Flight Safety Information - January 02, 2026 No. 002 In This Issue : Incident: Emirates A388 at London on Dec 31st 2025, gear problem on departure : 'I can't believe this happened': Audio reveals moments after United plane slips off Houston taxiway : United Passenger Arrested After Claiming 'This Is a Simulation' and Throwing 'Punches' Mid-Flight : This Delta Flight's Mystery Odor Was So Bad the Pilots Had to Put on Oxygen Masks Mid-Air : 122 evacuated as smoke fills cabin of passenger jet in S. Korea : Air India pilot taken off duty over intoxication allegations in Canada : Thai Airways receives first of 32 Airbus A321neo aircraft for fleet expansion : Emirates: over 55 million passengers and 73 aircraft ordered in 2025 : EVA Air Plans Acquisition of Four Boeing 787 9 Aircraft : Happy New Year from Southern California Safety Institute : Calendar of Events Incident: Emirates A388 at London on Dec 31st 2025, gear problem on departure An Emirates Airbus A380-800, registration A6-EUF performing flight EK-2 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Dubai (United Arab Emirates), was climbing out of Heathrow's runway 27L when the aircraft stopped the climb at 6000 feet due to problems with the landing gear. The aircraft subsequently climbed to FL100 and entered a hold for about 80 minutes and returned to Heathrow for a safe landing on runway 27R about 1:55 hours after departure. A passenger reported the crew re-cycled the landing gear several times then entered a hold at Biggin Hill for troubleshooting. The aircraft returned to Heathrow and remains on the ground for a technical inspection. Ground observers reported a main or body gear door remained open. The airline reported the aircraft returned to Heathrow due to a technical problem. The aircraft is still on the ground in London about 25.5 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=532154fc&opt=0 'I can't believe this happened': Audio reveals moments after United plane slips off Houston taxiway Moments after a United Airlines plane failed to slow down on a wet runway and rolled off the taxiway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport last year, the captain told his first officer: "Oh, my God, I can't believe this happened." New records released by the National Transportation Safety Board shed light on the pilots' cockpit conversations during and after the March 2024 Memphis-to-Houston flight. The material includes a security video of the aircraft sliding into the grass with its left main landing gear collapsed, a transcript capturing the crew's reactions after struggling to slow the plane, and interviews with the pilots by federal investigators. READ MORE: United flight lands in Houston but exits off taxiway into the grass at IAH The NTSB is an independent federal agency that investigates transportation accidents and issues safety recommendations. Releasing the records on a public docket is part of the NTSB's investigative process. The investigation is still ongoing and no cause has been announced, but the new material provides more details about the incident. The Boeing 737 failed to decelerate sufficiently before trying to exit the runway, according to an NTSB performance study. Investigators said the plane didn't slow down in time after landing because the crew eased off the key braking systems on the wet runway. The plane's speed brakes retracted seconds after touchdown, which disengaged the automatic brakes, and reverse thrust was later reduced, making it harder to slow the aircraft before it reached the end of the runway. In a report from last year, the captain said he was concerned because, at about 1,000 feet from the end of the runway, the aircraft wasn't slowing sufficiently. The captain applied greater brake pressure, but the fuselage and rudder brake pedals violently shook as he attempted to turn the aircraft toward the taxiway. The plane ended up on unpaved ground, slightly tilted on its side. The transcript released Wednesday showed the captain apologized to the first officer and asked if the crew and passengers were OK. "Oh, my God, I can't believe this happened," the captain said. NTSB records identify the captain as Alireza Johartchi and the first officer as Michael Dickson. While checking on the passengers after the crash, the transcript shows the captain telling his first officer: "Can't believe I did this," "Sorry, man, to get you into this mess," and "Oh God, this is crazy." Johartchi also seemed concerned about what would happen to him, emphasizing a possible violation or a write-up. "I thought it was gonna stop. Dude, I am so frickin' sorry to get you in this. I am so sorry," the captain said. The captain told the first officer that they should not discuss anything while on the plane and seemed concerned about the crash being on social media. The first officer asked, "So at this point we can't discuss anything with anybody, right?" Johartchi replied: "Nope." The captain later told NTSB investigators: "I was devastated, devastated. To this moment, I'm devastated." Dickson told the investigators that "at no point" did he feel uncomfortable with Johartchi's decision-making. There were no reported injuries from the crash and 160 passengers were transported to the terminals. