Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

BERLIN — When the Trump administration lifted sanctions on Bosnian Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik in late October, it marked a dramatic realignment in the Western Balkans that has sparked concerns in Europe that the fragile post-war order in Bosnia and Herzegovina may become shaky.In the Western Balkan country of three million, where the fateful shots that caused World War I once rang out, there has been a tense stalemate ever since the genocidal fighting of the 90s stopped. A complex framework including 15 parliaments, three simultaneous presidents, and a European peacekeeping force, all imposed by the international community, has…

Southwest Airlines stock has soared by 17% after the carrier reported improved operational performance during the Full Year and Q4 2025 earnings call, duly increasing its 2026 earnings guidance to more than four times its 2025 figures.  The carrier posted a significant increase in its operating income, which went from $321 million in 2024 to $428 million in 2025, up 33.3%.  Net income actually decreased by 5.2%, from $465 to $465 million, due to lower interest income. This can be attributed to the carrier engaging in an aggressive share buyback program, which saw it allocate nearly $3 billion in cash…

Most airplanes feature disc-style brakes similar to those found on automobiles. They are typically found on the main landing gear. Upon touching down, pilots will engage the airplane’s brakes. Heat-resistant discs will then squeeze together to create friction that slows the airplane down. In addition to disc-style brakes such as this, however, many airplanes also feature brake wear pins. An Introduction to Brake Wear Pins Brake wear pins are mechanical devices that show how much usable material remains in an airplane’s stators. Stators are essentially brake pads. While brake discs rotate along with wheels, stators remain stationary. Each time an…

ANKARA — The keel of the first naval support vessel for the Portuguese sea service was laid in Ada Shipyard in Istanbul this week.Turkish shipbuilder STM had signed a contract to build two Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) and Logistics Support Ships in Lisbon on Dec. 17, 2024.This marked Turkey’s first military ship export to a European Union and NATO member state.The keel-laying ceremony was attended by the defense ministers, commanders of naval forces and air forces of both nations.Designed to support joint force projection, amphibious operations and humanitarian missions, the ships will also include facilities for helicopters and unmanned aerial…

The French Navy has announced that the H160M Guépard prototype has carried out its first integration sequence with a frontline surface ship, as the future joint light helicopter moves closer to shipboard operations.  On January 16, 2026, prototype No. 1 conducted what the French Navy described as an “interaction of opportunity” with the fleet replenishment tanker BRF Jacques Stosskopf, marking the first contact between the Guépard and a French warship. The helicopter flew in an armed configuration close to the ship, but did not land on deck.  Sensor checks near a large ship  (Credit: Marine Nationale) According to the French Navy, the point of the evolution was not deck handling but rather electromagnetic environment…

Air Astana has announced that it will begin flying between Almaty International Airport (ALA) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) at the end of March 2026. The new route adds another Chinese city to the Kazakh flag carrier’s network, as it continues building out connections to its eastern neighbor. The new service will operate three times weekly using Airbus A321LR aircraft, with flights scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, departing Almaty at 19:10 local time and arriving in Shanghai at 04:25 local time the following day.  Return flights will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, leaving Shanghai at 05:40 local…

American Express is known for its popular network of Centurion Lounges. Crowding has been a major issue with these lounges over the years (well, and most credit card lounges), so we’ve seen all kinds of access restrictions added. Along those lines, Amex has just revealed plans to add another two restrictions, as flagged by TPG. Amex adds new time & flight limits for lounge access As of July 8, 2026, Amex will be adding two new restrictions when it comes to Centurion Lounge access, which are fairly minor, but still noteworthy. First, cardmembers will need to be traveling on the…

Starbucks has announced major changes to its Starbucks Rewards loyalty program. While I can’t say I’m some diehard Starbucks fan, or that this is directly airline or hotel related, it’s still a major loyalty program, and it’s interesting to see the changes… New Starbucks Rewards Stars earning & elite statusThe new Starbucks Rewards program will launch on March 10, 2026. The first thing to note is that we’re going to see the reintroduction of elite status. Up until 2019, Starbucks Rewards had elite status, but then it was eliminated, in favor of everyone receiving the same rewards. With these updates,…

In 2022, plans were announced for the Four Seasons Venice, in the form of a conversion and renovation of Hotel Danieli, a Marriott Luxury Collection property. There’s now an update, as an opening date has been announced, and rooms are bookable. The Venice hotel scene will be getting some excellent new luxury options this year, between this and the opening of Airelles Venice… Details of the upcoming Four Seasons Venice Danieli, a Four Seasons Hotel, Venice, is now accepting reservations for stays as of August 26, 2026, though it’s possible the property may open before then. To start, it’s worth…

The global aviation industry is facing an unprecedented need for talent. According to CAE’s 2025 Aviation Talent Forecast, the industry will need 1.5 million new professionals over the next decade, driven by growing air demand and the subsequent global airline fleet expansion.   What’s more, even if this frantic rate of growth slows, the industry must still contend with the need to replace nearly one-third of commercial pilots, who are expected to retire or leave their posts over the course of the next decade.   These trends underscore how important it is for the world’s major airlines to have well-resourced and technologically…