🎯Today's Aerospace Pulse
Updated 23m agoWhat's happening: Airbus posts record FY2025 revenue and backlog
Airbus delivered 793 commercial jets in FY2025 and generated €73.4 billion in revenue, a 6% year‑on‑year rise. The order backlog reached a record 8,754 aircraft and total order intake grew 19% to €123.3 billion.
Also developing:
- •RTX fast‑tracks XA103 engine for next‑gen F‑47 stealth fighter
- •Embraer and Northrop Grumman team up to add boom refueling to KC‑390 tanker
- •SpaceX to attempt rare downrange booster landing in the Bahamas on Starlink launch
- •NASA prepares 700,000‑gallon cryogenic propellant load for Artemis II SLS wet‑dress rehearsal
By the numbers: American Airlines and United Airlines inject $200M into Azul
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
Air Canada Suspends Service to Cuba Amid Fuel Shortage
Air Canada announced the suspension of all flights to Cuba after the island nation ran out of aviation fuel. The airline will operate empty southbound trips to bring roughly 3,000 stranded Canadians home, and may tanker extra fuel for return legs if needed. Cuba’s shortage follows the loss of Venezuelan oil supplies and recent U.S. tariff threats, prompting widespread rationing and resort closures. Service to four destinations is halted, with a tentative restart set for May 1 pending fuel availability.
By AirlineGeeks
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
British Airways Helicopters: A Pioneering Chapter in UK Rotary Aviation
British Airways Helicopters, originally formed as BEA Helicopters in 1964, operated scheduled passenger routes such as the iconic Penzance‑Isles of Scilly service and provided extensive offshore support for the burgeoning North Sea oil industry. Its fleet progressed from Sikorsky S‑61s...
By UK Aviation News
News•Feb 9, 2026
IMOD, Elbit Systems Sign Deal for CH-53K Helicopter Upgrades
Israel's Ministry of Defense signed a contract exceeding NIS 400 million ($130 million) with Elbit Systems to outfit 12 new CH‑53K “Pereh” helicopters with indigenous command‑and‑control, avionics, electronic‑warfare and DIRCM anti‑missile suites. The upgrades aim to improve flight operations in adverse environments and...
By Airforce Technology
News•Feb 9, 2026
Ukraine Seeks God Mode with New Control App for Drone War
Ukraine has deployed Mission Control, a digital command‑and‑control system that centralizes planning, execution, and reporting for every drone operation across the country. Integrated into the broader DELTA battlefield management ecosystem, the platform captures launch data, flight routes, and mission outcomes...
By Defense News
News•Feb 9, 2026
CMA CGM Group, Marlink, and Eutelsat Partnership
CMA CGM, Marlink, and Eutelsat have signed a multi‑year partnership to equip over 300 CMA CGM vessels with OneWeb LEO satellite connectivity. The rollout will be completed within nine months, using a hybrid LEO/GEO architecture via Marlink’s XChange NextGen edge...
By SatNews
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
The EU Is Under Pressure To Suspend Contentious Airline Deal With Qatar After Key Official Accepted Free Business Class Flights
European aviation unions and watchdogs are urging the EU to suspend its 2019 Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement with Qatar after evidence surfaced that senior Commission transport official Henrik Hololei accepted complimentary business‑class flights from Qatar Airways during negotiations. The deal...
By Paddleyourownkanoo
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
Air France Expands Service to U.S.
Air France announced a summer‑time expansion of its New York service, adding up to six daily flights between Paris and JFK and a second daily frequency to Newark from June through October. The carrier will tap its Delta joint‑venture partner for...
By AirlineGeeks
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
Interview with RFA CEO Indulis Kalnins
In this interview, Rocket Factory Augsburg CEO Prof. Dr. Indulis Kalnins reflects on his first nine months leading a young, international team and outlines the company’s focus on completing the Helix engine development, finalizing the RFA ONE first stage, and preparing the...
