FlightGlobal
• Alfred Chua
Cathay Pacific and HK Express are set to receive 32 additional A320neo-family aircraft by the end of 2029, while Cathay Group has exercised rights for 11 A330-900s and three more A321neos. Separately, startup Magnifica Air ordered 10 ACJ220-300s for a planned 54-seat luxury cabin.
Airbus
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Airbus has clarified procedures for a jammed horizontal stabilizer after an Air France A321 descending toward Paris Charles de Gaulle was substantially mis-trimmed. The aircraft was trimmed in direct law rather than alternate law, according to the available account of the incident.
Airbus says it will build a large greenfield industrial facility in Toulouse dedicated to producing jet engine pylons. The announcement adds a new manufacturing site to the company’s industrial footprint, although no investment, capacity or schedule details were provided in the available report.
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Emirates has agreed to acquire six Airbus A380s it currently operates and leases from Lesha Bank, securing ownership of the aircraft as the leases expire. Two jets have already transferred; the remaining four are due to change hands by April 2028. Lesha added the aircraft to its portfolio through its acquisition of Amedeo Air Four Plus.
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Cathay Pacific and HK Express are set to receive 32 additional A320neo-family aircraft by the end of 2029, while Cathay Group has exercised rights for 11 A330-900s and three more A321neos. Separately, startup Magnifica Air ordered 10 ACJ220-300s for a planned 54-seat luxury cabin.
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Emirates says the aerospace industry should be prepared for China to challenge the Airbus-Boeing dominance of commercial aviation. The warning reflects China’s record of catching up and becoming a leading player in other industries, though the article provides no timeline or specific assessment of its aircraft programs.
An Airbus A350-1000ULR developed for Qantas flew from Melbourne to Toulouse in 24 hours and 24 minutes, covering 23,155 kilometers, according to the articles. The flight crossed three continents and two oceans and set a Guinness World Record for the longest flight by a commercial passenger aircraft.
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The French defense procurement agency has selected Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space to develop the IRIS ultra-high-resolution optical observation system. The satellites will replace three existing spacecraft, with improved imaging and faster access to collected imagery for French armed forces.
South Korea’s Trinity Airways plans to introduce the Airbus A330neo in the first quarter of 2027, according to a schedule reported by Commercial Aviation News. The report provides a timing milestone for the airline’s planned use of the widebody aircraft, but gives no further operational or fleet details.
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