De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited delivered the first of two DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft to Airlines (ET) on June 18, 2026, initiating a fleet expansion aimed at connecting remote and underserved regions across East Africa.

The delivery, announced in a press release by the Manufacturers, follows a purchase agreement signed during the Paris Air Show on June 17, 2025. The new aircraft will allow the carrier to access airstrips unsuitable for larger regional aircraft, supporting tourism, economic development, and essential air services.

Expanding domestic connectivity

Ethiopian Airlines currently serves 22 domestic destinations using its fleet of De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft. According to reporting by Aviation Week, the introduction of the Twin Otter Classic 300-G will enable the airline to increase its domestic network to 26 destinations.

The short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities of the Twin Otter allow it to operate in challenging environments and on unpaved runways. The airline plans to deploy the newly delivered aircraft, registered as C-FHYC, to new airports including Debre Markos, Negele Boran, and Gore.

“The Delivery of our first Twin Otter Classic 300-G is an important milestone in our regional growth strategy. This aircraft will enable us to better serve remote areas while supporting tourism, economic development, and essential air services throughout the region,” stated Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines.

Aircraft specifications and delivery timeline

The Classic 300-G is the latest iteration of the DHC-6 Twin Otter platform. De Havilland Canada designed the updated model with a lighter airframe to increase payload capacity and improve fuel efficiency. The flight deck features a modern Garmin G1000 integrated Avionics suite, while the cabin includes new lightweight seats and enhanced electrical systems.

The aircraft can be configured for multiple mission profiles, including passenger transport, Cargo-Aircraft operations, humanitarian aid, and medical evacuation. The second Twin Otter Classic 300-G ordered by Ethiopian Airlines is scheduled for delivery in late 2026.

“The Twin Otter’s proven reliability, versatility, and ability to operate in challenging environments make it well suited to the diverse missions Ethiopian Airlines will undertake across the region,” said Ryan DeBrusk, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for De Havilland Canada.

AirPro News analysis

We view Ethiopian Airlines’ acquisition of the Twin Otter Classic 300-G as a pragmatic approach to regional connectivity in East Africa. While the Dash 8-400 serves as the backbone of the carrier’s domestic operations, its runway requirements limit access to smaller, unpaved, or geographically constrained airstrips. By integrating the DHC-6 Twin Otter, Ethiopian Airlines bridges the gap between major regional hubs and remote communities. This fleet diversification aligns with the airline’s broader strategy to stimulate local economic development and tourism by ensuring reliable air links to areas previously inaccessible by Commercial-Aircraft transport.

Sources: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited

Airlines (AS) has promoted Chief Financial Officer Shane Tackett to the dual role of president and CFO, consolidating the carrier’s financial and commercial leadership under a single executive.

Announced in a press release on June 17, 2026, the appointment takes effect on June 29, 2026. The restructuring is designed to support the carrier’s “Alaska Accelerate” strategic plan and facilitate the ongoing Mergers of Hawaiian Airlines (HA) into the broader Alaska Air Group portfolio.

Consolidating commercial and financial oversight

Under the new corporate structure, Tackett will retain his existing responsibilities overseeing finance, fleet management, investor relations, supply chain, internal audit, and information technology. He will now add direct oversight of the airline’s commercial organization, which is currently led by Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison.

Alaska Air Group Chief Executive Officer Ben Minicucci framed the promotion as a necessary step to execute the company’s global ambitions and manage the complexities of the Hawaiian Airlines integration.

“Bringing commercial and finance leadership together under Shane will strengthen alignment and accelerate our priorities as we continue advancing our Strategy and creating long-term value for our stakeholders,” Minicucci stated.

Strategic alignment and Hawaiian Airlines integration

Tackett has spent 25 years at Alaska Airlines, working across finance, strategy, commercial, and labor relations roles before becoming CFO in 2020. During his tenure, he has served as a primary architect of the “Alaska Accelerate” plan, which aims to drive sustained earnings growth across industry cycles.

The promotion follows a broader wave of executive realignments initiated in September 2025 to build leadership capacity across the combined global carrier. Those earlier changes included naming Diana Birkett Rakow as CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, Andy Schneider as CEO and president of Horizon Air (QX), and Jason Berry as Chief Operating Officer of Alaska Airlines.

“I started at Alaska more than 25 years ago, and over that time we’ve built a stronger, more resilient airline with a clear strategy for the future,” Tackett said. “As President and Chief Financial Officer, I’m excited to help lead even more of this organization as we continue executing Alaska Accelerate, growing our global relevance and delivering for our guests, employees and owners.”

AirPro News analysis

We view the consolidation of the commercial and financial portfolios under Tackett as a clear indicator of Alaska Air Group’s current operational priorities. Merging the oversight of revenue generation with cost control and capital allocation ensures that the complex integration of Hawaiian Airlines remains strictly tethered to financial performance targets. By elevating a 25-year veteran who already intimately understands the company’s financial architecture, Alaska is prioritizing stability and disciplined execution as it scales its network.

Sources: Alaska Airlines

Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, Riyadh Air, officially joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and adopted the organization’s CO2 Connect emissions tracking program on June 15, 2026, during the 82nd IATA World Air Transport Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The announcement, detailed in a company press release, integrates the newly launched Airlines into the global aviation ecosystem alongside 360 member airlines. The adoption of the CO2 Connect program signals an early commitment to environmental transparency, utilizing actual fuel burn data rather than theoretical models to measure greenhouse gas Emissions.

Integration into the global aviation framework

The agreement was formalized by Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, and Vincent Coste, Riyadh Air Chief Commercial Officer. IATA represents airlines from 129 countries and territories, accounting for approximately 85 percent of global air traffic.

“Becoming an IATA member is a tribute to the dedication and hard work undertaken by our teams to meet and surpass the highest industry Standards and gives us a seat at the table alongside global airline peers who have been members since the organization’s inception in 1945,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh welcomed the carrier, noting the organization looks forward to Riyadh Air’s contribution in shaping industry priorities and supporting the growth of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector.

Emissions tracking and operational launch

The IATA CO2 Connect program provides advanced carbon emission transparency. By relying on specific operational metrics and actual fuel burn data, the tool allows passengers to make eco-conscious choices based on accurate figures rather than generic estimates. This aligns with the broader aviation industry target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The IATA membership follows Riyadh Air’s transition from a Startups to an active operator. The airline recently completed its inaugural commercial flights and currently operates daily services connecting Riyadh to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah. Additional routes to Cairo, Dubai, and Madrid are scheduled to Launch in the coming weeks. The carrier operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, designed to support the nation’s Vision 2030 economic diversification goals.

AirPro News analysis

Securing IATA membership at this early stage of operations is a standard but critical regulatory and commercial milestone for Riyadh Air. By adopting the CO2 Connect program from day one, the carrier avoids the complex legacy system migrations that older airlines face when implementing modern emissions tracking. We view this dual announcement at the 82nd IATA World Air Transport Summit as a calculated move to establish immediate credibility with international partners and passengers as the airline rapidly scales its route network out of Saudi Arabia.

Sources: Riyadh Air