Tag Archives: Aviation

Airbus Canada says operations contributed $8.4B to GDP from 2023 to 2025

16 Thursday Jul 2026

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Canada is where Airbus has the most significant presence outside Europe. Airbus photo.

MIRABEL, Que. – Airbus Canada on Thursday released a report saying its operations generated an estimated C$8.4 billion in Canadian gross domestic product between 2023 and 2025 and supported nearly 60,000 job-years over the period.

The report, commissioned by Airbus Canada and prepared by accounting firm PwC Canada, found the European aircraft manufacturer supported an average of about 20,000 jobs annually during the three-year period.

Last year, Airbus spent more than $2.2 billion on its Canadian operations with about 70% of that spending going to domestic suppliers serving both civil and military markets.

The company works with about 1,000 suppliers in Canada, more than half of them small and medium-sized businesses, it said.

“Today, Canada is where Airbus has the most significant presence outside Europe with all its business units — defence and space, helicopters and commercial aircraft — being present,” said Airbus Canada CEO Guillaume Chevasson.

The report also found the average income of an Airbus employee in Canada is about 60% higher than the national average across all industries.

Airbus employs more than 5,300 people in Canada, primarily in Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia, with the company supporting 27% aerospace jobs in Quebec.

Its commercial aircraft business accounted for $5.5 billion of the company’s total GDP contribution between 2023 and 2025, while Airbus Helicopters contributed $237.5 million.

Airbus Defence and Space generated $778.4 million in economic spending over the same period. Subsidiaries Skywise and Airbus Atlantic Canada contributed $184 million and $617 million, respectively, according to the report.

Boeing, partners to flight-test fuel-saving, noise-reduction technologies

16 Thursday Jul 2026

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SEATTLE – Boeing said Thursday it will begin flight tests later this month with Lufthansa and Rolls-Royce of engine and flight operation technologies designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce aircraft noise.

The U.S. aircraft manufacturer said the testing will use a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at its facility in Glasgow, Montana, and is expected to continue through mid-August.

The aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, is scheduled for delivery to Lufthansa after the test program.

The companies also will test modified departure and arrival procedures, including Intelligent Operations flight paths.

Boeing said the flight paths use algorithms and multiple data sources to identify routes intended to improve fuel efficiency while reducing community noise around airports.

The flight tests are part of Phase III of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise, or CLEEN, program, a public-private initiative that supports the development and testing of technologies to improve aircraft fuel efficiency and reduce noise.

One technology being evaluated is the Next Generation Inlet, a reduced-length engine inlet with advanced acoustic treatments. Boeing said the design is intended to reduce engine weight and aerodynamic drag while maintaining acoustic performance and supporting the integration of more fuel-efficient engines on future aircraft.

Rolls-Royce is providing engineering support and oversight for operation of the Trent 1000 engine equipped with the Next Generation Inlet during the flight tests.

Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator 757

The flight tests are being conducted as part of Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program, launched in 2012 to evaluate new aviation technologies under operational flight conditions.

The program has tested more than 260 technologies related to fuel efficiency, emissions, noise reduction, safety and operational performance.

Sustainability will be a major topic of discussion at next week’s Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom.

Commercial aviation generates about 2.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions, but its overall contribution to climate change is estimated at 3.5% to 4% when non-CO₂ effects such as contrails are taken into account.

The figures are based on a 2021 study published in Atmospheric Environment and cited by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Images are courtesy of Boeing and Rolls-Royce.

Emirates completes retrofit of 100 widebody jets

14 Tuesday Jul 2026

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Graphic: Emirates

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Emirates has completed the refurbishment of its 100th widebody aircraft as part of a fleet retrofit program backed by a US$5 billion investment, the UAE national carrier said Tuesday.

Since the program began in November 2022, Emirates has refurbished 47 Airbus A380s and 53 Boeing 777s at its engineering facilities in Dubai. The airline expects to upgrade about 20 more aircraft by the end of 2026.

Over 44 months, more than 400 engineers and technicians spent a combined 4.4 million work hours refurbishing the aircraft.

The upgrades include refreshed cabin interiors and the installation of more than 3,800 Premium Economy seats, expanding the availability of the cabin class on additional routes across its network.

