The Air Current
• Jon Ostrower
Airbus has identified a quality defect in the lower forward fuselage section of the A321neo that could reduce internal corrosion resistance. More than 500 aircraft—both delivered jets and aircraft still in production—are under review; Airbus says the fleet can continue flying and a remedy is available.
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Airbus has identified a quality defect in the lower forward fuselage section of the A321neo that could reduce internal corrosion resistance. More than 500 aircraft—both delivered jets and aircraft still in production—are under review; Airbus says the fleet can continue flying and a remedy is available.
Airbus plans to submit an unsolicited, financing-backed proposal for Eurofighter Typhoon jets in late October or early November, positioning the European fighter against Lockheed Martin’s F-35 to replace Portugal’s 28 upgraded F-16Ms. Airbus argues the Typhoon is better suited to Lisbon’s requirements.
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Spirit Airlines has secured bankruptcy-court approval to sell 27 Airbus aircraft, with equipment noteholders acquiring 23 jets and engine lessor FTAI Aviation acquiring four. The transaction’s reported value ranges from $421 million for the final sale to $668 million in court-approved consideration, advancing the carrier’s wind-down.
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United Airlines has taken delivery of the first Airbus A321XLR equipped with Pratt & Whitney’s GTF Advantage turbofan, making it the engine’s launch airline customer. The upgraded PW1100G variant is designed to deliver greater thrust, longer range and up to twice the time on wing of earlier versions.
The Australian Army has ended nearly two decades of Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter operations, concluding a service life marked by persistent reliability challenges. The retirement, marked by a Darwin farewell, clears the way for the Boeing AH-64E Apache to become Australia’s principal attack helicopter.
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Qantas will begin nonstop flights between Sydney and New York JFK in mid-2028, using Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft under its Project Sunrise program. The roughly 18-hour service will become the first commercial nonstop connection between Australia and New York and the program’s second route.
SWISS is assessing alternatives for five Airbus A220-300s operated under a wet-lease agreement with financially troubled airBaltic. The Latvian carrier’s crisis could affect SWISS capacity planning, while Lufthansa Group’s 10% stake in airBaltic adds a corporate dimension to the fleet decision.
India has spent years lobbying Airbus and Boeing to establish final assembly lines in the country, seeking to replicate China’s aviation-industrial progress. But persistent weakness across its airline sector—and concerns about the Directorate General of Civil Aviation—continue to give both manufacturers reasons to hold back.
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