ch-aviation
• Hilka Birns
Flydubai plans to begin dedicated freighter operations on Oct. 1, 2026, using three wet-leased Boeing 737-800 freighters from Solitair, each offering a 23,000-kilogram payload. The Dubai-based carrier expects to add passenger-to-freighter conversions from 2029 and expand cargo capacity alongside its future 787 fleet.
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Flydubai plans to begin dedicated freighter operations on Oct. 1, 2026, using three wet-leased Boeing 737-800 freighters from Solitair, each offering a 23,000-kilogram payload. The Dubai-based carrier expects to add passenger-to-freighter conversions from 2029 and expand cargo capacity alongside its future 787 fleet.
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Boeing recorded 15 net commercial aircraft orders and delivered 51 jets in August 2026. Its latest market analysis says financing for elevated delivery volumes is increasingly moving toward bank debt and leasing companies, while forecasting 43,625 commercial aircraft deliveries globally between 2026 and 2045.
IndiGo plans to expand its fleet to 550 aircraft by fiscal 2030 while increasing the share it owns to 30–40%, with the balance remaining under operating leases. The strategy would give India’s largest airline greater control over fleet assets while retaining leasing flexibility.
JetBlue Airways has raised its third-quarter revenue guidance while reducing planned capacity growth, signaling a more cautious near-term operating plan. The carrier is also still seeking a buyer for the first of its two Airbus A321XLR aircraft, highlighting ongoing adjustments to its fleet strategy.
Latvian carrier airBaltic is seeking approval for up to €257 million ($300 million) in emergency financing at a 25% annual interest rate. The funding is intended to provide liquidity while the airline undertakes a major operational restructuring.
easyJet is preparing to defend a $72 million High Court claim brought by liquidators of STLC Europe Eight Leasing, the insolvent Irish arm of Russia’s state-owned GTLK. The dispute concerns six A319-100s whose leases easyJet terminated in 2022 after the lessor was placed under EU sanctions.
Singapore sovereign investor Temasek is joining Adani Enterprises’ $1 billion fundraising for its airports unit, creating a strategically priced counterweight to its exposure to Air India, now owned by Tata Group. The investment offers participation in India’s airport growth while diversifying aviation-sector risk.
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BOC Aviation will acquire 12 Airbus A320neos for long-term lease to Avianca, with CFM LEAP-1A engines and deliveries scheduled for 2029. Separately, EgyptAir subsidiary Air Cairo placed a firm order for 15 A320neos, expanding its fleet through direct ownership as it pursues regional growth.
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