American Airlines (AA) has launched a strict crackdown on flight attendants illegally selling coveted international trips to junior colleagues, circumventing the airline’s seniority-based scheduling system.

The unauthorized trades, often involving monetary exchanges, have undermined the fairness of the bidding process, according to an internal investigation.

Flight attendants with seniority typically have priority access to premium routes to popular destinations such as Paris (CDG), London (LHR), and Rome (FCO).

Junior crew members usually receive less desirable domestic flights or reserve status. Some senior attendants have been caught offering these premium trips to junior colleagues for a price, violating company policy.

To evade detection, involved crew members used secret code words like “cookies,” “hugs,” “kisses,” and “thanks” to discreetly indicate that a trip trade involved payment. These terms have become widely recognized within AA’s flight attendant network as signals for paid swaps.

American Airlines issued a stern internal memo reminding staff that trips are assigned by the company and are not personal property.

The memo explicitly prohibits buying, selling, or brokering trips, whether directly or through coded language. It states:
“Trips are assigned by the company and are not personal property. They cannot be bought, sold or brokered. You may not offer or accept money or other items of value  directly or through coded language  to broker, buy, sell or trade trips with other flight attendants.”

The airline has intensified monitoring efforts using IT systems to detect suspicious bidding and trading activities. Investigations may lead to disciplinary actions including suspension of bidding privileges or even termination.

American Airlines uses a seniority-based bidding system that allows longer-serving flight attendants to select preferred schedules and destinations. This system is a key benefit of tenure but can leave junior attendants with challenging schedules. The temptation to buy premium trips arises from this disparity.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), representing AA crew, supports the crackdown. A recent contract includes provisions enabling both the airline and union to monitor and address abuses in the bidding process using objective metrics. Violators risk losing bidding rights, effectively resetting their status to that of a new hire.

The airline emphasizes that flight attendant roles are professional positions governed by clear policies designed to maintain fairness and integrity. Unauthorized selling of trips not only disrupts the system but also sets dangerous precedents within the crew community.

While the appeal of buying premium trips is understandable given the demanding nature of junior schedules, AA is committed to enforcing rules to protect the value of seniority and fairness for all employees.

Airbus is preparing to secure significant orders for its A350 wide-body aircraft at the Paris Air Show in June 2025, aiming to strengthen its market position amid growing competition with Boeing.

A key focus for Airbus is Riyadh Air, the new Saudi Arabian carrier planning to expand its long-haul fleet. The airline is expected to announce an order for up to 50 Airbus A350 aircraft during the show, complementing its existing Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.

This move highlights Riyadh Air’s emphasis on operational efficiency and reliability, favoring the A350 over Boeing’s delayed 777X.

Airbus is promoting the A350’s fuel efficiency, extended range, and enhanced passenger comfort to appeal to airlines targeting premium international routes in the Middle East.

The anticipated order will likely include a combination of firm commitments and options, giving Riyadh Air flexibility as it grows toward a fleet of more than 200 aircraft.

 This deal will significantly enhance Airbus’s presence in the region, where demand for wide-body jets is rising due to expanding long-haul travel and Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism and business sectors.

In addition to the A350, Airbus is also focusing on growth in the single-aisle market with its A320neo family. These aircraft continue to attract airlines seeking modern, fuel-efficient narrow-body jets, especially as Boeing faces ongoing delays and quality control challenges with its 737 MAX line.

The competition between Airbus and Boeing has intensified in 2025. Boeing has gained ground in wide-body orders, driven in part by diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and renewed airline confidence. However, Boeing still faces low production rates and the challenge of rebuilding trust.

Airbus, although not restricted by government production caps, is dealing with supply chain constraints and assembly delays that affect aircraft output.

 The company is focused on restoring order momentum and improving manufacturing efficiency. The Paris Air Show will be an important opportunity for Airbus to demonstrate its competitiveness in a changing market.

Despite some easing, supply chain disruptions are expected to continue through 2027 or 2028, making backlog management and converting airline interest into firm orders a top priority. Airbus aims to deliver 820 jets in 2025, a 7% increase over 2024, even as the A350 freighter variant experiences delays.

The Paris Air Show will allow Airbus to showcase technological advances such as the A350’s composite airframe and Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, which reduce fuel burn by 25% compared to older models.