By Europe in Space (Substack)
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
APFA Board Issues No Confidence Vote in American CEO
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) voted unanimously to express no confidence in American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, marking the first such measure against an American Airlines chief. The union, representing 28,000 flight attendants, cited weak fourth‑quarter earnings, operational...
By AirlineGeeks
Social•Feb 9, 2026
Crew‑12 Launch Set for Feb 12 After Weather Delay
From NASA: NASA and SpaceX now are targeting no earlier 5:38 a.m. EST, Thursday, Feb. 12, for launch of the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Mission teams completed a weather review on Monday and elected to waive off a Wednesday, Feb. 11, launch opportunity due...
By Jeff Foust
Social•Feb 9, 2026
Proton Rocket Returns to Pad After Three Years
Proton rocket returned to launch pad this morning in preparation for its first flight in nearly three years on Thursday: https://t.co/DyHPm6OdhH https://t.co/KXqkCYSXcA
By Anatoly Zak
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
ESA Is Preparing to Announce Aeolus-2 Prime Contractor
The European Space Agency has cleared a €70 million award to launch Phase B2 of its Aeolus‑2 weather satellite programme and is set to announce the prime contractor. Aeolus‑2 will consist of two 2.5‑tonne satellites equipped with a Doppler wind lidar, delivering...
By European Spaceflight
Social•Feb 9, 2026
Japan Airlines Adds LEO Satellite Wi‑Fi to 787‑9 Fleet
Japan Airlines plans to bring LEO satellite-powered inflight connectivity to both existing and new Boeing 787-9s, as part of a broader plan to refresh the twinjets’ interiors. https://t.co/44fW9OnTt7
By Mary Kirby
Social•Feb 9, 2026
Meet 4477th Red Eagles Pilot Lt. Col. Zettel
Heads-up! An evening in conversation with a 4477th TES Red Eagles pilot, Lt. Col. Rob ‘Z-Man’ Zettel, - 18 April, RAF Museum Midlands, Cosford #avgeek https://t.co/1awlh7Yygx https://t.co/d5KaTTh4Xx
By Tim Robinson
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
MAX 8-200’s Fuel Burn Surprise, Backed by New Data
Recent Skailark data confirms that Boeing’s 737 MAX 8‑200 variant burns fuel per seat at a rate comparable to the Airbus A321neo, validating earlier US DOT findings that were based on a single operator. The new dataset expands coverage beyond Allegiant, incorporating...
By AirInsight
News•Feb 9, 2026
U.S. Army Taps RSGS for IFPC Inc 2 Air Defense Interceptor Program
Rafael Systems Global Sustainment has been awarded Phase 1 of the U.S. Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) Second Interceptor program, positioning its Iron Dome‑derived technology as a core element of the Army’s layered air‑defense strategy. The program will integrate the...
By Defense Update
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
Press Release: Air Cambodia Selects AirFi for Wireless Streaming IFE
Air Cambodia has partnered with AirFi to roll out a wireless streaming inflight entertainment (IFE) system across its Airbus A320 and ATR 72 fleet, launching on February 1. The browser‑based platform lets passengers use their own devices to stream movies,...
By Runway Girl Network
News•Feb 9, 2026
The Uncrewed Revolution: MQ-9B and Gambit Series Forge a Path to Regional Air Dominance
Uncrewed aerial systems are reshaping Middle Eastern warfare, highlighted by the 2024 Israel‑Iran conflict. General Atomics’ MQ‑9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian offers long‑endurance ISR and maritime surveillance, while its Gambit Series delivers modular, semi‑autonomous strike and combat capabilities. Together they provide a scalable...
By Breaking Defense
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
Nat Pieper Tackles the Tall Task of Fixing American’s Revenue Problems
American Airlines hired former oneworld CEO Nat Pieper as chief commercial officer to reverse a deep revenue slump. Pieper, with a background in finance, alliances and fleet strategy at Northwest, Delta and Alaska, faces the challenge of making the carrier...
