Bloomberg
• Leen Al-Rashdan, Siddharth Philip
Airbus has resumed A330neo deliveries after a quality issue involving the widebody’s horizontal tail plane disrupted handovers for nearly three months. The problem was traced in part to a stray tool found in the tail section of an aircraft in production, prompting additional checks and a temporary slowdown in deliveries.
Airbus
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Riyadh Air released photos showing its first Airbus A321neo undergoing final assembly at Airbus’ Hamburg facility in Germany. The aircraft represents the Saudi startup’s forthcoming narrowbody fleet, adding a regional platform alongside its broader plans for long-haul growth and network development.
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Airbus has resumed A330neo deliveries after a quality issue involving the widebody’s horizontal tail plane disrupted handovers for nearly three months. The problem was traced in part to a stray tool found in the tail section of an aircraft in production, prompting additional checks and a temporary slowdown in deliveries.
Boeing produced more aircraft than Airbus in August, marking the first month since 2019 that it has surpassed its European rival. The result signals a potential shift in recent production trends, though the available data does not establish whether the change will persist.
European space executives are calling for policy changes to build a stronger and more profitable industrial base, while Airbus Defence and Space is partnering with Axelspace to broaden access to Earth-observation imagery. Separately, York Space Systems introduced a standardized smallsat platform designed for sustained very-low-Earth-orbit operations.
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Lufthansa Technik Philippines and Emirates have extended their base-maintenance agreement for the airline’s Airbus A380 fleet through 2030. Heavy checks will continue in Manila, while Emirates will become the launch customer for Lufthansa Technik’s planned Clark facility, adding maintenance capacity in Asia.
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ANA and Airbus have signed a comprehensive agreement to train the next generation of pilots for the ANA Group and partner airlines, including through an Airbus-led ab-initio program in Europe. Airbus Asia Training Centre is also adding an ALSIM Airliner simulator to support airline pilot training with Singapore Flying College.
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Airbus will add an A220 full-flight simulator at its Singapore training center in 2027, supporting operators including Qantas, Korean Air and Air Niugini. The facility is being established as more than 170 A220s await delivery in Asia-Pacific, including 150 aircraft ordered by AirAsia from 2028.
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United Airlines executive Patrick Quayle says the A321XLR’s operational range does not fully match Airbus’ advertised capability. Analysis using U.S. Department of Transportation data identifies which transatlantic markets appear viable, sharpening expectations for the aircraft’s network role and deployment economics.
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