 Securing major orders like Riyadh Air’s will be crucial for Airbus to counter Boeing’s resurgence and maintain its growth trajectory in the global aviation market.

Further updates from the Paris Air Show 2025 will provide insights into the evolving aerospace industry landscape.

The Adani Group-operated Mumbai International Airport (BOM) has implemented a controversial payment policy requiring airlines to provide cash deposits in banks as security for airport fees, replacing the traditional acceptance of bank guarantees

 This policy, introduced eight months ago in October 2024, has triggered strong opposition from India’s two largest carriers, IndiGo and Air India, which together control 91% of the domestic aviation market.

Policy Shift and Rationale
Mumbai Airport now mandates compulsory cash deposits to cover charges such as landing and parking fees, citing persistent delays in airline payments that disrupt the airport’s cash flow.

 Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings (which holds a 74% stake in BOM), explained that airlines frequently pay beyond month-end deadlines, while the airport must meet its own financial obligations earlier.

This mismatch creates working capital challenges that the cash deposit system aims to resolve. Bansal noted, “They have taken advantage of our niceness,” referring to the resistance from IndiGo and Air India since the policy’s implementation.

Financial Impact on Airlines
The new requirement imposes a significant financial burden on IndiGo and Air India, estimated at a combined deposit of around 2 billion rupees (approximately $23 million).

This is particularly concerning for Air India, which reported losses of $521 million last year and faces additional financial pressures due to Pakistan’s airspace closure impacting its operations. Neither airline has publicly responded to inquiries about the policy change.

Airport’s Financial Challenges
Mumbai Airport itself is under financial strain, having posted losses of $71 million on revenues of $461 million in the previous fiscal year. The airport’s management has cited its deteriorating financial position and substantial debt obligations as reasons for the policy shift, emphasizing that the cash deposits will enhance financial stability and improve its credit rating.

 The airport also highlighted the need to protect itself against risks of airline bankruptcies, referencing recent collapses of carriers like Jet Airways and Go First.

Industry and Government Response
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing both IndiGo and Air India, has raised concerns with India’s civil aviation ministry, opposing the policy as a means for the airport to fund its working capital needs.

The Federation of Indian Airlines has disputed claims that airlines habitually delay payments. Air India has also lobbied the government, warning that similar policies at other airports could exacerbate financial pressures across the aviation sector. The civil aviation ministry, which holds a 26% stake in Mumbai Airport, has not publicly commented on the dispute.

Enforcement and Passenger Impact
While Mumbai Airport retains the authority to cancel airline slots for non-compliance, it has stated it will avoid such actions to protect passenger interests, balancing enforcement with operational continuity.

This payment policy change at Mumbai International Airport underscores growing financial tensions in India’s rapidly expanding aviation market, highlighting the challenges faced by both airport operators and airlines in managing cash flows amid economic pressures.

Saudi Arabia is preparing to place orders worth billions of dollars for Airbus aircraft as part of its strategy to diversify suppliers and accelerate aviation growth to rival its Gulf neighbors, industry sources revealed.

Leasing company AviLease, which recently ordered 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region, is expected to place a comparable order for Airbus A320neo jets at next month’s Paris Airshow.

The company, aiming to become a top global aircraft lessor, is also reportedly interested in Airbus A350 freighters.

Startup airline Riyadh Air is poised to select the Airbus A350 over Boeing’s delayed 777X, with a potential deal involving up to 50 A350 aircraft anticipated to be announced at an upcoming trade show this year. Riyadh Air is currently studying an order for large wide-body planes, with a decision expected in the coming months.

Airbus declined to comment, and AviLease was not immediately available for comment.

These developments come amid Saudi Arabia’s broader aviation expansion, including Saudia Group’s historic order for 105 Airbus narrowbody jets, marking the largest aircraft deal in the kingdom’s history.

This order includes 54 A321neos for Saudia and additional A320neo and A321neo aircraft for its subsidiary Flyadeal, with deliveries scheduled from 2026 through 2032.

Saudi Arabia’s aviation growth is a key component of its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, aiming to triple annual passenger traffic and establish the kingdom as a major aviation and tourism hub by the end of the decade.

