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World aviation news

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Embraer reports record US$35.7 billion backlog in Q3 2026, marking a new all-time high

Embraer reported a record backlog of US$35.7 billion in the third quarter of 2026, surpassing its previous all-time high by 3% quarter-over-quarter and increasing 14% compared with the same period last year. Commercial Aviation ended the quarter with a backlog of US$15.8 billion, up 5% from the previous quarter and 4% year-over-year. The business secured strong commercial...

Affinity Aviation Group secures strategic UK partnership with AeronautX as growth accelerates

Affinity Aviation Group (AAG), a leading provider of business aircraft sales, acquisitions and charter solutions, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Austria’s AeronautX, reinforcing its commitment to the future of business aviation. The partnership includes AAG taking a significant shareholding in AeronautX UK Ltd as the training provider advances plans to open a new pilot...

Electra demonstrates runway-free operations with ultra-short takeoff and landing at Manhattan Heliport

Electra has successfully completed the takeoff and landing of its hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft at Downtown Skyport in Lower Manhattan, in what is believed to be the first time a fixed-wing aircraft without vertical takeoff capability has operated from the heliport. The demonstration is the l...

MTU Maintenance secures GE90 engine MRO contract with Garuda Indonesia

MTU Maintenance and Garuda Indonesia have entered into a three-year agreement for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the airline’s GE90-115B engines, which power its fleet of eight Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Under the contract, engine maintenance activities will be carried out at MTU...

IADA Market Report reveals rising dealer confidence as preowned aircraft demand remains strong

Confidence among the world’s leading accredited aircraft dealers strengthened in the third quarter of 2026, reflecting continued momentum in the preowned business aviation market. According to the International Aircraft Dealers Association’s (IADA) Third Quarter Market Report, strong dem...

The PC-12 PRO simulator: bringing real-world flight training to life

A professional training device such as the new PC-12 PRO simulator is built on flight data supplied and validated by Pilatus. Drawing on actual flight-test and performance data, it accurately reproduces the aircraft’s behavior throughout its entire flight envelope. From handling characteristic...

Emirates to introduce latest-generation A350 on Mauritius route from 1 November

Emirates will introduce its latest-generation Airbus A350 on the Dubai-Mauritius route from 1 November 2026, replacing the Boeing 777 currently operating the carrier’s daily EK709/710 service. Configured in a three-class layout, the Emirates A350 will accommodate 298 passengers, incl...

Bombardier expands across the Americas, creating thousands of jobs throughout its network and supply chain

Bombardier announced plans to further expand its presence across the United States, with the creation of 800 jobs supported by ongoing growth initiatives and strategic infrastructure investments. The company is currently recruiting for approximately 500 positions nationwide and expects to gener...

Lufthansa Technik Engine Services expands Tulsa operations to support growth across the Americas

Lufthansa Technik Engine Services (LTES) is significantly expanding its engine maintenance capabilities in Tulsa, Oklahoma, nearly doubling its operational capacity as part of its growth strategy across the Americas. The project will increase the facility's work bays from 28 to 46, supporti...

The soaring spirit returns: gliding community heads back to Lake Constance for AERO 2027

At AERO 2027, taking place from 14 to 17 April 2027, gliding will once again take centre stage with the dedicated AERO Gliding Expo exhibition area. As part of Europe’s leading trade show for air sports, general aviation and business aviation, the sector will showcase its latest generation of high-performance, technology-driven sailplanes and innovations. Several leading manufacturers, inclu...

Air Charter Expo Regional Europe set for first appearance at AERO Friedrichshafen 2027

AERO 2027 (April 14–17) saw the formal announcement of Air Charter Expo Regional – Europe by show organisers The Air Charter Association and Business Air News, made during ACE26 at London Biggin Hill Airport on 8 September. The reveal was a standout moment for the UK event, which surpassed its previous attendance record with more than 2,100 visitors from 62 countries and a fully b...

