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AeroTime • Stephen Pope

SriLankan Airlines ex-CEO Kapila Chandrasena found dead amid Airbus bribery investigation

Kapila Chandrasena, former CEO of SriLankan Airlines, was found dead while police said he was under investigation for allegedly taking a bribe linked to an Airbus aircraft purchase. The probe centers on a reported $16 million payment for 10 Airbus planes in a corruption case involving a $2.3 billion deal.

2026-05-08T16:19:34.351909-07:00

CNBC

Rocket Lab stock jumps after record Q1 revenue; Neutron momentum drives $30M HASTE hypersonic contract and Motiv Space robotics

2026-05-08T14:20:22.810713-07:00

Aviation Week

Riyadh Air expands U.S. footprint: files for foreign air carrier permit/exemption, joins IATA, and books two more aircraft for l

2026-05-07T08:09:00.273045-07:00

CNBC

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg to join Trump on China visit next week

2026-05-07T11:13:54.793070-07:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

SriLankan Airlines ex-CEO Kapila Chandrasena found dead amid Airbus bribery investigation Kapila Chandrasena, former CEO of SriLankan Airlines, was found dead while police said he was under investigation for allegedly taking a bribe linked to an Airbus aircraft purchase. The probe centers on a reported $16 million payment for 10 Airbus planes in a corruption case involving a $2.3 billion deal.

2026-05-08T16:19:34.351909-07:00

SriLankan Airlines ex-CEO Kapila Chandrasena found dead amid Airbus bribery investigation

CNBC

Rocket Lab stock jumps after record Q1 revenue; Neutron momentum drives $30M HASTE hypersonic contract and Motiv Space robotics Rocket Lab shares surged 34% in its best day ever after the company reported record quarterly revenue in Q1 2026 and momentum ahead of Neutron’s next steps. Rocket Lab also agreed to acquire Motiv Space Systems to deepen space robotics and won a $30 million Anduril contract for multiple hypersonic HASTE test flights.

2026-05-08T14:20:22.810713-07:00

Rocket Lab stock jumps after record Q1 revenue; Neutron momentum drives $30M HASTE hypersonic contract and Motiv Space robotics

ch-aviation

Turkish Airlines weighs new narrowbody Airbus A220s vs Embraer E2s in fleet procurement Turkish Airlines is reported to be returning to the market for new-build narrowbodies, with decisions framed around either Airbus A220 family aircraft or Embraer E2s. The selection will shape near-term fleet planning, delivery timing, and OEM supply leverage for the carrier’s next aircraft wave.

2026-05-07T20:51:31.983441-07:00

Turkish Airlines weighs new narrowbody Airbus A220s vs Embraer E2s in fleet procurement

CNBC

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Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg to join Trump on China visit next week Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is expected to travel with President Donald Trump to China next week, a source familiar with the plan told CNBC. The move underscores Boeing’s push to advance its China commercial strategy amid high-stakes U.S.-China engagement.

2026-05-07T11:13:54.793070-07:00

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg to join Trump on China visit next week

Aviation Week

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Riyadh Air expands U.S. footprint: files for foreign air carrier permit/exemption, joins IATA, and books two more aircraft for l Riyadh Air has filed with the US Department of Transportation for a foreign air carrier permit and an exemption authority to operate scheduled and charter passenger, cargo, and mail between Saudi Arabia and the United States. The airline also joined IATA and says it will take two additional aircraft later in 2025.

2026-05-07T08:09:00.273045-07:00

Riyadh Air expands U.S. footprint: files for foreign air carrier permit/exemption, joins IATA, and books two more aircraft for l

SpaceNews.com

Starfighters hires ex–Blue Origin New Glenn managers to speed air-launch flight demos Starfighters Space has brought on two former Blue Origin New Glenn managers to support its air-launch system as it pushes toward flight demonstrations and an operational launch cadence. The hires signal an acceleration push on execution talent for an air-launched approach to reaching orbit.

2026-05-07T05:33:56.952620-07:00

Starfighters hires ex–Blue Origin New Glenn managers to speed air-launch flight demos

Aviation Week

Departing Leonardo CEO Cingolani presses for continuity as new leadership takes over Roberto Cingolani, Leonardo’s departing CEO, told shareholders and the incoming management team to largely stay the course on the company’s transformation, warning that deviating from the current plan could harm the Italian aerospace and defence group’s future prospects.

2026-05-06T14:00:09.232094-07:00

Departing Leonardo CEO Cingolani presses for continuity as new leadership takes over

investors.lockheedmartin.com

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics leadership change: O.J. Sanchez to succeed Greg Ulmer Lockheed Martin says Greg Ulmer will retire as president of its Aeronautics division, with Skunk Works general manager O.J. (Orlando “OJ”) Sanchez tapped as his successor. The transition is expected to maintain continuity on the F-35 enterprise while aligning day-to-day execution with Skunk Works’ rapid prototyping model.

2026-05-06T07:18:23.643453-07:00

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics leadership change: O.J. Sanchez to succeed Greg Ulmer

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Leadership News

SriLankan Airlines ex-CEO Kapila Chandrasena found dead amid Airbus bribery investigation

Rocket Lab stock jumps after record Q1 revenue; Neutron momentum drives $30M HASTE hypersonic contract and Motiv Space robotics

Riyadh Air expands U.S. footprint: files for foreign air carrier permit/exemption, joins IATA, and books two more aircraft for l

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg to join Trump on China visit next week

News Timeline