South America
Peru to Cut Flight Permit Processing Time from 30 Days to 1 Business Day
Peru's Ministry of Transport unveiled an air connectivity incentive package on Friday, 9 October, cutting flight permit processing from 30 days to one business day and operating permits from up to 90 days to about 30.
Aviasur Expands Regional Aviation Network with New Facilities in Uruguay, Peru, and Florida
Aviasur, a Chilean aviation services company, opened a maintenance center in Uruguay, added Bell helicopters to its Peru sales portfolio, and opened a second Fort Lauderdale hangar in Florida.
Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Southwestern Panama, Prompting Evacuations and Temporary Airport Closure
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southwestern Panama at 12:56 local time, prompting the temporary closure of Tocumen International Airport and suspension of Metro Lines 1 and 2.
Paraguayan Air Force Becomes First South American Military Operator of Cessna SkyCourier
Textron Aviation announced on October 7, 2026, that the Paraguayan Air Force took delivery of a Cessna SkyCourier, becoming South America's first military SkyCourier operator, funded by Itaipu Binacional.
Venezuelan Airspace Crisis Enters Day 171: US Military Strikes, 82 Deaths, and 15-20% Fuel Cost Surges Disrupt Regional Aviation
Venezuela's airspace closure reached its 171st day on October 6, with US military strikes on alleged drug vessels killing at least 82 people and disrupting flights for over one million passengers.
Cessna Citation Crashes in Western Mexico, Killing Pilot and Copilot
A Cessna Citation registered XB-BAR crashed in western Mexico on October 4, killing the pilot and copilot after departing Tepic's Amado Nervo International Airport.
Skandia Receives ANAC Approval for King Air 200/300 Soundproofing Kit in Brazil
Skandia received final approval from Brazil's ANAC on October 6, 2026 for its King Air 200/300 soundproofing acoustic kit, following earlier FAA, EASA, and TCCA approvals.
EPA Training Center and FlyRight to Relocate King Air C90 Level-C Full Flight Simulator from North Carolina to Brazil
EPA Training Center and FlyRight will relocate a King Air C90 Level-C full flight simulator from Concord, North Carolina to Brazil starting early November 2026, targeting ANAC qualification by Q2 2027.
NOTAMs Declaring Jet A-1 Unavailable at Ten Cuban Airports Expire, but Fuel Crisis Unresolved
NOTAM series A3054 to A3063/26, which had declared Jet A-1 fuel unavailable at ten Cuban international airports, expired at 04:00 UTC on October 1, 2026, without confirmation that supply was restored.
Panama's AITSA opens prequalification to find private operator for David and Río Hato airports
AITSA opened a prequalification process for a 10-year concession to privately operate David's Enrique Malek and Río Hato's Scarlett Martínez airports, with contract award targeted for March 2027.
Embraer total deliveries rise 6% in Q3 2026, commercial jets up 10% year-on-year
Embraer delivered 66 aircraft in Q3 2026, up from 62 a year earlier, with commercial jet deliveries rising 10% to 22 units while executive jets held steady at 41.
Chile to Acquire Five Beechcraft King Air Medium-Transport Aircraft for Air Force Within One to Two Years
Chile's Defense Minister Fernando Barros announced on September 25, 2026 plans to acquire five Beechcraft King Air aircraft for the Air Force, with delivery expected within one to two years.
Magellan Jets Named Official Private Aviation Partner of Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in Dominican Republic
Magellan Jets has become the official private aviation partner of Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, a 7,000-acre Dominican Republic resort, under a new reciprocal-benefits agreement.
ACI World Calls on Governments to Modernise Slot Rules and Boost Airport Investment at Lima Assembly
Airports Council International World told the ACI-LAC/World Assembly in Lima that the global airport system will need an estimated $6 trillion by 2055, urging governments to reform slot policies and infrastructure planning.
Azul Conecta Receives First Cessna SkyCourier, Registration PS-ENE, to Expand 19-Seat Turboprop Service in Brazil
Azul Conecta has received its first Cessna SkyCourier, a 19-seat turboprop registered PS-ENE, to supplement its Grand Caravan network, with plans for just two aircraft initially.
