FlightGlobal
• Kerry Reals
Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air plans to add Heathrow frequencies as its fleet expands, with three Boeing 787-9s expected in the coming weeks and its first Airbus A321neo due before year-end. The deliveries will support the carrier’s initial network growth as aircraft availability increases.
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Airbus has secured a UK Ministry of Defence contract intended to increase RAF A400M Atlas availability by 30% through expanded maintenance and support. Separately, Kazakhstan’s second A400M has completed production and is undergoing final technical acceptance in Seville, without an air-refueling probe.
Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air plans to add Heathrow frequencies as its fleet expands, with three Boeing 787-9s expected in the coming weeks and its first Airbus A321neo due before year-end. The deliveries will support the carrier’s initial network growth as aircraft availability increases.
RwandAir plans to receive four additional A330-200s during the current financial year, supporting new long-haul destinations in Europe and the Far East. The Kigali-based carrier is also expanding partnerships as it grows its international network and broadens connecting traffic opportunities.
Stratolaunch will add a Boeing 777-200ER as its third air-launch platform for reusable Talon-A hypersonic test vehicles. The aircraft is expected to enter service after modifications in 2027, increasing the company’s stated flight-test capacity by 35% as demand for hypersonic testing grows.
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Ethiopian Airlines has placed a firm order for eight Boeing 777-8 Freighters and two current-generation 777Fs, becoming the first African airline to purchase the next-generation freighter. The deal expands a cargo fleet already centered on Boeing’s 777 freighter family and supports the carrier’s international network growth.
Air Austral will use two Boeing 737-800s operated by ASL Airlines France under an ACMI agreement from November 2026 through March 27, 2027. The temporary capacity will bridge the gap between the progressive retirement of Air Austral’s A220s and the arrival of its Airbus A320neos.
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FLYONE Armenia has finalized its first direct purchase from Airbus, ordering two A321neos powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines. The privately owned carrier will configure the aircraft with 239 seats as it expands from Yerevan across Europe, the Middle East and former Soviet states, where airport traffic has surpassed 5.6 million annual passengers.
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Deutsche Aircraft has opened the final assembly line for its D328eco regional turboprop at Leipzig/Halle Airport, moving the program from development toward serial production. The €100 million facility is designed to produce up to 48 aircraft per year and marks the return of complete commercial aircraft manufacturing to Germany after 25 years.
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