAG itself

KLM Owns:
  • KLM
  • Air France
  • Transavia
  • Martinair
  • KLM Cityhopper

Ryanair Holdings Owns:
  • Ryanair
  • Malta Air
  • Buzz
  • Lauda Europe

Aegean Airlines Owns:

  • Aegean Airlines
  • Olympic Air

Latin America

LATAM Airlines Group Owns

  • LATAM Brasil
  • LATAM Chile
  • LATAM Peru
  • LATAM Colombia
  • LATAM Ecuador
  • LATAM Paraguay
  • LATAM Cargo divisions

Strategic investors:

  • Delta Air Lines
  • Qatar Airways
Grupo Aeroméxico Owns:
  • Aeroméxico
  • Aeroméxico Connect
  • Aeroméxico Cargo

Middle East

Etihad Airways holds stakes in:
  • Etihad
  • Alitalia
  • Air Serbia
  • Air Berlin

Emirates Owns:

  • Emirates 
  • dnata (aviation services company)

Qatar Airways Group Owns:

  • Qatar Airways
  • Qatar Executive
  • Qatar Airways Cargo
Minority stakes/investments:
  • Virgin Australia
  • IAG (British Airways/Iberia parent)
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Airlink

Air India Group Owns:

  • Air India
  • Air India Express
  • AIX Connect
  • Vistara (merged)

Saudia Group Owns

  • Saudia
  • flyadeal

North America

American Airlines Group Owns:
  • American Airlines
  • Envoy Air
  • PSA Airlines
  • Piedmont Airlines
  • Partial ownership:
  • Republic Airways Holdings (~20%)

Delta Air Lines Owns/Controls:
  • Delta Airlines
  • Endeavor Air
  • Partial stakes:
  • LATAM Airlines (minority stake)
  • Virgin Atlantic (49%)
  • Previously held stake in WestJet

United Airlines Holdings Owns:
  • United Airlines
  • Regional partnerships under United Express 

Alaska Air Group Owns:
  • Alaska Airlines
  • Horizon Air
  • Hawaiian Airlines 

Air Canada Owns:
  • Air Canada 
  • Air Canada Rouge
  • Air Canada Express operations 

WestJet Group Owns:

  • WestJet
  • WestJet Encore
  • Sunwing Airlines
Russia

Aeroflot Group Owns:
  • Aeroflot

Rossiya Airlines
  • Rossiya Airlines
  • Pobeda



Monday, 18 May 2026

Two US Navy jets collided mid-air

                         BREAKING NEWS: 

Two United States Navy jets have collided mid-air this afternoon during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. All four crew members were able to eject safely.

The crash happened shortly after 12:30 p.m. local time on Sunday the 17th of May 2026, on the second and final day of the annual air show. The two aircraft, reported to be US Navy EA-18G Growlers from the VAQ-129 "Vikings" demonstration team, collided roughly two miles northwest of the base.

An announcer at the air show told the crowd there were "four good parachutes," meaning all four crew members ejected and parachuted to the ground safely.

Spectator videos appear to show the moment of impact, followed by four parachutes in the sky.

Mountain Home Air Force Base, located about 55 miles southeast of Boise, was placed on lockdown immediately after the incident. SSgt. Antwain Hanks of the US Air Force confirmed the "aircraft incident" and said emergency responders are on the scene with an investigation underway.

The rest of the air show, which was scheduled to feature the US Air Force Thunderbirds as the closing act, had been cancelled.


Aircraft Information:
Owner/Operator: United States Navy
Aircraft: Boeing EA-18G Growler
Registration: 168252
Serial Number: G34

Owner/Operator: United States Navy
Aircraft: Boeing EA-18G Growler
Registration: 168895
Serial Number: G93

The aircraft is manufactured by Boeing in conjunction with Northrop Grumman and remains the most advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) platform currently in production, equipped with sophisticated jamming pods and receiver.
The current cost of a Boeing EA-18G Growler is $67 million (US)

Qatar Airways Returns to Brisbane

Last night, my family and I went to the airport to witness the long-awaited return of Qatar Airways flight QR898 as it touched down in Brisbane. The last revenue flight for Qatar had been on the 27th of February, so it was great to see this airline return, albeit only four days a week at the time being.

The usual aircraft is a Boeing 777-3DZ, but for the next month, it will be replaced with an Airbus A350-100. This is the first time Qatar have brought in the A350-100.

When we arrived, the weather was nice, but as afternoon turned into night, the skies darkened and it rained on and off.