Ten years of Riga Aviation Forum — insights from Zigmars Vestfals on growth, milestones and the road ahead

As the 10th edition of the Riga Aviation Forum was getting ready to open, 50SkyShades — a long‑standing Media Partner of the event — took the opportunity to sit down with Zigmars Vestfals, CEO of the Latvian Aviation Association, just hours before the official kick‑off. Marking a deca...

10th Riga Aviation Forum to bring together Baltic and European aviation industry leaders

The leading aviation industry conference in the Baltic region, the Riga Aviation Forum, will bring together top-level aviation leaders, policymakers, experts, and business executives from the Baltics, the Nordics, and across Europe on 10 September 2026 at Hanzas Perons in Riga. Partic...

Riga Aviation Forum 2026: Europe’s leading aviation decision makers to convene in Riga

Riga Aviation Forum (RAF), the largest Baltics’ flagship high‑level aviation business conference, will take place on 10 September 2026 in Riga, Latvia as a gathering point for Europe’s aviation leaders, policymakers, industry innovators, and academic experts. Since its establishment...

Registration now open for EUROPEAN ROTORS 2026, to be held in Lyon, France

Registration has opened for EUROPEAN ROTORS 2026, which takes place 30 Nov. – 3 Dec. at EUREXPO Lyon in Lyon, France. As Europe’s leading event for the vertical aviation industry, EUROPEAN ROTORS 2026 will bring together operators, manufacturers, regulators, suppliers, training orga...

Kepplair Evolution accelerates its growth with a new €6 million funding round, bringing the total funding raised to €17.5 million

Kepplair Evolution, just days after completing the first pre‑modification flights of its prototype aircraft, has announced the closing of a new €6 million funding round — bringing total financing secured since 2024 to €17.5 million, including €12.5 million in private investment and €5 million in public support from the French State and the Occitanie Region (France 2030 an...

Ampaire’s Series B fuels the next phase of its hybrid‑electric aircraft development

Ampaire has closed a $19 million Series B round led by DiamondStream Partners, bringing its total funding to $68 million. This includes roughly $25 million in non‑dilutive grants and contracts that have supported the development and real‑world demonstration of its hybrid‑electric technologies and aircraft programs. Kevin Noertker, co-founder and CEO of Ampaire, commented: “This finan...

Kaszek makes first aviation AI investment, backing TravelX's trillion-dollar dynamic inventory vision

TravelX announced that Kaszek, Latin America's leading venture capital firm, made a substantial investment in its platform, bringing the company's total funding to $45 million. The investment marks Kaszek's first foray into the aviation technology space, reflecting its conviction th...

Air France-KLM submits a binding offer for an up to 49.9% stake in TAP Air Portugal

Air France-KLM today has submitted a binding offer to Parpública for the acquisition of a 44.9% to 49.9% stake in TAP Air Portugal, marking a decisive step in the airline’s privatization process. This offer takes the form of a comprehensive strategic p...

GetJet secures $31M financing from volofin to expand fleet and asset management operations

GetJet has secured $31 million in external financing from London-based volofin Capital Management Ltd. The capital injection accelerates the GetJet Group Growth Strategy 2026, focused on fleet expansion and the scaling of aviation asset management capabilities. The funding facilitates the acqui...

ACIA Aero Leasing delivers an ATR 72-600 to Chingis Airlines Unity, Mongolia

ACIA Aero Leasing announced the delivery of an ATR 72-600 passenger aircraft on lease to Chingis Airlines Unity in Mongolia. Chingis Airlines Unity are owned by the NOMIN Group, one of Mongolia’s largest and most diversified private companies. Founded in 1992 the NOMIN Group has grown into a m...

Embraer reports record US$35.7 billion backlog in Q3 2026, marking a new all-time high

Embraer reported a record backlog of US$35.7 billion in the third quarter of 2026, surpassing its previous all-time high by 3% quarter-over-quarter and increasing 14% compared with the same period last year. Commercial Aviation ended the quarter with a backlog of US$15.8 billion, up 5% from the previous quarter and 4% year-over-year. The business secured strong commercial...

