Bloomberg
• Leen Al-Rashdan, Siddharth Philip
Airbus nearly halted A330neo deliveries for about three months after identifying a quality issue affecting the horizontal tailplane, with a stray tool found in one aircraft’s tail section. The manufacturer inspected or corrected affected aircraft and says deliveries have resumed, but some handovers will be delayed into 2026.
Airbus
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Azorra says it dismantled four Airbus A220s last year after determining that selling components made more economic sense than continuing to lease the aircraft. The decision was driven by an industrywide shortage of parts and demand from Delta Air Lines for A220 components.
Japanese satellite imagery provider Axelspace has agreed to supply Airbus Defence and Space with mid-resolution optical imagery. The companies will jointly develop and deliver satellite imagery solutions, combining Axelspace’s data with Airbus’s broader market reach and customer relationships.
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 nearly halted A330neo deliveries for about three months after identifying a quality issue affecting the horizontal tailplane, with a stray tool found in one aircraft’s tail section. The manufacturer inspected or corrected affected aircraft and says deliveries have resumed, but some handovers will be delayed into 2026.
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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