ALL THINGS BOEING

US Approves Sale of Four KC-46 Tankers to Qatar

American regulators have approved the export of Boeing KC-46 aerial refueling Jets to Qatar.

The US Department of State published its endorsement of the request from Doha on 20 August, approving the sale of four aircraft at a value of $4.5 billion.

The package includes Pratt & Whitney PW 4062 engines and spares for each jet, along with the Northrop Grumman Large Aircraft Countermeasure(LAIRCM) missile protection system.

“The proposed sale will increase Qatar’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing its defense capabilities and interoperability with US and allied forces and reinforcing Qatar’s strategic role in regional security,” the state department says.

Washington further describes Qatar as a strategic regional partner that “has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic economic progress in the Middle East”.

If Doha moves forward with the deal,Qatar would become the fourth KC-46 customer globally joining the US Air Force,Israel and Japan.

Doha previously announced its intent to field the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker (MRTT) to meet that need, but a contract order was never defintised. Fleets data from aviation analytics company Cirium lists two MRTT options from the QEAF as having lapsed with out being exercised in 2019.

Source: US Department Of State, Boeing, Picture Boeing

Boeing Eyes 777X Range Boost

Boeing aims to increase the range of its 777X aircraft family through changes that could include maximum take-off weight (MTOW) adjustments and increased thrust from the types’ GE Aerospace GE9X.

Boeing’s website says says the 777-9 has “up to” 8,000 nm ( 14,816) of range.

It puts the 777-8 Freighter’s range at up to 5000nm and the 777-8 passenger variant’s range at up to 9,500nm.

The 777-9’s turbofans can generate 105,000lb (467kN)-thrust, though GE says the GE9X turbofans actually have ability put out 134,300lb-thrust, indicating the the companies have room to play.

Boeing is now working through the 777-9’s certification program with the goal of delivering the first of the type next year. It has laid out a plan to have the 777-8F two years after years after the 777-9, and to later bring the passenger-configured the 777-9, and later bring the passenger-configured 777-8 to market.

Source: Boeing, picture Boeing 

Boeing Rolls Out Second RAF Wedgetail in Full Livery

Boeing has rolled out the UK Royal Air Force’s second E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft in its final paint scheme.

The design appears identical to that of the RAF’s Lead E-7, with a low-visibility Grey-white fuselage, radome and control surfaces.

The NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force crest is displayed below the Cockpit wind screen and the sheathed dagger insignia of the RAF’s 8 Squadron is on the tail. A low-visibility pink-and -blue fin flash used by RAF surveillance aircraft is also present, along with the subdued yellow-pink-and-blue variant of  the RAF roundel.

WT002 has already completed its first painted flight, according to Boeing. The lead Wedgetail (WT001) is already with 8 San at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland for final testing and evaluation. Boeing and STS are working on the third and final aircraft, also at Birmingham.

It is not known when the RAF will declare delayed initial operational capability with its new AEW&C assets.

Source: Boeing, pictures Boeing

ALL THINGS AIRBUS

Aircalin to Receive First A350 Featuring new Livery in December

Aircalin plans to deploy its A350s on the Noumea-Paris route, via Bangkok.

Financing for the first A350 as well as refinancing of Aircalin’s A330neos was provided by a consortium of banks let by Natixis, supported by the French government’s tax incentive scheme for overs investments and Balthazar French- backed funding.

“This deal highlights the effectiveness of the Bathazar-backed financing combined with the French tax incentives framework in the aviation sector, as well as the ability of our team to assist financial institutions in the implementation of innovative financing solutions that support fleet renewal and the continued Development of air transport,” says Philippe Monfort, a partner at law firm Watson Farely & Williams, whichs, Which advised Natixis.

Aircalin in late 2024 emerged as the customer behind a previously-undisclosed order for two A350-900s.

Source: Aircalin, picture Aircalin

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Embraer Delivers 2,000th E-Jet as E2 Expand Market Reach

Embraer marked the delivery milestone with anent at its Sao Jose dos Campos assembly facility attended by executives from Azul and aircraft lessor Azorra.

It was 13 years ago that Embraer delivered its 1,000th E-jet, a milestone that even then reflected the market success of the Brazilian airframer’s family of regional jets.

