Weekly News Debrief: 4th-18th May

 NEWS HEADLINES:

Qatar Airways' Historic Boeing Order:

  • During Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East, Boeing was able to secure a monumental order of 210 wide-body aircraft amid declining business due to delays of the 777X as well as safety concerns.
  • The deal includes 130 787 Dreamliners and 30 777X aircraft, with the option of an additional 50.
  • This order of ~96,000,000,000 USD marks the largest order in Boeing history.

Indo-Pak Tensions Affect International Air Travel:
  • After a dastardly terror attack which killed 26 in Kashmir, India retaliated with Operation Sindoor, a non-escalatory operation aimed at destroying terror infrastructure.
  • Tensions escalated, including diplomatic tit-for-tat as well as drone and missile strikes.
  • Pakistan shut off its airspace for all Indian registered (VT-XXX) aircraft and now India has done the same, in effect until May 23.
  • During the short-lived war, most airlines refrained from flying over Pakistani airspace, adding hours to certain routes and cancelling some flights.
  • In one instance, a Qatar Airways plane was used as a shield for Pakistani drones which attacked Indian cities, knowing that India would retaliate. 
  • After the ceasefire agreement which went into effect on May 10, India has reopened 32 airports in the north.

Turkish Firm Loses Security Clearance at Indian Airports:
  • Amid rising calls to boycott Türkiye and Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has revoked the security clearance of the Turkish firm Celebi Ground Handling India Pvt. Ltd. in the interest of national security.


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