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New Airliners, Washington D.C., DC (2025)

06/20/2025

Designed specifically for Artic and Antartic operations, the Antonov An-74 is derived from the An-72 light transport. With a crew of five, it has more fuel capacity, advanced avionic and provision for a wheel/ski landing gear.

04/26/2025

Freight carrier Cargojet has reported a significant increase in cargo arriving in Canada directly, as international shippers look to bypass US tariffs. This shift in trade routes has helped the company achieve record-setting revenue for the first quarter of the year.

On 23 April, the Ontario-based cargo airline announced it had generated C$250 million ($180 million) in first-quarter revenue, marking an 8% rise compared to the C$231 million reported during the same period in 2024. This revenue total is the highest ever recorded for a first quarter by Cargojet.

“With the backdrop of trade wars and expected decoupling of North American supply chains, more cargo is expected to enter Canada directly from the rest of the world to mitigate the uncertainty of tariffs,” said Jamie Porteous, co-chief executive officer of Cargojet. The company attributes its strong performance in part to these global trade dynamics.

Cargojet operates a fleet of 41 Boeing aircraft, including 24 767s and 17 757s. These planes support logistics giants such as Amazon, DHL Express, FedEx, and other freight and parcel delivery firms.

The company’s financial success comes amid continued fallout from tariff disputes initiated during the Trump administration. These trade conflicts have caused volatility in global markets and have affected the US economy. Despite this, there are signs that the US government may be considering easing some of the tariffs, particularly those targeting China and other nations.

Tensions between the US and Canada have also increased in recent months. This has led to a drop in cross-border tourism and a growing domestic movement in Canada that emphasizes support for Canadian-made goods and services.

Cargojet reported a first-quarter profit of C$48 million, an improvement of nearly 48% from the C$32.5 million recorded during the same period last year. A drop of nearly 19% in fuel costs compared to last year also contributed to the improved financial results, even though block-hour flying remained largely unchanged.

Co-chief executive officer Pauline Dhillon stated that despite challenges such as inflation, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical unrest, the company remains focused on supporting its clients. Porteous added that Cargojet continues to identify new opportunities and is actively helping customers navigate the shifting landscape of global supply chains.

Photo by : Welshboy2020 via Shutterstock.

04/25/2025

Italy has signed a contract with American drone manufacturer AeroVironment to acquire a fleet of Jump 20 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicles. The deal, announced on 21 April, is valued at just over €40 million ($46 million) and will span five years.

The new Jump 20 aircraft will replace Italy’s existing fleet of Textron RQ-7 Shadow reconnaissance drones. Italy initially purchased 16 RQ-7s in 2010 and has since expanded its inventory. These drones are used to provide surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition support to the Italian Army’s ground combat units.

The decision to select the Jump 20 followed a competitive evaluation process, similar to a program currently being conducted by the US Army. The US Army, which also operates the RQ-7, launched the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System (FTUAS) competition to find a replacement. AeroVironment was one of five companies participating but was eliminated in 2023.

By 2024, Northrop Grumman and Sierra Nevada Corporation were also dropped from the US Army’s FTUAS competition, leaving Textron and Griffon Aerospace as the remaining contenders. Griffon Aerospace is offering its Valiant drone, which features a quad-rotor design with rotating nacelles. Textron is competing with its Aerosonde Mk 4.8 hybrid quad-rotor, which began prototype testing earlier this month.

Both of the FTUAS finalists’ designs, like the Jump 20, are capable of VTOL operations, removing the need for a pneumatic catapult launch system required by the RQ-7. This makes them more flexible and easier to deploy in varied environments.

AeroVironment has also introduced an upgraded version of the Jump 20, named the Jump 20-X. This new version is equipped with a heavy fuel engine, allowing it to operate using JP-8 jet fuel, which is standard for the Pentagon. This upgrade addresses safety concerns about using gasoline on ships, opening the Jump 20-X to maritime applications.

Additional features of the Jump 20-X include a wide area search radar, an electro-optical/infrared passive detection system, and an automatic identification system (AIS) ship transponder to enhance its capabilities during naval missions.

According to AeroVironment, the Jump 20-X is capable of conducting a wide range of tasks, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence operations.

Photo by : AeroVironment.

