Bloomberg
• Kate Duffy, Leen Al-Rashdan
Wizz Air reported a €183.3 million operating loss in its fiscal first quarter as fuel costs rose 39%, while Cebu Pacific also swung into the red after fuel expenses more than doubled. Cathay Group increased first-half profit to $795 million despite higher fuel costs, but faces a six-month A350 freighter delivery delay.
Airbus A350
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STARLUX Airlines has launched its first European route, connecting Taipei Taoyuan and Prague three times weekly with Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The Taiwanese carrier plans to increase the service to four flights per week from October, with GLSHK’s EzyCustoms platform supporting the new operation.
The first Airbus A350F freighter delivery could move from late 2027 into 2028, according to Leeham News, introducing uncertainty around the program’s entry-into-service schedule. Airbus has nevertheless reaffirmed its late-2027 timeline, leaving the delivery outlook unresolved.
Air France-KLM is extending the amortization period for its Airbus A320neo, A321neo and A350 fleets, as well as Boeing 787s, from 20 to 25 years. The group said the longer period reflects its assessment that these aircraft are most likely to remain in service for 25 years.
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Airbus booked 204 gross commercial aircraft orders in July, led by leasing deals with Chinese companies, while deliveries reached 67 jets to 39 customers. Year-to-date deliveries rose to 418, but the pace remains below last year and the first A350F delivery has slipped to late 2027.
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The FAA is ordering inspections of nearly 500 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for possible cracks in fuselage or door-related structural components, while proposing action to address a Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 issue that could lead to dual-engine uncontained failures on the 787. Spanish-language reports also cite seat-anchor inspections on 453 MAX aircraft.
Airbus has completed ground vibration testing on the first A350F, a key development milestone for the freighter program. The European manufacturer said the aircraft will proceed toward its first flight later this year as Airbus advances the newest member of the A350 family.
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Wizz Air reported a €183.3 million operating loss in its fiscal first quarter as fuel costs rose 39%, while Cebu Pacific also swung into the red after fuel expenses more than doubled. Cathay Group increased first-half profit to $795 million despite higher fuel costs, but faces a six-month A350 freighter delivery delay.
High activity
Airbus has completed ground vibration testing on the A350F, exposing the freighter to controlled oscillations to validate its structural and aeroelastic models. The campaign is a mandatory certification step ahead of the aircraft’s maiden flight, with two A350Fs planned for certification work.
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