EFW delivers first A321P2F to Azul Cargo after Brazilian validation
Conversions specialist EFW has delivered the first Airbus A321P2F converted freighter to a South American operator, after receiving type certification validation from Brazilian regulators.
Abra closes acquisition of Wamos Air
Madrid-based Wamos Air has officially joined Abra Group, the parent company of Colombian airline Avianca and Brazil’s Gol, five months after the companies first announced the transaction.
Eve secures $88m loan from Brazilian government to build production facility
Embraer-backed Eve Air Mobility has received a $88 million loan from Brazil’s National Development Bank (BNDES) to fund the company’s new facility in Taubate, about 43km (27 miles) northeast of Embraer’s headquarters in San Jose dos Campos.
Embraer secures FAA certification of E190F
Embraer’s passenger-to-freighter conversion, the E190F, has been certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration.
US government subpoenas Saab regarding Brazilian Gripen acquisition
A decade after Saab signed a contract with Brasilia to provide the Brazilian air force with Gripen E/F fighters, the US government is investigating the deal for unspecified reasons.
US carriers jostle for highly sought long-distance slots out of Reagan airport
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has tentatively awarded 10 hotly contested slots for long-distance domestic flights out of Ronald Reagan National airport in Washington, DC.
United signs for 40 leased A321neos amid narrowbody jet shortage
United Airlines signed during the third quarter “definitive agreements” with unnamed aircraft lessors to lease 40 Airbus A321neo jets, with deliveries expected in 2026-27.
Aura Aero plots US expansion with Florida manufacturing site
French start-up Aura Aero intends to construct a new facility in Florida to manufacture its planned hybrid-electric ERA aircraft, an effort by the company to have a stronger presence in the important US market.
SkyWest signs to fly 11 CRJ550s under United Express brand
US regional carrier SkyWest Airlines has secured a deal to fly a small fleet of MHIRJ CRJ550 regional jets on behalf of United Airlines starting in December.
L3Harris appeals selection of Sierra Nevada for US Army intelligence jet
Work on the army’s High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System business jet-based intelligence programme is now paused, while auditors review the process by which the service selected Sierra Nevada Corporation over L3Harris.
US B-2 stealth bombers strike targets in Yemen
The USA’s military headquarters for the Middle East oversaw air strikes, including those conducted by B-2 stealth bombers, against weapons storage sites in Houthi-controlled Yemen.
El Al pursues controlling investment in Israeli credit-card company
Israeli flag-carrier El Al is seeking a meeting with representatives of the financial services and credit-card firm Isracard, after offering to acquire a 45% shareholding in the company.
Three Iranian carriers sanctioned over drone and missile transfer
Three Iranian airlines have been sanctioned by the Council of the European Union as part of measures imposed over Iran’s transfer of missiles and drones to Russia.
Saudi Arabia advances Hellfire, AIM-9X missile deals worth $900 million
Saudi Arabia has secured US Department of State approval to advance planned purchases of air-launched weapons worth more than a combined $900 million.
Emirates aims for 50 service-entry A350 pilots as initial flight simulator approved
Middle Eastern carrier Emirates is in the process of securing approval for three Airbus A350 simulators being installed ahead of its taking delivery of the twinjet type.
Aero Vodochody confident of further export deals as L-39NG is rebranded Skyfox
Aero Vodochody has renamed its L-39NG the L-39 Skyfox as it prepares to step up deliveries of the updated single-engine jet trainer to initial customers Vietnam, Hungary and local operator LOM Praha.
Play to diversify with Maltese AOC as competition forces transatlantic retreat
Icelandic budget carrier Play is planning to obtain a Maltese air operator’s certificate in order to diversify its activities, following pressure on its transatlantic operations.
Abra closes acquisition of Wamos Air
Madrid-based Wamos Air has officially joined Abra Group, the parent company of Colombian airline Avianca and Brazil’s Gol, five months after the companies first announced the transaction.
Airbus defence division to shed 2,500 jobs, as challenges persist
Airbus’s defence unit is to reduce its headcount by up to 2,500 personnel, with the cuts driven by what it describes as a “continued complex business environment”.
Russia shot down its own UCAV to avoid capture by Ukraine, UK MoD says
The Russian military shot down one of its own unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) early this month, rather than risk the stealthy asset being captured by Ukraine, a western intelligence assessment has concluded.
Air Tahiti Nui names Philippe Marie as new chief executive
Air Tahiti Nui has appointed Philippe Marie, the airline’s former secretary-general, as its new chief executive.
Boeing lays out benefits of KC-46’s size against bigger MRTT
As it contemplates additional tanker sales to Japan, Boeing has pitched the smaller size of its KC-46 as a competitive attribute against the rival Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).
MHI shows conceptual CCA shooting down J-20
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has revealed new conceptual collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) designs, highlighting how they will cooperate with manned platforms.
Thailand signs IRIS-T support deal with Diehl Defence
Diehl Defence has been awarded a support contract linked to the Royal Thai Air Force’s use of its IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile across multiple combat types.
Qazaq Air could modernise fleet next year through Vietnam’s Sovico Group
Kazakhstan’s regional operator Qazaq Air could modernise its fleet early next year through a tie-up with Vietnam’s Sovico Group.
Nigerian carrier Air Peace’s chief faces charges over alleged bid to halt fraud probe
Nigerian carrier Air Peace’s founder and chief executive, Allen Onyema, has been indicted by US authorities alleging obstruction of justice by filing false documentation intended to end a previous investigation.
Mwari has key counter-insurgency role for Mozambique, Paramount says
Paramount has disclosed limited details about its Mwari aircraft’s operational performance for customer Mozambique, describing the type as having “played a key role in counter-insurgency operations”.
Kenyan regional Renegade Air launches ATR 72-500 cargo flights
Kenyan carrier Renegade Air has launched flights using a converted ATR 72-500 freighter it has taken from turboprop lessor Abelo.
South Africa expresses interest in Embraer C-390 purchase
Embraer believes South Africa could become a future operator of its C-390 tactical transport, with the nation’s defence ministry having expressed interest in the twinjet.
Afrijet orders single ATR 42-600 for FlyGabon operation
Gabonese carrier Afrijet has ordered one ATR 42-600, plus one option, for operation on behalf of FlyGabon.