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The Air Current • Will Guisbond

Boeing confirms China’s initial commitment for 200 aircraft—models and delivery timing unspecified

Boeing says China has committed to buying 200 aircraft following Donald Trump’s Beijing visit, a key step toward reopening a market Boeing has been absent from for nearly a decade. Trump’s announcement exceeds earlier expectations, but Boeing provided no aircraft mix or order timing detail.

2026-05-15T17:22:09.054506-07:00

AeroTime

Air India turnaround drags: SIA defends long-term investment despite $2.8B annual loss

2026-05-15T09:24:05.899861-07:00

The Points Guy

United to launch first-ever Sapporo service and add daily Chicago–Tokyo Narita flights for 2025/26 winter

2026-05-14T05:06:44.627510-07:00

FlightGlobal

SIA Group posts record $2.4B operating profit, targets capacity growth in 2H despite Middle East-linked headwinds

2026-05-15T00:23:07.818275-07:00

News Timeline

The Air Current

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Boeing confirms China’s initial commitment for 200 aircraft—models and delivery timing unspecified Boeing says China has committed to buying 200 aircraft following Donald Trump’s Beijing visit, a key step toward reopening a market Boeing has been absent from for nearly a decade. Trump’s announcement exceeds earlier expectations, but Boeing provided no aircraft mix or order timing detail.

2026-05-15T17:22:09.054506-07:00

Boeing confirms China’s initial commitment for 200 aircraft—models and delivery timing unspecified

AeroTime

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Air India turnaround drags: SIA defends long-term investment despite $2.8B annual loss Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong says Air India’s transformation is a “long game” even as Air India posted a $2.8 billion annual loss, with geopolitical airspace disruptions and currency moves cited as major external shocks. SIA again defended its ongoing investment amid mounting losses and operational challenges.

2026-05-15T09:24:05.899861-07:00

Air India turnaround drags: SIA defends long-term investment despite $2.8B annual loss

FlightGlobal

SIA Group posts record $2.4B operating profit, targets capacity growth in 2H despite Middle East-linked headwinds Singapore Airlines Group reported full-year operating profit up 39% to $2.4 billion on record revenue, citing stronger passenger yields and higher fuel efficiency. The group said it expects demand to “hold up” near term and will ramp up European capacity in 2H, while issuing further Northern Winter 2026/27 schedule changes.

2026-05-15T00:23:07.818275-07:00

SIA Group posts record $2.4B operating profit, targets capacity growth in 2H despite Middle East-linked headwinds

ch-aviation

Yeti Airlines accelerates its IPO plans in Nepal Nepal’s Yeti Airlines is pushing ahead with plans for an initial public offering (IPO). The update signals continued progress toward a public listing, with implications for the carrier’s ownership and capital-raising pathway.

2026-05-14T20:45:25.501350-07:00

Yeti Airlines accelerates its IPO plans in Nepal

ch-aviation

STARLUX returns to profit in Q1 2026 and maps funding, fleet monetization and route growth Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines swung back to profit in Q1 2026 as passenger and cargo demand strengthened. The carrier also announced plans to raise funds via a mid-2Q26 bond and share sale, while monetizing three new Airbus A330neo aircraft through asset sales and increasing Taipei Taoyuan–Busan service for July 2026.

2026-05-14T17:59:22.912449-07:00

STARLUX returns to profit in Q1 2026 and maps funding, fleet monetization and route growth

Air Data News

Thailand’s Gripen E/F: Saab begins assembling the first fighters in Linköping for RTAF F-16 replacement Royal Thai Air Force officials visited Saab in Sweden to review progress on Thailand’s Gripen E/F acquisition. Saab says production has started, with assembly of the first jet beginning at the company’s Linköping facility under the program aimed at replacing RTAF F-16 Block 15 aircraft.

2026-05-14T14:16:27.813591-07:00

Thailand’s Gripen E/F: Saab begins assembling the first fighters in Linköping for RTAF F-16 replacement

ch-aviation

Jet Aviation San Marino adds first ACJ220-100 to be based in Asia-Pacific Jet Aviation Business Jets (San Marino) has added the group’s first ACJ220-100, and the aircraft will be based in the Asia-Pacific region—the first time this type is anchored there for the operator. The move expands Jet Aviation’s ACJ220 footprint alongside growing demand for Airbus corporate jets in APAC.

2026-05-14T06:37:00.432700-07:00

Jet Aviation San Marino adds first ACJ220-100 to be based in Asia-Pacific

AeroTime

South Korea readies KF-21 operational rollout as F-5 retirements target end-2027; Malaysia MRCA race starts toward 2029–30 repla South Korea’s Air Force is preparing for KF-21 deployment while planning to retire its aging F-5 fleet by the end of 2027—though cost overruns could delay timelines. Separately, Malaysia is expected to assess a new MRCA program in 2029 or 2030 to replace its F/A-18D Hornets and Su-30MKM, setting up a competitive field including KF-21, Su-57E, Rafale and Gripen.

2026-05-14T05:47:09.534898-07:00

South Korea readies KF-21 operational rollout as F-5 retirements target end-2027; Malaysia MRCA race starts toward 2029–30 repla

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Asia-Pacific (APAC) News

Boeing confirms China’s initial commitment for 200 aircraft—models and delivery timing unspecified

Air India turnaround drags: SIA defends long-term investment despite $2.8B annual loss

United to launch first-ever Sapporo service and add daily Chicago–Tokyo Narita flights for 2025/26 winter

SIA Group posts record $2.4B operating profit, targets capacity growth in 2H despite Middle East-linked headwinds

News Timeline