Parsons Corporation has secured a five-year contract to provide program and construction management (PM/CM) services for a major terminal expansion at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, Tennessee. The agreement, announced on August 18, 2026, positions the infrastructure firm to oversee a comprehensive modernization effort at a facility currently operating well beyond its original design capacity.

In a press release issued on August 18, 2026, Parsons confirmed its selection by the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) to support the airport’s Terminal Area Development Plan. The contract ensures compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding requirements while managing the complex logistics of expanding an active commercial terminal.

Managing unprecedented passenger growth

McGhee Tyson Airport has experienced a rapid surge in traveler volume over recent years. The facility served 3.3 million passengers annually and ranked as the fastest-growing airport in the United States in 2024. This throughput significantly exceeds the terminal’s original design capacity, which was built to accommodate 2.6 million annual passengers.

Airport officials project that nearly 4 million travelers will pass through the facility in 2026. To address this capacity shortfall and prepare for future demand, the MKAA initiated a capital improvement campaign with an estimated value between $700 million and $800 million.

The Parsons contract will directly support this broader initiative. The firm will provide oversight to ensure the terminal development program enhances daily operations and improves the passenger experience without disrupting current flight schedules or compromising safety standards.

Expanding aviation infrastructure portfolios

Parsons brings extensive experience to the Knoxville project, having worked on aviation infrastructure at more than 450 airports across 40 countries. The company’s portfolio includes supporting the FAA’s next-generation modernization program and executing specialized projects such as fire-fighting foam transitions.

Martin Boson, President of Engineered Systems for Parsons, stated that the award expands the company’s position in the aviation market by adding a new strategic airport customer to its roster.

“Parsons’ proven expertise spans the entirety of our business, from delivering complex infrastructure at major airports throughout North America and the Middle East, supporting the Federal Aviation Administration’s next-generation modernization program, and executing fire-fighting foam transitions,” Boson said.

The modernization effort at TYS is supported in part by federal grants. On June 9, 2026, the airport received $10 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Airport Terminal Program. This specific funding allocation is designated for the expansion of the airport’s security checkpoints, a critical component of the overall terminal upgrade.

AirPro News analysis

We view the selection of a major global contractor like Parsons as an indicator of the scale and complexity of the McGhee Tyson Airport expansion. When regional airports experience rapid passenger growth that pushes them millions of passengers beyond their design capacity, the transition from a regional facility to a mid-major hub requires rigorous program management to prevent operational bottlenecks. By securing a firm with extensive FAA compliance experience, the MKAA is likely positioning itself to efficiently absorb and deploy further federal infrastructure grants over the five-year contract period.

Sources: Parsons Corporation

American Airlines (AA) will install 4K seatback screens and expand premium seating across its narrowbody fleet, reversing a decade-long strategy of relying on passenger devices for inflight entertainment.

Announced in an August 18, 2026 press release, the fleetwide upgrade targets approximately 800 single-aisle aircraft. The initiative includes the Airbus A319, Airbus A320, Airbus A321neo, and Boeing 737 MAX 10, alongside the rollout of high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi beginning in 2027.

Timeline for connectivity and cabin upgrades

The carrier will begin upgrading more than 500 narrowbody aircraft with SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi service in 2027, according to reporting by Business Insider. The installation of seatback screens will follow in 2028, debuting on new aircraft deliveries and initiating a retrofit program for the existing fleet. American Airlines expects to complete the full fleet installation by the early 2030s.

The new entertainment systems will feature 4K resolution, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB-C ports, as confirmed by CBS News.

“From next-generation seatback entertainment at every seat to substantially more premium seating options, these enhancements will give our customers more ways to relax, stay connected and enjoy their journey,” said Heather Garboden, Chief Customer Officer at American Airlines.

Expansion of premium cabin capacity

Alongside the entertainment upgrades, American Airlines is significantly increasing its premium seating inventory. The Airlines targets a configuration where premium seats account for approximately 40 percent of narrowbody departures in the coming years. This represents a substantial increase from the current 25 percent capacity.

As part of this expansion, the upcoming Boeing 737 MAX 10 Deliveries will be configured with 24 First Class seats.

