SpaceNews.com
• Andrew Parsonson
The European Space Agency has selected consortia led by Airbus Defence and Space and OHB to conduct parallel studies of a future European-led space station in low Earth orbit. The effort marks an early step toward defining Europe’s potential post-ISS human-spaceflight architecture and industrial roles.
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The European Space Agency has selected consortia led by Airbus Defence and Space and OHB to conduct parallel studies of a future European-led space station in low Earth orbit. The effort marks an early step toward defining Europe’s potential post-ISS human-spaceflight architecture and industrial roles.
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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.
Vertical Aerospace will appoint former Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Fabrice Brégier as chair of its board on Sept. 21, 2026. Brégier succeeds interim chair Ben Story, who will remain a director, adding senior commercial-aircraft leadership to the eVTOL developer’s board.
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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.
Airbus may shift delivery of as many as 20 A321neo aircraft from September into the fourth quarter, Reuters reports, as the manufacturer addresses a recently disclosed quality issue involving fuselage panels. The potential deferrals add another variable to airline fleet planning and Airbus’ delivery execution.
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Airbus has identified a coating defect on fuselage stringers supplied by a subcontractor on around 500 A321neo aircraft. Rework may take up to nine days per aircraft, while affected operators could have as long as two years to complete repairs, adding pressure to September delivery targets.
State-owned Asman Airlines is evaluating COMAC’s C909 and C919 as it builds its fleet strategy, despite an agreement to acquire two Airbus A321ceos and plans for a 10-aircraft A321 fleet. The review could give the Kyrgyz carrier an additional pathway for regional and larger-capacity operations.
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Airbus has identified a quality defect in a protective coating on a structural component of the A321neo, potentially affecting several hundred aircraft, including as many as 500. The issue does not compromise flight safety, but operators must complete repairs within two years rather than the normal four-year maintenance cycle, adding pressure to deliveries and fleet planning.
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