ALL THINGS BOEING

Boeing, Korean Air Announce Record 103- Airplane Order

On September 16,2026 Boeing and Korean Air finalized an order for 103 jets across Boeing’s widebody and single-aisle airplane family.

The order was comprised of 20x 777-9, 25x 787-10, 50x 737-10 and eight 777-8 freighter airplanes. The order is worth $36.2 billion.

In addition Korean Air also finalized its order for 22 spare engines from GE Aerospace and CFM International and also signed a 15-year engine maintenance contract with two engine makers.

Source: Boeing, Korean Air, Picture Korean Air

Boeing and Turkish Airlines Finalize order for Up to 150 737 Max Jets

On September 23,2016 Boeing and Turkish Airlines announced an order for up to 150 MAX airplanes.

The agreement for the 737 MAX order was finalized in the presence of of the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkish Airlines punched 100 737 Max 8 airplanes and secured options for 50 more 737 MAX jets, making this the the largest Boeing single-aisle order.

Source: Boeing,Turkish Airlines,Picture Boeing

Biman Bangladesh Orders 11 More Boeing Jets

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has ordered five Boeing 787-10s and six 737 Max 8s, adding to an existing commitment for 14 jets announced earlier this year.

In late April, Biman placed its largest order to date, signing for 10 787s and four 737 Max 8s.That deal valued at $3.7 billion, also comprised the the airline’s first order for the larger 787-10, which Biman says will serve its Middle East network.

Airline chair Rumee Hossain says the order top-up as an”important step” in the airline’s on going fleet renewal and network expansion.

Source: Boeing,Picture Boeing

ALL THINGS AIRBUS

Airbus Fixes Provincial Date for A350F’s Maiden Flight

Airbus has revealed that it intends to conduct the first flight of its A350 freighter on 29 September.

This would align with the airframer’s previous indications that it was aiming for a Third-quarter maiden flight for the twin cargo aircraft.

Airbus plans to fly the initial test aircraft MSN7000, from Toulouse although this is still subjected to weather conditions.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines,MSN700 recently emerged in its distinctive livery and has been undergoing a series of ground tests, including rejected take-off.

Airbus will use a second test airframe, MSN701, to carry out detailed system tests and customer demonstrations.

Source: Airbus, picture Airbus

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

TextRon Aviation Marks Rollout of 500th Latitude

Textron Aviation is celebrating the rollout of the 500th Cessna Citation Latitude,a milestone reached about a decade after the aircraft entered service.A staple in fleets such as NetJets, the midsize aircraft became Textron Aviation’s fastest-selling business jet, reaching the 240th-delivery mark within five years of its August 2015 service entry and then following with the 400th production rollout by 2024.The airframer marked the milestone with workers at its Wichita factory.

“The rollout of the 500th Citation Latitude as a testament to the employees who build this aircraft with dedication and pride every day,” said Eric Cardinali, senior VP of manufacturing. “This milestone is only possible because of the skill of our Workforce and the the trust customers continue to place inner products.”

Introduced at the 2011 NBAA Convention, the midsize twinset brought the first flat floor to the Citation lineup, as well as the first new cross-section in four decades. The twinge can accommodate nine passengers, with a typical layout for seven to eight with club seating, and sports a 6-foot cabin height.

It can fly 2,700 nm at high-speed cruise(446ktas) with four passengers.

Source: Textron Aviation

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Qatari Bank Entity Acquires Over 30 Avolon Jets Including A350 and A330s

Qatari-based Lesha Bank is expanding its aircraft portfolio by acquiring 33 aircraft from Irish lessor Avolon.

Three Airbus A350s as well as five A330s & a single A330neo are among the Aircraft being purchased.

The other 24 are single-aisle aircraft, including eight Boeing 737-800s and two 737 Max jets, plus eight Airbus A320 , three A321s, an A320neo and two Embraer 190s.

“This acquisition reflects the disciplined approach we have taken to build scale in aviation leasing,” says Lesha Bank group chief Mohammed Ismail Al Emadi.