The combined efforts of Saudia, Riyadh Air, and leasing firms like AviLease signal a significant expansion of the Saudi fleet, positioning the country to compete strongly in the Gulf aviation market.

Turkey has introduced a new travel regulation imposing fines of up to 2,603 Turkish lira (approximately $70 or Dh255) on passengers who stand up, unbuckle their seatbelts, or open overhead bins before the aircraft has come to a complete stop.

 The Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated airlines to update their in-flight announcements to warn travelers about this rule, and cabin crews are required to report any violations.

This crackdown addresses growing safety concerns and chaotic disembarkation scenes. The DGCA warns that premature movement can lead to injuries caused by sudden stops, falling luggage, and blocked aisles that could hinder emergency evacuations.

Turkish Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, has already incorporated clear warnings about penalties into its landing announcements. With millions of tourists passing through Turkey annually, the measure aims to enhance both passenger safety and orderly flow during disembarkation.

Passengers are now required to keep their seat belts fastened and remain seated until the plane has fully stopped and the seatbelt sign is turned off. Opening overhead compartments or crowding the aisle prematurely is prohibited. Violators will be reported to authorities and fined accordingly.

This issue is part of a broader global challenge. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), failure to follow crew instructions remains the most common form of unruly passenger behavior worldwide.

 In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can impose fines up to $37,000 per violation and may pursue jail time in severe cases. During the pandemic, incidents surged due to disputes over mask mandates, with flight attendants frequently facing harassment, verbal abuse, and physical violence, prompting stricter enforcement measures.

In India, a similar problem persists where passengers often stand up immediately after touchdown, causing crowded aisles and onboard chaos.

 While India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) enforces regulations against serious unruly behavior, minor infractions like standing during taxiing are rarely penalized, allowing the trend to continue.

Experts emphasize that the few seconds saved by rushing to exit are not worth the increased risk of injury or delays caused by premature movement.

Following Turkey’s lead, other countries, including India, may consider implementing similar fines to improve passenger discipline and safety. Ultimately, waiting until the plane fully stops before standing up is a small inconvenience that significantly reduces risk and enhances overall travel safety.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group led by billionaire Sabin Aboitiz, officially takes over the operations and maintenance of Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) starting today, following its successful no-competition bid worth $81.18 million (₱4.53 billion).

Major Expansion in Philippine Aviation Sector
This marks a significant milestone for AIC as it aggressively expands its footprint in the Philippine aviation industry. BPIA, which opened in November 2018 on Panglao Island, Bohol, replaced the older Tagbilaran Airport to accommodate the rising tourism demand in the region.

The 30-year concession agreement includes comprehensive upgrades, expansion, and maintenance of the airport facilities.

Investment and Capacity Upgrades
AIC plans to invest ₱4.53 billion to modernize BPIA, including expanding the passenger terminal, installing state-of-the-art aviation systems, and enhancing both airside and landside facilities.

The company aims to increase the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 2 million to 2.5 million within two years, with a further expansion to 3.9 million passengers expected by 2030.

Strategic Importance and Vision
Cosette Canilao, AIC President and CEO, emphasized that the modernization of BPIA is not merely about infrastructure upgrades but also about supporting Bohol’s growth as a vibrant tourism and economic hub in the Visayas region.

The development aligns with the Philippine government’s infrastructure advancement goals and reinforces Aboitiz’s commitment to enhancing regional gateways.

Expanding Airport Portfolio
This takeover adds to Aboitiz’s growing portfolio of airports, which includes Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Laguindingan International Airport. The latter was officially handed over to AIC in April 2025.

Aboitiz’s acquisition of Mactan-Cebu International Airport in 2022 for ₱25 billion marked the company’s strong entry into the country’s aviation infrastructure sector.

Official Signing and Future Outlook
The concession agreement was officially signed in December 2024, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Aboitiz Group CEO Sabin Aboitiz leading the ceremony. Sabin Aboitiz expressed the goal of transforming BPIA into a world-class gateway that significantly improves passenger experience and supports local tourism and economic growth.

With this strategic move, Aboitiz InfraCapital is poised to elevate Bohol-Panglao International Airport into a premier regional airport, fostering increased connectivity and economic development in the Visayas and beyond.