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/cant-believe-happened-audio-reveals-120000163.html United Passenger Arrested After Claiming 'This Is a Simulation' and Throwing 'Punches' Mid-Flight Jordan Robert Langston, 25, was arrested on Dec. 28 after allegedly interfering with flight crew members and attendants A United Airlines passenger was arrested on Dec. 28 after allegedly interfering with flight crews The airline tells PEOPLE the flight diverted to Omaha after “after a passenger became disruptive," and the man was met by law enforcement and later arrested by airport police According to an FBI agent's affidavit, the passenger repeatedly called the flight a "simulation" and threw "punches" on board A cross-country United Airlines flight made an unexpected stop in Omaha, Neb., on Sunday after a "disruptive passenger” allegedly interfered with crews on board. According to a statement shared with PEOPLE from a United spokesperson, flight 2410 from Washington Dulles to Salt Lake City made an emergency landing “after a passenger became disruptive,” on Sunday, Dec. 28. “Law enforcement met the aircraft at the gate in Omaha and the passenger was removed,” the statement added. “The flight continued to Salt Lake City later that evening.” A criminal complaint filed on Monday, Dec. 29, in the U.S. District Court of Nebraska names 25-year-old Jordan Robert Langston as the defendant. An affidavit written by FBI Special Agent Patrick Manion claiming Langston forced the diversion is included in the complaint. “Shortly after takeoff, Langston proceeded to exit his seat, walked towards the front of the plane and approached [a flight attendant] and began stating ‘This is a simulation’ while waving his hands above his head,” Manion wrote. After a flight attendant asked what was a simulation, Langston allegedly said "this flight" and he “proceeded to walk towards the rear of the plane," according to Manion. Once he reached the back of the plane, Langston allegedly pushed another flight attendant and stepped on their shoes before explaining he “needed to get off the plane.” A third flight attendant reportedly informed him that he wasn’t allowed to touch the flight crew; otherwise, the flight would turn around. The first flight attendant told the captain about the incident, who issued a level 2 security threat, per the affidavit. This allowed the flight to continue, but required “four able body assistants (ABTs) to be informed of the situation.” An ABT was allegedly seated next to Langston, who reportedly continued to state, “This is all a simulation.” After 30 minutes, Langston “forcibly stood up and [the ABT] moved to the aisle of the plane,” per the affidavit. “Langston proceeded to jump up and down and put his hands up. Langston proceeded to ‘shadow box’ and throw punches at [the ABT],” Manion wrote. “Langston struck [them] in the face, just below [their] nose. This prompted [the ABT] to take Langston to the ground in the aisle.” After the four ABTs and one flight attendant brought Langston to the back of the plane, the defendant was allegedly “restrained and cuffed” and “began screaming and talking about death.” Once the flight landed in Omaha, the Airport Police Authority escorted him off the plane, arrested and booked him into Douglas County Corrections, per the affidavit. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Langston faces one charge of violating Title 49 U.S. Section 46504, Interference with Flight Crew Members and Attendants. On Dec. 30, U.S. magistrate judge Michael D. Nelson ordered Langston to remain in custody. Court records show a 45-day criminal deadline has been set for Feb. 13. Langston’s attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/united-passenger-arrested-claiming-simulation-212630455.html This Delta Flight's Mystery Odor Was So Bad the Pilots Had to Put on Oxygen Masks Mid-Air A routine Tuesday morning flight from Miami to Minneapolis turned into a 10-hour nightmare for 111 passengers when Delta Flight 2150 was forced to make an emergency diversion after flight attendants detected a mysterious and alarming odor in the cabin that was serious enough to require pilots to don oxygen masks while flying the aircraft. The Boeing 737-900ER, which departed Miami at a significantly delayed 1:26 PM instead of its scheduled 6:25 AM time