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Date: February 13, 2026
By: WSJ Staff
Summary:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' January 2026 Consumer Price Index report revealed that airline ticket prices surged 6.5% in a single month — the largest jump in nearly four years — adding to passenger cost pressures even as overall inflation continued to moderate. Year-over-year, airfares were up 2.2%, reversing a 3.4% decline seen in December. The sharp rise in fares comes amid strong travel demand, constrained aircraft supply due to manufacturer production challenges, and higher operational costs for airlines. The broader CPI rose a modest 2.4% year-over-year — an eight-month low — aided by falling gasoline prices and slowing housing costs. However, core inflation (excluding food and energy) rose 0.3% month-over-month, keeping pressure on the Federal Reserve to hold interest rates steady, with a March rate cut now considered unlikely.
One-Sentence Summary: Airfares jumped 6.5% in January 2026 — the biggest monthly surge since 2022 — even as overall U.S. inflation cooled to its lowest level in eight months.
Attribution: For more information, please refer to the Wall Street Journal
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Date: February 19, 2026
By: Kimberley Kao
Summary:
Boeing secured agreements to sell nearly 100 aircraft to Vietnamese airlines during a high-profile U.S. visit by Vietnamese Communist Party leader To Lam, in a package valued at over $30 billion. The landmark deals include a $22.5 billion order for up to 40 787-9 Dreamliner wide-body jets from newly established Sun PhuQuoc Airways — the largest ever wide-body aircraft order by a Vietnamese carrier. Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines also signed an order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets valued at approximately $8 billion, with plans to invest an additional $12 billion in wide-body aircraft. Budget carrier VietJet separately secured financing for six Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The deals are tied to a broader U.S.-Vietnam trade framework aimed at reducing tariffs, with Vietnam purchasing Boeing aircraft as part of the pact. The agreements signal strengthening economic ties between the two nations as trade negotiations continue.
One-Sentence Summary: Boeing scored over $30 billion in jet orders from Vietnamese airlines, cementing a major trade win tied to deepening U.S.-Vietnam economic relations.
Attribution: For more information, please refer to the Wall Street Journal
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Date: February 19, 2026
By: Cristina Gallardo
Summary:
Air France-KLM reported a strong turnaround in its fourth quarter of 2025, posting a net profit of €585 million — a sharp reversal from a €21 million net loss in the same period a year earlier. The Franco-Dutch airline group saw revenue grow 3.9% to €8.19 billion, driven by a 4.8% increase in passenger numbers to 24.6 million. A key driver of profitability was a 1.1% reduction in unit costs, aided by improved productivity and fuel efficiency. Operating profit reached €393 million, beating the company's own guidance range. Looking ahead to 2026, Air France-KLM expects unit costs to rise by no more than 2% while capacity grows between 3% and 5%.
One-Sentence Summary: Air France-KLM swung from a loss to a €585 million profit in Q4 2025, helped by falling costs and nearly 5% more passengers flying with the group.
Attribution: For more information, please refer to the Wall Street Journal
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Boeing is planning a new single-aisle airplane that would succeed the 737 MAX, according to people familiar with the matter, a long-term bid to recover business lost to rival Airbus during its series of safety and quality problems.
Earlier this year, Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg met with officials from Rolls-Royce Holdings RR -0.77%decrease; red down pointing triangle in the U.K., two of the people said, where they discussed a new engine for the aircraft. Ortberg appointed a new senior product chief in Boeing’s commercial plane business, whose prior role was developing a new type of aircraft.
Boeing has also been designing the flight deck of a new narrow-body aircraft, according to a person familiar with the plans.
This new aircraft is in early-stage development and plans are still taking shape, some of the people said.
Excerpt from WSJ
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