ALL THINGS BOEING

Vietnam Airlines Gets Nod For 2.9 Billion Loan to Fund 737 Max 8 Orders

Vietnam Airlines has secured an in principle commitment from the Export-import

Bank of the United States(EXIM) to fund its purchase of 50 Boeing 737 Max 8s.

The Preliminary agreement covers a guaranteed loan of up to $2.9 billion to finance the purchase Vietnam Airlines in February firmed up its orders for 50 Boeing 737 Max 8s, making it the type’s newest customer. 

The new 737s, which will be delivered between 2030 and 2032, will be deployed

On domestic and short-haul international routes.

The SkyTeam carrier says the Preliminary commitment “ provides a foundation for the airline to advance financing arrangements with international lenders and

Supports the long term implementation of its fleet modernization and growth plans”.

Vietnam Airlines is the only Vietnamese operator to have secured EXIM-Supported financing for aircraft acquisitions.It previously tapped similar funding

for its Boeing 787 acquisition for its Boeing 787 acquisitions.

According the airline, the EXIM Bank has also “expressed interest” in financing opportunities in other areas, including engines,MRO facilities and other aviation

infrastructure.

Source: Vietnamese Airline,Picture Vietnamese Airline

Thai Airways International Receives First New GE- Powered 787-9

Thai Airways International has taken delivery of its first factory Fresh Boeing 787-9, powered by GE Aerospace GEnx engines.

The aircraft, which is managed by lessor AerCap, is the first of four 787-9s that

Thai expects to receive by the end of the year.

The 787(registered HS-TWE) is configured to seat 298  passengers into class:

30 in business class and 268 in economy.

Thai currently has four in service:two of them are mid-life aircraft also powered by GEnx-1B engines, while the other pair are powered by Rolls-Royce 1000s.

At the Singapore air show in February 2024,Thai placed firm orders for 45 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, plus 35 options.

The Boeing 787-9 offers greater fuel efficiency, advanced technology, and increased operational flexibility, supporting both our sustainability objectives

and long-haul expansion plans. 

“By growing fleet commonality, we can optimism capacity deployment, improve

efficiency across the network, and better serve growing demand,” the star Alliance operator states.

Source: Boeing,Thai,Picture Boeing.                                                                                      

ALL THINGS AIRBUS

The A350-1000ULR Takes to the Skies in Toulouse,France

The First A350-1000ULR(MSN 707), the first of 12 aircraft ordered by Qantas has completed its first flight in Toulouse,France.The aircraft, fitted with special flight test instrumentation, flew for three hours 43 minutes reaching an altitude

of slightly above 41,000 feet.The aircraft was flown by a dedicated Airbus Flight

Test crew.

The A350-1000ULR is being developed for Qantas Airways to enable non-stop

flights between Sydney and New York and London for the first time ever – distance of almost 10,000 nautical miles, with flight rimes of up to 22 hours.

This is made possible primarily by the integration into the aircraft structure of

an additional rear center tank(RTC),enhancing further the aircraft performance

and increasing the range of the aircraft by 1,000 nautical miles.

During the first flight the crew carried out general aircraft performance checks and tested new fuel system architecture.This marks the start of a two month flight

campaign certify the modifications.In additional new tally air cooling system will also be certified, which features lighter and more efficient refrigeration units for very long flights.The verification and temperature control of the cabin will also be thoroughly tested.

Following the flight test campaign,MSN707 will be retrofitted to Qantas’ commercial specifications.

Source: Qantas,Picture Qantas Airways

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Ethiopian Airlines Takes Delivery of First Twin Otter Classic 300-G

Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of its first De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin

Otter Classic 300-G, marking a significant step in the carrier’s efforts to expand

domestic and regional connectivity across Ethiopia.

The aircraft, registered C-FHYC, is the first of two Twin Otter classic 300-G

aircraft ordered from De Havilland Canada for the airline.

The acquisition follows an agreement announced during the Paris Air Show 2025

When Ethiopian Airlines confirmed plans to modernize and strengthen its domestic operations with the new-generation turboprop aircraft.

At the time of the signing, Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Tasew, said the airline was pleased to introduce the enhanced  version of the twin Otter into its fleet.

“These versatile aircraft are designed to support tourism and offer a wide array of services, including air ambulance, airport calibration, and charter operations Tasew,” said.

“Renowned for their reliability, the DH-6-300G aircraft are capable of landing on 

Airstrips unusable for larger aircraft models.”

Source: Ethiopian Airlines,Picture De Havilland Canada

Nomad Technics Completes BBJ Maintenance,Cabin Refresh

Nomad Technics has redelivered a Boeing BBJ owned and operated by Action Aviation following a12-year inspection and landing gear overhaul, paired  with

cabin and avionics upgrades completed during the maintenance downtime.

Notably, the company installed a Gogo Galileo FDX satcom system on the aircraft, which the company said is among the first such installations on a BBJ worldwide.

Aero Visto reupholstered all seats and divans in a bespoke design as part of the cabin refresh.

Higher-resolution monitors were added to then-flight entertainment system, which

Was upgraded with an app-based video-on-demand streaming system designed for the client.

