Commercial Aviation News
- June 2023: Boeing received solid 40 737 Max 8s orders from Irish aircraft leasing company Avolon.
- June 2023: Air Algérie, the national airline of Algeria, signed a contract to purchase seven wide-body aircraft to support commercial development.
- June 2023: Delta Air Lines Inc. is in talks with Airbus SE (AIR.PA) for a jumbo jet order. Orders include both A350 and A330neo dual-aisle.
Related Aviation Industry News
February 2024: Thai Airways ordered 45 B787-9 Dreamliners with GEnx engines. Thai Airways selected the B787-9 to support its long-term strategy of renewing and expanding its fleet.
February 2022: Indonesia finalized the purchase of up to 36 F-15 jet fighters from the US as part of its defense fleet modernization program. This purchase is expected to increase Indonesia's defense strength against regional threats.
- April 2023: Teledyne FLIR launched development kits for easy integration of the FLIR Hadron 640R thermal and visible dual camera module. The module’s compact radiometric Boson thermal camera grants visibility even in total darkness, smoke, and fog. It also features a 64MP electro-optical (EO) camera for high-definition visible imagery.
- December 2022: DJI developed a compact, ultra-lightweight camera drone, DJI Mini 3, which weighs less than 249 grams.
- June 2022: DJI launched DJI RS 3 and DJI RS 3 Pro, incorporating a range of new features. It includes a redesigned axes-locking system making the process of recording videos and capturing high-resolution images automated. By turning on the gimbal, the automated axis locks release and unfold the gimbal, allowing the operator to get started in seconds.
June 2023: Bombardier announced that it delivered its first Challenger 3500 aircraft for European operations. Moreover, Aero-Dienst announced that it would likely operate the super-midsize business jet on behalf of Aviator Aircraft.
May 2023: Bombardier announced that it was to debut its award-winning Challenger 3500 business jet to the European market. Moreover, the Challenger 3500 was decreed as the only business jet in the industry to carry an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
- November 2023: SunExpress entered into a contract with Boeing for the delivery of 56 B737-8s and 34 B737-10s. The airline expressed its ambitious plan to double its fleet, aiming to acquire a total of 150 new aircraft by 2033. The crew oxygen systems incorporated in the B737 Max aircraft include Oxygen equipment valves sourced from Carleton Technologies Inc., crew/passenger oxygen system components provided by Safran, and oxygen systems supplied by Collins Aerospace.
- May 2023: Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, introduced its cutting-edge OXYJUMP NG oxygen supply system designed specifically for high-altitude jumps by parachutists. The OXYJUMP NG system incorporates advanced technology that not only extends mission capabilities with a longer gliding distance but also enhances jumper safety. Notably, it offers substantial advantages in terms of size and weight compared to traditional legacy systems. This innovative solution from Collins Aerospace signifies a significant leap forward in supporting parachutists in high-altitude scenarios.
- November 2023: UK Export Finance (UKEF) issued a USD 98.9 million financing guarantee to Embraer in 2022 to support contracts with UK exporters. This agreement is expected to boost Embraer's annual spend on UK goods and services, which already stands at approximately USD 60 million.
- May 2023: Bestfly acquired Austrian aircraft asset management company MS Aviation as part of its broader European expansion drive. As part of the acquisition, MS Aviation will relocate its offices to Graz, Austria. The group's current fleet consists of 27 aircraft from Bombardier, Falcon, Gulfstream, Hawker Siddeley, Textron Aviation, and others. The diverse aircraft fleet serves key commercial markets and long-term contract customers throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Caribbean.
- September 2022: Lilium signed a contract with Volare (Volare Aviation (UK)) for 10 Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets, a limited-edition exclusive version of the Lilium Jet, with an option to purchase an additional 10. eVolare will be Lilium’s lead partner and launch operator in the UK for sales of the Lilium Jet to private individuals. In addition, eVolare will provide operation of Lilium’s aircraft from Oxford, running a service center and investing in landing infrastructure for Lilium’s UK network.
- June 2023: Airbus unveiled the Eco Pulse hybrid-electric aircraft at the Paris Air Show. This innovative aircraft is a modification of the Daher TBM light aircraft, integrating a hybrid-electric powertrain and six electrically driven propellers.
- December 2022: Embraer S.A. introduced the Energia Hybrid E19-HE in December 2022. This hybrid electric propulsion system offers a realistic and economically feasible path to achieve net-zero emissions, with the potential for up to a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions.
- May 2023: Volato entered into an agreement with Honda Aircraft Co., HACI, to acquire and deliver 23 HondaJets, expanding its fleet to a total of 25 aircraft. This addition, coupled with the two existing jets already ordered, will elevate Volato's technological edge, positioning it as one of the most advanced private fleets in the market. Anticipated by the end of 2025, the new HondaJets will be in active service. Currently, Volato boasts a fleet of 17 HondaJets, and in 2024, the company is set to further enhance its offerings by incorporating four G280 Gulfstream aircraft. This strategic expansion aims to cater to the growing needs of Volato's membership and customer base, providing a diverse range of flight options.
- May 2023: NetJets awarded a substantial USD 5 billion contract to Embraer for the procurement of 250 Embraer Praetor 500s, accompanied by comprehensive services and support. Deliveries of these advanced, fly-by-wire midsize jets are scheduled to commence in 2025. Propelled by a pair of Honeywell HTF7500E turbofan engines, the Praetor 500, with its nine-passenger capacity and a range of 3,450 nautical miles, is set to elevate NetJets' aviation capabilities.
In August 2023, Embraer announced that deliveries for its aircraft within Latin America jumped 47% in the second quarter. Moreover, the company delivered 62 aircraft in Q2 of 2023, 38 of which were executive jets.
In August 2023, Satcom Direct, a business aviation solutions provider, announced that they had installed a Satcom Direct Plane Simple Ku-band antenna on a Gulfstream G550 executive jet. This advanced technology terminal will optimize communications within business aircraft in Latin America. Three additional Gulfstream G550 aircraft are scheduled to have the equipment installed within this year.
- In June 2022, Advanced ATC Inc., an air traffic control academy based in Georgia, United States, announced an investment of USD 4.7 million at Craig Airfield to establish the first remote air traffic control center to handle traffic for multiple airports. The remote tower performs the operations of a traditional control tower using cameras, real-time video, and other technologies to accomplish the duties remotely.
- In May 2022, Saudi Arabia announced its plan to invest about SAR 356 billion (USD 100 billion) into its aviation sector by 2030 under the Vision 2030 initiative to strengthen the country as a global aviation hub. The government plans to increase passenger handling capacity to 330 million passengers and air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tons. The country plans to introduce another airline and upgrade airport facilities through investment, including air traffic management infrastructure.
Oct 2023: Sikorsky introduced the RAIDER X prototype for the US Army FARA Program. The Raider X has been developed using the existing S-97 Raider scout attack helicopter platform and showcases impressive levels of agility and maneuverability.
Mar 2023: The Boeing Company was awarded a four-year contract worth USD 1.95 billion to build new AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters for the US Army.