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France aviation news

Airbus A350F freighter successfully performs its maiden flight

The Airbus A350F freighter (MSN 700), the first of two flight test aircraft, has successfully completed its maiden flight. Equipped with dedicated flight test instrumentation, the aircraft spent 4 hours and 10 minutes in the air, reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet. The flight was conducted by Airbus' specialized Flight Test crew. Meanwhile, the second A350F prototype (MSN 701) is progressing...

Ten years of growth, expertise and excellence at Dassault Falcon Service Mérignac

Located alongside Dassault Aviation’s flagship manufacturing facility, Dassault Falcon Service Mérignac is celebrating a decade of dedicated support to Falcon operators around the world. Since opening in 2016, the six-bay maintenance center, staffed by 70 highly skilled employees, has completed more than 600 maintenance projects, including 66 major C-check inspections on Falcon 7X and...

Haffner Energy brings the cost of renewable diesel and SAF closer to that of fossil fuels with SB-HEFA

Haffner Energy is redefining the economics of renewable fuels with the launch of SB-HEFA (Solid Biomass to HEFA), an innovative technology that converts solid biomass directly into liquid feedstock through its proprietary thermolysis process. Eliminating the syngas step, shortening the production chain, and leveraging feedstocks costing less than one-fifth of conventional oils, SB-HEFA is expected...

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 services, the Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport earned second place, giving Star...

AURA AERO takes X‑Volt back to the skies, advancing hybrid‑electric innovation for ERA’s development

Just two months after acquiring VoltAero’s assets, AURA AERO has returned the Cassio S hybrid‑electric demonstrator to the skies at Rochefort Airport—now flying under its new name, X‑VOLT. As one of the earliest hybrid‑electric demonstrators to accumulate substantial real‑world flight hours, X‑VOLT now represents a key technological asset for AURA AERO. Its flight data, patented sy...

Airbus is expanding its delivery capacity for the A320 family in Toulouse with a new integrated center

Airbus has officially unveiled a new delivery center at its Jean‑Luc Lagardère site, northwest of Toulouse, marking a significant milestone in the industrial ramp‑up of the A320 Family. Purpose‑built to reinforce production acceleration, the facility centralizes key end‑of‑line operations—including production activities, technical completion, and customer handover—within a singl...

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...

Airbus delivers first NH90 designed for special operations to France

Airbus Helicopters officially delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 to the French Armament General Directorate. This new variant of the NH90 TTH was designed specifically for special operations. France has ordered a total of 18 NH90 Standard 2 helicopters that will be delivered by mid 2029. They will be operated by the French Army Aviation’s special forces squadron in Pau. In December 202...

Safran and Aura Aero are strengthening their strategic partnership for the development of the turbogenerators that will power the ERA hybrid electric regional aircraft

Safran Helicopter Engines and Aura Aero reached a new milestone in their partnership regarding the hybrid electric propulsion system of the ERA (Electric Regional Aircraft), the future 19-seater regional aircraft. The two companies have signed an agreement covering the development and integration of Safran turbogenerators for the ERA prototype, paving the way for the series production of its propu...

BAA Training France certifies world's first A320 FFS Airbus Standard 2.2.1

BAA Training France has become the first aviation training center worldwide to operate an Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulator, certified to the new Airbus Standard 2.2.1 and declared ready for training. The simulator is owned by Transavia France, the Air France-KLM Group low-cost carrier, and is operated and maintained by BAA Training. It is now available for training to airlines and operators...

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 organisations, unmanned aircraft systems companies, advanced air mobility innovators, and the next gener...

ALSIM introduces the AL3X: a new standard in compact LSA training

ALSIM launches AL3X, its newest Light Sport Aircraft simulator designed specifically to meet the growing needs of flight schools and training organizations. Developed around the popular Garmin G3X Touch flight deck, the AL3X delivers an immersive and highly realistic training experience in a compact, cost-effective platform that complies with FAA AATD standards. Designed f...