Flightline Briefing 64 - January 26, 2026

Unlock Exclusive Data: November Passenger Totals are Here! Free subscribers are missing out on our most comprehensive data set yet, available only on Flightline. Nowhere else online will you find such a massive collection of airport statistics in one place — we’ve compiled nearly 440 airport totals for November 2025 alone.

London Heathrow (LHR), which ended 2025 with a record 84.4 million passengers, has completed a landmark £1 billion security overhaul, becoming the largest airport in the world to fully implement next-generation CT scanners across all terminals as of January 23, 2026. This technological leap significantly speeds up the security process by allowing passengers to leave liquids and electronic devices inside their hand luggage, eliminating the need for plastic bags and the manual unpacking of bags. By providing security teams with high-resolution 3D images, the new system streamlines checkpoints, reduces preparation time, and eases the usual hassles of the departure hall. This investment is a key milestone in Heathrow’s strategy to maintain its status as a premier global hub, with the airport reporting that over 97 percent of passengers already wait less than five minutes for security following these upgrades.

Croatia Airlines (OU) will retire the Airbus A320 from its scheduled operations by February 9.

Denver (DEN) has become the first U.S. airport to offer nonstop service to 200 domestic destinations, topping all other U.S. hubs for domestic connectivity.

Chicago O’Hare has been named the busiest airport in the United States for 2025. Sort of. While most people typically think of passenger counts when defining “busiest,” O’Hare led the U.S. last year in aircraft movements, with 857,392 takeoffs and landings. This marks the first time since 2019 that Chicago has overtaken Atlanta (ATL) for the most movements. Atlanta’s long-standing crown as the airport with the most passengers in the U.S., and the world, remains safe for 2025, as the airport is expected to post final counts of roughly 110 million passengers.

Wizz Air UK (W9) has applied with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for a Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP). The airline is seeking to operate passenger charter service to the U.S.

BermudAir’s (2T) October 2025 performance highlights a struggle to fill seats on U.S. routes, with a system wide load factor of just 42 percent. This is far below the levels typically required for profitability. While routes like Boston (BOS) at 59 percent and Orlando (MCO) at 54 percent show some traction, several markets are languishing. In particular, Richmond, Va. (RIC) and Raleigh, N.C. (RDU) are underperforming so significantly that the airline has already announced plans to exit those markets in early 2026. These low figures suggest a mismatch between expansion and actual demand, forcing a shift away from secondary regional airports toward higher traffic hubs like Newark, N.J. and New York LaGuardia (LGA).

Alaska Air Group reported fourth quarter and full-year 2025 results showing continued resilience and strategic progress, even as profitability declined versus the prior year. For Q4, the group posted $3.6 billion in revenue with a GAAP net income of $21 million ($0.18 per share) and a stronger adjusted EPS of $0.43, beating guidance and analyst expectations, while full-year adjusted net income reached $293 million ($2.44 per share) on roughly $14.2 billion in revenue. The airline highlighted milestones such as achieving a single operating certificate for Alaska Airlines (AS) and Hawaiian Airlines (HA), record credit card signups, and preparation for new international service as part of its Alaska Accelerate growth strategy. Management signaled cautious optimism for 2026, with a wide EPS guidance range and momentum in corporate and loyalty revenues, even as it navigates macroeconomic uncertainty and cost pressures.

Alaska Airlines has reversed a mid-2025 policy that had stopped allowing rabbits to fly in the cabin, so rabbits are once again permitted onboard with their owners. The change came after customer feedback, and passengers must book a spot and use a compliant soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat.

🇪🇬 Egyptian airports recorded strong growth in 2025, underscoring improved operational performance and rising travel demand across the country. Airports operated by the Egyptian Airports Company handled 28 million passengers, up 22.3 percent from 22.9 million in 2024, while total flight movements climbed to 209,800, a 20.7 percent increase year over year. The gains reflect higher traffic to key tourism destinations, improved schedule regularity, and greater overall efficiency across Egypt’s civil aviation system.

Emirates (EK) has formalized a multi-billion-dirham agreement with Dubai Investments Park (DIP) to develop a massive new "Cabin Crew Village" designed to house up to 12,000 crew members. The contemporary community will feature 20 residential buildings, each rising 19 stories, offering a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments tailored for long-term livability. Positioned as a complete lifestyle destination, the development will include a central multi-purpose hub with retail outlets, restaurants, clinics, and modern fitness facilities, alongside outdoor amenities such as resort-style pools, walking trails, and landscaped green spaces. Groundbreaking is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026 with the first phase targeted for completion in 2029. Strategically located equidistant between Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC), the project is a key infrastructure investment to support the airline's long-term transition to Al Maktoum International Airport.

2025 Turkish airport passenger totals are available below.

Vienna, Austria (VIE) reported a record-breaking air cargo year in 2025, handling 313,763 tonnes of freight — an all-time high and a 5.3 percent increase over the previous year. Growth was driven by expanded long-haul services adding belly-hold capacity and strong demand in the e-commerce and pharmaceutical sectors, with Vienna’s Pharma Handling Centre also posting a new peak result. The Austrian hub’s performance underscores its role as a key logistics gateway for Central and Eastern Europe, with import and export volumes rising notably and shipments between Asia and North America contributing significantly to the gains. 

I’ll admit it, when I first saw this video I thought it was AI. But indeed, a vehicle drove into the terminal at Detroit (DTW), breaching the building and coming to rest near the ticket counter area, prompting an immediate security response and temporary disruption inside the terminal. Airport police quickly secured the scene and detained the driver, while passengers and staff in the affected area were moved to safety. No serious injuries were reported, and airport officials said flight operations continued with minimal impact as authorities assessed the damage.