By Cranky Flier
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
Cardiff Airport in Court over £205m Welsh Government Subsidy
Cardiff Airport faces a tribunal over a £205.2 million subsidy granted by the Welsh Labour Government in April 2025. Bristol Airport has filed the case, alleging the aid breaches competition law and unfairly diverts airlines and passengers. The subsidy, equivalent to...
By UK Aviation News
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
CAA Data Shows Most Complained About UK Airlines
UK Civil Aviation Authority data covering mid‑2024 to spring‑2025 shows over 43,000 airline complaints. Hungarian ULCC Wizz Air topped the list with more than 10,000 complaints, translating to roughly 900 complaints per million passengers and £1.5 million in compensation payouts. Air France...
By UK Aviation News
News•Feb 9, 2026
How a Tiny Plasma Device Could Reduce Drag and Make Future Aircraft Faster and Cleaner
University of Notre Dame researchers demonstrated that a thin plasma‑actuator strip can slash skin‑friction drag on aircraft surfaces. Laboratory tests showed up to an 80% reduction in turbulent drag on flat plates and a 44% cut on a half‑meter airfoil,...
By AIAA – Industry News (Aerospace)
News•Feb 9, 2026
Berlin Ready to Choose GCAP over Franco-German Project SCAF?
Berlin is weighing a switch from the Franco‑German Future Combat Air System (SCAF) to join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a move that would signal a major shift in European defence collaboration. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly raised the...
By Defence24 (Poland)
Social•Feb 9, 2026
Windracers Partners with HITRANS to Boost Remote Drone Deliveries
News from the UK's @Windracers as it announces MoU with Scotland's Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) to expand use of drone cargo deliveries to most remote regions of the UK #avgeek https://t.co/KpjvD28at5 https://t.co/7hDBSxpdfQ
By Tim Robinson
Social•Feb 9, 2026
Singapore Airshow Highlights: This Week’s Must‑See Moments
ICYMI: Missed out on all the news from the #SingaporeAirshow last week? Catch up with our round-up of the week's highlights #avgeek #aviation #aerospace https://t.co/jxkdVZJgSd https://t.co/OdNrk2NVVT
By Tim Robinson
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
Outlook 2026: The State of the Major eVTOL Projects
The eVTOL sector suffered a sharp contraction in 2025 as Lilium, Volocopter, Hyundai’s Supernal, Airbus’s CityAirbus, Textron’s Nexus and Overair all ceased development or shut down. Only China’s EHang EH216‑S achieved full certification, receiving a Type Certificate in 2023, a...
By Leeham News and Analysis
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
New Video Shows Ukrainian F-16 Scoring Gun Kill on Russian Drone
Ukrainian Air Force F‑16s have been captured on video using their M61 20 mm Vulcan cannon to shoot down a Russian Shahed (Geran‑2) drone, marking the clearest gun‑kill footage to date. The engagement highlights a broader shift toward gun‑based interceptions, which are...
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 8, 2026
Singapore Airshow 2026 – Indo-Pacific Strategic Realignments
The Singapore Airshow 2026 confirmed that drone‑centric forces are now the operational baseline across the Indo‑Pacific, highlighted by the RSAF’s rollout of Orbiter 4 and Hermes 900 UAVs. Indonesia abandoned the US F‑15EX program, opting for a mixed fleet anchored by 42...
By Defense Update
Blog•Feb 8, 2026
Boeing and Airbus in Line for Large Order From Saudia
Saudia Airlines is in early‑stage talks with Boeing and Airbus for a potential order of up to 150 aircraft, with Boeing likely supplying wide‑body jets and Airbus the A321neo single‑aisle family. The mix would include both passenger and cargo variants...
