Monday, May 18, 2026
Good Morning✈️☀️
✈️ TODAY'S HEADLINE: DOT Drops $835.8 Million to Rebuild America's ATC Infrastructure
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced an investment of over $750 million to replace eight air traffic control towers and TRACONs with brand-new, state-of-the-art facilities, along with $85.8 million to upgrade Federal Contract Towers at 41 airports across 24 states.
includes replacing aviation surveillance radars and digital voice communication systems. Click here to find out where this is happening.
📈 Airline Stocks
As of May 17, 2026
United (UAL): $92.85 -3.17%
American (AAL): $12.31 -0.39%
Delta (DAL): $70.23 -1.32%
Southwest (LUV): $38.50 -0.28%
What to watch: Jet fuel costs have nearly doubled on key commercial routes, with Strait of Hormuz disruptions sending costs sharply higher — a single A380 full fueling now runs approximately $340,000, up roughly 61% from pre-war levels. Airlines with strong hedging positions are outperforming peers right now.
🛩️ BUSINESS AVIATION
Private jet charter demand on key World Cup host-city routes is forecast to surge 200–300% during peak match periods, creating one of the busiest private aviation cycles in recent years.
Round-trip charters between host cities are expected to range from $15,000 to $60,000 depending on aircraft type and distance, while special-event FBO parking fees can exceed $30,000 during peak periods.
If you're an aircraft owner or charter operator, inventory this summer is your leverage. If you're a traveler, book now or pay a steep premium.
🛫 GENERAL AVIATION
NTSB Drops a Hard Number: Over Half of Fatally Injured Pilots Had Drugs in Their System
The NTSB's newly published safety research report found that 52.8% of fatally injured pilots tested positive for at least one drug of any type, and 27.7% tested positive for two or more, continuing an upward trend.
The most frequently detected substances included cardiovascular medications, sedating antihistamines, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and illicit substances — with 28.6% of pilots testing positive for drugs classified as potentially impairing.
The NTSB clarified that a positive test doesn't automatically prove impairment, but the trend line is undeniable and moving in the wrong direction.
✈️ COMMERCIAL AVIATION
Delta Cuts Cabin Service on 450 Short-Haul Flights — Starting Tomorrow
Starting May 19, 2026, Delta's biggest service change eliminates all in-flight service on flights of 349 miles or less — meaning no beverages, no snacks, nothing — while flights over 350 miles receive full beverage and snack service.
The changes affect roughly 450 daily flights, while approximately 600 daily flights actually gain fuller service under the new threshold.
Delta is also raising checked bag fees for the first time in two years, with the first and second bag jumping from $35 to $45, and the third bag surging from $50 to $200. First class is unaffected.
⛽ FUEL PRICES
National averages as of May 17, 2026 — Source: GlobalAir.com
Fuel | Avg. Price/Gal |
|---|---|
Jet-A | $7.94 |
100LL | $7.28 |
SAF | $10.30 |
The FAA Alaska region leads all regions with the highest Jet-A average at $8.88/gallon and highest 100LL at $10.60/gallon. The FAA Central region remains the most affordable, with Jet-A averaging $6.85 and 100LL at $6.49. Jet-A prices rose month-over-month in May, with the Western Pacific region seeing the sharpest increase at 39 cents per gallon above April figures.
💡 DID YOU KNOW?
The world's first air traffic control tower wasn't built at a major international airport — it was erected at Croydon Airport in London in 1920. Controllers didn't use radar or radio at first. They communicated with pilots using signal paddles and light guns, the same way railway signalmen managed trains. The light gun is still FAA-certified equipment today and required knowledge for every pilot checkride — just in case the radios go dark.
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