Airbus News

Space Intel Report

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EU Commission signals competition-policy shift to support Thales-Airbus-Leonardo space consolidation

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is updating competition policy to favor strategic consolidations, citing the proposed Thales-Airbus-Leonardo space merger as an example. The policy shift could ease regulatory scrutiny of larger European aerospace combinations intended to strengthen the region’s industrial position.

Reuters

UK expands space commitments as Eutelsat orders 229 OneWeb satellites and London discloses $40 million in SpaceX spending

Eutelsat will invest about €1 billion in 229 Airbus-built satellites to replenish and expand OneWeb through 2034, while the UK has disclosed nearly $40 million spent on SpaceX satellite services, including publicly acknowledged Starshield use for military and intelligence communications.

Bloomberg

Airbus considers acquiring supplier assets to regain control of parts supply

Airbus may take direct control of additional suppliers after years of subcontractor bottlenecks disrupted parts availability, delayed production and contributed to missed delivery targets. The move would deepen the manufacturer’s involvement in its supply chain as it seeks greater control over industrial execution.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

Eutelsat Awards Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and Aerospacelab Contracts for All 330 IRIS² LEO Satellites

Eutelsat has awarded major IRIS² contracts to Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and Aerospacelab covering the constellation’s full 330-satellite LEO component, including an initial authorization for 229 Airbus-built satellites. Separately, Eutelsat is partnering with OroraTech to integrate thermal-imaging payloads on future OneWeb satellites.

Business Traveller

High activity

Avianca and Air Cairo add 27 Airbus A320neos through lease-backed and direct orders

BOC Aviation will acquire 12 Airbus A320neos for long-term lease to Avianca, with CFM LEAP-1A engines and deliveries scheduled for 2029. Separately, EgyptAir subsidiary Air Cairo placed a firm order for 15 A320neos, expanding its fleet through direct ownership as it pursues regional growth.

AirInsight

High activity

Airbus and Boeing remain ahead of last year’s delivery pace despite August slowdown

The manufacturers’ latest data show both Airbus and Boeing ahead of their delivery totals at the same point last year, although momentum moderated after a strong summer. Boeing delivered 51 aircraft in August, including 41 737 MAXs, and has delivered 418 aircraft year to date as 787 handovers slowed.

Leeham News

25 Years After 9/11, Airbus and Boeing’s Commercial Aviation Businesses Still Reflect the Shock

The 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks offers a moment to examine how the event affected Airbus and Boeing, two companies whose commercial aircraft businesses were exposed to the resulting disruption across the global aviation industry and wider economy.

Air Data News

Airbus cuts China’s 20-year single-aisle forecast by 470 aircraft as high-speed rail gains share

Airbus now expects China to require 470 fewer new single-aisle aircraft over the next 20 years than previously forecast, citing the expanding high-speed rail network’s growing competition with domestic air travel. The revision highlights rail’s increasing influence on airline fleet demand and network planning in the world’s largest aviation growth market.