slot, was barely an hour into its journey when the unidentified smell prompted the flight crew to take extraordinary safety measures and divert to Delta's Atlanta hub for an emergency inspection. Oxygen Masks in the Cockpit: When Pilots Fear for Their Safety What makes this incident particularly alarming is that the mysterious odor was serious enough to trigger emergency protocols typically reserved for the most dangerous in-flight situations. Delta confirmed that following standard procedure, the pilots donned oxygen masks in the flight deck until the plane reached Atlanta, though passenger oxygen masks were not deployed. The fact that pilots felt compelled to use oxygen masks signals that this wasn't simply an unpleasant smell—it was a potential safety threat that could have compromised the flight crew's ability to safely operate the aircraft. "Delta's flight crew followed their extensive training to safely divert to Atlanta after an odor was detected onboard. We apologize to our customers for the experience and the delay in their travels," the airline stated, though they declined to specify what the mysterious odor actually was. From Bad to Worse: The Day That Wouldn't End What began as an already delayed departure from Miami International Airport at 1:26 PM became a travel disaster of epic proportions. After around one hour and 13 minutes into the usual three hour and 40 minute trip between Miami and Minneapolis, the crew detected a strange odor, which prompted the captain out of an abundance of caution to divert to Atlanta. The 111 passengers and six crew members found themselves unexpectedly in Atlanta, where they faced an agonizing wait while ground crews inspected the aircraft for the source of the concerning smell. The replacement flight eventually departed from Atlanta at 5:17 PM, finally delivering the 111 passengers to Minneapolis by 6:45 PM, some nine hours and 25 minutes later than their initial expected arrival time of 9:20 AM. For passengers trying to make connections, attend meetings, or simply get home after the holidays, the nearly 10-hour delay represented more than just inconvenience, it was a complete disruption of their travel plans. The Mystery Deepens: What Was That Smell? Delta has remained tight-lipped about the exact nature of the odor that forced the dramatic diversion. Aviation experts note that mysterious cabin odors can range from relatively benign sources like spoiled food or cleaning chemicals to potentially dangerous situations involving engine oil leaks or hydraulic fluid entering the cabin air system. When those onboard an aircraft detect a strange smell or odor, the usual practice is for the captain to divert out of an abundance of caution, as it can be a signal for more serious issues, such as fume events (which are oil or hydraulic fluid leaks into the pressurized cabin air). The fact that pilots felt the need for oxygen masks suggests the odor was more than just unpleasant, it potentially posed a health risk to the flight crew responsible for safely operating the aircraft. The Troubling Pattern: Delta's Odor Problem This incident represents just the latest in a disturbing pattern of Delta flights being diverted due to mysterious odors. The airline has faced multiple similar incidents in recent months, raising questions about aircraft maintenance and air quality systems. Just days before the Flight 2150 incident, Delta Flight DL504 from Orlando to Los Angeles was diverted to Tampa International Airport after the flight crew detected an unusual odor in the plane, with 194 passengers and 6 crew members aboard. Earlier in November, Delta Flight 850 from Atlanta to Washington D.C. was forced to divert to Raleigh-Durham International Airport due to a smell in the cabin, with all 150 passengers and six crew members transferred to a different plane. Aircraft Returns to Service Despite Concerns Perhaps most concerning is what happened after the Atlanta incident. The aircraft involved, N801DZ, a 12-year-old Boeing 737-900ER that has been operating for Delta since September 2013, remained on the apron at Atlanta overnight while ground crew inspected the aircraft and then deemed it fit to fly again. The aircraft returned to service the very next day, operating a flight from Atlanta to New Orleans. However, according to reports, the same aircraft diverted again just days after reentering service, raising serious questions about whether the root cause of the mysterious odor was actually identified and resolved. The Hidden Health Risks While Delta maintains that safety protocols were followed, the incident highlights growing concerns about air quality in commercial aircraft. A Wall Street Journal investigation found an acceleration in the rate of passengers and crew becoming ill after toxic