Business Class in the newly retrofitted A380 aircraft. Emirates Photo.

“Completing full cabin retrofits for 100 widebody aircraft in 44 months is a significant achievement,” Emirates President Sir Tim Clark said in a statement.

The retrofit work has been carried out at Emirates Engineering facilities in Dubai.

In May, the airline completed its first retrofit of a two-class to three-class Airbus A380, adding a Premium Economy cabin to the aircraft’s upper deck.

Beginning in October, Emirates plans to install new 4K OLED HDR10+ seatback screens and Safran Z400 seats as the retrofit program enters its next phase.

Embraer unveils Phenom 300EV

14 Tuesday Jul 2026

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MELBOURNE, Fla. – Embraer on Tuesday unveiled the Phenom 300EV, the latest version of its Phenom 300 light executive jet, ahead of next week’s opening of the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom.

The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer expects deliveries to begin in 2028.

The airplane is equipped with Garmin Emergency Autoland, which can automatically land the aircraft if the pilot becomes incapacitated. Embraer said the Phenom 300EV is the largest business jet equipped with the system.

The new jet has a maximum range of 2,055 nautical miles (3,806 kilometers) and 430 pounds of additional payload capacity over the previous model.

Cabin updates feature low-Earth-orbit satellite connectivity through Gogo Galileo, with Starlink connectivity planned as an aftermarket option.

Embraer said the Phenom 300EV will be supported through its global service network.

The Phenom 300 series has been the world’s best-selling light jet for 14 consecutive years, according to the company.

The Phantom 300EV is not expected at the Farnborough Airshow, opening July 24.

Embraer will, however, showcase the E195-E2, the largest member of its E2 narrow-body family, and the KC-390 Millennium tactical transport and multi-mission aircraft at the five-day event.

Images are courtesy of Embraer.

Thales to modernize Mongolia’s air traffic management infrastructure

13 Monday Jul 2026

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PARIS – Thales has won a contract to modernize Mongolia’s air traffic management infrastructure, the French aerospace giant announced Monday.

Under the deal with the National Civil Aviation Center of Mongolia, Thales will deploy a next-generation dual Area Control Center architecture, upgrading the existing ACC in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and establishing a new ACC in the Gobi desert town of Sainshand.

The company said the project will significantly enhance operational resilience, airspace capacity and cybersecurity of critical infrastructure.

While no financial details were disclosed, Thales said the project is backed by a “flexible financing solution” established between Bpi France and the Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia.

The agreement also includes skills transfer, with Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile sending instructors to train Mongolian air traffic controllers.

“This agreement represents a major milestone for Mongolia’s aviation sector and stands as a strong example of strategic international cooperation delivering tangible and lasting impact,” Thales said.

Mongolia, a landlocked nation of just 3.5 million people, has been investing heavily in its aviation sector to support its goal of becoming a major tourism hub.

A leader in aerospace, defense and cybersecurity sectors, Paris-based Thales employs more than 85,000 people in 65 countries. It reported sales of €22.1 billion ($25.2 billion) last year.

The country has three airlines — MIAT Mongolian Airlines, Hunnu Air and Aero Mongolia.

The aviation sector employs some 7,000 people, generating direct economic benefit worth just under US$500 million annually, or roughly 2.5% of the national GDP.

Images are courtesy of Thales.

Airbus, MTU plan hydrogen fuel cell engine to cut emissions

07 Tuesday Jul 2026

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Hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine. © MTU 2026

TOULOUSE, France – Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have formed a joint venture to develop and commercialize a fully electric hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system, the European aircraft manufacturer announced Tuesday, as the industry seeks to reduce its carbon emissions.

The agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding the parties signed at the Paris Air Show last year, Airbus added.

The company has been pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to reduce aviation emissions through more fuel-efficient aircraft, greater use of sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen propulsion, advanced aerodynamics and improved operational efficiency.

Hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine mounted on an aircraft. ©MTU 2026

Commercial aviation generates about 2.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions, but its overall contribution to climate change is estimated at 3.5% to 4% when non-CO₂ effects such as contrails are taken into account.