04/25/2025

Boeing has completed fuselage-related rework on a group of undelivered 787s, marking a significant step in its efforts to reduce the backlog of parked jets. The company also continues to make progress in offloading its remaining inventory of undelivered 737 Max and 787 aircraft.

On 23 April, during Boeing’s first-quarter earnings call, chief executive Kelly Ortberg announced the completion of work on the final “join-verification” aircraft at the company’s Everett facility. This milestone allowed Boeing to shut down the shadow factory at that site and reassign the employees and resources previously dedicated to that rework.

For several years, Boeing had been conducting join-verification tasks on 787s in Everett to resolve issues related to fuselage section gaps that failed to meet engineering specifications. These rework efforts were housed in facilities referred to internally as shadow factories.

The fuselage-join problem, along with separate quality issues affecting 737 Max 8 aircraft, led Boeing to suspend deliveries while repairs were carried out. This resulted in a large stockpile of jets that had been built before 2023 but remained undelivered.

At the end of 2023, Boeing’s inventory consisted of 140 737 Max 8s and 50 787s. By the end of 2024, those figures had dropped to 55 737 Max and 25 787s. Chief financial officer Brian West reported on 23 April that the current inventory includes about 30 737 Max 8s and 20 787s.

Among the remaining jets are four 787s and 25 737 Max 8s originally ordered by Chinese airlines. However, those deliveries are now uncertain after Boeing confirmed that Chinese buyers are refusing to accept new aircraft, citing trade tensions and tariffs.

Despite this, Boeing executives remain optimistic. Ortberg stated that the company expects to find alternative customers for jets that cannot be delivered to China, noting strong demand for near-term aircraft deliveries and plans to redirect the supply accordingly.

Although not all 737 Max 8s in inventory have undergone rework, West indicated that Boeing anticipates completing the necessary repairs and shutting down the associated shadow factory by the middle of the year.

Photo by : Jennifer Buchanan, via Seattle Times

04/25/2025

UK-based SkyTeam alliance member Virgin Atlantic has announced plans to launch a new service to the South Korean capital, Seoul, ahead of the summer season in 2026. The route is set to begin on 29 March 2026 and will operate daily from London Heathrow.

The airline will deploy Boeing 787-9 aircraft on the route, offering long-haul service between the UK and South Korea. Virgin Atlantic revealed the Seoul expansion on 23 April, coinciding with the inauguration of its new route to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

Virgin Atlantic states that the Seoul service is part of its broader strategy of expanding eastwards. This effort has already included launching flights to destinations such as Dubai, as well as Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

The airline expects the new Seoul route to attract primarily leisure travelers. Virgin Atlantic aims to tap into the growing demand for travel to Asia by offering direct and convenient services from the UK.

Additionally, passengers flying into Seoul will be able to connect to 15 other destinations through codeshare arrangements with various SkyTeam alliance partners, including Korean Air. This will enhance connectivity and offer more travel options to customers across the region.

Photo by : Virgin Atlantic.

04/25/2025

US regulators have restored Thailand’s Category 1 safety classification, nearly ten years after it was downgraded. This move allows Thai airlines to once again expand their operations to the United States, including the possibility of new routes and codesharing agreements with US carriers.

Category 1 status signifies that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under its International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) programme, recognizes Thailand’s civil aviation system as compliant with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Thailand was downgraded to Category 2 in 2015, which restricted its carriers from launching new services to the US or entering codeshare agreements with US airlines. The restoration of Category 1 status follows an inspection conducted by the FAA in November and a final assessment in March after Thailand addressed 36 identified deficiencies.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), the country successfully resolved all safety issues highlighted by the FAA. This achievement is seen as a significant step toward regaining global aviation credibility and enabling Thai Airways to re-enter the international market more competitively.

CAAT director Manat Chavanaprayoon noted that the regulator now needs to review the existing ‘open skies’ agreement with the US and work with the US Transportation Security Administration to support expanded operations. Additional planning and coordination are expected to ensure smooth implementation.

The CAAT also announced that ICAO will conduct another audit around August or September to assess the effectiveness of Thailand’s implementation of key elements of its aviation safety oversight programme.

The restoration of Category 1 status is expected to significantly benefit the Thai aviation industry. Thai Airways will be able to open new routes to US destinations, while other Asian markets, such as Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, will also see expanded access.

