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• Jason Rainbow
Kepler Communications says its next-generation optical data relay network has entered commercial service for real-time space operations. Separately, Boeing delivered SES’s final three O3b mPOWER satellites, completing the initial 13-satellite medium Earth orbit constellation ahead of planned Falcon 9 launches later this month.
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Kepler Communications says its next-generation optical data relay network has entered commercial service for real-time space operations. Separately, Boeing delivered SES’s final three O3b mPOWER satellites, completing the initial 13-satellite medium Earth orbit constellation ahead of planned Falcon 9 launches later this month.
Ethiopian Airlines is nearing a deal to acquire as many as 10 long-haul Boeing freighters, according to industry sources. The potential order would support the carrier’s plans for a new African hub designed to strengthen its cargo network and compete more directly with Gulf carriers.
Vueling, IAG’s Barcelona-based low-cost carrier, is reportedly postponing the introduction of its new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft until the first half of 2027. The delay is tied to outstanding certification work for the aircraft’s seats, extending the timeline for fleet and capacity planning.
Spirit AeroSystems workers told Leeham News and Analysis that delays associated with “traveled work”—tasks completed outside their intended production position—are constraining 737 production. Reducing the backlog could improve manufacturing flow and support higher output across Boeing’s narrowbody supply chain.
Boeing says it is prepared to support the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation fighter program, though executive Steve Parker offered no timeline for the effort. The company’s position signals its intent to compete for a major future naval aviation requirement as the program advances.
Luxembourg’s Luxair plans to invest more than €1 billion ($1.2 billion) to replace its entire fleet by the mid-2030s, excluding aircraft already newly delivered. The renewal will center on Boeing’s 737 MAX family, marking a long-term commitment to the narrowbody platform as the airline reshapes its fleet.
SpiceJet has stopped operating its remaining Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, further shrinking an already constrained fleet as the Indian low-cost carrier contends with a prolonged financial crisis. With most of its aircraft on the ground, the decision adds pressure to the airline’s network and near-term capacity.
Boeing and the union representing engineers and technical workers in Washington and other states will resume contract negotiations on Sept. 8, the union said. The talks will be closely watched for their potential implications for labor costs, workforce stability and engineering support across Boeing’s operations.
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