Breaking Defense reports on five stories that surprised the space world in 2025, including the ESA's new defense role, US loosening of counterspace ops rules, and a prize competition for SBI prototypes. The agency's billion-euro funding package signals a significant shift in its capabilities.
A five-year-old Colorado boy's keen eye for detail led him to discover an anomaly in the Southwest Airlines training manual. His mother shared his story on social media, catching the attention of Josh, a Southwest pilot who initiated a conversation about aviation.
Chaos erupted at Puerto Vallarta International Airport and Guadalajara International Airport following the death of a prominent cartel leader, prompting flight cancellations and warnings from airlines. Despite claims that the airports were unaffected, panicked scenes on social media suggest a broader security crisis in the area.
Fly7 Cargo has been operating its PC-12 NG aircraft since 2019, providing round-the-clock cargo flights for global logistics companies and freight forwarders. The company's services are designed for special missions organized at short notice, offering a unique value proposition in the cargo charter market.
Argentine low-cost carrier Flybondi has announced a landmark $1.7 billion aircraft order, committing to 15 Airbus A220-300s and 10 Boeing 737 MAX 10s, with options for additional aircraft. The order marks Flybondi's expansion strategy across Latin America and positions the airline as the first regional operator of the A220-300.
flydubai has officially launched its first direct service from Vilnius, Lithuania, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a significant expansion into the Baltic region. The airline's CEO, Jeyhun Efendi, cited higher market demand and improved product offerings as key factors in the successful launch.
flydubai has placed orders for 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft and 75 Boeing B737 MAX units, according to AeroTime. CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith outlined key factors behind these orders, citing the A321neo's ability to offer more seats and flight time compared to its competitors.
flydubai has ordered up to 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft, marking the airline's first Airbus purchase in history. The agreement complements flydubai's existing Boeing backlog and is seen as a key milestone in Dubai's economic and aviation development plans.
flydubai has reported a record revenue of AED 13.6 billion (US$ 3.7 billion) for 2025, with a 6% increase from the previous year. The airline carried 15.
flydubai has selected GE Aerospace's GEnx-1B engine to power its upcoming fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The deal includes spare engines and a long-term services agreement, covering two-thirds of all Boeing 787 aircraft currently in operation.
flydubai has signed a MoU with Boeing for 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with options for 75 more, during the Dubai Airshow 2025. The agreement is valued at around $13 billion and reinforces the airline's partnership with the US manufacturer as it accelerates its growth strategy.
flydubai has entered into a partnership with SpaceX to implement Starlink in-flight internet across its entire fleet starting from 2026. The airline will deploy high-speed, low-latency broadband internet on its Boeing 737 aircraft, enhancing the onboard experience for passengers.
FLYINGGROUP has built a fleet of five PC-24s in just two years, expanding its services to include this next-generation lightweight jet. With agents at eight European airports and an office in Dubai, the company offers exceptional customer experience.
flynas has signed an agreement with the Syrian General Authority to establish a new airline, flynas Syria, marking a step toward rebuilding Syria's civil aviation sector. The joint venture will be established as a 51-49 split between flynas and the Syrian authority.
FlySafair has welcomed a planned takeover by investment holding company Harith, assuring passengers and staff that operations will continue as usual. Harith views FlySafair as one of South Africa's most successful airlines, citing its proven model and strong management team.
A former Alaska Airlines pilot, Joseph David Emerson, will not serve additional prison time after a federal judge ruled on November 17, 2025. Emerson had attempted to disable a passenger jet's engines in October 2023 while experiencing a mental health crisis.
The US Department of Justice has arrested Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., a former fighter pilot instructor with over 24 years of service, on allegations that he provided unauthorized combat aircraft training to Chinese military aviators. According to prosecutors, Brown allegedly conspired from at least August 2023 with foreign nationals and US persons to provide such training, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
Skytron, a fly-by-wire aircraft designed by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Greg Mercer, aims to revolutionize general aviation with automation and reduced pilot workload. The aircraft features twin Rotax 916iS engines and is targeted at owner-pilots and professionals drawn to high-performance personal aircraft.
Four people were killed in an Epic E1000 turboprop crash at Steamboat Springs Airport, Colorado. The aircraft departed Kansas City's Charles B.
France and Germany are considering scaling back their involvement in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, according to a report from the Financial Times. The two governments may cancel the joint New Generation Fighter (NGF) component and focus on the 'combat cloud' architecture instead.