FlightGlobal
• David Kaminski-Morrow
Icelandair has signed a lease agreement with Aircastle for six Airbus A320neo aircraft, adding to its next-generation fleet renewal. The deliveries are slated to support summer 2028 operations as the airline accelerates its A320neo expansion through additional leased capacity.
Europe
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Icelandair has signed a lease agreement with Aircastle for six Airbus A320neo aircraft, adding to its next-generation fleet renewal. The deliveries are slated to support summer 2028 operations as the airline accelerates its A320neo expansion through additional leased capacity.
Poland’s first Italy-built F-35A—part of a 32-jet program—has completed its maiden test flight as deliveries continue. In parallel, Nigeria’s air force has completed factory acceptance tests on the first batch of three Leonardo M-346FAs at Venegono, Italy, after earlier delivery timing expected in 2025.
Spain will invest up to $2.3 billion in a national secure satellite broadband constellation, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said July 29. The system is intended to integrate into Europe’s IRIS2 multi-orbit network as part of Spain’s broader defense capability buildup.
Dassault has halted some Falcon Jet manufacturing activity after nearby fires closed or threatened sites near its Mérignac factory and related facilities. The company also moved certain “sensitive equipment” from other locations close to Bordeaux, underscoring how wildfire risk is propagating into European aerospace production.
The US Department of Transportation extended a deadline for action involving Irish carriers despite Aer Lingus urging the department to dismiss a filing from Airlines for America (A4A). Aer Lingus’ request to end the potential “Dublin cap” outcome did not succeed, prolonging regulatory uncertainty for carrier planning.
High activity
Portugal’s state investment company Parpública is selling a 44.9% minority stake in TAP Air Portugal as part of a reprivatization process. Lufthansa Group and Air France-KLM have both entered the race with formal, binding offers, positioning TAP to strengthen Lisbon’s hub and Europe–Latin America and trans-Atlantic routes.
Executives at Spain’s Plus Ultra have quit following a corruption probe, according to the report. The leadership departures add to uncertainty around the airline’s governance and oversight while investigations proceed.
LifeFlight has ordered four additional Leonardo AW139 helicopters to expand rotary-wing capacity. The UK National Police Air Service (NPAS) ordered two more Airbus H135s, bringing its renewal program to nine aircraft. Separately, The Helicopter Company booked eight additional Airbus H145s, and Davenport Aviation announced a Phoenix Police Department H145 order for enhanced operational readiness.
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