easyJet Takeover: Apollo has agreed to buy easyJet in a £5.7bn ($7.7bn) cash deal after rival Castlelake quit, ending months of uncertainty and setting up Apollo-led expansion of the airline’s holidays business. FAA Oversight: The FAA ordered inspections of hundreds of Boeing 737 MAX jets for cracks near the forward service door reinforcement, with repairs required before return to service. Air Safety Probe: Investigators are looking into a Marine One incident in Washington, DC after controllers failed to pause commercial departures, causing a temporary loss of separation with an Envoy Air jet. Sustainability Row in India: India’s civil aviation minister rejected claims that ethanol will be blended into aviation turbine fuel, saying there’s no such proposal and urging people not to confuse ethanol with certified sustainable aviation fuel. Airline Network Change: Loganair will close its Southampton base in October and cut Southampton–Manchester services from Aug. 20. Air Mobility Update: Joby reported a stronger quarter and raised 2026 revenue guidance, driven by Blade helicopter passenger business growth. Security Threats in Germany: Germany is investigating a suspected explosive drone found near Antonov cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle, with reports saying the plane had military ammunition. MRO Expansion: Lufthansa Technik plans to roughly double its Clark maintenance facility size in a second phase starting after initial operations in 2028. Labor/Fees: American Airlines is adding a $150 pet fee for in-cabin animals and requires advance reservation details.