10. How Drone Swarms Rewrote the Rules of Aviation

For a century, aviation has been defined by the "Lone Wolf" model: one pilot, one aircraft, one mission. But as we close out 2025, that paradigm has officially collapsed. This year, the aviation industry didn't just see better drones; it witnessed the birth of collective intelligence.

9. FAA Finalises AD to Resolve A350 Flight-Control Hazard

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule, Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-25-12, aimed at eliminating a critical "runaway" flight control hazard affecting the Airbus A350-900 and A350-1041 fleets. The directive, published today, December 29, 2025, mandates the installation of new flight-control software to prevent uncommanded surface movements that could lead to a loss of aircraft control.

8. EasyJet Airbus A320 Emergency Landing at Lamezia Terme

easyJet Europe Airbus A320-200 was involved in a serious aviation incident on the morning of December 27, 2025, after suffering an uncontained engine failure during its descent into Lamezia Terme International Airport (SUF).

7. Nearly 500 Flights Cancelled Following Venezuela Attack, Caribbean Airspace Closure

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled this morning after an overnight U.S. military attack in Venezuela left airspace in much of the Caribbean closed.

6. Alaska Airlines and LATAM Formally Dissolve Codeshare Partnership

Marking the end of an era in Pan-American aviation, Alaska Airlines has officially terminated its nearly decade-old codeshare and loyalty partnership with LATAM Airlines Group. The split, finalised in a formal filing to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on December 29, 2025, follows a phased winding down of reciprocal benefits that began earlier in the autumn.

5. interCaribbean Airways Expands Barbados Hub with Five New Non-Stop Routes

In a significant move to solidify its position as the premier regional connector, interCaribbean Airways has officially announced a major network expansion from its Southern Caribbean hub at Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI). Starting March 8, 2026, the airline will launch five new non-stop routes, bringing its total number of direct destinations from Barbados to 12.

4. Qatar Airways Cargo to Re-Center Operations at Doha International Airport

In a major tactical pivot aimed at optimising hub efficiency, Qatar Airways Cargo has confirmed plans to reinstate freighter operations at Doha International Airport (DIA), the city’s "old" aviation gateway, beginning in the second quarter of 2026.

3. ATC ‘Keep Your Speed Up’ Instruction Preceded United 737 MAX 8 Houston Runway Excursion

Freshly released investigative documents from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have shed new light on the March 8, 2024, runway excursion involving a United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8. The report highlights a critical sequence of events in which Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions, the pilot's perception of runway conditions, and a high-speed exit manoeuvre converged to send the aircraft into the grass at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

2. Emirates A380 Makes Emergency Return to London Heathrow After New Year’s Eve Gear Failure

A high-capacity Emirates Airbus A380-800 was forced to make a precautionary return to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on the afternoon of December 31, 2025, after encountering a technical malfunction with its landing gear system shortly after departure.

1. “I’m Not Okay”: Chilling Audio Captures Near-Disaster as Pilot Tries to Kill Engines

The aviation community and the public are getting a chilling, firsthand look at the moments of near-catastrophe aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 (operated by Horizon Air). Newly released cockpit voice recordings (CVR), made public in early January 2026 following the conclusion of legal proceedings, capture the exact moment off-duty pilot Joseph Emerson attempted to shut down the aircraft's engines mid-flight.