Calgary – October 18, 2026 -- Eighty-nine percent of Canadians believe the federal government should invest in waterbombers to assist provinces when needed, according to a Pollara study released by De Havilland Canada, maker of the Canadair 515 waterbomber.

Poll finds Canadians see wildfires worsening over the past decade

The study, titled "Canadian Perceptions: Wildfire Response," measured public attitudes toward wildfires and the response to them. Respondents across the country said wildfires have become worse over the last decade. They also called a federal investment in a national waterbomber fleet, accessible to the provinces on request, essential to protecting Canada during wildfire seasons.

Farnborough – October 18, 2026 -- Widerøe has become the launch customer for De Havilland Canada's Dash 8-400 A-Check Escalation Program, which extends scheduled A-Check intervals from 800 to 1,200 flight hours across the Scandinavian carrier's fleet of 17 aircraft.

Widerøe becomes first Dash 8-400 operator to adopt the extended interval

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited announced the agreement with Widerøe, which it describes as Scandinavia's largest regional airline. Implementation is underway and is expected to finish within the next 12 months.

The 50% longer interval cuts the number of routine A-Check inspections each aircraft requires. De Havilland Canada says the program maintains safety and airworthiness standards.

Farnborough – October 18, 2026 -- Widerøe has added four more Dash 8-100 aircraft to its Extended Service Program PLUS (ESP+) agreement with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, lifting its confirmed commitment to 14 aircraft.

Widerøe expands ESP+ enrollment four years after launching the program

Widerøe became the launch customer for ESP+ in 2022. It initially enrolled 10 aircraft, with options on an additional 10. The latest commitment brings the confirmed total to 14 aircraft.

ESP+ raises Dash 8-100 life limit from 120,000 to 160,000 flight cycles

The program extends the service life of the Dash 8-100 from 120,000 to 160,000 flight cycles, a 40,000-cycle increase. De Havilland Canada says this gives the type the longest flight-cycle life of any commercial aircraft.

Farnborough – October 18, 2026 -- De Havilland Canada has completed the program's first 28.6-metre wing box for the DHC-515 aerial firefighter and joined the cockpit and hull of the first aircraft into a forward fuselage, according to a production update released today.

Mid-fuselage completed and now being integrated with forward section

The mid-fuselage of the first DHC-515 is finished and is being integrated with the forward fuselage. The company describes these steps as significant progress in assembling the first aircraft at its manufacturing facilities.

De Havilland Canada released a production update video documenting the milestones.

Farnborough – October 18, 2026 -- De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited is placing the Sherpa utility aircraft on static display at the Farnborough International Airshow, targeting a new generation of operators in special mission, tactical transport and humanitarian roles.

Sherpa pairs STOL performance with a rear loading ramp for access-critical missions

The aircraft combines short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance, a spacious cabin and a rear loading ramp. De Havilland Canada says this lets it fly missions where access and reliability are critical, including cargo and troop transport, paratroop operations and humanitarian flights from challenging environments.

Farnborough – October 18, 2026 -- De Havilland Canada signed a letter of intent with Maldivian, the Maldives' national airline Island Aviation Services Limited, for two DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow. The order would mark the first Classic 300-G deliveries to the Maldives, the world's largest Twin Otter operating market.

Island Aviation Services would become first Classic 300-G operator in the Maldives

The deal covers two aircraft. Island Aviation Services Limited links Malé with communities, resorts and remote islands across the Maldivian archipelago. The airline says the new aircraft will strengthen its service while supporting tourism and regional transportation growth.

Farnborough – October 18, 2026 -- De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for the Twin Otter Classic 300-G, clearing deliveries to operators across Europe and other regions that recognize EASA approval.

Zimex Aviation flies first EASA-certified Classic 300-G in commercial service

The first EASA-certified aircraft has already been delivered to Switzerland-based Zimex Aviation, which is the launch customer and first operator. The aircraft is in commercial operation.

Zimex is a long-time Twin Otter operator. It uses the aircraft for global operations that include humanitarian aid, government support, cargo transport and special mission flying in remote environments.

Seoul – October 18, 2026 -- XellSmart's off-the-shelf Parkinson's cell therapy XS411 improved OFF-state motor scores by an average of more than 30 points at six months in all nine Phase I participants, and its 30-patient Phase II trial in China has completed enrollment.

The data were presented at the International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders (MDS). The company says the results showed no dose-limiting toxicities, serious adverse events or adverse events related to XS411.

Phase I data show motor and imaging gains in nine patients

The single-arm, open-label trial used a 3+3 dose-escalation design across three cohorts. Participants had moderate-to-advanced disease, a mean duration of about 10 years, end-of-dose wearing-off and OFF-state Hoehn-Yahr stages of 3 to 4. Cells were transplanted into the bilateral posterior putamen.

Guangzhou – October 17, 2026 -- The Canton Fair launched its Buyers Alliance with 58 founding member companies from 32 countries and regions across five continents, as the 140th edition opened and the fair marked its 70th anniversary.

More than 140 overseas buyers attend the October 15 launch

The alliance was officially launched on October 15 at the Canton Fair Complex. More than 140 overseas buyers attended the ceremony.

Luís Vilariça, CEO of Joinco, Import & Export, Ltd., spoke about his company's long relationship with the fair. He said cooperation with Chinese suppliers had created growth opportunities for his business, and he pointed to the fair's role in supporting international business development.

Representatives of five member companies read a joint declaration in their native languages. Other members sent video congratulatory messages.

Macao – October 17, 2026 -- International travel has reached 690 million trips so far this year, 3 million more than in the same period last year, UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais told the 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) in Macao on Saturday, despite geopolitical tension and conflict in the Middle East.

The forum opened at the MGM Theater at MGM COTAI under the theme "Crisis, Resilience, Evolution." It returns to its founding host city after the 11th edition was held in Harbin, Heilongjiang, in December, the first time the event left Macao.