Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) News

Reuters

Aerospace suppliers revisit obsolete turbine coatings as rare-earth shortages deepen China dependence concerns

Rare-earth supply disruptions linked to US-China tensions are prompting aerospace suppliers to test decades-old turbine coating formulas once considered obsolete. The effort highlights how dependence on China, the dominant producer of critical minerals, is forcing manufacturers to reassess materials, performance tradeoffs and supply-chain resilience.

FlightGlobal

High activity

Airbus expands Broughton A321neo wing production ahead of XLR convergence

Airbus is converting its former A380 wing facility at Broughton, UK, into an additional A321neo production line and installing new jigs as it increases single-aisle wing capacity. The move supports the airframer’s ramp-up ambitions and anticipates design convergence across the A321neo family, including the XLR.

AeroTime

EU-funded study weighs An-124 modernization against a new European strategic airlifter

An EU-funded study identifies two options for addressing Europe’s projected heavy-airlift shortfall: modernizing the Antonov An-124 or developing a new European aircraft to replace the capability associated with the C-17. The alternatives frame a long-term decision on strategic transport independence and industrial investment.

AeroTime

High activity

Aeroflot orders 90 more MC-21-310s, expanding planned Russian-built fleet to 108

Aeroflot has signed a contract with United Aircraft Corp. for 90 additional Yakovlev MC-21-310 narrowbodies, bringing its firm orders for the Russian-built jet to 108. Deliveries of the latest batch are scheduled for 2029–2032, reinforcing the program’s role in Russia’s import-substitution strategy.

Air Data News

High activity

Malaysia Airlines nears order for around 10 Boeing 787-10s to replace leased A350s

Malaysia Aviation Group is close to finalizing an order for approximately 10 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, according to people familiar with the negotiations. The deal would give Malaysia Airlines a new widebody type and replace its small fleet of leased Airbus A350-900s, nearly a decade after it retired its 777-200ERs.

Aviacionline

High activity

Aeroflot orders 90 more MC-21-310s, taking planned Russian fleet to 108

Aeroflot has ordered 90 additional MC-21-310 narrowbodies from United Aircraft Corp., expanding its planned Russian-built fleet to 108 aircraft. Deliveries of the latest batch are scheduled for 2029–2032, with the contract including simulators, crew training and 22 years of aftermarket support.

Air Data News

Rostec pushes first SJ-100 deliveries to Russian airlines into second half of 2027

Rostec has again delayed the SJ-100 program, with CEO Sergey Chemezov disclosing that Russian airlines will not receive the first production aircraft until at least the second half of 2027. The revised timetable replaces a plan to deliver 12 aircraft in 2026.

Leeham News

Boeing’s Spirit AeroSystems Reintegration Faces Contract and Execution Concerns

Recent signs indicate Boeing’s planned reintegration of Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas, may be encountering contract and execution problems. The developments raise questions about whether the supplier’s return to Boeing can proceed as smoothly and orderly as the aerospace manufacturer intended.