The figures are based on a 2021 study published in Atmospheric Environment and cited by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

“By establishing a dedicated and highly agile organizational set-up, the partners aim to accelerate technology development, design, testing and certification of a revolutionary propulsion system for aviation based on a hydrogen fuel cell,” Airbus said. “The new entity will be supported by Airbus and MTU with all their competences and through various engineering and manufacturing teams from both organizations.”

The joint venture is expected to start operations next year, although the deal is non-binding and subject to regulatory approvals, Airbus said.

Stefan Weber, senior vice president of engineering and technology at MTU, described the initiative as a key step toward developing the company’s first hydrogen-powered aircraft engine.

He said the project demonstrates Europe’s technological leadership in hydrogen propulsion and supports MTU’s ambition to establish a business spanning the entire fuel cell powertrain life cycle, from development and testing to certification and commercial deployment.

Airbus projects include this fuel cell-powered ZEROe aircraft. © Airbus 2026

Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water vapor as a by-product. The technology could eliminate inflight CO₂ and nitrogen oxide emissions.

Early last year, Airbus said it would focus its hydrogen research on a fully electric fuel cell propulsion system after prototype and powertrain testing validated the technology’s potential.

Industry: Return of supersonic flights now ‘inevitable’

02 Thursday Jul 2026

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Boom Supersonic’s demonstrator aircraft, the XB-1.

WASHINGTON – The industry is welcoming a Federal Aviation Administration proposal to lift the ban on supersonic civilian flights in the U.S., with one executive declaring that that “the return of supersonic is inevitable” 23 years after the Concorde flew for the last time.

The FAA move was announced this week by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

He said advances in supersonic technology will allow the next generation of aircraft to fly safely without producing a sonic boom.

“Restoring supersonic flight over land isn’t just about speed, it’s about unleashing American innovation and ushering in a Golden Age of Travel,” Duffy said.

The FAA noted in its proposal that current regulations prohibit civil aircraft from flying faster than the speed of sound over the U.S. unless they receive special authorization from the agency. The restriction is intended to protect the public from sonic booms.

Supersonic flight begins at Mach 1, or about 770 mph (1,240 km/h), significantly faster than the typical cruising speed of commercial airliners, which ranges from about 550 to 600 mph.

The FAA aims to finalize the rule by the middle of next year.

Blake Scholl, the founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, which is developing a supersonic aircraft called Overture, quickly welcomed the government proposal.

Blake Scholl

“It’s time to get excited. The return of supersonic is inevitable,” Scholl wrote on LinkedIn.

Boom’s demonstrator aircraft, the XB-1, made history in January 2025 by becoming the first independently developed civil aircraft to successfully break the sound barrier.

Scholl said the FAA had specifically cited the XB-1’s demonstration of the boomless supersonic flight.

The first Overture commercial flight is scheduled for 2029. Boom has won firm orders or options for the aircraft from United Airlines, American Airlines and Japan Airlines.

The previous supersonic aircraft, the Concorde, was operated by Air France and British Airways during 1976-2003. A British Airways Concorde made the final commercial flight from New York to London on Oct. 24, 2003.

Images are courtesy of Boom Supersonic and FAA.

Gulfstream celebrates ‘farthest fastest’ business flight

02 Thursday Jul 2026

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SAVANNAH, Ga. – Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced Wednesday that a G800 had completed “the farthest fastest flight in business aviation history” earlier in the week.

The aircraft flew from Melbourne, Australia, to Moline, Ill., covering 8,303 nautical miles (15,377 kilometers), in 16 hours and 56 minutes at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.85.

For context, Bombardier’s Global 8000 boasts a top speed of Mach 0.95 and a range of 8,000 nm.

Earlier in June, the G800 had secured the 800th city pair speed record with a flight from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Savannah, the company said. The aircraft traveled 2,973 nm in 5 hours and 52 minutes at Mach 0.91.

“With every new aircraft, Gulfstream continues to push the boundaries of performance for our customers,” said Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream.

“Reaching our 800th city pair speed record and completing the farthest fastest flight in our industry’s history demonstrates the strength of our next-generation fleet and the advanced capabilities of the G800.”

The G800, powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, entered service in August 2025 following certifications from American and European regulators.