In addition to improving airline operations, Thai pilots previously limited by the FAA downgrade will now have increased job opportunities with international carriers. Thai citizens will benefit from more travel options, potentially lower ticket prices, and more competitive travel times as a result of these changes.

Photo by : Thai Airways.

04/25/2025

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer reported a commercial aircraft backlog of 336 units at the end of the first quarter, with the total split evenly between its E175 and re-engined E2 models. This reflects steady demand for both aircraft types in various markets around the world.

Of the 160 E175s remaining on order, American Airlines is the largest customer, holding a commitment for 90 aircraft. The remaining orders are concentrated among three other US carriers—Republic Airways, SkyWest, and Horizon Air—which account for all but nine of the remaining units.

The E195-E2 backlog stands at 151 aircraft and is more geographically diverse. Brazil’s Azul has 51 of the type on order, Canada’s Porter Airlines has 31, and Irish lessor AerCap holds 15. The rest of the backlog is spread across a range of customers, including Mexicana, SalamAir, Luxair, and Royal Jordanian.

The E190-E2 has a backlog of 25 aircraft, representing about half of the total orders for the type. Deliveries of these jets are expected to go mainly to Mexicana, Virgin Australia, and US leasing company Azorra.

A recent boost for the E190-E2 program came from Japan’s All Nippon Airways, which has placed an order for up to 20 of the jets. Embraer anticipates this order will be officially recorded in the second quarter.

The overall value of Embraer’s commercial aviation backlog stood at $10 billion, which represents a 2% decline compared to the previous quarter. The company attributed the dip and its below-average delivery performance to ongoing supply-chain challenges affecting production.

During the first quarter, Embraer delivered seven commercial aircraft. The company noted that two additional aircraft could not be delivered due to commercial issues that remain unresolved.

Embraer expects “production levelling efforts” to yield stronger results in the second quarter, in the second half of the year, and into early 2026. Meanwhile, its executive jet division experienced positive momentum, with a record backlog of $7.6 billion and 23 first-quarter deliveries, up from 18 in the same period last year.

Photo by : Embraer.

04/25/2025

Lessor BOC Aviation has placed five Airbus A321neo aircraft with Thai Airways International. The aircraft are expected to support the airline’s fleet expansion and modernization plans. These placements are part of Thai Airways’ continued efforts to strengthen its narrowbody operations.

The five A321neos are likely tied to a previously announced agreement from 2023. At that time, the Star Alliance member indicated that the first aircraft from this group would arrive in 2025. The move aligns with Thai Airways’ strategy to update its fleet with more fuel-efficient and modern aircraft.

All five of the A321neos will be powered by CFM International Leap-1A engines. These engines are known for their improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions, making them a popular choice among airlines operating the A321neo.

In a separate agreement, Thai Airways also signed a lease deal with SMBC Aviation Capital for another eight A321neos. These additional aircraft are scheduled for delivery beginning in 2026, further expanding the airline’s narrowbody fleet capabilities.

The arrival of these A321neos comes as Thai Airways works to retrofit its fleet of Airbus A320s. These aircraft, which were inherited through the merger with regional subsidiary Thai Smile, are currently being modified to include business-class seating, as part of an effort to enhance the passenger experience across its network.

Photo by : BOC Aviation.

04/25/2025

CFM International’s Leap turbofan engine deliveries declined by 13% in the first quarter of the year, totaling 319 units. This drop is attributed to persistent supply chain issues and compares to 367 Leap engine deliveries during the same period in 2024. Despite this early-year setback, the manufacturer is aiming for a significant increase in output by the end of 2025.

The company, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, is targeting a 15% to 20% increase in total Leap engine deliveries this year. In 2024, CFM delivered 1,407 Leap engines. To meet its 2025 goal, the company will need to ship between 1,618 and 1,688 units. GE Aerospace disclosed these delivery figures on 22 April during the company’s first-quarter earnings report.

GE chief executive Lawrence Culp expressed confidence that the manufacturer is on track to meet this year’s delivery goals. Speaking on the earnings call, Culp stated that he expects CFM to achieve the planned 15% to 20% increase in engine shipments. He pointed to recent production improvements and a durability upgrade that has begun rolling out as positive developments.

One of the key advancements is the inclusion of a new “durability kit” for all Leap-1A engines currently being shipped to Airbus for use on A320neo family aircraft. This kit addresses concerns about the engine’s durability, especially in dusty environments like the Middle East, where Leap engines have been operating under challenging conditions.