fumes from jet engines leaked unfiltered into cabins or cockpits. The requirement for pilots to use oxygen masks during this particular incident suggests that the odor wasn't merely unpleasant, it was potentially harmful enough to compromise the cognitive function or physical wellbeing of the flight crew. Passenger Rights and Compensation For the 111 passengers whose holiday travel plans were completely derailed, the incident raises important questions about compensation and passenger rights. While Delta provided alternative transportation, the nearly 10-hour delay likely resulted in missed connections, lost hotel reservations, and disrupted holiday plans. Under federal regulations, passengers may be entitled to compensation for significant delays, though weather and mechanical issues often complicate these claims. The fact that this incident involved a potential safety issue rather than routine maintenance may affect compensation eligibility. Industry-Wide Implications The frequency of odor-related diversions across the industry has aviation safety experts calling for better air quality monitoring systems and more transparent reporting of cabin air issues. While airlines maintain that current safety protocols are adequate, incidents like Flight 2150 demonstrate that mysterious odors can pose serious operational challenges. The requirement for pilots to use oxygen masks during flight operations represents one of the most serious responses to cabin air quality issues, highlighting that this wasn't a minor inconvenience but a potential safety threat. What Travelers Should Know For passengers experiencing unusual odors during flights, it's important to immediately alert flight attendants rather than assuming the smell is harmless. While most odor incidents turn out to be minor, the Flight 2150 case demonstrates that cabin air quality issues can escalate quickly and require emergency responses. Travelers should also be aware that odor-related diversions are becoming increasingly common, with multiple incidents reported across various airlines in recent months. Keeping flexible travel plans and understanding passenger rights can help minimize the impact of such unexpected disruptions. The Bottom Line Delta Flight 2150's 10-hour ordeal serves as a stark reminder that modern aviation still faces significant challenges with cabin air quality and passenger safety. When pilots feel compelled to use oxygen masks due to mysterious odors, it signals that the situation is far more serious than a mere inconvenience. For the 111 passengers who endured this frightening experience, the incident represents everything that can go wrong with commercial aviation, from delayed departures to emergency diversions to unclear communication about safety risks. While everyone ultimately arrived safely, the lingering questions about the mysterious odor and the aircraft's quick return to service highlight ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in airline safety reporting. As Delta and other carriers continue grappling with these mysterious odor incidents, passengers deserve clear answers about what they're being exposed to and what steps are being taken to prevent future occurrences. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/delta-flights-mystery-odor-bad-123037063.html 122 evacuated as smoke fills cabin of passenger jet in S. Korea SEOUL -- A total of 122 people, including passengers and crew members, were evacuated Friday as smoke filled the cabin of a passenger jet in South Korea's airport, according to Yonhap news agency. The unidentified smoke flowed into the cabin of a Jin Air aircraft, which was scheduled to fly from the international airport in the country's southern resort island of Jeju to the southeastern port city of Pohang, at around 12:25 pm local time (0325 GMT). While boarding was underway, all 122 passengers and crew members were evacuated as an internal alarm went off in the cockpit following the detection of smoke. According to the inspection of the aircraft, the smoke was believed to have been caused by a defect in the auxiliary power unit (APU) located in the tail section of the plane, resulting in overheating. The APU serves as a backup engine that supplies electrical power and air conditioning when the main engines are shut down. https://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202601/02/WS69577525a310d6866eb31969.html Air India pilot taken off duty over intoxication allegations in Canada Canada’s transport regulator called the incident a ‘serious matter’ and demanded answers from the airline amid safety concerns Canada’s transport regulator has asked Air India to investigate an incident of a pilot reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol and failing two breathalyser tests, a