All images are courtesy of Gulfstream.

SAS orders Airbus jets worth over $10 billion for fleet renewal

30 Tuesday Jun 2026

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The agreement was signed in Copenhagen by SAS and Airbus executives.

COPENHAGEN – Scandinavian carrier SAS on Tuesday made what it called “the largest investment in the company’s history,” ordering up to 40 Airbus widebody aircraft worth over $10 billion as part of a fleet renewal program.

It includes a firm order for 18 A330-900neo aircraft, Airbus said in a separate statement. SAS said additional Airbus A330-300 jets will be secured to support near-term growth ahead of the arrival of the new fleet.

“For 80 years, SAS has connected Scandinavia with the world and the world with Scandinavia. Today, we are investing in the next chapter of our story,” said Anko van der Werff, president and CEO of SAS.

“This is the largest investment in our company’s history, and a clear signal of our confidence in the future.”

The announcement follows last year’s record order for 55 Embraer E195-E2 regional aircraft.

“Together with the ongoing renewal of the Airbus A320neo fleet, these investments represent the most significant modernization of the SAS fleet in decades, delivering substantial improvements in fuel efficiency, noise performance, and customer experience,” the airline said.

The new aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines. The A330neo is designed to fly up to 8,100 nautical miles (15,000 kilometers) nonstop.

As of May, Airbus had secured over 1,950 orders for the A330 family of aircraft, the European manufacturer said.

Images are courtesy of SAS and Airbus.

Praetor 500E: Triple-certified and ready for global operations

30 Tuesday Jun 2026

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MELBOURNE, Fla. – Embraer’s Praetor 500E business jet is ready for global operations following its triple certification from aviation regulators in Brazil, the United States and the European Union, the company said Tuesday.

The aircraft’s approval follows the Praetor 600E’s certification earlier this year.

The Brazilian manufacturer said the certifications mark an important step for its next generation of midsize and super-midsize business jets.

“Achieving triple certification ahead of schedule and on spec is a strong testament to our engineering excellence, enterprise efficiency, and disciplined execution,” said Michael Amalfitano, president and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets. “With this impressive milestone, we are well positioned to produce this aircraft for customers worldwide.”

With a range of 3,340 nautical miles (about 6,200 kilometers), the Praetor 500E is capable of nonstop flights between city pairs such as Miami-Seattle and Los Angeles-New York with four passengers and NBAA IFR reserves.

Complementing its performance is a higher payload capability and a thoroughly redesigned cabin, the company said. The aircraft’s maximum passenger capacity is nine.

Other features of the aircraft include Embraer’s avionics suite and the Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System.

“Together, these systems reduce pilot workload, enhance situational awareness, and support smoother flights while expanding operational flexibility to a broader range of destinations,” Embraer said.

The company expects deliveries of both the Praetor 500E and Praetor 600E to begin in 2029.

All images are courtesy of Embraer Executive Jets.

Asiana to exit Star Alliance ahead of Korean Air merger

26 Friday Jun 2026

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FRANKFURT/SEOUL – Asiana Airlines will leave Star Alliance on Dec. 16, the day before it merges with Korean Air, the group confirmed Friday.

The alliance, made up of 26 international carriers, said in a statement that it will work closely with Asiana “to ensure a seamless and coordinated experience for customers in the lead-up to the airline’s departure.”

It added that member airlines will continue to operate to and from Seoul’s  Incheon International Airport after Asiana’s exit.

The airline joined the group in 2013.

Korean Air, South Korea’s flag carrier, formally acquired the country’s second-largest airline in 2024, four years after the move was first announced.

South Korean media reports said Friday that the government “conditionally approved” the Asiana-Korean Air merger Thursday.

One of the world’s major airlines, Korean Air serves 116 cities in 40 countries.

It has a fleet of more than 160 aircraft. The airline is owned by the Hanjin Group.

Images are courtesy of Asiana Airlines, Star Alliance and Korean Air.

Airhart takes another step in ‘democratizing’ flying

18 Wednesday Mar 2026

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The protype is based on the Sling TSi platform

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Airhart Aeronautics, the U.S. startup developing an airplane “anyone can fly,” will open its Design and Engineering Center in Long Beach, Calif., next week in the latest milestone in the project.