Lima's SPJC Records Only 29 International Business Jet Arrivals in 30 Days; Per-Flight DGAC and CIQ Coordination Remains Required
Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima logged 29 international business-jet arrivals between 22 August and 20 September 2026, led by the United States with six and Ecuador with five.
Business-Jet Movement Records Show Top 3 of 9 Operators at SPJC Account for 80.2% of Flights in 82-Day Window
Business-jet movement records at SPJC show nine operators logged 197 movements between 1 July and 20 September 2026, with ATSA, Altius Aviation and Panorama Jets combining for 158 movements, 80.2% of the total.
Havana Airport Confirms Normal Operations Amid Runway Repairs and Broader Jet Fuel Crisis
José Martí International Airport in Havana said it is operating normally despite NOTAM A3277/26 confirming a runway closure from 11:00 PM September 21 to 6:40 AM September 22.
Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet Approves Five-Year Airport Development Plan for V.C. Bird International and Barbuda International Airports
Antigua and Barbuda's Cabinet approved a five-year development plan for V.C. Bird International Airport and Barbuda International Airport at Wednesday's meeting, led by Minister Charles Fernandez.
Royal Class hosts Medical Aviation Day at Aeroparque, showcasing 3,000-flight medical transport record
Royal Class hosted a Medical Aviation Day on September 11 at Aeroparque's Hangar 8 in Buenos Aires, marking more than 3,000 medical flights flown for INCUCAI since operations began.
Two Mexico City Airports to Suspend Flights Four Hours on September 16 for Independence Day Parade
Benito Juárez International Airport and Felipe Ángeles International Airport will halt takeoffs and landings from 10:00 to 14:00 on September 16 for Mexico's Independence Day parade.
Cessna 550 Citation Bravo Carrying Singer Rey Vaqueiro Overruns Runway and Catches Fire at Parelhas Airport, Brazil
A Cessna 550 Citation Bravo (PP-WMO) carrying singer Rey Vaqueiro overran the runway at Parelhas Airport in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, on Sunday, September 13, catching fire, with all eight aboard evacuating safely.
Smoke at ANR Robinson International Airport ATC Tower Evacuates Staff, Delays Two Flights
Smoke was detected in the ANR Robinson International Airport ATC tower at approximately 1:25 pm, prompting evacuation and a temporary Tobago airspace closure, with normal operations resuming at 3:40 pm.
Thunderstorm at Mexico City Airport Disrupts 48 Flights, Stranding Over 7,700 Passengers
A severe thunderstorm at Mexico City International Airport on Friday disrupted 48 flights, diverting 43 arrivals and cancelling five departures, affecting 7,707 passengers.
Mexico Moves to Establish National Aviation Industry Council After Inaugural Gala Brings Together 70-Plus Firms
Mexico's aviation sector unveiled plans for a National Aviation Industry Council at a gala dinner in Mexico City that drew representatives from more than 70 specialized companies.
WCO Operation ZAFIRO: 19 Countries Conduct 1,431 General Aviation Controls, Seize 1.2 Tonnes of Narcotics and 11 Aircraft
The World Customs Organization's Operation ZAFIRO saw 19 countries run 1,431 General Aviation controls over 16 days, seizing 1.2 tonnes of narcotics and 11 light aircraft.
Airport Power Outage Hits Terminal but Air Traffic Control Remains Fully Operational
A commercial power outage first recorded at 9:52 a.m. disrupted terminal operations at the airport, but backup generators kept air traffic control, radar and tower operations fully functional throughout.
Brazil flies once every two years per capita despite vast market potential, IATA AGM panel finds
An IATA 82nd Annual General Meeting panel in Rio de Janeiro found Brazil records just 0.5 flights per capita per year, with LATAM Brasil CEO Jerome Cadier noting fewer than 10% of the population flies.
Cirrus CAPS Reaches 151 Saves and 303 Survivors After Brazil In-Flight Fire Deployment
A Cirrus SR22 registered PR-VMI deployed its CAPS parachute over Minas Gerais, Brazil, on August 25, 2026, after an in-flight engine fire, marking the system's 151st successful save.
