AirInsight
• Ernest Arvai
COMAC has completed the first flight of the C919-600, a shortened, high-altitude derivative of its C919 narrowbody. The milestone advances a variant intended to address the performance and capacity requirements of operations from challenging, high-elevation airports.
Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)
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NATO has released detailed requirements to four pre-qualified bidders for a next-generation military rotorcraft program, moving the initiative into the concept design phase. The bidders have until Aug. 31 next year to respond to the request for proposals, setting the next major milestone for the multinational effort.
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India’s IndiGo will discontinue its widebody operations from Oct. 25 and end its ACMI agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways on Oct. 31, returning five Boeing 787-9s. The decision brings an early end to the budget carrier’s long-haul experiment after difficulties operating European routes.
COMAC has completed the first flight of the C919-600, a shortened, high-altitude derivative of its C919 narrowbody. The milestone advances a variant intended to address the performance and capacity requirements of operations from challenging, high-elevation airports.
Washington is seeking a major role in Ethiopia’s planned $12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport, reportedly tying U.S. participation in the project to Ethiopian Airlines’ purchase of additional Boeing aircraft. The linkage could shape the airport’s financing, industrial partnerships and the carrier’s future fleet strategy.
Leaders of the Boeing engineering and technical employees’ union have endorsed two company-proposed four-year employment contracts, signaling optimism in negotiations. The agreements would replace the union’s current contracts, which are scheduled to expire in October, if approved through the remaining bargaining process.
Epic Aircraft has secured EASA type certification for its E1000 AX, a single-engine turboprop designed to carry up to six passengers. The approval clears a key regulatory hurdle for the Bend, Oregon-based manufacturer as it seeks to expand the aircraft’s availability in the European market.
Leonardo’s aerostructures business reduced its losses in the first half of 2026 as manufacturing rates increased on the ATR and Boeing 787 programs. Ongoing restructuring also supported the improvement, bringing the unit closer to break-even while highlighting the importance of sustained production growth to its recovery.
Spain’s new Air and Space Force vision emphasizes AI, collaborative combat, missile defense and space dominance, while Spanish A330 MRTT forces participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026. Separately, A400M aircraft are demonstrating expanded utility as high-capacity wildfire retardant bombers in France and Spain.
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