Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

India has approved the $39 billion purchase of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets, in an effort to bolster the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational readiness and modernize its military fleet. On February 12, 2026, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired under the guidance of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, backed the deal, along with the purchase of swathe of other military hardware including combat missiles. An Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was approved for the procurement of Rafale Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), to join the IAF and “undertake air dominance roles across the spectrum of conflict”. The majority of MRFA to be…

SINGAPORE — Beyond China’s ostentatious display of its J-35A fighter jet at the Singapore Airshow was a lower-profile piece of equipment, the new Wing-Loong X combat drone, which experts say is far more likely to find international success. Beijing banked on Asia’s largest aerospace event, organized here from Feb. 3-7, to flex its aviation muscle, in a bid to attract more customers. At the enormous booth of the country’s top aerospace manufacturer, Aviation Industry Corporation of China, or AVIC, placed in the center of the exhibition hall, a mock-up of the WL-X combat drone was displayed on the side. It…

Air Canada has selected the Airbus A350-1000 to lead its next era of global travel, as the airline prepares to “unlock new possibilities for long-haul” operations in the future. On December 11, 2025, the airline announced that, as part of its fleet modernization program, it had placed an order with Airbus for eight A350-1000 widebody aircraft, with an option to double the purchase in the future. Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2030 and will go some way to replacing Air Canada’s older A330-300s and Boeing 777LRs. “Air Canada’s acquisition of the Airbus A350-1000 will further…

In March 2025, we saw the Andaz Mayakoba close, so that the property could undergo a full renovation, and move upmarket. There’s now an update, as the new property has opened as the Alila Mayakoba. Basics of the new Alila Mayakoba, MexicoThe Alila Mayakoba has opened for stays as of today, February 12, 2026. Mayakoba is a resort complex near Cancun, which otherwise has Rosewood and Banyan Tree properties. This property marks the Alila brand’s entry into the Latin America and Caribbean market.For those not familiar with Alila, it’s one of Hyatt’s wellness focused luxury brands. I’d generally consider it…

The blended-wing, hyper-efficient airliner Horizon Evo has redesigned by developer Natilus to include two distinct decks, one for passengers that features larger overhead storage and windows, and an all-new lower cargo deck.  In an update issued on February 10, 2026, San Diego-based Natilus announced the advancement of its Horizon Evo design after what it described as “critical feedback” from the Federal Aviation Administration and airline customers. According to Natilus, the change to two decks allows for additional emergency exits (a key issue for the FAA) and better integration with existing airport infrastructure (important for airline customers).  The company said that these changes enable it to offer a wider cabin for passengers, while still handling freight in a way that will integrate with existing ground equipment. Natilus noted the updated design can…

Australia has opened a major new unmanned aircraft facility at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Tindal in Northern Territory. The AUD 355.7 million (US $253 million) project is designed to enhance the country’s ability to monitor its northern maritime approaches using next-generation drone technology. Assistant Minister for Defense Peter Khalil officially opened the facility, which will house the MQ-4C Triton surveillance aircraft as part of Australia’s broader strategy to strengthen its northern defense capabilities.  The facility’s completion demonstrates Australia’s expanding use of advanced unmanned systems for intelligence gathering and maritime surveillance. The completion of the new MQ‑4C Triton…

In a retrofit update, Emirates has confirmed that the first three-class layout upgrade on a high-density two-class Airbus A380 is nearing completion. On January 12, 2026, Emirates provided an overall update on its extensive fleet retrofit, stating that the first two-class A380 to be remodeled – with 76 business class seats, 56 premium economy seats, and 437 economy seats – would be ready in mid-April. The first upgraded aircraft will operate flights (EK903/904) between Dubai and Amman from April 14 to May 31, 2026, before switching to Prague (EK139/140) from June 1, 2026. By November 2026, Emirates expects to have…

Air Canada has just announced a very exciting aircraft order, which I think many of us were anticipating. Air Canada will fly the Airbus A350-1000 as of 2030 Air Canada has placed an order for up to 16 Airbus A350-1000s. This includes a firm order for eight of the jets, plus options for eight more, with deliveries expected start in the second half of 2030. The A350-1000 is an incredibly capable plane with great unit costs and impressive range, and it’s among my favorite planes to fly. Air Canada notes how the plane has the range of approximately 9,000 nautical miles,…

Over the past several years, we’ve seen the ultra low cost carrier business model in the United States under immense stress. With costs going up and the legacy carriers better competing, they’ve found themselves in a really challenging situation. Obviously Spirit Airlines is in the worst position, but Frontier Airlines isn’t exactly doing great either. Along those lines, there’s an interesting development on that front. Frontier returns, defers, and sells planes, to improve financials Before we get into the details, let me mention that Frontier currently has a fleet of around 160 Airbus A320-family aircraft, with a similar number of…

It’s not unusual to see people miss flights, and/or to see them lose their patience with frontline airline employees. Here’s a unique twist on that, as a former senior airline executive has gone on a bit of a rant, after IndiGo left him behind during a rolling delay. Are his complaints warranted, or should he just have been at the gate earlier? Ex-AirAsia India CFO furious after missing IndiGo flight Vijay Gopalan is the former CFO of AirAsia India, and on February 5, 2026, he was scheduled to fly on IndiGo flight 6E7268, from Tiruchirappalli (TRZ) to Chennai (MAA). He…