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FlightGlobal • Murdo Morrison

Neptune Aviation takes delivery of first Airbus A319 for 2028 aerial firefighting tanker conversion

Neptune Aviation Services has received its first Airbus A319 configured for aerial firefighting, positioning the aircraft for a next-generation waterbomber programme. The jet is set to enter operational service for the 2028 wildfire season after an 18-month conversion and modification effort in the US.

2026-06-24T07:55:07.820126-07:00

Aviation Week

Airbus accelerates A220-500 “simple stretch” studies to target 150–180 seat demand while keeping Pratt & Whitney as sole engine

2026-06-24T04:58:48.658189-07:00

FlightGlobal

Spain takes first C295 SAR/MSA from Airbus Defence & Space, beginning CN-235 VIGMA replacement for Atlantic missions

2026-06-24T05:10:12.362920-07:00

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Sunclass Airlines retires its last Airbus A330-300

2026-06-24T02:27:51.788633-07:00

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FlightGlobal

Neptune Aviation takes delivery of first Airbus A319 for 2028 aerial firefighting tanker conversion Neptune Aviation Services has received its first Airbus A319 configured for aerial firefighting, positioning the aircraft for a next-generation waterbomber programme. The jet is set to enter operational service for the 2028 wildfire season after an 18-month conversion and modification effort in the US.

2026-06-24T07:55:07.820126-07:00

Neptune Aviation takes delivery of first Airbus A319 for 2028 aerial firefighting tanker conversion

ch-aviation

Air Austral swings back to profit; A320neo delivery pushed to late Q1 2027 Air Austral is reported to be back in the black, with the carrier’s fleet roadmap including an A320neo handover targeted for late first quarter 2027. The update lands amid ongoing A320neo delivery pressures that have already prompted Airbus to flag risk of further slippage for some 2027-2028 handovers.

2026-06-24T07:28:01.147451-07:00

Air Austral swings back to profit; A320neo delivery pushed to late Q1 2027

FlightGlobal

Spain takes first C295 SAR/MSA from Airbus Defence & Space, beginning CN-235 VIGMA replacement for Atlantic missions Airbus Defence & Space has delivered the first C295 configured for search-and-rescue (SAR) and maritime surveillance (MSA) to Spain’s Air and Space Force. The first of eight aircraft was handed over on 24 June 2026 and is slated for Wing 46 in the Canary Islands, kicking off replacement of the CN-235 VIGMA fleet.

2026-06-24T05:10:12.362920-07:00

Spain takes first C295 SAR/MSA from Airbus Defence & Space, beginning CN-235 VIGMA replacement for Atlantic missions

Aviation Week

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Airbus accelerates A220-500 “simple stretch” studies to target 150–180 seat demand while keeping Pratt & Whitney as sole engine Airbus is speeding up internal work on a stretched A220-500 variant as it weighs options for a larger A220 family. The airframer is examining a “simple stretch” concept, pledging to retain Pratt & Whitney as the programme’s sole engine supplier, and positioning the -500 for the 150–180 seat segment with an emphasis on economics and cabin comfort.

2026-06-24T04:58:48.658189-07:00

Airbus accelerates A220-500 “simple stretch” studies to target 150–180 seat demand while keeping Pratt & Whitney as sole engine

ch-aviation

Sunclass Airlines retires its last Airbus A330-300 Sunclass Airlines has retired the final Airbus A330-300 from its fleet, marking the end of the carrier’s A330 widebody operations. The move closes a chapter in the airline’s long-haul aircraft strategy and shifts capacity planning around its remaining fleet type(s).

2026-06-24T02:27:51.788633-07:00

Sunclass Airlines retires its last Airbus A330-300

ch-aviation

Israir takes delivery of first A330-200 ahead of New York–JFK service Israir has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-200 as it prepares to launch long-haul operations from Tel Aviv to New York’s JFK. The aircraft arrival signals the airline’s transition into wider international capacity and supports the start of its transatlantic network plan.

2026-06-24T01:07:14.348608-07:00

Israir takes delivery of first A330-200 ahead of New York–JFK service

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Airbus and Air Astana discuss joint Kazakhstan MRO offering for third parties Airbus and Air Astana are negotiating a joint maintenance project that would expand sustainment services to third parties, Airbus Europe president Johan Pélissier said. The talks focus on creating a shared MRO capability in Kazakhstan tied to Airbus’s broader maintenance ecosystem.

2026-06-24T00:27:19.658439-07:00

Airbus and Air Astana discuss joint Kazakhstan MRO offering for third parties

Air Data News

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American Airlines expands Airbus A319/A320 interior retrofit with more premium seats, larger storage and Starlink Wi‑Fi—while re American Airlines is rolling out a new interior configuration on its legacy Airbus A319 and A320 narrowbodies, adding more premium First Class seating with upgraded finishes, increased overhead bin capacity and Starlink Wi‑Fi. The retrofit also standardizes elevated cabin design elements, while introducing a SpaceFlex galley that affects crew amenities and layout.

2026-06-23T09:56:07.045325-07:00

American Airlines expands Airbus A319/A320 interior retrofit with more premium seats, larger storage and Starlink Wi‑Fi—while re

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Airbus News

Neptune Aviation takes delivery of first Airbus A319 for 2028 aerial firefighting tanker conversion

Airbus accelerates A220-500 “simple stretch” studies to target 150–180 seat demand while keeping Pratt & Whitney as sole engine

Spain takes first C295 SAR/MSA from Airbus Defence & Space, beginning CN-235 VIGMA replacement for Atlantic missions

Sunclass Airlines retires its last Airbus A330-300

News Timeline