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Platts worldwide jet fuel

Tonne $1,448.74

Liter $1.45

Gallon $4.37

Barrel $183.46

2026 Mar 05

Daily Airline News

Aviation Trends

Markets · Frontiers · Forecasts

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Frontiers

Passengers sharing baggage location

2026 Mar 05

Pax sharing bag location with SITA WorldTracer, integrating Google’s Find Hub feature, enables ability to better locate and reconcile delayed and mishandled baggage; MBR rate now 6.9 bags per 1,000 bags.

Frontiers

Hermeus 2nd test flight of Quarterhorse aircraft

2026 Mar 05

Hermeus flew 2nd test flight of supersonic capable Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 aircraft powered by PW F100 engine; aircraft 3x larger and 4x heavier than predecessor; Mk 2 series goal Mach 2.5 and Mk 3 series Mach 5.0; aim to deliver operational re-usable hypersonic capability before 2030.

Frontiers

ATR72-600 STC large cargo door

2026 Mar 05

IPR Conversion obtained EASA STC for AT76 large cargo door conversion, W 2.94 x H 1.80 m, 272% larger than standard door, similar to ATR’s production freighter door; US FAA approval reportedly pending soon; IPR plans to also certify AT76 bulk-freighter conversion.

Frontiers

Third lessor with 1,000 aiurcraft

2026 Mar 05

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise purchase of Macquarie AirFinance to make DAE 3rd lessor to reach portfolio of 1,000+ airplanes, joining AerCap 1,676 and former GECAS 1,074 (prior to AerCap acquisiton); other large portfolio lessors: SMBC 761, Avolon 583, BOC 600+, Air Lease 450+.

Forecasts

Africa aviation sector expansion

2026 Mar 05

African Travel and Tourism Association report ‘Africa in the Air’ cites Africa’s 182m seats 2026 Jan - 2026 Oct, including 130m international seats +18.6% YoY and 53m domestic and intra-Africa seats +3.3%. Regional seats: Northern 71m +10.7%, Southern 36m +19.1%, Eastern 47m +24.3%, Western/Central 29m ±0.0%; CAI largest hub, ADD NBO JNB expanding.

Forecasts

Spiralling airfreight rates

2026 Mar 05

Gloabal airfreight capacity down by 16% to 18%, with some affected markets down 50% to 70%, primarily resulting from cancelled flights; Xenata expects airfreight rates to sprial during ME crisis and recommends shippers on affected trade lanes delay signing long term deals until situation eases; Asia-Europe lane 80% load factor before crisis, normall tipping point for buyer/seller market.

Markets

Paper: ATTA Africa in the Air

2026 Mar 05

African Travel & Tourism Association, website ATTA.travel, paper: Africa in the Air, complimentary.

Frontiers

Portable aircraft ramp for PRM pax

2026 Mar 05

Portaramp producing strong portable lightweight aircraft ramp suitable for most aircraft, focused for use enplaning and deplaning Passengers with Reduced Mobility.

Airline Developments

Status · Fleet · Intent