The durability kit was certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration late last year and includes redesigned high-pressure turbine blades, new high-pressure turbine stage one fuel nozzles, and nozzle supports. The upgrades are intended to extend the time engines can remain on-wing before needing maintenance, a key performance metric for operators.

In addition to improving the Leap-1A, GE and Safran are working on similar enhancements for the Leap-1B engines, which are used to power Boeing 737 Max aircraft. These upgrades are expected to improve reliability and help support the company's increased production targets for 2025.

Culp noted that the updated turbine blades now have a simpler design, making them easier and faster to manufacture. This production efficiency is expected to play a significant role in helping CFM reach its delivery goals. He also stated that the durability kit enables the Leap-1A to match the on-wing performance of the previous-generation CFM56 engines.

However, industry insiders remain skeptical about whether the new-generation Leap engines, as well as Pratt & Whitney’s PW1000G geared turbofan, can ever achieve the same level of durability as older models like the CFM56. These newer engines operate at higher temperatures and pressures, which inherently challenge their longevity.

Jonathan Berger, managing director at Alton Aviation Consultancy, expressed doubt that modern turbofans will ever match the robustness of the CFM56. He acknowledged that while the CFM56 had its own early challenges, the issues were resolved more swiftly. Berger emphasized that CFM’s earlier model set a benchmark in engine reliability.

Echoing this sentiment, Avelo Airlines chief executive Andrew Levy commented on the performance of the Leap engines during an interview with FlightGlobal last year. Avelo operates 737NGs powered by CFM56 engines. Levy stated that there is no way the Leap will remain on wing as long as the CFM56, calling the earlier engine possibly the best ever built, while expressing skepticism over the new generation’s ability to meet the same standard.

Photo by : GE Aerospace.

04/25/2025

Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo, and Malaysia Airlines’ MASkargo have announced plans to form a global joint freight business, a move aimed at enhancing their cargo operations worldwide. The announcement, made on 22 April, outlines an intention to create a collaborative network that will provide more efficient services and increased connectivity across their combined route structures.

Although specific details of the arrangement have not yet been disclosed, the airlines say that the proposed partnership will result in a streamlined product offering, quicker transit times, and expanded routing possibilities. These benefits are expected to come from the integration of the three companies’ expertise and operational resources.

Mark Drusch, chief officer for cargo at Qatar Airways, described the development as a major milestone in reshaping the global air cargo industry. He stated that the agreement would unite three strong players to deliver unmatched service quality and connectivity, reinforcing the group’s dedication to operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

The formation of the new joint venture is still subject to regulatory approval, but the partners anticipate launching the initiative in the near future. If approved, it will build upon existing relationships among the carriers, many of which are already linked through their membership in the Oneworld alliance. Additionally, Qatar Airways holds a 25% stake in IAG, which owns British Airways and Iberia.

All three cargo operations currently transport freight in the bellyholds of their respective passenger aircraft. In addition, Qatar Airways operates a fleet of 28 Boeing 777 freighters, while MASkargo operates three Airbus A330-200 freighters, further strengthening their combined freight capacity.

This move toward strategic collaboration comes at a time of uncertainty in global trade, with recent policy shifts such as increased tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump raising concerns about international commerce. The cargo partnership aims to navigate these challenges by leveraging combined strengths to deliver a more resilient and responsive logistics network.

Photo by : Qatar Airways.

04/24/2025

Alaska Airlines is intensifying competition with Southwest Airlines and other major US carriers by significantly expanding its network out of San Diego. The Seattle-based airline announced on 22 April that it plans to boost its flight offerings from the Southern California city by 30% in the coming months.

As part of this expansion, Alaska intends to launch new nonstop routes to Chicago, Denver, and Phoenix later this year. Each of these destinations will receive three daily flights from San Diego. Once these routes are active, Alaska and its subsidiary Hawaiian Airlines will collectively offer nonstop service to 44 destinations from San Diego.

The airline says that this will represent the largest number of nonstop destinations served by any single carrier from San Diego International Airport. Alaska is also increasing frequencies on several of its most popular existing routes by 50% or more to meet the rising demand for its premium service offerings.

Among the routes receiving increased frequencies are flights to Las Vegas, Sacramento, and San Jose, each of which will see up to six daily departures. Alaska will also operate three daily flights to Salt Lake City, further strengthening its West Coast network.

