If you just remember one thing from this briefing…
IAG just cut its 2026 capacity guidance from flat to down, and ATC strikes are a stated reason.
Reporting resilient revenue on 6 November, IAG trimmed full-year capacity to "slightly down" on 2025,
citing the Middle East conflict and September's UK ATC outages. Days earlier, a French ATC strike cancelled
hundreds of flights and Italy registered a nationwide walkout. Ask this week: does our 2027 plan assume ATC
performance improves, or has it priced in more of this.
Priority2, 6 Nov
ATC and ground strikes hit France and Italy, cancelling hundreds of flights
A French air traffic control strike on 2 November led to reports of some 900 cancellations nationwide.
Italy's ENAV staged a four-hour nationwide walkout on 6 November, with a separate local strike at Bari
the same day. Both followed weeks of strike action in Belgium that had already disrupted Brussels and
Charleroi.
So what: three states have now seen ATC or ground strikes within a month.
Confirm rebooking and crew-cost plans cover France and Italy, not just your usual watch list.
Priority6 Nov
IAG trims 2026 capacity guidance, citing conflict and UK ATC outages
IAG's Q3 results on 6 November showed resilient revenue despite a 0.2 per cent capacity decline, but
the group now expects full-year 2026 capacity "slightly down" on 2025, against an earlier "flat"
forecast. It blamed the Middle East conflict and September's UK air traffic control outages, and
forecasts €8.9bn in full-year fuel costs.
So what: a top-three European group has downgraded capacity for reasons outside
its control. Stress-test your own 2027 growth assumptions against the same two drivers.
PriorityOct
Airbus extends its 2026 delivery lead as Boeing's October total slips
Airbus delivered 74 aircraft in October, taking its year-to-date total to 621, up 6.2 per cent on 2025,
though it still needs roughly 249 more by year-end to reach its target of around 870. Boeing's October
total is estimated at about 49, down from 56 in September, for a year-to-date figure near 524.
So what: if your fleet plan assumes Boeing closes the gap this year, revisit
it — the final-quarter trend runs the other way.
Watch23 Nov
FAA fan cowl directive for Trent 1000-powered 787s takes effect this month
The FAA's final airworthiness directive requiring inspection, and modification or replacement where
needed, of the right engine's fan cowl on 787-8/-9/-10 aircraft fitted with seven Trent 1000 variants
takes effect 23 November. The fix closes a gap that could expose the right engine to debris from the
left.
So what: Trent 1000 787 operators should confirm compliance scheduling now —
the effective date falls before the next edition.
