50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

Essential news for 02 Nov 2025

Thai SmartLynx secures AOC, becomes Thailand’s first ACMI airline

Thai SmartLynx, an ACMI specialist airline has received its AOC from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. This achievement marks a major milestone for Thailand’s aviation industry as Thai SmartLynx becomes the first Thai-based ACMI operator, offering fleet capacity solutions to meet seasonal and operational needs across Thailand and the wider region. Thai SmartLynx is also...

AURA AERO aims to be first U.S. manufacturer of hybrid-electric regional aircraft with opening of the first of its two Florida production sites

AURA AERO cut the ribbon yesterday on an 11,000 sq. ft facility at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park that will serve as its U.S. headquarters and first production site. The campus will host the North American Delivery and Customer Support Center for the INTEGRAL program and lay the groundwork for the company ’s hybrid-electric ERA aircraft. The initial production...

Korean Air becomes new A350F customer

Korean Air has become a new customer for the world’s only all-new large freighter, following the conversion of seven of its existing A350-1000 passenger aircraft orders to the A350F. A350F features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimised around the industry’s standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the airframe is made of...

Sunday`s summary

HALO-Flight expands life-saving capabilities with new Bell 407GXi

Bell Textron hosted a special delivery ceremony during the Air Medical Transport Conference to celebrate HALO-Flight’s delivery of a new IFR-equipped Bell 407GXi. As the fifth and final Bell 407GXi to deliver in HALO-Flight’s fleet renewal, the ceremony marked another milestone in the long-standing relationship between Bell and HALO-Flight; a premier nonprofit air medical ser...

Ostend Air College invests in the ALSIM AL42 Simulator to enhance its pilot training

Ostend Air College, a Belgian flight school, has once again placed its trust in ALSIM by investing in a new AL42 simulator. AL42 is an exact replica of the Diamond DA42, built using genuine aircraft parts and equipped with the authentic Garmin G1000 Nxi. It also comes with the latest generation image generator (VFR-VS), a GFC 700 autopilot, and a force feedback system that...

25 years outstanding onboard delights: GIC International Catering celebrates its anniversary

Success story of a family-owned company in second generation – Up to 5,000 daily meals for over 20 airlines. With a strong entrepreneurial mindset and a lot of courage, the brothers Talat and Ferat Yildirim started their own path to self-employment over 25 years ago and founded GIC International Catering (GIC) in Kelsterbach, right next to the Frankfurt Airport. What started with a smal...