CARICOM eAPIS Portal Closes September 30, Replaced by MDEX for All Flight API Submissions
CARICOM will shut down its eAPIS portal on September 30, requiring all airlines and private operators to submit advance passenger information through the new MDEX platform starting October 1.
Aerocardal Outlines Private Aviation Routes Across Chile's Diverse Landscapes
Aerocardal's Commercial Director Sergio Seguel outlined how private aviation can link Chile's Atacama Desert, Lake District and Patagonia in one summer trip spanning over 4,000 kilometers.
Drone Sighting Halts Flights at Medellín's José María Córdova Airport for 17 Minutes
Aerocivil suspended operations at José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro for about 17 minutes on 10 October after a drone was spotted near the runway.
Peru to Cut Flight Permit Processing Time from 30 Days to 1 Business Day
Peru's Ministry of Transport unveiled an air connectivity incentive package on Friday, 9 October, cutting flight permit processing from 30 days to one business day and operating permits from up to 90 days to about 30.
Aviasur Expands Regional Aviation Network with New Facilities in Uruguay, Peru, and Florida
Aviasur, a Chilean aviation services company, opened a maintenance center in Uruguay, added Bell helicopters to its Peru sales portfolio, and opened a second Fort Lauderdale hangar in Florida.
Signature Aviation Opens FBO at Hewanorra International Airport (UVF/TLPL), St. Lucia
Signature Aviation runs an FBO called Signature St. Lucia at Hewanorra International Airport (UVF/TLPL), managed by General Manager Tracey Goddard, part of a global network of more than 200 locations.
Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Southwestern Panama, Prompting Evacuations and Temporary Airport Closure
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southwestern Panama at 12:56 local time, prompting the temporary closure of Tocumen International Airport and suspension of Metro Lines 1 and 2.
YPF and Essential Energy's Santa Fe Bio Signs Long-Term SAF Offtake Agreement with TotalEnergies for Argentina Biorefinery
Santa Fe Bio, a YPF-Essential Energy joint venture, signed a long-term SAF offtake agreement on October 7 with TOTSA TotalEnergies Trading for a biorefinery planned in San Lorenzo, Argentina.
Paraguayan Air Force Becomes First South American Military Operator of Cessna SkyCourier
Textron Aviation announced on October 7, 2026, that the Paraguayan Air Force took delivery of a Cessna SkyCourier, becoming South America's first military SkyCourier operator, funded by Itaipu Binacional.
Venezuelan Airspace Crisis Enters Day 171: US Military Strikes, 82 Deaths, and 15-20% Fuel Cost Surges Disrupt Regional Aviation
Venezuela's airspace closure reached its 171st day on October 6, with US military strikes on alleged drug vessels killing at least 82 people and disrupting flights for over one million passengers.
Cessna Citation Crashes in Western Mexico, Killing Pilot and Copilot
A Cessna Citation registered XB-BAR crashed in western Mexico on October 4, killing the pilot and copilot after departing Tepic's Amado Nervo International Airport.
Skandia Receives ANAC Approval for King Air 200/300 Soundproofing Kit in Brazil
Skandia received final approval from Brazil's ANAC on October 6, 2026 for its King Air 200/300 soundproofing acoustic kit, following earlier FAA, EASA, and TCCA approvals.
EPA Training Center and FlyRight to Relocate King Air C90 Level-C Full Flight Simulator from North Carolina to Brazil
EPA Training Center and FlyRight will relocate a King Air C90 Level-C full flight simulator from Concord, North Carolina to Brazil starting early November 2026, targeting ANAC qualification by Q2 2027.
NOTAMs Declaring Jet A-1 Unavailable at Ten Cuban Airports Expire, but Fuel Crisis Unresolved
NOTAM series A3054 to A3063/26, which had declared Jet A-1 fuel unavailable at ten Cuban international airports, expired at 04:00 UTC on October 1, 2026, without confirmation that supply was restored.
Panama's AITSA opens prequalification to find private operator for David and Río Hato airports
AITSA opened a prequalification process for a 10-year concession to privately operate David's Enrique Malek and Río Hato's Scarlett Martínez airports, with contract award targeted for March 2027.
