Japan Airlines (JAL) and French aircraft-maintenance drone maker Donecle have launched a joint project using fully autonomous drones for exterior aircraft inspections at JAL hangars, the companies said. The project is the first in Japan to use autonomous drones approved in aircraft manufacturers’ maintenance manuals for such inspections. It aims to improve the safety and
Bombardier said on Tuesday, September 10, that its Global 8000 business jet has received approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate at London City Airport, giving customers direct access to one of the world’s major financial centres. The approval takes effect immediately and allows the ultra-long-range aircraft to connect London City with
Lufthansa Technik (LHT) has released that Harald Gloy will become Chief Executive Officer as of February, 1, 2027, succeeding Soeren Stark, who is retiring. The company’s Supervisory Board has appointed the engineering graduate to lead the global aircraft maintenance services provider for a five-year term. Gloy has served on LHT’s Executive Board as Chief Operating
Embraer and ANA Holdings (ANA HD) have signed an agreement for eight E190-E2 aircraft, formalising the group’s fleet expansion plans announced on July, 29, 2026. The deal builds on ANA HD’s original firm order for 15 E190-E2s, placed in 2025, and increases its total firm orders for the type to 23 aircraft. ANA HD also
RECARO Aircraft Seating (RECARO) has introduced the R4, its next-generation premium-class aircraft seat, designed to combine improved ergonomics and passenger comfort with greater flexibility for airlines. The R4 succeeds the PL3530, which entered service in 2015. The new seat is ETSO-certified for the Boeing 787, with additional certifications in progress. Deliveries began in June 2026,
Avolon has agreed a sale-and-leaseback transaction with India’s Akasa Air covering up to seven Boeing 737-8200 aircraft. The deal expands the aviation finance company’s existing partnership with Akasa and will support the airline’s continued fleet growth and network development in the Indian market. The 737-8200 is the highest-capacity variant of the 737-8 MAX, offering improved
airBaltic has outlined the key elements of a revised business plan aimed at strengthening its long-term competitiveness, improving financial sustainability and maintaining connectivity for Latvia and the wider Baltic region. Approved by the airline’s Supervisory Board, the plan combines a more focused network centred on Riga, a smaller all-Airbus A220-300 fleet, stronger year-round ACMI partnerships
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has signed a purchase-and-leaseback agreement with Saudia covering four new Boeing 777F aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between October 2026 and May 2027 and will be leased to the Saudi Arabian flag carrier under long-term agreements. DAE said the additional 777Fs would support Saudia’s expanding cargo operations and increase
Airbus has completed the longest point-to-point flight ever undertaken by an A350-1000ULR flight-test aircraft, flying non-stop from Toulouse to Melbourne before returning to France as part of development testing for Qantas’ Project Sunrise programme. The campaign began on July 23, when test aircraft MSN707 departed Toulouse for Melbourne. Five days later, the aircraft flew back
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has completed its previously announced acquisition of Macquarie AirFinance (MAF) in a transaction with an enterprise value of about US$9 billion. The deal expands DAE’s portfolio to around 1,000 owned, managed and committed aircraft, cementing its position as the world’s third-largest aircraft lessor by fleet value and number of owned and