On 2 September, Embraer doubled its score, handing over the 2,000th E-Jet an E195-E2 to be operated by Brazilian carrier Azul.

That milestone might never have been expected when Embraer launched the E-Jet program in 1999.Since then, the airframe developed the larger, modernized E2 variants, pushing the family in the small narrow body-aircraft space and competing with types like Airbus A320neos and Boeing’s 737 Max Embraer’s 2 September delivery brings to 10 the number of E2s Azorra has placed with Azul. The airline has a total of 44 E195-E2s and seven E192s in service, according to Cirium.

Source: Embraer, picture Azul

Fly91 Places largest Regional Airline Order for ATR Turboprops

Indian carrier Fly91 is ordering 40 ATR 72-600 turboprops, the largest from a regional airline for the Franko-Italian airframer.

Fly91 has been operating for only two-and – a-half years, and has just six Aircraft, all ATR 72-600s.

“Fly91 was built on a singular conviction that India needs a dedicated regional airline focused on connecting emerging cities directly and efficiently,” says chief executive and founder Manoj Chacko.

“This 40-aircraft order becomes the foundation for our next chapter…we have built the operating experience and foundation to now scale significantly.”

Goa-based Fly91 values the ATR agreement at around $1 billion.

Source: Fly91, picture ATR

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Pilatus Opens Center to Expand Composite Use

Pilatus Aircraft is expanding its advanced composites with opening its “Scharzhorn” building in Nidwalden, Switzerland. Employing 300 people, the center represents a CHF100 million($123 million) investment, marking the most expensive facility the company has built, according to Pilatus CEO Markus Bucher. Importantly it combines Pilatus’ composite component development & production under one roof, the company added.

The Swiss manufacturer of civil and military turboprop and jet aircraft has used composites or fiber-reinforced materials, for more than 40 years. But this has mainly involved non-loading- bearing secondary structures such as covers and Cowlings.

However, its PC 24 incorporates composites in its primary structural components, which Pilatus notes are lighter and improve fuel efficiency.

With this experience on load-bearing control surfaces,Pilatus is planning to expand its use of composites.

Named after a Swiss mountain and color of composite components, the Scharzhorn building houses all activities from delivery and storage of raw materials to component production, subassembly, surface treatment, and storage.

This streamlines the process of delivering components directly o final assembly as finished kits.

Source: Pilatus, picture Pilatus

Vueling’s First 737 Max Deliveries Delayed by Seat-certification issue

IAG-owned Spanish carrier Vueling in unlikely to receive its first Boeing 737 Max 8-200 jets by the end of this year as planned, due to a delay with certification of the aircraft’s Recaro-supplied seats.

A spokes person for the Barcelona-based low-cost carrier confirms to flightGlobal that it is” working closely” with partners to “adjust the delivery schedule” for the aircraft and minimize the impact” of the delay.

IAG chief executive Luis Gallego had said on a second-quarter earnings on 31 July that the airline group was “ looking forward to the first of 60 737 deliveries to Vueling at the end of the year”. He added that transitioning to theta the 737 Max would deliver a “significant “ reduction in cost at Vueling.

The Spanish unit had been expecting to take delivery of its first three 737 Max 8-200s in the second half of this year, but now appears likely that this will be pushed into 2027.

Vueling is an all-Airbus narrowbody operator with a fleet of around 140 mostly older-generation A320-family aircraft. The intension is for the carrier to become an all-Boeing operator.

Source: Vueling, picture Vueling

Qantas Brings Forward A380 Phase-Out to 2028

Qantas will retire its Airbus  A380 —four years ahead of Schedule — as part of wider fleet renewal plans that will also see a gradual retirement of A330s from this year.

For one, the recent spike in jet fuel prices brought about by the war in the Middle East has had “disproportionate impact on its A380 fleet.

The exit of the A380s is expected to significantly improve Qantas’ international earnings, and reduce “operational Complexity”.

The Oneworld operator deploys the A380 configured to seat 485 passengers in four classes none stop flights to Europe, as well as to North America.Its 10 jets are between 15 and 18 years old.

The announcement also comes as the airline prepares to take delivery of its first A350-1000ULR in April 2027, with type eventually operating the Ultra-long-haul ‘Project Sunrise’ flights between Australia and Europe.

