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FlightGlobal • David Kaminski-Morrow

Emirates completes first reconfigured two-class Airbus A380 retrofit with upper-deck Premium Economy

Emirates has brought back into service the first of 15 reconfigured two-class Airbus A380s, adding a Premium Economy cabin on the upper deck in a 2-3-2 layout. The retrofit removes 120 economy seats and installs 56 Premium Economy seats plus 18 additional business-class seats, reducing capacity from 615 to 569.

2026-05-20T03:24:11.490593-07:00

FlightGlobal

Airbus expands A330 MRTT tanker conversion capacity with a second Seville line for 2027 ramp-up

2026-05-19T23:10:34.642782-07:00

Aviation Source

JetBlue reintroduces “Blueprint II” livery on a new Airbus A220

2026-05-19T11:04:46.242515-07:00

Reuters

Airbus orders/cost squeeze: 10% non-industrial spending cut as engine shortages and delivery bottlenecks persist

2026-05-19T06:10:20.941565-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

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Emirates completes first reconfigured two-class Airbus A380 retrofit with upper-deck Premium Economy Emirates has brought back into service the first of 15 reconfigured two-class Airbus A380s, adding a Premium Economy cabin on the upper deck in a 2-3-2 layout. The retrofit removes 120 economy seats and installs 56 Premium Economy seats plus 18 additional business-class seats, reducing capacity from 615 to 569.

2026-05-20T03:24:11.490593-07:00

Emirates completes first reconfigured two-class Airbus A380 retrofit with upper-deck Premium Economy

Reuters

Airbus CEO: FCAS “connected systems” framework progressing despite Dassault core-fighter differences Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said the FCAS programme remains “working well” on the development of a connected-systems framework, even as he acknowledged ongoing differences with France’s Dassault Aviation over the core warplane. His comments point to continued momentum in the wider FCAS architecture beyond the lead airframe debate.

2026-05-20T02:10:40.436996-07:00

Airbus CEO: FCAS “connected systems” framework progressing despite Dassault core-fighter differences

FlightGlobal

Airbus expands A330 MRTT tanker conversion capacity with a second Seville line for 2027 ramp-up Airbus Defence and Space is adding a second A330 MRTT conversion line in Seville, complementing the existing facility at Getafe. The new centre is set to be operational in 2027 and is designed to increase annual A330 civil-to-military conversions from five to seven as customer demand rises.

2026-05-19T23:10:34.642782-07:00

Airbus expands A330 MRTT tanker conversion capacity with a second Seville line for 2027 ramp-up

ch-aviation

AirAsia X adds first A321-200NX(LR) long-range A321neo-family aircraft AirAsia X has added its first A321-200NX(LR), expanding the carrier’s long-range narrowbody capability as it continues to build out its Airbus single-aisle fleet. The move signals continued emphasis on long-haul network flexibility using an A321neo-family configuration.

2026-05-19T19:23:59.104798-07:00

AirAsia X adds first A321-200NX(LR) long-range A321neo-family aircraft

Aviation Source

JetBlue reintroduces “Blueprint II” livery on a new Airbus A220 JetBlue has unveiled “Blueprint II,” a refreshed version of its iconic see-through Blueprint branding, applied to a brand-new Airbus A220. The move signals a renewed focus on aircraft and brand visibility as the carrier continues to lean on its A220 fleet identity.

2026-05-19T11:04:46.242515-07:00

JetBlue reintroduces “Blueprint II” livery on a new Airbus A220

Breaking Defense

Italy signs for six Airbus A330 MRTT tankers to replace aging KC-767 fleet Italy has signed for six Airbus A330 MRTT tankers in a deal valued at €1,390 million, replacing the Italian Air Force’s aging KC-767 fleet of four aircraft. Tender documents indicate Rome was also considering the Boeing KC-46 in earlier plans before selecting the A330 MRTT.

2026-05-19T09:10:26.446797-07:00

Italy signs for six Airbus A330 MRTT tankers to replace aging KC-767 fleet

Reuters

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Airbus orders/cost squeeze: 10% non-industrial spending cut as engine shortages and delivery bottlenecks persist Airbus is tightening corporate spending by 10% amid a supply chain crisis that is leaving aircraft stuck without engines and continuing to constrain global deliveries. The move follows a 52% drop in adjusted EBIT and pressure from deferred engine deliveries, even as Airbus keeps main assembly lines active.

2026-05-19T06:10:20.941565-07:00

Airbus orders/cost squeeze: 10% non-industrial spending cut as engine shortages and delivery bottlenecks persist

FlightGlobal

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Lufthansa Technik and Airbus to develop and certify AeroSHARK riblet film for the A330ceo wing and empennage Lufthansa Technik and Airbus will extend the AeroSHARK riblet film application on the Airbus A330ceo beyond the initial scope, targeting installation on the wing and horizontal/vertical stabilizers. The partners will develop and certify Lufthansa Technik’s AeroSHARK material for those primary aerodynamic surfaces.

2026-05-19T02:39:37.351082-07:00

Lufthansa Technik and Airbus to develop and certify AeroSHARK riblet film for the A330ceo wing and empennage

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Airbus News

Emirates completes first reconfigured two-class Airbus A380 retrofit with upper-deck Premium Economy

Airbus expands A330 MRTT tanker conversion capacity with a second Seville line for 2027 ramp-up

JetBlue reintroduces “Blueprint II” livery on a new Airbus A220

Airbus orders/cost squeeze: 10% non-industrial spending cut as engine shortages and delivery bottlenecks persist

News Timeline