Embraer total deliveries rise 6% in Q3 2026, commercial jets up 10% year-on-year
Embraer delivered 66 aircraft in Q3 2026, up from 62 a year earlier, with commercial jet deliveries rising 10% to 22 units while executive jets held steady at 41.
Chile to Acquire Five Beechcraft King Air Medium-Transport Aircraft for Air Force Within One to Two Years
Chile's Defense Minister Fernando Barros announced on September 25, 2026 plans to acquire five Beechcraft King Air aircraft for the Air Force, with delivery expected within one to two years.
Jet Centre Curaçao Operating as FBO at TNCC
Jet Centre Curaçao operates as the fixed-base operator at Curaçao's Hato International Airport (TNCC), offering three services and amenities.
White & Case Advises Lenders on $1.5 Billion Acelen SAF Biorefinery Project in Brazil
White & Case advised an international lender consortium on $1.5 billion in project financing for Acelen's greenfield SAF and renewable diesel biorefinery in Brazil.
CARICOM Closes eAPIS Portal: Operators Must Register for New MDEX System from 1 October
CARICOM states require passenger and crew manifests to be filed through the new MDEX portal from 1 October, replacing the eAPIS web portal.
Brazil's ANAC Launches Public Consultation on SAF Regulations Following Issuance of Decree No. 13,094
Brazil's ANAC opened a public consultation on draft SAF regulations under Decree No. 13,094, running until October 1, 2026.
Magellan Jets Named Official Private Aviation Partner of Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in Dominican Republic
Magellan Jets has become the official private aviation partner of Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, a 7,000-acre Dominican Republic resort, under a new reciprocal-benefits agreement.
ACI World Calls on Governments to Modernise Slot Rules and Boost Airport Investment at Lima Assembly
Airports Council International World told the ACI-LAC/World Assembly in Lima that the global airport system will need an estimated $6 trillion by 2055, urging governments to reform slot policies and infrastructure planning.
Azul Conecta Receives First Cessna SkyCourier, Registration PS-ENE, to Expand 19-Seat Turboprop Service in Brazil
Azul Conecta has received its first Cessna SkyCourier, a 19-seat turboprop registered PS-ENE, to supplement its Grand Caravan network, with plans for just two aircraft initially.
Mexico's ASA Operates 52-Station Aviation Fuel Network with 447 Vehicles Nationwide
Mexico's ASA operates 52 fuel stations and one supply point nationwide, using 447 vehicles including 266 tanker trucks to deliver jet fuel and aviation gasoline to airports.
Drone Incidents Near Costa Rica's Main Airport Have Roughly Doubled, Operator AERIS Warns
AERIS, operator of San José's Juan Santamaría International Airport, said unauthorized drone sightings near the airport have roughly doubled year-over-year, disrupting flight operations.
Swissport to Acquire Majority Stake in Colombia's GHI, Entering South America's Second-Largest Aviation Market
Swissport International has signed a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake in Colombia's Giraldo Hermanos International SAS, marking its entry into a market that carried 57.5 million passengers in 2025.
Lima's SPJC Records Only 29 International Business Jet Arrivals in 30 Days; Per-Flight DGAC and CIQ Coordination Remains Required
Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima logged 29 international business-jet arrivals between 22 August and 20 September 2026, led by the United States with six and Ecuador with five.
Business-Jet Movement Records Show Top 3 of 9 Operators at SPJC Account for 80.2% of Flights in 82-Day Window
Business-jet movement records at SPJC show nine operators logged 197 movements between 1 July and 20 September 2026, with ATSA, Altius Aviation and Panorama Jets combining for 158 movements, 80.2% of the total.
Brazil's ANAC Opens Public Consultation on SAF Emissions Rules Under Fuel of the Future Law
Brazil's ANAC opened a public consultation, running until October 1, 2026, on draft rules for SAF emissions monitoring and compliance under the Fuel of the Future Law.
Havana Airport Confirms Normal Operations Amid Runway Repairs and Broader Jet Fuel Crisis
José Martí International Airport in Havana said it is operating normally despite NOTAM A3277/26 confirming a runway closure from 11:00 PM September 21 to 6:40 AM September 22.