Source: Qantas, picture Qantas

Korean Air-Asiana Merger Enters Final Stage

The board of Korean Air, as well as shareholders of Asiana Airlines, have approved the merger of the two carriers, paving the way for integration in December.

Korean Air’s board ratified the merger agreement on 12 August, while Asiana’s Shareholders overwhelmingly voted in support of the agreement on the same day.

The latest news follows regulatory approval I in July, with Korean Air now amending its air operator certificate to reflect a single unit.

Korean Air expects to fully integrate Asiana operations on 17 December, capping off a merger process spanning over six years. Between then and now, Korean Air will complete remaining administrative formalities, as well as creditor protection procedures.

“With merger approvals finalized, the two airlines are accelerating operational readiness, focusing on systems integration, joint training, and team engagement ahead of the launch,” Korean Air states.

Source: Korean Air, picture Korean Air

In Brief

•  Air Cairo Egyptian carrier Air Cairo has placed a firm order with Airbus for 15 A320neo aircraft.

• Boeing the pace at which landing aircraft orders slowed in August, though, the company still padded its backlog with deals covering 15 jets, including 13 of its fast -selling 787 widebodies.

• Pratt & Witney expands PW1900G production with first Middletown-built engine. P&W its now assembling PW1100Gs & PW1900Gs in Middletown.

• T’way South Korean operator has officially rebranded as Trinity Airways, as the first aircraft bearing the carrier’s new corporate identity enter service.

• Frontier Airlines plans to replace some Airbus A320neos with larger A321neos, & return some A320neos leases early.

• Air Algerie officially launched Domestic Airlines, a new subsidiary dedicated exclusively to domestic routes, with a fleet consisting of 737-800s, ATRS, Q400s and Q200s.

• JetBlue cuts growth plans, raises revenue guidance, the carrier is still looking to sell its first two Airbus A321XLR aircraft, the first is in storage.
  
• GulfStream G500, G600 fleet tops 400 deliveries with the completion of a G600 at the company’s St Louis for a customer in the Asia-Pacific region, Gulfstream’s combined G500 and G600 fleet has surpassed 400 customer deliveries.

Sources: Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, Gulfstream, JetBlue

AIR CARGO

India’s Afcom Signs Preliminary 777-8F Agreement

Indian air Cargo firm Afcom holdings has reached a provincial agreement with Boeing to acquire up to four 777-8F aircraft.

While the agreement takes the form of a letter of intent, Afcom says the proposed acquisition marks a significant step in the company’s fleet expansion strategy.

Chennai-based Afcom currently operates 737-800 freighters but it is looking to carry out services on long-haul sectors with durations of 10-12h.

“This proposed acquisition is an important step in Afcom’s growth journey, giving us greater scale and flexibility to pursue larger cargo opportunities and serve evolving customer requirements across markets,”says chair Deeppak Parasuraman.

“Our focus will remain on disciplined expansion, efficient execution and building a stronger, more connected air cargo business for the long term.”

No proposed delivery dates have been disclosed.

Source: Boeing, Afcom

ANA Cargo, Nippon Cargo Airlines Merge to Form New Unit

It will comprise three cargo units: ANA Cargo, Nippon Cargo Airlines and NCA Japan. Ana Holdings in August 2025 completed the acquisition of Nippon Cargo Airlines, as part of plans to shore up its resilience against market volatility.

In March this year, the group confirmed it was moving ahead with integrating Nippon Cargo’s operations into its own, consolidating and streamlining sales, warehousing and cargo trading operations.

Tokyo Narita-based Nippon Cargo operates a fleet of Boeing 747 freighters, comprising eight -8Fs, as well as seven 400Fs operated on wet-lease arrangements. ANA’s cargo fleet comprises six 767Fs as well as a pair of 777Fs.

ANA Holdings says the new combined brand name reflects  “the unified identity of the ANA Group, pride in the Nippon Quality behind its service standard, and commitment to building trust and expertise of the three merging cargo businesses.”

It adds that further details about the new brand including corporate identity will be revealed in the near future.

Source: ANA Group

Researched and Compiled by : 

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor  

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor: Chase Service

In loving memory and dedicated to Lee Kaplanian