Skift
• Brian Quinn
Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster discusses the airline’s approach to artificial intelligence, loyalty and personalization, while arguing that people and customer experience remain central to its competitive differentiation. The interview highlights how carriers are balancing technology-led efficiency with the human element of premium travel.
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Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster discusses the airline’s approach to artificial intelligence, loyalty and personalization, while arguing that people and customer experience remain central to its competitive differentiation. The interview highlights how carriers are balancing technology-led efficiency with the human element of premium travel.
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise CEO Firoz Tarapore discusses the company’s strategy to become a top-tier global aircraft lessor through acquisitions, while expanding its maintenance, repair and overhaul business as a complementary growth platform.
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Farnborough coverage underscored Europe’s widening defense commitments: the UK allocated £8.6 billion to GCAP and released £8.4 billion in existing Dreadnought submarine funding, while the EU approved €3.47 billion for Ukrainian military hardware. New autonomous aircraft and sovereign-production plans highlighted the industrial implications.
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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.
InterGlobe Aviation has appointed Kiran Thadimarri as IndiGo’s chief financial officer, effective July 28, replacing Gaurav Negi, who will move to an advisory role. The shift aligns with the expected arrival of Willie Walsh as next CEO in the first week of August following a government security clearance.
Eric Fanning, chief of the Aerospace Industries Association, discusses how aerospace suppliers and manufacturers view Congress’ continuing resolution plans currently advancing through lawmakers. The comments focus on what a potential stopgap could mean for program stability, contracting timelines, and near-term planning for the defense and aerospace industrial base.
Radia CEO Mark Lundstrom says the company’s four‑engined WindRunner concept is being positioned as an “off‑the‑shelf” platform to move the world’s biggest cargo to the hardest-to-reach places. Lundstrom outlined the strategy in remarks to LNA during the show.
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