Reversing the streaming-only strategy

The August 18 announcement marks a strategic pivot for the carrier. Over the past decade, American Airlines systematically removed seatback screens from its narrowbody aircraft to reduce weight and operational costs. The previous strategy assumed passengers preferred to stream content on their personal devices.

An American Airlines spokesperson told Business Insider that customer preferences have shifted since the pandemic, noting that passengers now “value having access to multiple devices and larger screens throughout their journey.”

The upgrade program also responds to competitive pressure. Legacy competitors Delta Air Lines (DL) and United Airlines (UA) have invested heavily in seatback screens and expanded premium cabins in recent years, establishing a hard product standard that American Airlines is now moving to match.

AirPro News analysis

We view this fleetwide upgrade as a necessary realignment for American Airlines within the highly competitive US domestic market. By committing to 4K seatback screens and Starlink connectivity, the carrier is acknowledging that the “bring your own device” model is no longer sufficient for premium-paying passengers. The substantial increase in premium seating capacity to 40 percent of narrowbody departures indicates a clear focus on high-yield revenue streams, mirroring broader industry trends where airlines are monetizing the front of the cabin to offset rising operational costs.

Sources: American Airlines Newsroom

Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to dry lease three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft for a 72-month term, seeking interim widebody capacity ahead of new aircraft deliveries scheduled for the next decade.

The tender document, published on July 15, 2026, outlines a target delivery window between January 1 and February 28, 2027. The procurement is part of a broader strategy to lease up to 10 aircraft by 2027 to support international network expansion while the carrier awaits 14 newly ordered Boeing jets that will not begin arriving until 2031.

Technical specifications and lease requirements

The RFP mandates strict operational and maintenance parameters for the incoming Boeing 787-9 airframes. Proposals must be submitted by August 9, 2026. According to the official tender document, the required aircraft specifications include:

• A maximum age of 15 years as of June 30, 2027.
• A Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of at least 254 tonnes.
• A minimum capacity of 300 passenger seats in a two-class configuration.
• A maintenance clearance ensuring no major scheduled maintenance, including heavy checks or landing gear overhauls, is due during the first 24 months of the lease.

Fleet expansion and transparency initiatives

The dry lease of the three widebody aircraft serves as a bridge solution following Biman’s April 30, 2026, order for 14 new Boeing aircraft, which includes 787-9s, 787-10s, and 737 MAX 8s. Because those factory-fresh airframes are scheduled for Delivery between 2031 and 2035, the Airlines requires immediate capacity to execute its near-term route strategy.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat confirmed the scope of the interim fleet plan in a statement reported by Prothom Alo English on July 19, 2026. Millat noted that the airline plans to lease up to 10 aircraft within the year to increase flight frequencies on existing international routes and launch services to new destinations.

To manage the procurement, the government is implementing new oversight measures.

“We want to ensure that the leasing process is conducted with complete transparency,” Millat said, according to Prothom Alo English. “To that end, we have initiated the appointment of an international consultant. Around 40 applications have been received, and a qualified firm will be selected from among them to oversee the entire leasing process.”

Potential lessors and market context

As Biman seeks available 787-9 airframes, Norse Atlantic Airways (N0) has emerged as a potential supplier. On August 14, 2026, Bloomberg News reported that the Norwegian low-cost carrier is in negotiations to lease out up to six of its Boeing 787-9s to Biman and Pakistan International Airlines (PK).

The discussions follow the termination of a damp lease agreement Norse previously held with IndiGo (6E). Bloomberg reported that Norse is looking to place the excess widebody capacity with the South Asian carriers.

AirPro News analysis

We view Biman’s RFP as a necessary operational bridge, but securing favorable dry lease terms for Boeing 787-9s in the current constrained widebody market presents a challenge. The negotiations with Norse Atlantic Airways highlight a potential mismatch in lease structures that will need resolution. Biman’s tender explicitly requests a dry lease, where the lessor provides only the aircraft and the lessee supplies the crew. Norse has historically engaged in wet or damp leasing, providing crew and maintenance alongside the airframe. If Norse is to fulfill Biman’s RFP requirements, the Norwegian carrier will need to transition these specific airframes to a strict dry lease arrangement.

Sources: Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Prothom Alo English, Bloomberg News