Reuters
• Sergio Goncalves
Airbus plans to submit an unsolicited proposal in late October or early November for Portugal’s replacement fighter requirement, positioning the European-built Eurofighter Typhoon against Lockheed Martin’s F-35. Airbus argues the Typhoon is better suited to Lisbon’s needs as Portugal prepares to retire its aging F-16 fleet.
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Airbus plans to submit an unsolicited proposal in late October or early November for Portugal’s replacement fighter requirement, positioning the European-built Eurofighter Typhoon against Lockheed Martin’s F-35. Airbus argues the Typhoon is better suited to Lisbon’s needs as Portugal prepares to retire its aging F-16 fleet.
High activity
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.
High activity
United Airlines has taken delivery of the first Airbus A321XLR equipped with Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G GTF Advantage engines. The latest GTF standard is designed to improve durability and deliver up to twice the time on wing of earlier variants, addressing the reliability and removal issues that have challenged the program.
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.
High activity
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.
High activity
Airbus will spend more than $200 million to convert its disused A380 wing production facility in Broughton, Wales, into a dedicated A321 line. The investment repurposes superjumbo-era infrastructure as Airbus expands narrowbody capacity and works toward an A321 production rate of 75 aircraft per month.
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