All articles tagged with #airbus
China's COMAC C919 completed its first international commercial flight, Beijing to Ulaanbaatar, marking a milestone in Beijing's bid to challenge Boeing and Airbus. The jet is used by Air China but still relies on foreign engines and lacks broad regulatory certification, with production scale and after-sales support needing improvement to meet ambitious 2029 goals and broaden overseas sales.
Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kawasaki Heavy Industries to study a Japanese anti-submarine warfare variant of the Eurodrone, leveraging Japan’s observer status in the program. The collaboration would explore configurations and the integration of Japanese sensors and effectors, plus potential production and sustainment work shares, enabling sovereign operation if pursued. The Eurodrone, developed by Germany, France, Italy and Spain with India as an observer and OCCAR oversight, targets a 2029 first flight and a broad maritime mission profile including ASW.
Airbus and Qantas are pursuing 10,000-nautical-mile nonstop flights using the A350-1000ULR, adding a 20,000-liter fuel tank and a higher takeoff weight to enable ~22-hour routes such as Sydney–New York and London–Sydney; a first test flight occurred in June 2026 near Toulouse, with commercial service targeted for 2027, featuring a 238-seat cabin (140 economy, 40 premium economy, 52 business, 6 first-class) and a Wellbeing Zone for long-haul comfort.
German and Spanish FCAS leaders urge continued funding to preserve sixth-generation fighter expertise after Berlin and Paris dropped the fighter segment, warning that halting support would erode European capabilities; they advocate for a new multinational setup—potentially joining GCAP or an Airbus-led project—and keep the door open to partners like Saab, while Germany weighs options such as purchasing F-35s, GCAP membership, or a European-led program.
With FCAS dead, Germany is weighing three options to replace its next-gen fighter: buy additional F-35s as a bridge to a future capability, join an existing sixth-generation program (likely GCAP), or start a German-led program with Airbus; defense officials cited IP disputes with Dassault and diverging requirements as the key factors behind FCAS's demise.
Airbus unveiled the U145, an autonomous, uncrewed variant of the H145 aimed at high-volume cargo with a 2,600-pound payload and no cockpit. The company plans a late-2026 first flight with a safety pilot and an entry into service in early 2030s, targeting civil and military cargo roles including armed scouting and surveillance. Airbus is also exploring a drone mothership concept with MBDA and crewed–uncrewed teaming, leveraging the H145’s commonality to reduce costs while expanding Europe’s sovereign autonomous rotorcraft capabilities.
Boeing is studying increasing 737 output beyond the current 63 jets per month toward about 70, possibly near Airbus’s 75-jet target for 2027, a plan that would test the shared supply chain and airlines’ ability to absorb deliveries; the move is early-stage and may not be adopted.
A Brazilian father whose son died in the 2009 Air France Flight 447 crash says justice remains elusive even after Airbus and Air France were found guilty, as families continue seeking accountability and memory for the 228 victims.
A Paris Court of Appeal has convicted Air France and Airbus of involuntary manslaughter in the 2009 Rio‑Paris AF447 crash that killed 228 people, issuing €225,000 fines to each company and signaling accountability despite prior acquittals; both firms said they will appeal as families welcomed the ruling but noted no executives were charged.
A Paris appeals court found Air France and Airbus guilty of corporate manslaughter in connection with the 2009 AF447 crash that killed 228 people, imposing the maximum €225,000 fines on each company; the verdict closes a 17-year legal battle with families seeking recognition, while further appeals are anticipated and could prolong the case.
France's Paris Court of Appeal convicted Airbus and Air France of manslaughter in the 2009 AF447 crash that killed 228 people, ruling them solely responsible and ordering €225,000 per passenger; the penalties are largely symbolic as both companies plan to appeal the 2023 acquittal.
France’s Paris Appeals Court has found Air France and Airbus solely responsible for the 2009 AF447 crash that killed 228 people, after an eight‑week trial, and ordered the maximum fines of €225,000 for each company; Airbus said it would appeal. The verdict follows a decade-long search for the wreckage and black boxes and marks a rare acknowledgment of accountability in a major aviation disaster.
Italy has signed a roughly €1.4 billion contract with Airbus to acquire six A330 MRTT tankers to replace its KC-767 fleet, with the deal reportedly finalized in early 2026 (TED lists Apr 16, 2026; ARMAEREO cites Feb 23, 2026) and a program duration of about eight to ten years. This continues Italy’s long effort to modernize aerial refueling capability, with the MRTT offering both boom and hose‑and‑drogue refueling and transport; it remains unclear whether the standard MRTT or the MRTT+ variant will be used.
Italy’s defense ministry awarded Airbus a €1.4 billion contract to procure six A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport aircraft, a deal projected to run about ten years and which would make Italy the 19th nation to operate the tanker after previously pursuing Boeing’s KC-46 Pegasus; first delivery timing was not disclosed.
AirAsia ordered 150 Airbus A220-300 jets in the largest firm A220 order to date, making AirAsia a new customer and launch operator of a 160-seat cabin configuration with extra overwing exits. The aircraft will expand AirAsia's ASEAN and Central Asia routes while preserving low operating costs; Airbus notes 501 A220s delivered to 25 operators as of March 2026, with SAF use supported today and a goal of 100% SAF by 2030.