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US flight health declarations face airline objections; Airbus maintains delivery targets, Norwegian reports earnings, Air Algérie returns to Tripoli and Montpellier adds winter routes.
New health paperwork for flights into the United States is facing an airline-industry challenge just days before its planned introduction. Airbus has meanwhile reaffirmed an ambitious delivery target after reporting its nine-month results. Norwegian’s earnings, Air Algérie’s return to Tripoli and a changing winter network at Montpellier round out the aviation briefing for 29 October 2026.
Airlines challenge US Ebola travel declaration ahead of 3 November start
International and American airline groups are pressing the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reconsider a new declaration requirement for inbound flights. Under the measure described in letters reviewed by Reuters, passengers and crew would have to confirm that they had not been in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the previous 21 days. The requirement is due to take effect on 3 November and would involve paper or digital attestations for US-bound travellers. It is a declaration rule, not a blanket ban on everyone travelling to the United States.
The International Air Transport Association and Airlines for America argue that airlines have too little time to adapt check-in technology, train staff and collect declarations at scale. They are also seeking exemptions for some crew members and other personnel. The policy forms part of the US response to an Ebola outbreak; Reuters reported no immediate CDC response to the objections. Travellers should check current entry requirements with official authorities and their airline rather than assume that the industry appeal has suspended the rule.
Source: Reuters, 29 October 2026, airline groups’ letters to the CDC.
Airbus holds to 870-aircraft delivery goal after softer third-quarter earnings
Airbus has kept its full-year commercial aircraft delivery target at approximately 870, despite reporting a weaker third quarter. In results issued on 28 October, the manufacturer said it had delivered 547 commercial aircraft in the first nine months of 2026, alongside group revenue of €50.6 billion and adjusted operating earnings of €4.5 billion. Revenue was up 7% year on year, while its commercial aircraft order backlog stood at 9,310 at the end of September.
That leaves roughly 323 deliveries to reach the annual target in the final three months. Third-quarter revenue fell 2% to €17.47 billion and adjusted operating earnings declined 9% to €1.77 billion. Airbus pointed to fewer commercial deliveries in the quarter, a less favourable mix and costs associated with production changes. Its year-end target remains subject to supply-chain performance and successful execution of the delivery schedule.
Source: Airbus, nine-month 2026 results release, 28 October.
Norwegian reports strong summer profit while adjusting capacity for winter
Norwegian Group recorded third-quarter operating profit of NOK 2.728 billion, a 21.4% operating margin, according to its 28 October results statement. The parent company of Norwegian Air Shuttle and Widerøe carried 8.75 million passengers during the quarter. Norwegian accounted for 7.64 million and Widerøe for 1.1 million; Norwegian’s load factor reached 88.5%. Reported punctuality was 80.7% for Norwegian and 93.5% for Widerøe.
Its winter programme will be smaller than the October peak, with monthly capacity reduced by between 25% and 40% against that month. This is a seasonal comparison, not a forecast of a similarly sized year-on-year cut: the company expects winter production to be slightly above last year’s level. The group ended September with 148 aircraft and is awaiting European competition clearance for its proposed Nordic Leisure Travel Group acquisition.
Source: Norwegian Group, third-quarter results, 28 October 2026.
Air Algérie restores Tripoli flights after almost 12 years
Air Algérie resumed direct flights to Tripoli on 28 October, according to Libya’s internationally recognised Government of National Unity. The initial plan calls for two flights a week. The reopening was marked at Mitiga airport, the capital’s principal functioning airport, where the Algerian carrier’s aircraft was photographed during a ceremony.
International air services to Libya were sharply curtailed after the 2014 conflict, and the latest return does not mean that the country’s political divisions have been settled. Libya’s transport ministry also said this week that restrictions dating from 2015 had been lifted. That is a government statement rather than independent verification that every international operator has restored service or that all operational restrictions have disappeared.
Source: Reuters, 28 October 2026, Air Algérie’s return to Tripoli.
Montpellier’s winter schedule adds island routes and a year-round Volotea base
Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport is advertising 26 airport destinations for the winter season running from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027. Its published programme offers almost 710,000 seats, 7% fewer than last winter. Four routes feature as winter additions: Djerba, already launched earlier in the year; Madrid from 6 November; Tenerife from 8 November; and Lanzarote from 19 December. Volotea is stationing an Airbus A320 at Montpellier throughout the year.
Connections through major hubs are also changing. Air France is adding a fifth Friday flight to Paris Charles de Gaulle, KLM says its Amsterdam seat capacity will rise by more than 35%, and Royal Air Maroc is increasing Casablanca to three flights a week. Transavia plans to operate the Montpellier–Paris Orly route with A320neo aircraft from mid-December. These are announced schedules and may change before travel.
Source: Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport, winter 2026 press release dated 29 October.
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