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Leeham News
space
Satellite
Supply Chain
Europe
ESA
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation
Space Exploration & Science Missions
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NEW
European Spaceflight
• Andrew Parsonson
Avio Delays SMILE Launch After Component Production Issue Identified
By European Spaceflight: Avio has delayed the launch of ESA's SMILE mission aboard a Vega C rocket after identifying a subsystem production issue.
defense
UAV Development & Drone Programs
Europe
Military Aircraft Procurement
Defense Budgets & Spending
Defense Industry & Major Contractors
Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact
Defense Policy
AeroTime
• Miquel Ros
France to ramp drone production 400% and boost guided‑weapons output, POLITICO reports
By AeroTime: France plans to boost drone production 400%, of guided bombs by 240%, and of Aster and MICA missiles by 30%, according to POLITICO.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
• Mateusz Maszczynski
Lufthansa cabin crew challenge tax decree that sharply raises cost of standby ‘non‑rev’ flight benefits
By Paddle Your Own Kanoo: Flight attendants at the German flag carrier Lufthansa are fighting to overturn a new tax decree that has significantly hiked the price of nearly free or deeply discounted standby flight concessions that form a big benefit for airline employees.
Air Data News
• Ricardo Meier
Boeing 777-9 completes maximum brake energy test at Edwards Air Force Base
By Air Data News: Boeing has conducted maximum brake energy testing on its 777-9 test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base in California, a site long used by the U.S. Air Force.
Leeham News
Boeing’s Clean‑Sheet Cycle: Why a New Large Airliner Could Be ~30 Years After the 787
By Leeham News: Subscription Required Open to All Readers By Scott Hamilton Background April 6, 2026, © Leeham News: Depending on what starting point you want to choose, it will be about 30 years between brand new, clean sheet airplane designs at The Boeing Co.
FlightGlobal
• Alfred Chua
AirAsia X hikes fares and trims network as Middle East conflict drives fuel‑price shock
By FlightGlobal: AirAsia X has raised its fares and fuel surcharge as it tackles the impact of conflict in the Middle East, which has led to soaring fuel prices. Airline founder and advisor Tony Fernandes says AirAsia X will undertake three measures in the near term, including cutting costs, increasing fares and trimming capacity.
ch-aviation
Route network update: flynas — network, fleet and strategic developments
By ch-aviation: Several daily Operator News updates covering all Operator Route Network changes, strategic fleet developments and aircraft orders, start-ups and bankruptcies, mergers and acquisitions and partnerships and alliances.