By UK Aviation News
Blog•Feb 8, 2026
Israel Scrambles Fighter Jets To Intercept Wizz Air Plane From London As Terror Alert Is Declared
Israeli fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a Wizz Air Airbus A321 en route from London to Tel Aviv after pilots reported a security situation. The alert was triggered when a passenger’s phone broadcast a private Wi‑Fi network labeled “Terrorist”...
By Paddleyourownkanoo
Blog•Feb 8, 2026
United Airlines Dangles Immediate Pay Rises to Push Flight Attendants Toward Controversial Scheduling System
United Airlines is offering flight attendants an immediate pay increase if they agree to a Preferential Bidding System (PBS) in a new contract. The airline argues PBS will streamline scheduling, cut administrative costs, and free up funds for higher wages....
By Paddleyourownkanoo
Social•Feb 8, 2026
Leadership, Amanah, and Teamwork: Turning a Struggling Airline Around
In this Part 2 of bbaviation7’s exclusive interview with former Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) group MD, Datuk Captain Izham Ismail reflects on the moment he was asked to take over the helm of a struggling national carrier and the weight...
By Bilqis Bahari
Social•Feb 8, 2026
Singapore Hosts Asia Pacific's First B777X Full Simulator
Do you know Asia Pacific finally has a B777X full flight simulator and it’s located in Singapore? CAE has announced the installation of the Boeing 777X full flight simulator at the Singapore-CAE Flight Training centre, making it the first B777X simulator...
By Bilqis Bahari
Blog•Feb 7, 2026
OHB Establishes European Moonport Company
German space contractor OHB announced the launch of Luna Europa – the European Moonport Company – to centralise its lunar‑related activities. The subsidiary, founded in May 2025 and disclosed on 4 February 2026, will coordinate work on ESA’s Argonaut lander, the ESPRIT...
By European Spaceflight
Blog•Feb 7, 2026
UK Reinforces RAF Akrotiri With Deployment of Six F-35Bs
The United Kingdom moved six F‑35B Lightning jets from RAF Marham to RAF Akrotiri, escorted by two Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft, to reinforce the base’s defensive posture amid heightened Middle‑East tensions. Akrotiri already hosts ten Typhoon FGR4s, ISR platforms and U.S. U‑2 assets,...
By The Aviationist
Blog•Feb 7, 2026
AerCap Grows Its Portfolio, but Without New Direct Orders
AerCap expanded its order book by 103 aircraft in FY25, but all were secured through indirect transactions rather than direct purchases from Airbus or Boeing. The bulk of the new orders stem from the Spirit Airlines Chapter 11 restructuring and...
By AirInsight
Blog•Feb 7, 2026
Elbit Is Working on an Electronic Warfare, ISR Variant of C-390 Millenium
Elbit Systems displayed a concept version of Embraer’s C‑390 Millennium configured for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) at the Singapore Airshow. The model incorporates an EO/IR ball turret, a chin‑mounted MS‑110 multispectral pod and wing‑tip electronic‑warfare pods....
By The Aviationist
Blog•Feb 7, 2026
Airlink Scales Up Service to Zambia
South African carrier Airlink will boost service between Johannesburg and Ndola, Zambia, adding a second daily flight on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting March 30, 2026. The new schedule includes overnight aircraft in Ndola, enabling early‑morning departures to Johannesburg on...
By AirlineGeeks
Blog•Feb 7, 2026
British Airways Rolling Out New Electronic Meal Ordering System In Club World But The Reason Is Baffling
British Airways is set to launch an iPhone‑based meal ordering app, iOrder, for its Club World business class cabin. The airline says the system will give real‑time data on passenger preferences, helping to align meal loading ratios with demand and...
By Paddleyourownkanoo
News•Feb 6, 2026
Defense Watch: MQ-25 Taxiing, Harpoon Testing, Machina Raise, TNT Awards
The Defense Watch roundup spotlights several pivotal milestones: HII’s Newport News division completed builder’s sea trials of the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN‑79) with delivery now targeted for March 2027; Boeing’s MQ‑25A Stingray unmanned tanker performed its first low‑speed taxi; the Navy concluded...