“Adding a portfolio of this calibre, with established lessees and strong technology mix, reinforces the resilience and long-term earnings profile we are targeting across our Sharia-compliant aviation portfolio.”

According to Avolon shareholder Bohai Leasing, the 33 aircraft have an average age of 8.7 years and are valued at $ 1.61 billion although the sale price has not been disclosed.

Source: Avolon

Pegasus Completes Acquisition of Czech Airlines & Smartwings

Turkish carrier Pegasus has completed its acquisition of Czech Airlines and its low-cost unit Smartwings,10 months after emerging as a bidder.

The airlines operate a combined fleet of more than175 aircraft and holds orders for 140 more. Smartwings and Czech Airlines will continue to operate under their Own brands.

“Together we can grow further and offer our guests more choice than any of us could alone, “says Pegasus chief executive Guliz Ozturk.

Smartwings co-founder Jiri Simane adds that Pegasus is the “right partner” to support future growth”.

Czech competition regulators had conditionally approved the acquisition earlier following commitments by the Turkish carrier to transfer a number a number of summer slots on the Prague-Ana tally route to another airline.

The group operates a unified fleet consisting of Boeing and Airbus aircraft as well as business jets.

Source: Pegasus Airlines,Picture Pegasus Airlines

LATEST NEWS

• FlyOne Armenia has firmed up an order with Airbus for two A321neos ,both of which will be powered by CFM International Leap-1A engines.

• FTAI Aviation has acquired 27 Boeing 737-700 aircraft from Canadian carrier WestJet in one of its largest aircraft transitions to date.

• US Air Force to advance B-52 engine and radar upgrades with additional test aircraft.

• Romania’s Tarom brought in four of the twinsets in fleet-modernization effort.

• Qantas brings forward A380 phase-out to 2028 four years ahead of schedule.

• KLM takes delivery of its first A350-900.”this is an important milestone for KLM and for the Netherlands,” says KLM chief executive Marjan Rentel.

• Red Sea Airlines has signed an agreement with SMBC Aviation Capital to lease two new Boeing 737 Max -8s, with deliveries scheduled for July and August 2027, as the Egyptian carrier continues to build out its fleet.

Source: FlyOne Armenia, KLM,Qantas,KLM, Tarom Airlines

AIR CARGO

FAA Exempts 35 Boeing 777FS From 2028 Emissions Rule

Boeing sought the waiver because its 777F does not meet new emissions requirements and because its 777-8F successor is behind schedule and will not be ready when when the new standards take effect on 1 January 2028.

Boeing argued an exemption aligns with the public interest “ prior to the 777-F entering service.” An approval would support jobs, the air freight industry and the broader US economy,It said.

Boeing told the FAA it anticipates completing about two new monthly, meaning it could complete 35 jets in about 18 months after the start of 2028. The FAA’s exemption expires at the end of 2030.

Source: Boeing, picture Boeing

Ethiopian Airlines Orders Boeing 777 & 777-8 Freighters to Expand Cargo Fleet.

On September 30,2026 Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines announced the African carrier has ordered eight 777-8 freighters and airplane family, building on its purchase 777LR Freighters.The airliner

will pair the proven performance of the 777LR Freighter with the next generation 777X capabilities of the new 777-8 Freighter to expand its Boeing freighter fleet.

The order is Ethiopian Airlines’ second for the 777X airplane family, building on its purchase of eight 777-9 passenger jets that established the carrier as Africa’s First 777X customer.

The 777-8 freighter will be the world’s largest and most capable twin-engine freighter, supporting Ethiopian Airlines’ expanding global network and advancing its international freight operations.

Ethiopian Airlines currently connects more than 70 cargo markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East And North America with a fleet of:

• Eight 777 Freighters
• Two 767 Freighters
• Four 737-800 Special Freighters

Source: Boeing, Picture Boeing

Researched and Compiled by:

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com