Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

US startup Electra has launched a defense division following successful flight tests of its ultra-short takeoff and landing (STOL) hybrid-electric aircraft with the US Air Force (USAF).   On December 3, 2025, Electra provided details behind its decision to introduce Electra Defense, citing “growing global market demand from militaries for long-range, runway-independent solutions”.  The new unit will focus on meeting defense mission needs as Electra continues development of the nine-seater EL9 aircraft.   Electra explained that the new business unit followed the successful completion of government directed test events with the US Air Force at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Future Flag 25-3 test event in September 2025.  According to Electra its EL2 prototype aircraft “executed an operational…

The Royal Air Force (RAF) operates a number of remote airbases around the world, although a lot fewer than it once did. Not only did airbases that once spanned the British Empire disappear as countries became independent, but they also disappeared in some territories that remain British territories, as well as in remote locations in the United Kingdom itself. In WWII, the RAF operated bases in the British Overseas Territory of Berumda as well as the Shetlands (e.g., RAF Sumburgh) and Orkney Islands off the northern coast of Scotland. But these bases have all disappeared. What qualifies as a British…

Portuguese charter airline Hi Fly has made aviation history after successfully landing an Airbus A330 in Antarctica for the first time, opening a new chapter in its Antarctic operations.  This flight took place just one month after the airline celebrated five years of continuous Antarctic operations, Hi Fly announced in a statement on December 2, 2025.  “Landing in Antarctica is never routine, every flight demands careful planning, exacting precision, and respect for the environment,” said Captain Mirpuri. “Introducing the A330 to this remote runway highlights our commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and the ongoing evolution of polar aviation.”  Hi Fly’s Airbus A330-302, with the registration 9H-HFI and powered by General…

Southwest Airlines is currently undergoing a major transformation, which includes charging for checked bags, introducing assigned and extra legroom seating, etc. It goes beyond that, though, as Southwest is also increasingly launching airline partnerships. Earlier this year, we saw Southwest launch its first partnership with Icelandair, and the expectation is that Southwest will fly to Iceland. Then we saw the airline announce China Airlines as its second partner, EVA Air as its third partner, and Philippine Airlines as its fourth partner. Now we’re seeing the airline reveal its fifth partnership, so these are coming along pretty quickly… New Southwest &…

While Airbus is primarily known for its large and diverse portfolio of commercial passenger aircraft, some of its most iconic designs are its Beluga and BelugaXL outsize cargo planes. These bulbous freighters are used to fly aircraft components from one site to another, with their huge fuselages rendering them instantly recognizable among both avgeeks and the general public. Now, however, the first-generation Beluga fleet is ready to retire. With this in mind, and as reported by Timo Nowack at the German publication aeroTELEGRAPH, Airbus is considering the possibility of finding places to exhibit its original Beluga outsize freighters. These inspiring…

The ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite is on track for rapid fielding on 72 U.S. Air Force F-16s, as well as the Army’s ME-11B HADES. Northrop Grumman’s AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) is moving rapidly toward production and frontline fielding after completing a series of major developmental and operational milestones on U.S. Air Force F-16s. The system successfully completed Operational Assessment flight testing earlier this year and will soon equip the F-16 Block 50. As the service looks to keep its large fourth-generation fleet viable against increasingly agile and unpredictable threats, IVEWS is emerging as one of…

There’s an encouraging update, as the search will soon be resumed for MH370, Malaysia Airlines’ Boeing 777 that went missing well over a decade ago. However, it’s hard to be too optimistic at this point, though that won’t stop me from crossing my fingers… MH370 is modern aviation’s greatest mystery Arguably the most mysterious commercial air disaster ever is what happened to MH370, the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER that went missing back in March 2014. The plane was carrying 239 people from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Beijing (PEK), when it disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff. Aviation is incredibly safe,…

With the recent issues regarding the A320 aircraft affecting airlines around the world, resulting in operational disruptions as carriers have had to ground the affected aircraft to remedy the issue, Airbus has decided to slash its commercial aircraft delivery for this year. However, the manufacturer has indicated that the financial performance for the year remains unchanged. While the expected number of aircraft deliveries has been reduced by 30, the question remains how Airbus is ensuring its bottom line is not affected. Reducing Aircraft Delivery Expectations Credit: Shutterstock The latest press release from the European manufacturer, Airbus, states that the OEM has…

Archer Aviation has set out its plans for an electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft network in Miami, connecting major population and business centers.  On December 3, 2025, the US-based eVTOL aircraft developer said the new network would connect Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale.   The network is also intended to offer travel options between the region’s three major international airports: Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).   Archer is collaborating with Related Ross to develop a vertiport within its West Palm Beach downtown development and with Dragon Global’s Magic City Innovation District to develop another.   Helipads at both…

Hilton’s sort-of-luxury LXR Hotels & Resorts brand will be debuting in Greece, with the opening of a hotel in 2026. More points hotels in Greece are always a good thing, so let’s cover the details… Basics of Hilton LXR’s 66-key Sandblu Resort SantoriniSandblu Santorini, part of Hilton LXR, is now accepting reservations for stays as of April 8, 2026. Interestingly, it seems this property actually opened in 2024 as an independent hotel (with the same Sandblu Resort name), but it’ll just be joining Hilton as of the 2026 season.Sandblu Resort is located in Kamari, in eastern Santorini, at the foothills…