https://squawkseven.com/Coverage of the North American aviation system: air traffic control, regulation, safety oversight and the economics behind it, reported from findings ratheenhttps://squawkseven.com/news/avianca-cargo-continues-relief-b2ae36/https://squawkseven.com/news/avianca-cargo-continues-relief-b2ae36/Avianca Cargo has transported an additional 60 tons of humanitarian aid to Colombia, bringing the total volume of aid moved to over 150 tons in just two days.17 August 2026https://squawkseven.com/news/gol-linhas-reas-appoints-f8d05d/https://squawkseven.com/news/gol-linhas-reas-appoints-f8d05d/Gol Linhas Aéreas welcomes back former executive André Fehlauer as its new CEO, while Celso Ferrer joins Boeing as its new president for the Latin America and the Caribbean regions.17 August 2026https://squawkseven.com/news/iag-challenges-heathrow-third-b76752/https://squawkseven.com/news/iag-challenges-heathrow-third-b76752/International Airlines Group (IAG), owner of British Airways, has raised concerns over the $66 billion price tag for Heathrow’s third runway, calling it 'exceptional' and questioning its affordability and value for money. IAG argues that the costs far exceed comparable airport projects and warns that without affordability guarantees, the expansion could fail to deliver promised benefits.17 August 2026https://squawkseven.com/news/senators-allege-dhs-operated-a0ecb3/https://squawkseven.com/news/senators-allege-dhs-operated-a0ecb3/Two U.S. senators have accused the Department of Homeland Security of misusing funds to acquire luxury aircraft for high-ranking officials during the Trump administration, including members of the first family and other government leaders. The senators demand transparency and accountability for the purchases, which they claim lacked congressional authorization.17 August 2026https://squawkseven.com/news/pilatus-consolidates-composite-operations-4bae6a/https://squawkseven.com/news/pilatus-consolidates-composite-operations-4bae6a/Aviation manufacturer Pilatus has opened a new composite manufacturing center in Switzerland, bringing together its development and production operations under one roof.16 August 2026https://squawkseven.com/news/faa-proposes-mandatory-fix-a73aac/https://squawkseven.com/news/faa-proposes-mandatory-fix-a73aac/The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a mandatory airworthiness directive to address a potential safety issue with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner's fan cowl.16 August 2026https://squawkseven.com/news/avolon-akasa-air-finalize-92ba89/https://squawkseven.com/news/avolon-akasa-air-finalize-92ba89/Avolon and Akasa Air have agreed on a sale-leaseback transaction for seven Boeing 737-8200 aircraft, allowing the Indian carrier to optimize its financial resources while maintaining operations. This deal strengthens their existing partnership and supports Akasa Air's growth in India's competitive low-cost aviation market.16 August 2026https://squawkseven.com/news/russia-jet-powered-drones-113033/https://squawkseven.com/news/russia-jet-powered-drones-113033/Russia's increasing use of jet-powered drones is pushing Ukraine to adapt its air defense systems, with the country's military and manufacturers developing faster and more advanced interceptors.16 August 2026https://squawkseven.com/news/historic-race-winning-aircraft-14976a/https://squawkseven.com/news/historic-race-winning-aircraft-14976a/The de Havilland DH.88 Comet G-ACSS, a historic aircraft that won the speed section of the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race, has been badly damaged in a landing accident at the Shuttleworth Trust's Old Warden aerodrome in Bedfordshire, UK.16 August 2026https://squawkseven.com/news/spanish-shoots-down-drone-e2f18a/https://squawkseven.com/news/spanish-shoots-down-drone-e2f18a/A Spanish Air and Space Force F/A-18 Hornet shot down a drone over southeastern Romania in the early hours of August 16, 2026, marking the fourth unmanned aircraft destroyed over Romanian territory this year.16 August 2026https://squawkseven.com/news/retired-luftwaffe-transall-airlifters-64eca3/https://squawkseven.com/news/retired-luftwaffe-transall-airlifters-64eca3/Two retired Transall C-160Ds are being converted into armored firefighting aircraft, with the first expected to be operational for the 2027 wildfire season.16 August 2026https://squawkseven.com/news/us-army-selects-robinson-de5814/https://squawkseven.com/news/us-army-selects-robinson-de5814/The US Army has chosen the Robinson R66 as its primary helicopter trainer under a major overhaul of initial helicopter pilot training.16 August 2026