person familiar with the matter said. The tests were conducted by Canadian police at Vancouver International Airport after the pilot was asked ⁠to leave the aircraft, the person said. The incident was labelled as a “serious matter” by Transport Canada in a letter to Air India and authorities are likely to pursue enforcement action, the person added. The person requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media. Transport Canada did not respond to an emailed request for comment outside regular working hours. In a statement, Air India confirmed the flight from Vancouver to New Delhi on December 23 experienced a last-minute delay due to the incident, adding that another pilot was brought in to operate the flight. “The pilot has been taken off flying duties during the process of inquiry. Air India maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of applicable rules and regulations,” Air India said. “Pending the outcome of the investigation, any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy.” Passengers of India’s biggest airline stranded by days of mass cancellations The letter from Transport Canada official Ajit Oommen has asked Air India to provide its findings and details ⁠of steps taken to prevent future occurrences by January 26, the person familiar with the matter said. India has been under intense scrutiny since the June 12 crash of a Boeing Dreamliner killed 260 people. India’s aviation regulator has flagged multiple safety lapses at the airline, which was previously owned by the government until 2022. Pilots at Air India, owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, have also come under scrutiny. This week, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) sent warning notices to four Air India pilots, flagging “serious safety concerns” related to regulatory compliance and flight crew decision-making. The DGCA said the pilots accepted an aircraft for operation last year despite prior knowledge of “repeated snags” and “existing systems degradations”, according to warning notices dated December 29, seen by Reuters. The aircraft is a Boeing 787 used for long-haul flights, according to Flightradar24. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3338500/air-india-pilot-taken-duty-over-intoxication-allegations-canada Thai Airways receives first of 32 Airbus A321neo aircraft for fleet expansion Thai Airways welcomed its first Airbus A321neo aircraft on December 25, 2025, marking the beginning of a significant fleet expansion for Thailand’s flag carrier. The aircraft, registered as HS-TOA and given the royal name ‘Bowonrangsi’ (meaning splendor or honor), arrived at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) following its delivery flight from the Airbus Delivery Center in Hamburg, Germany. Thai Airways’ Chairman Lavaron Sangsnit, board member Chansin Treenuchagron, and CEO Chai Eamsiri attended the welcoming ceremony along with executive management and guests. The delivery represents the first of 32 A321neo aircraft that Thai Airways is to receive from Airbus. The initial 10 aircraft will enter service under operating lease agreements with AerCap, one of the world’s leading aircraft lessors. “The delivery of our first A321neo demonstrates THAI’s commitment to strengthening our fleet capabilities and network strategy to enhance service potential and support continued growth in the Asia-Pacific market,” Eamsiri said. “The A321neo is equipped with advanced, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly technologies. These developments underscore THAI’s approach to sustainable and responsible operations. This new aircraft type will enable us to operate more efficiently on strategic routes across the Asia-Pacific region,” he added. The single-aisle A321neo, part of Airbus’ A320 Family, is powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines and features lower fuel consumption and quieter operations compared to previous generation models. The aircraft reduces carbon dioxide emissions per seat by up to 20% and is certified to operate with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel. The cabin can accommodate 175 passengers with 16 business class seats in Royal Silk Class and 159 economy class seats. The business class cabin features fully flat beds with 180-degree recline and increased seat pitch, designed to deliver widebody-like comfort. Economy class seats include ergonomic design with 110-degree recline and six-way adjustable headrests. The aircraft’s interior blends Thai identity with contemporary international design through seat styling, curtains and cabin panels. Each seat features an in-flight entertainment system with 4K resolution touchscreens and Bluetooth headphone connectivity. Airspace XL overhead bins provide up to 40% more storage capacity compared to older generation models, while welcome ceiling and cabin mood lighting systems enhance the passenger experience. Thai Airways plans to operate the A321neo on regional routes across its Asia-Pacific network. The inaugural commercial flight is scheduled for January 22, 2026, on the Bangkok-Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) route. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/thai-airways-receives-first-of-32-airbus-a321neo-aircraft-for-fleet-expansion Emirates: over 55 million passengers and 73 aircraft ordered in 2025 Last year, Emirates moved 55.6 million customers, circled Earth 29,290 times on nearly 180,580 flights, and placed orders for 73 new aircraft. The airline celebrated its 40th year of operations in October. The A350 took off The first Emirates A350 entered commercial service in early January with its maiden journey to Edinburgh. The airline’s A350 network has expanded rapidly since then and now, 16 Emirates A350s fly to 18 cities, connecting travellers in comfort across Europe, West Asia, the Middle East, Australia and soon, the Americas when it debuts in Montreal in February 2026. Looking East 2025 saw Emirates double down on its footprint in Asia with the launch of two new Chinese mainland destinations – Shenzhen and Hangzhou – served by non-stop daily flights, as well as services to Danang in Vietnam, and Siem Reap, Cambodia via Bangkok. The airline has been working to serve growing travel and trade demand across East Asia and China as business activity grows across the region. More Premium Economy Throughout 2025, Emirates has been adding more of its next-generation Airbus A350 and retrofitted Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, all featuring the award-winning Emirates Premium Economy cabin, across its network. Today close to 70 cities are served by more than 100 aircraft offering the latest Emirates cabin interiors, constituting roughly 40% of the airline’s passenger fleet. Lightning speed with Starlink Consistent with its ethos to deliver a superior, consistent experience across its fleet, Emirates announced the rollout of Starlink Wi-Fi across 232 aircraft in November at the Dubai Airshow. Starting with its Boeing 777s, the programme will quickly expand to make Emirates the world’s first airline with Starlink-equipped A380s in early 2026. The airline will be installing Starlink at the rate of around 11 aircraft per month and by the end of next year, over 123 aircraft will offer customers complimentary ultra-fast connectivity for streaming, gaming, work, and browsing across every cabin class. Uniting passionate fans through sport Emirates announced nine major sports deals and renewals in 2025, positioning it as one of the world’s most visible sports sponsors through the 2030s. Its headline seven-year partnership with FC Bayern Munich made Emirates Platinum Partner of the German football powerhouse and marked the airline brand’s high-profile return to the Bundesliga. Emirates signed a historic contract extension with World Rugby through 2035, the longest commitment in the airline’s 40-year sponsorship history and the first-ever Platinum Partnership in rugby. It also inked a brand-new partnership with the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), backing the continent’s most prestigious club rugby competitions to connect the airline with over 70 million rugby fans worldwide. Other notable deals included: becoming Official Main Sponsor of Real Madrid Basketball, the renewal of its 18-year AC Milan partnership, extensions with Olympique Lyonnais and the ATP Tour through to 2030, and UAE Team Emirates XRG. These deals solidified Emirates’ sports portfolio spanning football’s elite clubs, international rugby, professional basketball, Grand Slam tennis and tournaments, professional cycling, and more. Emirates Courier Express Emirates launched Emirates Courier Express, setting new benchmarks in cross-border delivery by flying packages direct on its passenger fleet instead of routing through multiple hubs. Shortly after launch, Emirates Courier Express added Australia and Germany to its network, now serving 10 international markets, with further expansion planned in 2026. To date, the airline has handled over 50,000 packages and achieved an average delivery time of just three days across its lane pairs. Emirates Skywards turned 25 Emirates Skywards marked its Silver Jubilee in 2025, complete with a special A380 livery and month-long activations for its members. The award-winning programme today boasts 37 million members across 190 countries. In the last 20 years, Skywards has distributed nearly 400 billion Miles through 100+ partners across 1,400 flight destinations and 30,000 hotels, with members now redeeming over 800 flight