The guest of honor at Wednesday’s event will be legendary aviator Linda Sollars, the company said.

Airhart’s simplified flight controls

Airhart, founded in 2022 by former SpaceX engineer Nikita Ermoshkin, is seeking to “democratize” flying by building a safe and easy-to-fly personal aircraft with a price tag of under US$100,000.

No intense pilot training would be needed to fly the Airhart aircraft.

That is because at its core is an integrated avionics platform, which consolidates displays, automation and flight controls into one single simplified system. In January, Airhart began installing the software that makes the system possible.

Linda Sollars

The company has been flying a prototype, based on Sling Aircraft’s TSi platform, since late 2022.

Its goal is to deliver its first aircraft equipped with Airhart avionics later this year, with commercial production starting in 2028.

Second and third models are expected to be released in 2031 and 2035 respectively.

The aircraft will conform with the new MOSAIC standards, issued last year by the Federal Aviation Administration and slated to go into effect in July.

The FAA believes MOSAIC, or Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification, will help increase the availability of affordable aircraft for recreational aviation.

On Wednesday, Sollars will share her thought on how MOSAIC will modernize the light aircraft industry.

Guests will also be able to meet the team behind the aircraft and try out the Airhart flight simulator.

Photos are courtesy of Linda Sollars and Airhart Aeronautics.

Alaska Airlines unveils new livery, inspired by the Northern Lights

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by in Airlines, Airports, Alaska Airlines, Aviation, Boeing, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Business

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Alaska Airlines said its new livery was inspired by the Northern Lights.

SEATTLE – Alaska Airlines unveiled a new livery on Tuesday as the company sets sights on becoming a premium global carrier.

The U.S. airline, which already flies to over 140 destinations, also announced that it will launch two new nonstop routes to London and Reykjavik from its Seattle hub, starting next spring.

They will be the fourth and fifth of at least 12 intercontinental destinations Alaska plans to serve from Seattle by the end of this decade.

“With these bold moves, we are accelerating our vision to connect our guests to the world,” said Chief Executive Officer Ben Minicucci. “We are seizing this moment to redefine the international experience and level up. And we’re doing it with the same relentless focus on safety, care and performance that’s always defined us.”

The airline said the new livery on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners was inspired by the Northern Lights.

Alaska calls the design “the first phase of a new global experience for long-haul flying” on the aircraft.

The 787s with the new livery will debut in January, and the airline hopes to have its entire fleet of 17 Dreamliners to feature the new design by spring.

“Our new 787 exterior embodies Alaska’s transition to a global airline with beauty, grace and a nod to our heritage,” said Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison.

The daily Seattle-London Dreamliner flight will feature 34 enclosed suites with fully lie-flat seats in Business Class, the airline said. The service will operate throughout the year.

On the seasonal Reykjavik route, Alaska will operate a Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, Alaska added.

Images are courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

EBAA considers new venues for air show

20 Tuesday May 2025

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The European Business Aviation Association is considering new venues for its flagship air show known as EBACE, the organization said Monday.

The announcement came on the eve of the opening of the 2025 edition of the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Geneva.

For the first time, the show opened without a static display of business aircraft.

The association said it is “rethinking the event format to better engage high net worth individuals” and reconsidering bringing back the static display.

“Our goal is to reimagine EBACE with and for our stakeholders,” EBAA Secretary General Holger Krahmer (right) told a media briefing.

“While changes take time, one thing remains clear to us: the industry needs EBACE and it remains the right place to meet the right people in business aviation.”

More details are expected to be released at a news conference on June 30.

Images are courtesy of EBAA

Delta celebrates a century of success

18 Tuesday Mar 2025

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Delta Air Lines has revealed a new livery to mark 100 years of operation.

The U.S. company said it honors “a century of innovation, resilience and the people who built Delta into the airline it is today.”

The celebrations were held at the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta on March 15.

What began as an aerial crop-dusting company in March 1925 has grown into one of the world’s largest airlines operating some 5,000 daily flights to nearly 300 destinations.

Delta has a fleet of 987 aircraft.

Video courtesy: Delta Air Lines