airports

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday, departing Washington after talks with American officials. Senior US government officials saw him off at the airport, where a 21-gun salute was fired in a ceremonial farewell. The formal send-off is being highlighted as a sign of the diplomatic weight both sides placed on the visit and its outcomes.

Ukraine has fired hundreds of drones at Moscow in what is described as the largest attack on the Russian capital since the full-scale war began. The strike disrupted air traffic and prompted airport closures as air defences were activated across the region. The scale of the assault marks a significant escalation in long-range strikes on Russian territory.

The United States is threatening to ground Iranian airlines from operating worldwide starting Wednesday. The warning, reported by Al Jazeera, would bar Iranian carriers such as Iran Air from international airspace and airports. The move signals a further escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, and observers are watching how Iranian authorities and international aviation bodies will respond before the deadline.

US aviation authorities have halted flights at several busy East Coast airports after a fiber optic line was cut, disrupting communications needed for air traffic control. The Federal Aviation Administration paused departures while crews work to restore the connection, causing delays at major hubs. The incident has renewed discussion about the fragility of aging air traffic control infrastructure in the United States.

Heathrow's long-planned third runway has reportedly been delayed and will not be completed until 2039, according to the Telegraph. The project has faced years of legal, planning and funding challenges, and the new timeline pushes back when the UK's busiest airport could expand capacity. Reactions are likely to focus on whether the delay undermines Britain's growth and connectivity ambitions.

Catania airport in Sicily has been shut for a third consecutive day as volcanic ash from Mount Etna continues to fall on the area, grounding flights and disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers. The repeated closures underline how Etna's persistent eruptions keep paralyzing one of southern Italy's busiest airports, with airlines cancelling or diverting services until conditions improve.

Heathrow Airport's long-planned third runway may not open until 2039, according to BBC News reporting on the potential delay. The project, one of the most contested infrastructure schemes in Britain, has faced years of legal, environmental and financial setbacks. The revised timeline is prompting renewed debate over UK airport expansion, economic growth pledges and the government's climate commitments.

A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Boston made an emergency diversion after smoke filled the cabin while it was over the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft diverted to another airport so passengers could disembark safely. Details on injuries or the cause of the smoke have not yet been confirmed as the airline and investigators review the incident.

Robin Radar, a Dutch company founded as a startup to protect aircraft from bird strikes, is expanding quickly as demand grows for systems that detect drones. Shifting security concerns, including unauthorized drone activity near airports and critical infrastructure, have turned its bird-tracking technology into a lucrative counter-drone business, Bloomberg reports.

Catania airport in Sicily has extended a suspension of flights until midnight as ash from Mount Etna's eruptions makes conditions unsafe. The disruption affects arrivals and departures at one of Italy's busiest regional airports, with travelers facing delays and cancellations while authorities monitor volcanic activity.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has avoided direct questions about the Heathrow third runway, a project now reportedly facing a four-year delay. The Heathrow expansion has long divided Labour figures, with Burnham among the party's prominent opponents of airport expansion, and his refusal to comment is drawing attention amid fresh questions over the scheme's timetable and the government's growth-versus-climate balancing act.

Officials have issued a travel alert warning that a storm battering the East Coast could keep disrupting airports into next week. Travelers are being told to expect delays and cancellations and to check with airlines before heading to the airport as conditions persist across the region.

Los Angeles International Airport is at the forefront of an air traffic control modernization effort, rolling out new technology alongside an overhauled hiring and training program for controllers. The initiative aims to address longstanding staffing shortages and outdated systems that have strained US airspace operations, with LAX serving as a testbed for the federal push.

Qantas workers have begun a 24-hour strike at four Australian airports, according to their union. The stoppage affects operations at the affected terminals, and the union says the action is part of an ongoing dispute. Further details on the number of workers involved, the specific airports and the demands behind the strike were not immediately available.

Milan's main airport has been officially renamed 'Milan Malpensa International Airport named after Silvio Berlusconi', honouring the late former prime minister and media mogul. The decision went ahead despite opposition from the city council and other authorities, who criticised Berlusconi's close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his contested political legacy.

Mount Etna has erupted again, forcing disruption at Catania airport in Sicily as ash and volcanic activity interfere with flight operations. Travellers face delays and cancellations, and there are warnings that limited capacity on routes to and from the island could push air fares higher. Etna is Europe's most active volcano and its eruptions regularly affect the region's air traffic.

Cape Town has opened a new international airport aimed at boosting travel within Africa, according to CNN. The facility is positioned to strengthen connections between South Africa and other African destinations rather than focusing primarily on long-haul intercontinental routes. Details on airlines, capacity or opening dates have not yet been widely reported.

A Dutch radar company is expanding rapidly as demand grows for systems that detect drones, according to a Bloomberg report. Rising concerns over drone threats near airports, critical infrastructure and conflict zones have boosted interest in counter-drone detection technology, positioning the Dutch firm for growth in the fast-developing market.

Airport security is back in focus after reported perimeter breaches at facilities in South Florida, according to local reporting by WPEC. The incidents have raised questions about how intruders were able to access restricted airside areas and what steps airports and authorities will take to tighten fencing, patrols and surveillance.

Major US airlines are waiving change fees for travellers across the Northeast as a nor'easter brings disruptive winter weather to the region. The waivers let passengers rebook flights without paying the usual change charges, a standard move ahead of storms expected to cause cancellations and delays. Travellers in affected airports are being urged to check their flight status and take advantage of the flexibility while it lasts.

The French government wants to increase the tax paid by motorway and airport concession holders as part of its 2027 budget, according to Le Monde. The levy on companies operating France's toll motorway network and airports would rise as ministers look for new revenue. The move is likely to reignite debate over the profits concessionaires make from tolls and could raise costs for operators.

An IndiGo Airbus A321 sustained a tail strike at Bengaluru's airport following a go-around. The incident, reported by aviation outlets, has drawn attention within the aviation community, with readers discussing the aircraft's landing or aborted-landing handling and what it means for the airline's safety record. No injuries or details about affected passengers were specified in initial reports.

Barcelona has been hit by torrential rain, causing flooding and major disruption across the city. Rail services were disrupted, and more than 100 flights were cancelled at El Prat airport. The downpour inundated streets and left travellers stranded, with authorities working to restore normal transport services as the weather system moves through the region.

ANYmal, the four-legged industrial inspection robot developed by ANYbotics, can now clear airport-style security screening, according to a report by Interesting Engineering. The development means the quadruped robots, already used for inspecting industrial sites, could be deployed more easily in airports, public buildings and other secured facilities where robots previously faced access restrictions.

The prime suspect in a fake medicine racket has been arrested at Bengaluru airport after arriving on a flight from Sharjah. The arrest marks a key development in the ongoing investigation into the counterfeit drug operation, though details about the suspect's identity, the scale of the racket and other people involved have not yet been disclosed by authorities.