Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, who faced corruption charges tied to a $2.3 billion Airbus aircraft purchase, was found dead on May 8, 2026, police said. Chandrasena was found at a relative’s home in Colombo, Sri Lanka, according to police, who said they were investigating the cause and circumstances of his death. The former head of Sri Lanka’s state-owned flag carrier had been held by police in March 2026 on charges of conspiring to accept a $16 million bribe from Airbus in connection with the purchase of 10 aircraft. The aircraft deal was valued at $2.3 billion. Chandrasena had…

NASA has tested rotor blades for future Mars helicopters past the speed of sound, a milestone that could allow future aircraft on the Red Planet to carry heavier payloads and fly farther. The tests took place recently at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, where engineers spun next-generation Mars helicopter rotor blades inside the 25-Foot Space Simulator, a chamber that can replicate the thin, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere of Mars. The team pushed rotor tip speeds to Mach 1.08 during 137 test runs. NASA said the tests boosted the Mars vehicle’s lift capability by 30%, a breakthrough that could support…

The Department of Defense launched a team of elite private sector businessmen tasked with handling and approving defense contractor negotiations, aimed at fixing the former “broken Pentagon bureaucracy.”Dubbed “Deal Team Six,” the crew is tasked with creating better deals with defense companies to ensure their production of U.S. military equipment is not at the expense of the taxpayer, but that of the contractor, according to a Thursday social media video posted by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.Hegseth claims in the video that for decades, the department allowed contractors to “double-dip” when service members needed weapons, aircraft or ships, charging the…

Nearly 20 years after the US Navy retired the F-14 Tomcat, one of the most recognizable fighter jets in aviation history could have the chance to fly again. The US Senate has passed the Maverick Act, a bill that would allow the Navy to transfer three retired F-14 Tomcats to the US Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama, for preservation, public display and possible flight at airshows or commemorative events. The bill, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tim Sheehy of Montana with Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona as a cosponsor, authorizes the transfer of three surplus F-14D…

In the next couple of weeks, Delta Air Lines plans to introduce a very premium domestic narrow body aircraft, with a staggering 44 first class seats. However, this isn’t by design, but is instead intended to make the best of a frustrating situation. I first wrote about this several months ago (based on information that JonNYC shared). There’s now an update, as pictures have just leaked of the first plane with this special configuration, and it’s quite something! The entry into service for this aircraft has also been moved forward. Delta unveils 164-seat A321neos, with 44 first class seats Delta…

Emirates Group employees are to receive a 20-week salary bonus in response to the company’s record financial performance in fiscal year 2025-26. The Dubai-based aviation conglomerate, which includes Emirates airline and ground services arm dnata, announced the bonus on May 7, 2026. The payout comes after a year in which the group achieved historic highs in net profits, revenues, and cash reserves, despite significant disruptions caused by regional conflict in the final month of the fiscal year. A thank-you for resilience In a letter to staff, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and…

American forces fired on and disabled two Iranian-flagged unladen oil tankers on Friday after the ships attempted to cross a U.S. Navy blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS George H.W. Bush launched “precision munitions” at the smokestacks of M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, disabling the vessels before they could reach an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman, according to U.S. Central Command.“U.S. forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of CENTCOM.The U.S.…

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (review) is losing a unique perk that set it apart in some ways, and I’m sure cardmembers won’t be happy about it. Chase pulling 10% anniversary bonus points benefit As flagged by Doctor Of Credit, Chase has just updated its website to reflect that a popular perk of the Chase Sapphire Preferred will be ending: The Anniversary Bonus is retiring. You will continue to earn 10% of your spend through 10/1/26. For context, the card has a robust rewards structure, and offers 5x points on purchases through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, select streaming services,…

Singapore Airlines is planning to expand its European network, with additional frequencies to several key destinations and a new service to Madrid launching in October 2026. The airline announced on May 8, 2026 that it will increase flights to Manchester Airport (MAN), Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), Munich Airport (MUC), and London Gatwick Airport (LGW), in response to strong demand.It will also begin five-times-weekly services to Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) via Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) starting October 26, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Madrid will become Singapore Airlines’ 15th destination in Europe and its second in Spain. What’s changing in Singapore…

NEW DELHI — India is pressing ahead with a $9 billion infrastructure project to bolster its military footprint on the Great Nicobar Island which sits far from the Indian mainland near one of the world’s most critical shipping arteries.The project is attracting attention as disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, following the U.S.-Iran-Israel conflict brings focus to other vulnerable maritime chokepoints.The Malacca Strait, a narrow stretch of water passing between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, is the shortest route between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Jointly managed by these three countries, it carries more than a…