Airbus News

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

A400M turns tanker: France deploys a military A400M firefighting “water bomber” in Gironde, dropping 20 tonnes of retardant

For the first time, a French Air Force A400M has been deployed to fight a wildland fire in Gironde, equipped with a special payload kit. The aircraft carried out retardant drops—20 tonnes per sortie—and trials of a tank-installed configuration were previously tested to adapt the cargo bay for firefighting operations.

18 Sources

2026-07-25T03:49:28.740659-07:00

The Air Current

Airbus CEO: Aircraft sales still hinge on U.S.-dollar pricing as Europe pushes sovereign defense

1 Source

2026-07-24T12:35:39.029895-07:00

AirInsight

Aerolíneas Argentinas commits to 20-strong fleet renewal (2027–2031)

9 Sources

2026-07-24T07:19:33.664558-07:00

AeroTime

Airbus Helicopters launches UK helicopter training academy, targeting 400 personnel annually

6 Sources

2026-07-24T06:04:42.307215-07:00

Airbus News Timeline

AeroTime

18 sources

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A400M turns tanker: France deploys a military A400M firefighting “water bomber” in Gironde, dropping 20 tonnes of retardant For the first time, a French Air Force A400M has been deployed to fight a wildland fire in Gironde, equipped with a special payload kit. The aircraft carried out retardant drops—20 tonnes per sortie—and trials of a tank-installed configuration were previously tested to adapt the cargo bay for firefighting operations.

2026-07-25T03:49:28.740659-07:00

A400M turns tanker: France deploys a military A400M firefighting “water bomber” in Gironde, dropping 20 tonnes of retardant

The Air Current

1 source

Airbus CEO: Aircraft sales still hinge on U.S.-dollar pricing as Europe pushes sovereign defense Airbus CEO said the company “reluctantly” accepts that the U.S. dollar remains the most effective currency for pricing and selling aircraft, even as Europe accelerates sovereign defense ambitions amid tense transatlantic relations.

2026-07-24T12:35:39.029895-07:00

Airbus CEO: Aircraft sales still hinge on U.S.-dollar pricing as Europe pushes sovereign defense

AirInsight

9 sources

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Aerolíneas Argentinas commits to 20-strong fleet renewal (2027–2031) Aerolíneas Argentinas says it will add 20 new aircraft between 2027 and 2031 under a self-financed 2027–2031 plan, the airline’s largest fleet renewal programme in more than a decade. The carrier is positioning the move as network modernization across short-, medium- and long-haul, with fleet renewals spanning Boeing and Airbus types.

2026-07-24T07:19:33.664558-07:00

Aerolíneas Argentinas commits to 20-strong fleet renewal (2027–2031)

AeroTime

6 sources

Airbus Helicopters launches UK helicopter training academy, targeting 400 personnel annually Airbus Helicopters has opened a dedicated training academy in the UK to centralize and deliver comprehensive technical training for helicopter operations. The program is designed to support workforce development—reportedly training 400 professionals per year—alongside police fleet modernization efforts that include additional H135 aircraft.

2026-07-24T06:04:42.307215-07:00

Airbus Helicopters launches UK helicopter training academy, targeting 400 personnel annually

FlightGlobal

1 source

MTU begins assembly of first pre-production 350kW fuel-cell stack for Flying Fuel Cell demonstrator, targeting ground tests at M MTU Aero Engines has started assembly of the first pre-production 350kW fuel-cell stack for its Flying Fuel Cell (FFC) programme. The demonstrator will undergo evaluations at MTU’s Munich site as the firm positions future collaboration with Airbus on the technology.

2026-07-24T03:49:33.246438-07:00

MTU begins assembly of first pre-production 350kW fuel-cell stack for Flying Fuel Cell demonstrator, targeting ground tests at M

AINonline

5 sources

Airbus-led LEIA and partner demonstrators advance hybrid-electric aircraft energy architectures toward certification Airbus’ LEIA project is progressing toward certification-ready hybrid-electric aircraft systems, building a new energy architecture with EU, UK and US partners; a first ground demonstration is targeted for 2027. Parallel work from GE Aerospace and Collins Aerospace validates hybrid-electric propulsion and energy-management subsystems via testbed and laboratory integration.

2026-07-24T02:50:40.477516-07:00

Airbus-led LEIA and partner demonstrators advance hybrid-electric aircraft energy architectures toward certification

AINonline

1 source

Airbus to advance hybrid-electric integration with LEIA Large Scale Integration Demonstrator at Farnborough Airbus says it is pursuing its hybrid-electric, non-propulsive energy architecture for next-generation commercial aircraft through LEIA (Large Scale Integration Demonstrator of Hybrid Electrical Architecture). The effort is being positioned as a large-scale hybrid electrical integration step, backed by partners across the EU, the UK and the US, with work announced in the Farnborough context.

2026-07-24T02:50:40.477516-07:00

Airbus to advance hybrid-electric integration with LEIA Large Scale Integration Demonstrator at Farnborough

FlightGlobal

1 source

Airbus unveils refreshed A380 livery for CFM International RISE open-fan flight testing Airbus has revealed a refreshed, modern color scheme for its A380, which will be used as the airborne test platform for CFM International’s RISE programme. The aircraft will support crucial onboard analysis of an open-fan powerplant during flight testing, starting with the updated appearance for the campaign.

2026-07-24T00:36:19.716238-07:00

Airbus unveils refreshed A380 livery for CFM International RISE open-fan flight testing