These moves place Alaska in direct competition with Southwest Airlines, which has maintained a stronghold in San Diego for many years. San Diego is a high-demand market with over 3 million residents and is known for its appeal as both a beach destination and a major metropolitan hub. Other carriers with a significant presence in the city include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.

According to data from the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Southwest held a 33% market share at San Diego International Airport between February 2024 and January 2025. In contrast, Alaska, American, Delta, and United each controlled between 12% and 13% of the market.

BTS data also reveals that the busiest routes out of San Diego during that time were to Denver, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. These are routes where Alaska is either entering with new service or bolstering its presence with additional frequencies.

Despite Southwest’s dominant market share, its competitors have recently begun targeting its customer base more aggressively. Frontier Airlines has issued direct marketing appeals to Southwest loyalists, while United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has publicly claimed that his airline is successfully drawing passengers away from Southwest.

Some of Southwest’s rivals are viewing this as a unique opportunity to capture more market share, particularly after the airline scrapped its long-standing “bags fly free” policy. This change was previously seen as a key factor in maintaining customer loyalty.

Meanwhile, Alaska is also working to strengthen its broader West Coast network. It now operates from major hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Portland, and Seattle. With Hawaiian’s long-haul capabilities, Alaska has also initiated transpacific flights. Following the finalisation of its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024, Alaska Air Group is moving to combine both carriers under a single air operator certificate and is in the process of co-locating customer operations at several major airports, including Los Angeles, JFK, Phoenix, San Francisco, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas.

Photo by : EQRoy/Shutterstock via FlightGlobal.

04/24/2025

Pratt and Whitney (P&W) plans to start offering a retrofit package next year that will allow in-service PW1100G geared turbofan (GTF) engines to be equipped with most of the durability improvements featured in the newly certified GTF Advantage. This move is aimed at enhancing the reliability and performance of the current fleet of PW1100G engines.

The GTF Advantage is a newly developed variant of the PW1100G that powers Airbus A320neo-family aircraft. It has been designed to deliver slightly better fuel efficiency and provides 4% more take-off thrust compared to the baseline engine. Additionally, the GTF Advantage is built to be more durable, though P&W has not provided specific details on these durability improvements.

P&W is now in the process of certifying an upgrade package that will incorporate the durability enhancements of the GTF Advantage into existing PW1100G engines. This package is intended to be implemented during scheduled maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) visits. The goal is to integrate around 90% to 95% of the durability improvements into the current fleet.

The Federal Aviation Administration certified the GTF Advantage earlier this year, and P&W expects to begin delivering the engines to Airbus before the end of the year. Chris Calio, chief executive of RTX, P&W’s parent company, confirmed during RTX’s first-quarter earnings call on 22 April that the retrofit package will be made available to customers starting next year.

Calio noted that GTF Advantage engines will be equipped with "full-life" components and are expected to operate nearly twice as long before requiring off-wing maintenance compared to the baseline PW1100G. The existing PW1100G engines have not lived up to durability expectations, leading to significant operational challenges for airlines.

The company is currently managing a large-scale recall of PW1100G engines due to the risk of premature failure caused by components made from contaminated powder metal. Each engine involved in the recall could be out of service for up to one year as inspections and replacements are carried out.

These replacement efforts include the installation of what P&W describes as “full life” parts. However, there is some skepticism in the industry about whether the new parts will be as durable as claimed. Jonathan Berger, managing director at Alton Aviation Consultancy, cautions that the long-term durability of the replacements will only be known after the engines have been in operation for several years. Until then, he remains hesitant to fully trust P&W's assurances.

The recall has been further complicated by shortages of parts and labor, which has led to widespread aircraft groundings. Hundreds of jets powered by GTF engines, including Embraer E-Jet E2s, A220s, and A320neo-family aircraft, have been grounded at various times, representing nearly one-third of the global GTF-powered fleet, according to data from Cirium.

Despite the ongoing challenges, RTX reports that P&W is making progress in its maintenance operations. In the first quarter, P&W’s maintenance output for the PW1100G increased by 35% compared to the same period last year. During that quarter, the company also delivered 250 large commercial turbofan engines, up from 232 in the first quarter of the previous year.

Photo by : Pratt & Whitney; Pascal Pigeyre.

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