rewards daily and one upgrade every minute. This milestone underscores the programme’s place as one of the commercial aviation industry’s most valuable loyalty platforms, adding 78,000 new members weekly. Accessible travel firsts Emirates became the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, with over 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff trained to support customers with autism and sensory sensitivities. The airline launched its Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on emirates.com featuring accessibility-friendly navigation, digital sensory guides, and support organised by disability type or journey stage. Emirates also introduced Travel Rehearsal programmes across 17 cities globally, allowing children with autism to practice the airport journey before real flights, while the roll-out of new onboard sensory products and fidget toys help neurodiverse passengers manage overstimulation during travel. Service enhancements implemented in 2025 include: a safety-approved hooded mattress in Business Class to reduce the need for mid-flight movement for customers with severe mobility disabilities; and the offering of over 600 movies with closed captions and 200 with audio description on Emirates’ ice inflight entertainment system for customers with visual and hearing impairment. Emirates also worked to ensure barrier free design and biometrics at Dubai International airport for persons with disabilities; and plans to launch a fleet of 10 wheelchair-accessible chauffeur vehicles by early 2026. ‘Fly better’, ongoing commitment Over the last 12 months, Emirates elevated its premium and family travel experience with a suite of enhancements in the air and on the ground. In July, the airline opened Emirates First, an exclusive private check-in area at Terminal 3, Dubai International featuring plush seating and modern ambiance, complete with quick check-in while seated, for a sleek, smooth experience for First Class customers and Skywards Platinum members. The airline also unveiled refined First-Class service details onboard including keepsake menus exploring wine heritage and culinary inspiration, Robert Welch-designed caviar presentation bowls for its unlimited caviar service complemented with gloved service by cabin crew, and rustic slate cheeseboards with wooden accompaniments. Also in 2025, Emirates opened its Centre of Hospitality Excellence in Dubai to train nearly 25,000 cabin crew in Michelin star-standard hospitality, featuring an immersive fine dining restaurant, presentation kitchens, and tech-enabled classrooms. On-board, Emirates introduced 12 new collectible kids’ toys and bags across three age groups made with minimum 50% recycled content, themed around the airline’s global sports partnerships. https://aeronewsglobal.com/emirates-over-55-million-passengers-and-73-aircraft-ordered-in-2025/ EVA Air Plans Acquisition of Four Boeing 787 9 Aircraft Taiwan-based carrier EVA Air has announced its intention to acquire four Boeing 787 9 Dreamliners, according to the company’s financial filings dated December 26, 2025. The acquisition is part of EVA Air’s broader strategy to modernize its fleet and support expansion plans in both regional and long-haul markets. The filings indicate that the order is intended to complement the airline’s existing long-range fleet and will enable EVA Air to maintain its operational efficiency while meeting growing passenger demand. The total estimated value of the aircraft is approximately $1.94 billion USD. This announcement also aligns with EVA Air’s ongoing fleet development initiatives, which include extensions of leases for Boeing 777 300ER aircraft and planned enhancements to passenger cabin configurations. These strategic investments demonstrate the airline’s commitment to maintaining a modern, fuel-efficient fleet capable of supporting its international network. https://aeromorning.com/en/eva-air-plans-acquisition-of-four-boeing-787-9-aircraft/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS . Singapore Airshow 2026 - FEBRUARY 3-6, 2026. . VERTICON 2026 - Atlanta March 9-12 . 60th Annual SMU Air Law Symposium - March 31 - April 1, 2026 (Irving, TX) . 2026 ACSF Safety Symposium; April 7-9, 2026; ERAU Daytona Beach, FL . 2026 NBAA Maintenance Conference; May 5-7, 2026; New Orleans, LA . BASS 2026 - 71st Business Aviation Safety Summit - May 5-6, 2026 | Provo, Utah . The African Aviation Safety & Operations Summit - May 19-20 | Johannesburg, South Africa . Safeskies Australia - Australia’s renowned Aviation Safety Conference - Canberra Australia 20 and 21 May 2026 . IATA World Maintenance & Engineering Symposium (23-25 June, Madrid, Spain) . ISASI - 2026 (September/October 2026) - Dubai, UAE . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis