After completing the installation across its Boeing 777 fleet in July 2025, Qatar Airways swiftly upgraded its Airbus A350s. The airline completed the entire A350 upgrade in December 2025 within an 'record-breaking' eight months.
AeroTime reports that IndiGo has welcomed its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft, becoming India's first operator of this type. The airline ordered 69 more A321XLRs from Airbus as part of its successive mega-orders.
France has conducted a series of experimental trials assessing the feasibility of releasing drones from an Airbus A400M, using inert mock-ups and manual releases. The campaign was led by the French defense procurement agency, Direction générale de l'armement (DGA), in collaboration with DGA Techniques aérospatiales (DGA TA) and DGA Essais en vol (DGA EV).
STARLUX Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, marking a significant milestone for the Taiwan-based carrier. The new widebody jet features a unique 'carbon-fiber motif' and will initially operate on routes within Asia to build operational experience.
Airbus is poised to surpass its revised delivery goal for 2025, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter. The company delivered 793 aircraft last year, exceeding its target of around 790.
Airbus is retiring its BelugaST cargo fleet, with five aircraft set to be permanently retired. The company is exploring museum and educational placements, primarily in Europe, though no final decisions have been announced.
Thai Airways has welcomed its first Airbus A321neo aircraft, marking the beginning of a significant fleet expansion for Thailand's flag carrier. The airline plans to operate the A321neo on regional routes across its Asia-Pacific network.
Air China has signed an agreement with Airbus to purchase 60 A320neo family aircraft valued at approximately $9.5 billion. The order supports fleet renewal and capacity growth while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Airbus has secured a firm order for 30 A320neo aircraft from long-time partner China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited (CALC). The deal includes a conversion clause, allowing CALC to switch to other variants of the Airbus A320 family aircraft.
The Spanish Air and Space Force has selected Turkish Aerospace Industries to purchase 30 Hürjet advanced jet trainers, worth $3 billion (€2.6 billion). Airbus will lead the development and implementation of the new combat Integrated Training System (ITS-C), replacing the current F-5 aircraft fleet.
Breaking Defense reports that NATO allies have rejected US President Donald Trump's proposed peace deal with Russia, citing its favoring of Moscow's interests. Meanwhile, a dispute between French firm Dassault and Airbus over the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project has raised concerns about the effectiveness of European defense cooperation.
Airbus has confirmed an order from the Spanish Ministry of Defense for 18 Airbus C295 transport aircraft that will replace the country's CN235 and C212 fleets. The agreement includes comprehensive support for the C295 fleet at the Military Transport School, which will cover aircraft maintenance, material management, and training center operations until December 2032.
Malaysia Airlines has welcomed its ninth Airbus A330neo aircraft, which touched down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on December 21, 2025. The aircraft will be deployed on routes including Bali, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, and Tokyo as the airline works toward operating the youngest widebody fleet into Australasia by Q1 2026.
Rise Air has become the first Canadian operator of the ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, marking a significant upgrade for the charter carrier. The airline received its first delivery in [insert date] and plans to expand its fleet with two more brand-new aircraft under lease in 2026.
Philippine Airlines has received its first Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the airline's fleet modernization and global expansion strategy. The delivery was made by Airbus, with whom PAL has partnered for over 40 years.
AeroTime reports that aircraft leasing has grown significantly over the last five decades, driven by airlines' need for capital-light models, access to fuel-efficient aircraft, and simplified cross-border financing. However, this structural shift has introduced new challenges, including technical risk, which can be mitigated through engineering-led oversight.
Spain has agreed to purchase 100 Airbus helicopters worth an estimated €4.5 billion, including 50 new H145M aircraft for its army. The order is part of a national helicopter plan aimed at modernizing local defense assets.
Magnifica Air, a new premium scheduled airline launching in the US in 2027, has revealed details of its future operation and value proposition. The airline will operate Airbus A220 and A321 aircraft with Comlux outfitted cabins.
Spain has formalized four contracts for 100 Airbus helicopters under the National Helicopter Plan announced in May 2025. The deal covers four different models intended for all three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (AeroTime) has published an Airworthiness Directive (AD) proposal for Airbus A320 family-aircraft affected by a faulty panel flaw. The directive requires one-time general visual inspections and full panel thickness measurements within six months of the effective date.
The German Navy has welcomed its first NH90 Sea Tiger helicopter delivery at Nordholz air station, marking a significant upgrade in anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capability. Airbus Helicopters handed over the aircraft on behalf of joint venture NH Industries (NHI), manufacturer of the rotorcraft.
France and Spain reaffirmed their commitment to the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, citing renewed cooperation and shared goals for European strategic autonomy. However, Germany declined to comment on the meeting, fueling concerns over the program's progress and potential industry disputes.
Airbus has completed a new phase of trials for its fello'fly project, which uses migrating geese as a source of inspiration for flight innovation. The trial involved eight flights over the North Atlantic Ocean and aimed to show that wake energy retrieval is a feasible and safe method to guide two aircraft to meet at a precise time and place.
The Spanish navy has outlined plans for a second batch of NH90 helicopters, which are expected to feature modern modifications including a French electro-optical targeting system. The new aircraft will be tailored to a special forces design and deliveries are planned between 2030 and 2032.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury has expressed confidence in the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) despite ongoing tensions with Dassault Aviation. The program, launched in 2017, aims to deliver a 'system of systems' centered on a next-generation fighter, supported by collaborative drones and a networked combat cloud.