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ch-aviation • Dominik Sipinski

Air Seychelles commits to A321XLRs and weighs domestic upgauge

Air Seychelles has committed to Airbus A321XLRs, signaling a push to expand long-range capability and route flexibility. The airline is also weighing changes to its domestic capacity mix, including an “upgauge” option to better match local demand patterns.

2026-06-29T12:12:09.171213-07:00

ch-aviation

Neptune Aviation takes delivery of its first A319 airtanker

2026-06-29T13:26:11.553170-07:00

FlightGlobal

IAG backs MAKO’s shark-skin aircraft coating as riblet film moves toward certification

2026-06-29T07:10:56.082081-07:00

Bloomberg

EIB signs €3bn-plus financing package to fund Airbus R&D, boosting commercial and defense technology

2026-06-29T01:40:07.325210-07:00

News Timeline

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Neptune Aviation takes delivery of its first A319 airtanker US airtanker operator Neptune Aviation has received its first A319 configured for firefighting operations. The delivery marks the company’s initial entry point for a new aircraft type in its air-tanker fleet, expanding its capability to deploy purpose-built fixed-wing firefighting assets.

2026-06-29T13:26:11.553170-07:00

Neptune Aviation takes delivery of its first A319 airtanker

ch-aviation

Air Seychelles commits to A321XLRs and weighs domestic upgauge Air Seychelles has committed to Airbus A321XLRs, signaling a push to expand long-range capability and route flexibility. The airline is also weighing changes to its domestic capacity mix, including an “upgauge” option to better match local demand patterns.

2026-06-29T12:12:09.171213-07:00

Air Seychelles commits to A321XLRs and weighs domestic upgauge

FlightGlobal

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IAG backs MAKO’s shark-skin aircraft coating as riblet film moves toward certification IAG is investing in Australian startup MAKO (MicroTau) to advance its shark-skin-inspired “Flightfilm” drag-reduction coating. The riblet film is slated for testing on an IAG carrier, with initial rollout targeted for the Airbus A320 and developer claims of up to ~4% fuel-burn reduction. MAKO also raised $20 million in Series A funding to accelerate commercial deployment.

2026-06-29T07:10:56.082081-07:00

IAG backs MAKO’s shark-skin aircraft coating as riblet film moves toward certification

AirInsight

COMAC limits Airbus A220 and A320neo-family “crossover” momentum in China: 1,000 A220 and 500 A220 E2 orders—with zero Chinese a China has not taken either the Airbus A220 or its E2 variant, despite a combined 1,000 A220 and 500 A220 E2 order book. The cluster points to COMAC as the central driver—though with nuance—highlighting how China’s domestic OEM ecosystem shapes airline fleet decisions.

2026-06-29T05:55:31.763688-07:00

COMAC limits Airbus A220 and A320neo-family “crossover” momentum in China: 1,000 A220 and 500 A220 E2 orders—with zero Chinese a

Bloomberg

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EIB signs €3bn-plus financing package to fund Airbus R&D, boosting commercial and defense technology The European Investment Bank has committed up to €3.0 billion (about $3.42 billion) in financing to Airbus, described as “full firepower” to strengthen Europe’s industrial and technological edge amid US and China competition. The first tranche cited is about €1 billion, earmarked for aerospace R&D investment spanning commercial and defense aviation.

2026-06-29T01:40:07.325210-07:00

EIB signs €3bn-plus financing package to fund Airbus R&D, boosting commercial and defense technology

Leeham News

Airbus weighs A220-500 stretch while updating Lufthansa’s A220 support plan Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury says the company sees demand for a stretched A220 (often discussed as an A220-500 offering up to 185 seats), but Airbus has not reached the point to launch the program. Separately, Airbus and Lufthansa Group signed a deal to support the airline group’s A220 fleet with spares, as Airbus also studies cabin changes to broaden appeal—particularly in markets where A220 sales lag, including China.

2026-06-29T00:19:04.462765-07:00

Airbus weighs A220-500 stretch while updating Lufthansa’s A220 support plan

Air Data News

German Air Force A400M completes nonstop 6,750-nm deployment to Hawaii via aerial refueling from A400M tankers Luftwaffe/Airbus A400M aircraft completed a nonstop 6,750-nm (12,500-km) flight from Wunstorf Air Base to Hawaii, using aerial refueling provided by other A400M aircraft only. The demonstration highlights a new long-range deployment capability for Germany’s military airlift posture.

2026-06-29T00:10:50.647105-07:00

German Air Force A400M completes nonstop 6,750-nm deployment to Hawaii via aerial refueling from A400M tankers

ch-aviation

Air Astana formalises 25+25 A320neo family order in Kazakhstan’s biggest direct aircraft deal Air Astana has formalised an order for up to 50 A320neo family aircraft: 25 firm orders and 25 purchase options, covering the Kazakh carrier’s next phase of fleet renewal. The airline said the agreement is the largest direct aircraft order in Kazakhstan’s history.

2026-06-28T22:06:41.897210-07:00

Air Astana formalises 25+25 A320neo family order in Kazakhstan’s biggest direct aircraft deal

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Airbus News

Air Seychelles commits to A321XLRs and weighs domestic upgauge

Neptune Aviation takes delivery of its first A319 airtanker

IAG backs MAKO’s shark-skin aircraft coating as riblet film moves toward certification

EIB signs €3bn-plus financing package to fund Airbus R&D, boosting commercial and defense technology

News Timeline