Air Data News
• Ricardo Meier
KLM has received its first Airbus A350-900, PH-ZNA, named De Nachtwacht after Rembrandt’s painting. Delivered in Toulouse and flown to Amsterdam-Schiphol, the aircraft is scheduled to enter passenger service on October 30 between Amsterdam and Toronto, launching KLM’s planned 22-aircraft A350 fleet.
Airbus A350
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KLM has received its first Airbus A350-900, PH-ZNA, named De Nachtwacht after Rembrandt’s painting. Delivered in Toulouse and flown to Amsterdam-Schiphol, the aircraft is scheduled to enter passenger service on October 30 between Amsterdam and Toronto, launching KLM’s planned 22-aircraft A350 fleet.
British Airways has restarted its rollout of free, ultra-fast Starlink in-flight Wi‑Fi after a nearly four-month pause during the peak summer travel period. Airbus A350s are now among the aircraft being equipped first, providing an updated view of the airline’s installation priorities.
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Commercial manufacturers delivered 903 aircraft in the first eight months of 2026, up 9% year over year and the strongest pace since 2018. Airbus remains confident in its full-year delivery target despite a primer-quality issue affecting about 500 A321neos, while the A350F freighter completed its first flight.
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Two separate aircraft transactions highlight continued investor activity in the secondary market: Avolon agreed to sell 33 leased Boeing and Airbus aircraft to Qatar’s Lesha Bank for $1.6 billion, while FTAI acquired 27 WestJet 737-700s, including jets intended for sale-leaseback and engine aftermarket activity.
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Avolon has agreed to sell Lesha Bank a portfolio of 33 commercial aircraft leased to 25 airlines, with management transferring to Lesha Aviation Services. The transaction will lift Lesha’s managed fleet beyond 75 aircraft and expand its Sharia-compliant leasing platform, while advancing Avolon’s asset-recycling strategy.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines plans to begin Airbus A350-900 operations in early fourth quarter 2026, reflecting delivery delays that have pushed back the aircraft’s entry into the carrier’s fleet and its associated fleet and network planning milestones.
Qantas has joined ZIPAIR and WestJet in urging the FAA to retain Midway Island airport as an ETOPS diversion option. The carriers say removing the Pacific stop would raise operating costs and disrupt transpacific flying, including Qantas’ planned ultra-long-haul Airbus A350-1000 operations.
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China Airlines selected Safran to overhaul landing gear on its 18 Airbus A350-900s from 2026 through 2031, while Japan Airlines renewed Boeing 787 component support with Lufthansa Technik. Hebei Airlines and FTAI Aviation also advanced CFM56 maintenance arrangements and regional service capacity.
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