Electra demonstrates runway-free operations with ultra-short takeoff and landing at Manhattan Heliport

Electra has successfully completed the takeoff and landing of its hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft at Downtown Skyport in Lower Manhattan, in what is believed to be the first time a fixed-wing aircraft without vertical takeoff capability has operated from the heliport. The demonstration is the latest milestone in Electra’s Life Beyond Runways initiative, highlighting its vision for Direc...

Oriens Aviation appoints Narine Melkumjan as Tecnam Sales Manager for the Netherlands

Oriens Aviation has appointed Narine Melkumjan as Sales Manager for the Netherlands, strengthening its presence in the Dutch market following its designation as Tecnam’s exclusive dealer in the country earlier this year. Based at Breda International Airport, Melkumjan will serve as the pr...

Archer announces air taxi networks across Houston, Dallas and Austin

Archer Aviation has unveiled plans to develop three air taxi networks across Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston, aiming to improve connectivity between major airports, business centers and key regional destinations throughout the Texas Triangle. Home to more than 20 million residents, the Te...

Cirrus breaks ground on new engine run-up facility

Cirrus Aircraft has broken ground on a new 15,000-square-foot Engine Run-Up Center that will centralize engine testing, fuel calibration and certification activities for the SR Series, Vision Jet and the recently introduced TRAC10 training aircraft. Representing an investment of more than $8 million...

Montana Aerospace strengthens innovation partnership with Airbus on next-generation aircraft programme

Asco, a subsidiary of Montana Aerospace AG, achieves significant technological milestone in the development of a hybrid multi-material Rear Secondary Structure for Airbus.  Montana Aerospace, a leading manufacturer and supplier of complex assemblies and system components for the aerospace in...

The PC-12 PRO simulator: bringing real-world flight training to life

A professional training device such as the new PC-12 PRO simulator is built on flight data supplied and validated by Pilatus. Drawing on actual flight-test and performance data, it accurately reproduces the aircraft’s behavior throughout its entire flight envelope. From handling characteristics and systems logic to cockpit controls, failure scenarios and weather conditions, every aspect is r...

Lufthansa Technik Engine Services expands Tulsa operations to support growth across the Americas

Lufthansa Technik Engine Services (LTES) is significantly expanding its engine maintenance capabilities in Tulsa, Oklahoma, nearly doubling its operational capacity as part of its growth strategy across the Americas. The project will increase the facility's work bays from 28 to 46, supporting V2500, CFM56-5B/7B, Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8/8C and Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. A dedicated mod...

TARMAC Aerosave becomes the world’s first triple AFRA-accredited company, doubling aircraft dismantling capacity

TARMAC Aerosave has set a new industry benchmark by becoming the first company in the world to secure Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA) accreditation across all three scopes of aircraft disassembly, dismantling and recycling, earning Diamond status, the organization’s highest level o...

AMAC Aerospace records strong business growth as new contracts and approvals drive demand across core services

AMAC Aerospace Group continues to experience strong business momentum, marked by new certifications, contract wins and rising demand across its maintenance, completion and aircraft modification activities. The company is reporting growth across several key business areas, reinforcing its position as...

“Discover Airlines Shark” takes to the skies as first AeroSHARK-enhanced Airbus begins scheduled operations

A Discover Airlines Airbus A330 has become the first Airbus aircraft worldwide to enter regular commercial service after undergoing a full-scale AeroSHARK retrofit, marking a significant milestone for the drag-reducing technology developed by Lufthansa Technik and ...

Velocity Maintenance Solutions expands hangar facilities at Wilmington Airport, enhancing service capacity and growth prospects

Velocity Maintenance Solutions, an FAA-certified provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services, has announced a significant expansion of its facilities at Wilmington Airport (ILG) in Delaware, reinforcing its long-term growth strategy and increasing capacity to support a growing customer bas...