Nomad Technics is the maintenance division of the maintenance division of Nomad Aviation and is an EASA Part 145 approved organization providing maintenance, inspection, and non-routine repair work on Bombardier Globals & Challengers, as well as line and base maintenance on Airbus A320 family and

Boeing 737NG and Max aircraft.

Dassault Completes Falcon 10X First Flight

Dassault Aviation has completed the maiden sortie of its ultra-long-range Falcon

10X business jet.

Powered by twin Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engines, the aircraft took off at 11:10 local time on 19 June from the airframes Borddeax-Merignac production facility.

Operating with the call-sign MEDOC)1,t he twin jet conducted a flight that lasted 2h and 30 minuend included ascending to an altitude of around 40,000ft of the

French Coast, along side a speed of Mach 0.82.

The development since 2021, the 7,500nm(13,900KM)-range Falcon 10X is scheduled to enter service in late 2027.

Dassault rolled out the first prototype in March: two additional flight-test aircraft

are close behind.

Source: Dassault Aviation,Picture Dassault Aviation.

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Honeywell Aerospace Becomes Standalone Company

Honeywell International has completed its planned spin off of Honeywell Aerospace into a publicly traded independent firms move the aerospace company says leaves it better positioned to expand, invest and generate

long-term profits.

Charlotte-based Honeywell divested the former subsidiary on 29 June, marking

the last step in a break of the once-mighty conglomerate.

“Today marks the start of a new era for Honeywell Aerospace,” says the company’s chief executive  Jim Currier.

“We are poised to deliver significant value for our customers and shareholders

By leveraging a best in class operating system to expand our leading market

Positions, investing in our supply base and innovation to drive profitable growth,

and pursuing disciplined capital allocation,” he adds.

In divesting the aerospace business,Honeywell International grated its shareholders one share of Honeywell Aerospace stock for every two shares

of the former stock.

Honeywell Aerospace now trades on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the symbol “ HONA”.

The company is composed of three businesses: Engine& Power Systems,Control Systems and Electronic Solutions.

Source: Honeywell Aerospace,Picture Honeywell Aerospace

Azerbaijan Airlines Takes First A321neo

Azerbaijan Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo, one of three of the larger Airbus narrobodies the carrier is introducing.

Aircraft lessor AerCap handed over the first A321neo to Azerbaijan Airlines at a 

ceremony at the Airbus Delivery Center in Hamburg.

Azerbaijan Airlines chief commercial officer Jamil Manizade: said the arrival of our first A321neo represents another significant step in Azerbaijan Airlines’ long-term fleet modernization strategy.

AerCap reached an agreement in 2024 to lease six aircraft to the carrier, including three A321neos, all powered by CFM International Leap-1A engines.

Source: Azerbaijan AirLines,Picture Azerbaijan Airlines

Lessor Avolon to Acquire batch of A321neos Ordered by Frontier

Leasing firm Avolon is to acquire 11 Airbus A321neo twinsets currently on order by low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines.

The transaction is subject of an agreement signed on 30 June, says Avolon parent Bohai leasing.

Bohai says the pact is intended to”strengthen” its backlog of aircraft orders and

“enhance  the competitiveness of the lessor.

It values of the aircraft at $1.4 billion, based on 2018 catalog prices, but acknowledges that the actual price is determined by terms in the agreement.

The aircraft covered by the deal are scheduled for delivery starting in November

this year and running to June 2027.

“This transaction is driven by the needs of the company’s business development,” says Bohai Leasing.

“It enables the company to capitalise  on strong demand in the leasing market.”

Bohai adds that the deal enhances its ability to provide”diverse fleet solutions”

To airline customers.

Airbus backlog figures to May this year indicate that Frontier has 198 A321neos on direct order of which 56 have been delivered.

Source: Avolon, picture Airbus

SAS Orders 18 A330neos As Part of Plan to add $0 Airbus Widebodies

Scandinavian carrier SAS has placed a firm order with Airbus for 18 A330-900s as part of a plan to add up to 40 Airbus wide bodies to its fleet.

The airline signed an agreement in Copenhagen on 30 June to purchase 18 Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-powered A330neo. SAS says it plans to add a total 40

Airbus Widebodies, including A330-300s that the carrier has “secured to support near-term growth ahead of the arrival of the new fleet”.

With the list price of more than$10 billion,SAS says the deal is the highest-value

aircraft order in its history, and is a “clear signal of our confidence in the future”.

SAS says the newly ordered A330neos will support continued long-haul network

development and demand growth.

Source: SAS,Airbus

Rolls-Royce Bullish on Trent XE Sales as Durability Upgrades Pay Off

Rolls-Royce is increasingly confident of landing a significant new order for the Trent 1000 as durability enhancements return the Boeing 787 power plant to parity with the real GE Aerospace engine.

Ever since reliability issues with the Trent 1000 first emerged last decade, the UK

engine maker has seen a steady erosion of market share on the 787, with even

Rolls-Royce loyalists defecting to GE.