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YQO (MSN 41010)
VA951 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 12 YEARS

ALLIANCE AIRLINES FOKKER 70 VH-NUU (MSN 11532)


QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VXE (MSN 30899)
QF631 OFF TO MELBOUNE (MEL) 24 YEARS

QANTASLINK EMBRAER E190AR VH-UYY (MSN 19000212)
QLK1955 OFF TO CANBERRA (CBR) 18 YEARS

ALLIANCE FOKKER 100 VH-FGB (MSN 11446)
VA1107 ARRIVING FROM NEWCASTLE (NTL) 33 YEARS
FLYING FOR VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-7FE VH-VBZ (MSN 34322)
VA1118 ARRIVING FROM PROSERPINE (PPP) 202 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-8SA VH-XZR (MSN 44228)
QF536 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 10 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251NX VH-OFU (MSN 11292)
JQ59 OFF TO DENPASAR (DPS) 3 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-X3L (MSN 5708)
JQ484 ARRIVING FROM NEWCASTLE (NTL) 12 YEARS

QATAR AIRWAYS AIRBUS A350-1041 A7-ANH (MSN 229)
QR898 ARRIVING FROM DOHA (DOH) 7 YEARS



QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBV (MSN 1365)
QF126 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 13 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A321-271NY VH-OGB (MSN 12427)
QF538 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 10 MONTHS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-251N VH-A5A (MSN 12328)
JQ828 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 1.7 YEARS

QANTASLINK AIRBUS A220-300 VH-X4F (MSN 55340)
QF1282 ARRIVED FROM ADELAIDE (ADL) 1 YEAR

AIR CALIN AIRBUS A320-271N F-ONEA (MSN 11882)
SB150 ARRIVING FROM NOUMEA (NOU) 2 YEARS



QANTAS AIRBUS A321-271NY VH-OGC (MSN 12594)
QF540 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 6 MONTHS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHP (MSN 436)
SQ256 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 5 YEARS





Sunday, 17 May 2026

Qantas passenger bites flight attendant - aircraft diverts

On the 15th of May a Qantas Boeing 787 flying from Melbourne (MEL/YMML) to Dallas (DFW/KDFW) was forced to divert to Tahiti (PPT/NTAA) after a passenger allegedly bit a flight attendant mid-flight.

QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNB (MSN 39039)

Once the aircraft landed safely in Tahiti, authorities came on board the aircraft and arrested the passenger. The plane was refueled and was able to complete its journey on to Dallas. 

Parts of the incident was caught on camera by comedian Mike Goldstein, who was on the flight to Dallas-Fort Worth and shared a video on Instagram.

His video showed the passenger emerging from one of the bathrooms and arguing with flight attendants about his behaviour. The passenger was stumbling, slurring his words, and repeatedly swore at crew members and other passengers.

"There's kids around everywhere and you're acting immature," one flight attendant told the passenger.

"You have to behave yourself; you're on a plane."

The passenger expressed some confusion at the fact he was on a plane and asked the flight attendant if he has been "smoking weed".

"I was just about to walk out for a cigarette," the passenger said.

Goldstein's video shows the passenger getting more aggressive and abusive when he was told to go to the back of the plane. According to a post on X, it was reported that the passenger bit a crew member, though this allegation has not been confirmed by the airline or by authorities.

"The safety of our customers and our crew is our number one priority," a Qantas spokesperson said in a statement.

"We have zero tolerance for disruptive or threatening behaviour on our flights."

The passenger has been banned from all Qantas flights, which includes, QantasLink and Jetstar.

Aircraft Information:
Airline: Qantas 
Code: QF/QFA   
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
Registration: VH-ZNB
Serial Number: 39039
Engines: 2 x GEnx-1B
First Flew: 30th November 2017
Age: 8.6 years

One Million views -Thank You




Late yesterday afternoon, this little aviation blog from Brisbane crossed 1 million views. That number is honestly hard for me to wrap my head around.

I’ve been passionate about aviation since I was a child. I live, eat, and breathe commercial aviation, but a severe lung disease kept me from fulfilling my dream of becoming a pilot or an air traffic controller. This blog, along with my aviation photography, is the closest I’ve come to living that dream.

To every single person who visits my blog, whether it's daily or weekly, and reads an article, thank you. It's your support that has kept me going.

1 million views is not just a number to me; it represents a million moments of support from an amazing community. Thank you for being part of this journey. There’s still so much more ahead so please keep checking back in.

Shout out to my beautiful, amazing wife and daughters who have, and continue to support me, encourage me, and keep me going, I couldn't have done this without your input.