IADA Market Report reveals rising dealer confidence as preowned aircraft demand remains strong

Confidence among the world’s leading accredited aircraft dealers strengthened in the third quarter of 2026, reflecting continued momentum in the preowned business aviation market. According to the International Aircraft Dealers Association’s (IADA) Third Quarter Market Report, strong demand for preowned aircraft, constrained availability of sought-after models and ongoing manufacturer...

Bombardier expands across the Americas, creating thousands of jobs throughout its network and supply chain

Bombardier announced plans to further expand its presence across the United States, with the creation of 800 jobs supported by ongoing growth initiatives and strategic infrastructure investments. The company is currently recruiting for approximately 500 positions nationwide and expects to generate an additional 300 jobs through a series of facility expansion projects. Texas has been identifie...

Catering to the route: Planning meals around flight time and destination

Private jet catering requires an understanding of the journey as much as the passengers' preferences. SkyDine Jet Catering explores how flight duration, departure schedules, airport location, and local catering availability influence the decisions flight attendants, crews, and flight departments...

Elevating Nevis: Premier Mark Brantley on aviation, tourism and economic transformation

Few infrastructure projects have the potential to reshape an island's future quite like the ongoing transformation of Nevis Airport. To gain deeper insight into this ambitious development and the vision behind it, I had the pleasure of speaking with Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis. Our wide...

BPE Air reports nearly US$90 million in 2025 revenue as Aldrew Crowe advances integrated aviation platform

BPE Air, the aviation company founded and wholly owned by entrepreneur Aldrew Crowe, reported approximately US$90 million in revenue in 2025, marking a major milestone in the growth of its integrated aviation platform. Founded in 2020, BPE Air has established operations across multiple segments...

Dassault brings EASy IV upgrade to Falcon 2000 series, extending its latest standard to the best-selling family

Dassault will introduce the fourth-generation EASy IV flight deck on newly built Falcon 2000LXS aircraft, while also making the upgrade available as a retrofit across the entire Falcon 2000 EASy fleet. The EASy IV platform delivers enhanced processing power, higher-resolution displays, and a range o...

airBaltic files first monthly operating reports with U.S. court and publishes preliminary unaudited financial information

Air Baltic Corporation AS , Latvia’s national airline and the leading carrier in the Baltic States, announced that airBaltic and its subsidiaries participating in the voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings have filed their first monthly operating reports with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the U.S. Court). The reports cover the period from...

Embraer delivers first E175 with new RECARO cabin interior to American Airlines

Embraer has delivered the first E175 fitted with next-generation RECARO passenger seats to American Airlines, marking another step in the ongoing modernization of one of the world's most successful regional jet platforms. The delivery brings an enhanced cabin experience aimed at elevating passenger comfort while further strengthening the E175's status as North America's regional aircra...

Qantas Freight and Australia Post expand air cargo capacity with Airbus A321 freighter in western Sydney

Qantas Freight and Australia Post have entered the next chapter of their long-standing partnership with the arrival of the first of three additional Airbus A321 Passenger-to-Freighter (A321P2F) aircraft, strengthening their ability to meet rising demand for fast, reliable parcel deliveries across Au...

Turkish Airlines and CFM sign landmark MOU for more than 600 LEAP-1B engines

Turkish Airlines has taken another major step in its fleet expansion strategy with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with CFM International for more than 300 LEAP-1B engines and a long-term services agreement covering its entire LEAP-powered fleet. Together, the commitments will support m...

Air Tahiti debuts exclusive all-business class experience with ATR 72-600 HighLine

Air Tahiti has received a new ATR 72-600 equipped with ATR’s HighLine All-Business Class cabin, becoming only the second airline worldwide to introduce this premium configuration on an ATR aircraft. Created for airlines seeking to elevate the regional travel experience, the ATR HighLine c...

Embraer and LATAM deepen E2 partnership with component pool program agreement for E195-E2 fleet

Embraer and LATAM Airlines Group have signed a Component Pool Program agreement to support the airline's introduction of 24 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. In addition to the firm order, LATAM retains options for up to 50 additional aircraft, underlining its long-term commitment to fleet modernization...

