European Spaceflight
• Andrew Parsonson
ArianeGroup has completed a wet dress rehearsal of its Themis reusable booster demonstrator at Esrange Space Centre in Sweden. The milestone advances ground verification for the program’s reusable propulsion and launch-system integration, paving the way for subsequent test activity.
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Thomas Sleightholm FlyNow, developer of pilotless electric aircraft aimed at air taxi, logistics and emergency-response use, has officially relocated its global headquarters to Riyadh. The move signals a tighter operational footprint in Saudi Arabia for an eVTOL strategy that targets commercialization-ready applications.
High activity
ArianeGroup has completed a wet dress rehearsal of its Themis reusable booster demonstrator at Esrange Space Centre in Sweden. The milestone advances ground verification for the program’s reusable propulsion and launch-system integration, paving the way for subsequent test activity.
High activity
At Farnborough, the UK and EU reinforced next-generation defense spending alongside a visible shift toward uncrewed and autonomous concepts. The EU released an additional €3.47 billion for Ukraine hardware including Saab Gripen, while the UK committed £8.6 billion to GCAP and released £8.4 billion for Dreadnought CASD, as uncrewed CCA/wingmen and surveillance drones took center stage.
The Royal Australian Air Force is using its Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in the anti-submarine and anti-surface roles during current RIMPAC naval exercises. The activity gives the RAAF P-8A community its first experience with a newly introduced anti-ship capability.
High activity
Allegiant Air says it will roll out a new premium product, including first-class seating for the first time on select aircraft starting spring 2027, along with priority check-in/boarding and covered baggage. The airline will also add complimentary inflight beverages in advance of the seat rollout, beginning Aug. 1, 2026.
A coalition of global aviation industry groups has launched a joint runway incursion initiative aimed at improving runway safety. The program focuses on sharing tools—including risk assessment resources—across participating organizations to strengthen detection, prevention, and mitigation of runway incursions.
High activity
Airbus reported 351 commercial aircraft delivered in the first half of 2026, up from 306 in H1 2025, alongside a 15% increase in half-year revenues to €23.9 billion. The company reaffirmed its full-year target of 870 aircraft deliveries and guided to €7.5 billion adjusted EBIT and ~€4.5 billion free cash flow, citing stronger commercial output and defense gains.
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