By Defense Daily
News•Feb 6, 2026
US Marine Designs Corps’ First NDAA-Compliant 3D-Printed Drone
The U.S. Marine Corps unveiled HANX, its first 3D‑printed first‑person view drone that meets National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) security requirements. Developed by Sgt. Henry David Volpe at the II Marine Expeditionary Force Innovation Campus, the drone is approved by...
By Defense News
News•Feb 6, 2026
Josh Ogden Thinks Canada’s Drone Industry Can Gain some Altitude
Josh Ogden, CEO of AVSS, warns that Canada’s drone sector has dwindled to fewer than 20 manufacturers that merely assemble foreign components rather than develop core technology. He points to historic successes like Aeryon Labs, many of which were acquired...
By BetaKit (Canada)
News•Feb 6, 2026
DRMC Airmen Support Certification of Instrument Landing Systems
Air Forces Central’s Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (DRMC) Airmen finalized the commissioning and FAA flight inspection of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s instrument landing system (ILS) glide slope in the U.S. Central Command area on Jan. 29, 2026. The effort involved adjusting...
By U.S. Air Force – RSS (Top Stories)
News•Feb 6, 2026
DRMC Airmen Support Certification of Instrument Landing Systems
U.S. Air Forces Central’s Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (DRMC) Airmen completed the commissioning and flight‑inspection of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s instrument landing systems (ILS). The teams verified glide‑slope antenna heights and overall system performance, confirming compliance with safety standards...
By U.S. Space Force – News (All Entries)
News•Feb 6, 2026
Airbus, DSTA Demonstrate HTeaming with Flexrotor and H225M
Airbus and Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) completed the first flight demonstration of HTeaming, integrating the Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system with an H225M Super Puma helicopter. The trial, conducted in January at a Singapore airbase, showcased real‑time data...
By Airforce Technology
News•Feb 6, 2026
Shield AI, ST Engineering Join Forces on Fine-Tuning Drone Swarms
Shield AI and Singapore’s ST Engineering have signed a memorandum of understanding to embed Shield’s Hivemind AI autonomy software into ST’s manned‑unmanned‑teaming operating system (MUMTOS). The integration will allow a wide range of unmanned platforms—micro‑drones, surface vessels and ground robots—to...
By Defense News
Blog•Feb 6, 2026
Norse Discloses Unit Revenue Performance In January
Norse Atlantic Airways began publishing its total revenue per available seat kilometer (TRASK) for January, showing a 21% year‑on‑year increase. Passenger traffic rose 36% YoY to 151,237, while capacity (ASK) grew 23% and RPKs climbed 31%. ACMI operations surged, with...
By AirInsight
Blog•Feb 6, 2026
Press Release: LATAM Extends AeroSHARK Use Across 777-300ER Fleet
LATAM Airlines Group is expanding its use of AeroSHARK, a sharkskin-inspired drag‑reduction film developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF Coatings, to the entire ten‑aircraft Boeing 777‑300ER fleet. The rollout adds five more shipsets, bringing the total to ten, and aims...
By Runway Girl Network
Blog•Feb 6, 2026
Airbus’s Worst January in a Decade Raises Red Flags
Airbus recorded its lowest January deliveries in a decade, handing over just 19 aircraft to 15 customers in January 2026. This marks a sharp drop from the 35 deliveries in the same month last year and well below the decade‑average...
By AirInsight
Blog•Feb 6, 2026
Berlin Airport Grounds Flights For Second Day In A Row As Freezing Rain And Black Ice Cause Havoc
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) halted flights for a second consecutive day as freezing rain produced black ice on runways and taxiways. The German Weather Service issued a severe warning, citing life‑threatening slippery conditions that have already driven up hospital admissions....
By Paddleyourownkanoo