Air Data News
• Ricardo Meier
Airbus is considering selling its U.S. small-satellite manufacturing business as it reorganizes its space activities. The move coincides with plans to shift production of next-generation OneWeb satellites to France, potentially reshaping the group’s industrial footprint and approach to satellite manufacturing in the United States and Europe.
Airbus
Latest source-backed stories
Airbus is considering selling its U.S. small-satellite manufacturing business as it reorganizes its space activities. The move coincides with plans to shift production of next-generation OneWeb satellites to France, potentially reshaping the group’s industrial footprint and approach to satellite manufacturing in the United States and Europe.
India is preparing what could become one of the world’s largest military transport aircraft purchases, with Embraer’s C-390, Lockheed Martin’s C-130J and Airbus’ A400M competing for a requirement of up to 60 aircraft. The decision is likely to weigh industrial, strategic and support considerations alongside performance.
Poland is considering acquiring Airbus A400M heavy transport aircraft using European financing, potentially adding a strategic airlift capability through a deal separate from its ongoing competition for a new medium transport aircraft. The two procurement tracks could address distinct requirements within Poland’s military airlift modernization.
High activity
Qantas is accelerating Airbus A380 retirements to 2028 as it weighs Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 orders, while American Airlines plans seven new international routes for 2027 using A321XLRs and considers future widebodies. Delta is restoring Los Angeles–London service ahead of anticipated 2028 Olympics demand.
High activity
American Airlines will add seven transatlantic routes for summer 2027, including new service from Philadelphia to Vienna and flights to Amsterdam, Nice and Porto. The expansion will put more of the carrier’s A321XLR narrowbodies to work while making American the only U.S. airline serving Vienna.
Qantas plans to start retiring its Airbus A380 fleet from mid-2028, marking the beginning of the superjumbo’s phaseout from the Australian carrier. The move will reshape Qantas’ long-haul fleet strategy as the airline transitions away from the A380 over the following years.
Spain’s Council of Ministers approved a seven-year, €5.4 billion framework agreement to jointly acquire at least seven Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports with Poland. Warsaw is set to receive four aircraft by 2030, with Spain reportedly reallocating production slots to support Poland’s SAFE-funded purchase.
High activity
Qantas will begin phasing out its 10 Airbus A380s in 2028, roughly four years earlier than previously planned, as rising maintenance costs and incoming A350s and 787s drive long-haul fleet renewal. Older A330s will also gradually leave the fleet, while the airline reports rebounding Australia-U.S. demand.
Create a free account to see more recent Airbus stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
