Aviation Source
• Len Varley
IndiGo is evaluating future aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing for its next major fleet order, including models not yet launched. At the same time, the airline will end its Norse Atlantic ACMI-operated widebody services to Europe in October after geopolitical tensions disrupted its long-haul expansion.
Europe
Latest source-backed stories
Rocket Factory Augsburg found an issue with its launch vehicle during testing at the U.K.’s SaxaVord Spaceport, delaying the country’s first orbital rocket launch. The vehicle requires further investigation before the attempt can proceed, adding uncertainty to the schedule for Europe’s emerging commercial launch sector.
IndiGo is evaluating future aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing for its next major fleet order, including models not yet launched. At the same time, the airline will end its Norse Atlantic ACMI-operated widebody services to Europe in October after geopolitical tensions disrupted its long-haul expansion.
NATO has released detailed requirements to four pre-qualified bidders for a next-generation military rotorcraft program, moving the initiative into the concept design phase. The bidders have until Aug. 31 next year to respond to the request for proposals, setting the next major milestone for the multinational effort.
High activity
India’s IndiGo will discontinue its widebody operations from Oct. 25 and end its ACMI agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways on Oct. 31, returning five Boeing 787-9s. The decision brings an early end to the budget carrier’s long-haul experiment after difficulties operating European routes.
Epic Aircraft has secured EASA type certification for its E1000 AX, a single-engine turboprop designed to carry up to six passengers. The approval clears a key regulatory hurdle for the Bend, Oregon-based manufacturer as it seeks to expand the aircraft’s availability in the European market.
Spain has offered up to €1 billion in financial support to persuade the Thirty Meter Telescope project to relocate from its planned site in Hawaii to La Palma in the Canary Islands. The proposal adds a major financial incentive to the long-running contest over where the observatory will be built.
Avincis has surpassed 9,200 firefighting flight hours across Spain, Portugal and Italy, representing an increase of nearly 90% compared with the same period last year. The figures highlight a sharp rise in demand for aerial firefighting capacity across southern Europe.
Lufthansa Group will change the leadership of three airlines on Oct. 1, 2026. Edi Wolfensberger, currently Eurowings’ chief operating officer, will become CEO of Edelweiss, succeeding Bernd Bauer, while Michael Kirchner will take over as chief executive of Lufthansa City Airlines.
Create a free account to see more recent Europe stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