But with a series of durability enhancements to high-pressure turbine(HPT) now rolling out across the fleet-Rolls-Royce brands the upgraded engine as the

Trent 1000 XE the manufacturer believes it can reverse the decline.

Although acknowledging the paint, it has caused to Trent 1000 operators,Celine

Bouas, senior vice-president customers Europe, says Rolls-Royce’s program

of investments is paying dividends.

“Do we see customers coming back? Yes.The last three months have been really

Positive.”

Bouas Points to recent selection by LATAM Airlines of the Trent 1000 XE to power an incoming

For the latest upgrade, Rolls-Royce has reduced the weight of the HPT blade

shroud, cutting centrifugal stress on the component to extend its lifespan, and

added new advanced coatings to the blades and nozzle guide vanes.

Source: Rolls-Royce, picture Rolls Royce

WestJet Set to Lease First Boeing 737 Max 10

WestJet will take delivery the first Boeing 737 Max 10 by the end of the year under a lease agreement in place with Aviation Capital Group.

The fist Max 10 is one of 13 aircraft West Jet will take from the lessor under a long-term agreement.WestJet has firm orders for orders for 560737Max 10s plus

Options for 25 aircraft.

Aviation Capital Group had firm orders for 50 737 Max 10s at the end of March,

its latest fleet plan shows.

Alexis von Heonsbroech, the chief executive of WestJet, said ahead of the IATA

Annual General Meeting in June that the Airline anticipates its first Max 10 by year end.However, he cautioned that the aircraft’s unlikely to enter service before

2027 due to a lag between Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada certification. 

Boeing expects to certify the Max 10 later this year, chief executive Kelly Ortberg

said in May.The airframe is on track to complete certification of the 737 Max 7

this summer followed by the larger Max 10 in “close proximity”.

Source: WestJet, picture WestJet.

LATEST NEWS

• Boeing is progressing with construction of new classified factory that will build the next generation of advanced combat aircraft.

•  Denmark will acquire an initial two Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, with the assist to “primarily be used in the Arctic and North Atlantic Areas”, the nation’s defense ministry announced.

•  Boeing began assembling a 737 Max 10 destined for WestJet, the first example to enter North Line Production in Everett on July 10,2026.

•  Airbus has quietly ceased offering the A319neo to airline customers following continued underwhelming sales of the smallest remains member its original narrowbody family.

• Riyad Air  has opened public ticket sales for its full-service operation on the London Heathrow route, which will commence on 1July.

• Delta Airlines will use both the 737 Max 10 and 787-10 for efficient growth by replacing older, smaller aircraft with the larger, more capable models, commercial  chief Joe Esposito said during a quarterly earnings call on 10 July.  

AIR CARGO

China Southern Becomes First Chinese for the 777-8F

China Southern Airlines has signed a purchase agreement with Boeing for up to 10 freighters, including the first known Chinese commitments for the developmental 777-8F.

The deal, disclosed in a 26 June filing, will see subsidiary CSA Cargo order order

five 777-8Fs and a pair of 777Fs.The company also secured purchase rights for three more 777-8Fs.

The deal is valued at $3.6 billion at list prices, but China Southern notes it was granted “price concessions” following an arm’s length negotiation” with Boeing.

China Southern says the deal is funded by its “internal resources”,but declines to

elaborate further.

Deliveries of the freighters, starting with the current 777-F, will commence in 2027and run through to 2034.

CSA Cargo, also known as China Southern Air Logistics, was spun off from the

China Southern group as a standalone subsidiary in late 2019.

It operates a fleet of 777Fs.

Source: China Southern,Picture Chan Southern

China Cargo Airlines Adds 20th 777 Freighters

China Cargo Airlines-Shanghai headquartered now has a total of 20 777Fs, according to fleet tracking website, Planespotters. Delivery of the aircraft, first

Reported by CargoFacts took place in June 2026.

The Aircraft, registered B-228S, was completed at Boeing’s Everett factory

and then flown from Paine Field International Airport to Shanghai Pudong

Airport in China.

This latest aircraft follows delivery of China Cargo Airlines’ 19th 777F in February.

Another three 777Fs are also on order.

The airline a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, has been steadily investing in the 777F for 16 years.It acquired its first 777F in 2010, and that aircraft is now 16 years old.

Source: China Cargo Airlines.

Saudia Group Orders Four 777Fs

Saudia Group has placed an order with Boeing for four 777 Freighters,sheduled

For delivery in the fourth quarter of this year.

“ By expanding our dedicated freighter capacity, we are enabling Saudia Cargo to

Meet growing global demand, enhance connectivity across key international markets, and contribute to Saudia’s ambition of becoming a leading global logistics hub,”says Saudia Group chief executive Ibrahim Al-Omar.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice-president of sales and marketing for the Middle East,Omar Arekat, adds “The agreement strengthens our long-standing

Partnership with Saudia Group, which has spanned over 75 years, and we look

Forward to further supporting their cargo growth initiatives.”

Saudia Cargo’s website shows that it operates 10 freighters, including 777Fs,

747-400Fs and Airbus A330-200 converted freighters.

Source: Saudia Group,Picture Saudia Group

 Researched and Compiled by : 

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor  

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian