Aircraft & Propulsion

Stuttering economic growth, higher fuel prices and war in Ukraine have stalled the global recovery of daily commercial flights to about 87% of pre-COVID levels. The recovery in aircraft maintenance has therefore also slowed.

As more Airbus A330neos are delivered, the Philippine airline's immediate focus is on restoring the widebody flights that were suspended due to the pandemic.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Through CFM, the engine maker has signed up with Airbus for not just one but two major flight test programs on modified A380s.

Joby Aviation has confirmed that launch of its aerial ridesharing service has been delayed to 2025, citing the FAA’s change of direction on certification and internal challenges related to the startup’s vertical integration.

Emirates Airline has begun its major two-year fleet retrofit program, with work starting on the first of 120 aircraft earmarked for a full cabin interior upgrade.

SriLankan wants to attain a fleet size of about 35 aircraft by 2025-2026.

Finnish SAF producer Neste is working with Japan-based trading company Itochu and Fuji Oil Company on a pilot project aimed at validating the blending of SAF with conventional jet fuel in Japan.

Even if Boeing's on-going joint digital design and production initiative is perfected in time, the propulsion technology that will be needed for a minimum 20%-plus jump in fuel efficiency is still nowhere in sight.

Boeing is targeting 400-450 737 MAX deliveries in 2023, but a production-rate increase is not yet set in stone.

Boeing expects the long running slump in its widebody business to recover significantly from 2023 onward, leading to a 10/month rate for its 787s and four per month for 777/777X family aircraft by 2025-2026.

FAA review of the last Boeing 737 MAX variant could slide into 2024, a company executive acknowledged.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines has now renegotiated the leases on 43 aircraft in its fleet as it works to cut costs under its restructuring plan.

The first of four Boeing 737-800F leased from BBAM Aircraft Leasing had already been painted in IPP Air Cargo’s livery and delivered.

Engine suppliers say they are just about caught up on delayed deliveries. Can they keep it that way?

Lufthansa Technik has converted a decommissioned Airbus A320 into a hydrogen field laboratory to test maintenance and ground-based processes in preparation for hydrogen-powered flight.

Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, giving the carrier the range to operate beyond Asia and into North America.

The past might yield fuel-savings and emission-reducing solutions for regional transport and larger aircraft.

Boeing Global Services says commercial sales are back to pre-pandemic levels—the latest sign that aftermarket businesses will not necessarily trail global traffic’s recovery pace.

After adding 15 more Airbus A220-300s and 30 A321XLRs to its orderbook, Air Canada has largely completed its narrowbody replacement program and shown little interest in a larger A220 variant.

Skyrocketing prices for gas and electric power in Europe are beginning to affect Safran’s supply chain, as well as the company’s strategic decisions, according to CEO Olivier Andries.

A fully import-substituted version of the Russian-engined MC-21-310 was pursued after sanctions blocked Irkut Corporation from buying in subsystems from the West.

The airframer still intends to deliver “around 700” commercial aircraft in 2022.

India’s Tata Group aims to consolidate its multiple airline holdings and increase market share.

As Pratt & Whitney works to ramp up production of the PW1000G back to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels and beyond, the engine maker hopes to accelerate assembly with new process improvements and increased automation.