ch-aviation
• Daniel Martinez Garbuno
French all-business carrier La Compagnie plans to add a third A321LR in 2027 and its first A321XLR in 2028, potentially doubling its fleet. The airline is also launching nonstop Düsseldorf–New York Newark service next spring, expanding its transatlantic network beyond its existing operations.
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Qatar Airways plans to expand its fleet by 138 aircraft over the next five years, according to CEO Akbar Al Baker. The announcement signals a significant capacity and fleet-growth commitment by the Gulf carrier, with implications for future deliveries, financing and network expansion.
French all-business carrier La Compagnie plans to add a third A321LR in 2027 and its first A321XLR in 2028, potentially doubling its fleet. The airline is also launching nonstop Düsseldorf–New York Newark service next spring, expanding its transatlantic network beyond its existing operations.
Air Astana now expects to receive its delayed Boeing 787 aircraft beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026, extending the timeline for the Kazakhstan-based carrier’s widebody fleet plans. The revised delivery schedule could affect capacity planning, network growth and aircraft deployment decisions.
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Airbus sees no material softening in Asia-Pacific aircraft demand or deliveries, with the region expected to account for 45% of new jets. Fleet growth—not replacement—will dominate, as expanding middle classes and new city routes support sustained narrowbody demand over the next two decades.
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The U.S. Navy is moving multiple uncrewed and advanced-weapon concepts toward operational use: Boeing received a $562 million contract for three MQ-25A Stingrays, Castelion secured a potential $200 million Blackbeard production order, and Textron Aviation and Merlin unveiled a pilotless SkyCourier military resupply concept.
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Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves said intense competition among Gulf carriers is delaying the pass-through of higher jet-fuel costs to passengers, though fares could rise next year. He also cited Middle East conflict risks and a shortage of widebody aircraft as constraints on the airline’s expansion plans.
Embraer has unveiled the first C-390 Millennium in the colors of Uzbekistan’s Air and Air Defence Forces, marking the type’s entry into Central Asia. The aircraft appears to have originally been prepared for delivery to Brazil, suggesting a reassignment in the program’s customer pipeline.
Vietravel Airlines is poised to order 50 Airbus aircraft for delivery from 2029, including A220s and long-range A321XLRs. The fleet expansion would introduce Vietnam’s first A220s and significantly increase the airline’s capacity and network-planning options.
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