CAA Malaysia advances air traffic controller recruitment strategy with Airways International’s SureSelect

Airways International has entered into a new five-year partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), extending the use of its SureSelect air traffic control (ATC) candidate assessment and selection platform. Under the agreement, CAAM will continue to leverage Airways International’s suite of ATC-specific assessment tools to support the recruitment and selection of fu...

VINCI Airports announces the most significant investment plan in Edinburgh Airport’s history: £500 million over five years to support its growth

VINCI Airports has announced a landmark £500 million investment programme for Edinburgh Airport over the next five years, marking the largest investment in the airport's history. The initiative underscores the long-term commitment of VINCI Airports and its co-shareholder Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) to enhancing the airport's efficiency, connectivity, and sustainability. S...

Riga Airport initiates the next stage of RIX Airport City development

Riga Airport is taking the next step in the development of RIX Airport City by launching, on 22 September, the qualification stage of an international competitive dialogue to select a development partner for a new hotel and office complex on the Airport’s territory. Envisioned as a cornerst...

Star Alliance Paris CDG Lounge remains the World's Best Airline Alliance Lounge

The Star Alliance Lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport has been named the World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, securing the prestigious title for a third consecutive year. Further highlighting the alliance’s leadership in premium ground serv...

BGS begins fueling cooperation with Airest at Kaunas and Riga airports

Baltic Ground Services (BGS), a global provider of ground handling and aircraft fueling services, has initiated cooperation with Airest, taking over into‑plane fueling operations at Kaunas (KUN) and Riga (RIX) airports. The services are performed by BGS in Kaunas and by Gulfstream Oil (GSO), part of...

Aviator signs four-year Lufthansa Group ground handling contract at Gothenburg-Landvetter airport

Aviator Airport Alliance signed a four-year contract with Lufthansa Group to provide full ground handling services at Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport (GOT). The agreement covers five of the group’s carriers – Lufthansa Airlines, Lufthansa City Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Air...

116th anniversary of Oleg Antonov birthday

February 7, 2022 was the 116th anniversary of birthday of Oleg Antonov, a great aircraft designer, talented scientist, founder of ANTONOV COMPANY.  His life was devoted to aviation. He designed 22 types of airplanes and 52 types of gliders, including the legendary AN-2, AN-22 and AN-124, made a great contribution into development of dozens of other aircraft, founded original desi...

A world first - H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco flies electric

On Tuesday 14 September 2021, H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco became the first Head of State to fly in an electric plane when he joined eco-explorer and pilot, Raphaël Domjan, for a flight out of Nice-Côte d’Azur airport onboard a Pipistrel Velis. The Monegasque monarch enjoyed a 30-minute CO2 emission and noise free flight over the Principality. On Tuesday 14 September 2021, H.S....

EY announced Glenn Gonzales and Vishal Hiremath of Jet It as an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021

Ernst & Young LLP that Glenn Gonzales and Vishal Hiremath, co-founders of Jet It and JetClub were named Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2021 Southeast Award winners. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders...

Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft Company President & CEO, will receive the 2021 AIAA Reed Aeronautics Award

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced that Michimasa Fujino, lead HondaJet designer and President and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company, will receive the 2021 Reed Aeronautics Award "for the invention of advanced aerodynamic and structural techniques.&quo...

Meet new Head of Flight Physics for Vertical Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace announces the appointment of Richard Alexander, formerly Chief Flight Dynamics Integrator on the Mitsubishi M100 Regional Jet and Head of Flight Sciences at Bombardier Aerospace, as Head of Flight Physics to help Vertical move towards their vision of electric fight for everyo...

Jason Huang Joins ICON Aircraft as President

ICON Aircraft, maker of the revolutionary ICON A5 Light Sport Aircraft, has named Jason Huang as President. In that role, Huang will oversee all business functions, with a particular focus on maintaining manufacturing excellence, product development and innovation, and providing an ownership experie...