Spirit Reaches Deal to Exit Second Bankruptcy
Spirit Airlines has reached a tentative agreement with its creditors to emerge from its second Chapter 11 filing by late spring or early summer 2026. The restructuring plan promises a leaner cost base, a right‑sized fleet, higher aircraft utilization, and new premium offerings such as Spirit First and Premium Economy. Management says the carrier will exit bankruptcy as a stronger, more profitable ultra‑low‑cost competitor. No merger or sale has been confirmed, though talks with Frontier and Castlelake have occurred.
Lufthansa Advances 787-9 Allegris Bookings
Lufthansa has moved the opening of bookings for its Allegris business‑class seats on Boeing 787‑9 aircraft forward to March 29, ahead of the previously announced April 15 date. At least ten 787‑9s, nine already fitted with the premium Allegris cabin,...
Dublin Based ACIA Delivers Third ATR 72-600 to PNG Air
ACIA Aero Leasing has delivered a third ATR 72-600 turboprop to PNG Air, expanding the carrier's domestic fleet. The aircraft joins two earlier ATRs under a lease agreement, reinforcing PNG Air's three‑year strategic plan to modernise with a single‑type fleet....
Contour Sets Start Date For New EAS Route
Independent regional carrier Contour will launch Essential Air Service flights from South Arkansas Regional Airport in El Dorado to Dallas/Fort Worth on March 16. The airport, which lost scheduled service in November, will receive up to three daily nonstop flights with a varied...
Press Release: Gilat Receives $39 Million in Orders for Sidewinder ESA
Gilat Satellite Networks announced $39 million in orders for its Sidewinder electronically steered antenna (ESA) in‑flight connectivity terminals from a leading satellite operator, with deliveries slated over the next 12 months. The orders cover both line‑fit and retrofit installations, underscoring airlines'...
Seizing the High Ground: The Case for U.S. Leadership in Space Mining
The article argues that the United States must seize early leadership in space mining to secure economic, energy and geopolitical advantages as extraction technologies become viable. It highlights the trillion‑dollar profit potential of asteroid resources and the strategic value of...
Sustainable Spectrum Policy Dossier Updated for 2026
The Sustainable Spectrum Policy dossier has been refreshed for 2026, adding a new research note on space sustainability. It highlights the ESA Zero Debris Charter’s net‑zero target for 2030, the APRSAF “Nagoya Vision” on responsible space use, and IADC’s global...
Global Defence Spending Hits 2.63 Trillion Dollars
Global defence spending reached $2.63 trillion in 2025, a 2.5% year‑on‑year increase driven by heightened great‑power rivalry. The United States shifted its strategy toward homeland defence and burden‑sharing, proposing a multi‑layered “Golden Dome” missile shield while scaling back direct aid to...
Telespazio Awarded €20 Million Contract for Canary Islands Constellation
Telespazio Ibérica has secured a €20 million contract to build an Earth‑observation satellite constellation for the Canary Islands. While the original plan called for eight low‑Earth‑orbit satellites, the award covers three operational spacecraft and a technology demonstrator, each 20‑30 kg. The demonstrator...
3D Printed Pipe Embeds Heater And Sensor For Space
A European consortium has 3D‑printed a 150 mm spacecraft‑grade pipe in 316L stainless steel that embeds a 60 W resistive heater, internal wiring, a D‑sub connector, and an aerosol‑jet‑printed temperature sensor. The design‑for‑additive‑manufacturing approach eliminates separate Kapton heaters and fragile leads, aiming...
B-2 Spirit Flies with Adaptable Communications Suite 4.0
Sierra Nevada Corporation and Northrop Grumman have completed the first flight of a B‑2A Spirit equipped with the Adaptable Communications Suite (ACS) 4.0. The upgrade embeds a secure, open‑mission computing environment that plugs the bomber into the Combined Joint All‑Domain Command...
SCOTUS Rejects Boeing Appeal Regarding MAX Suit
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Boeing's appeal, allowing the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association lawsuit to continue in Texas appellate courts. The case alleges Boeing interfered with the union’s business and fraudulently induced pilots to operate the 737 MAX, seeking...
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Calling In Sick After Your Vacation? Union Says United Airlines Is Using Tech To Fire Flight Attendants [Roundup]
United Airlines has deployed an algorithmic system to identify flight attendants it deems to be abusing sick‑leave, flagging crew who fail to trade assigned trips or who call in sick after denied time‑off requests. The technology cross‑references scheduling disputes and...
4colors Research & Partners Secure Funding to Tackle Aircraft Loading with Quantum Computing
A consortium led by 4colors Research, together with Airbus, DNV, NQCC and ORCA Computing, has received an NQCC SparQ grant to develop a hybrid classical‑quantum solution for aircraft cargo loading. The project, titled “Quantum‑Accelerated Mixed‑Integer Optimisation for Aircraft Loading,” will...
Exit Row Seats Collapse Into Row Behind During Takeoff—Latest Safety Scare For Troubled Airline
During the initial climb of a Batik Air Boeing 737‑800, economy seats in an exit row tipped backward, flattening into the row behind and blocking the aisle near the emergency exit. The crew re‑seated passengers and the aircraft underwent an...
Aveva Buys First Green Jet Fuel Certificates Five Years Early
Aveva announced it has completed its first major purchase of sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFcs) five years ahead of its World Economic Forum First Movers Coalition commitment. The certificates were bought from British Airways, which sources the fuel from renewable...
Lessor DAE in Pole Position to Buy Macquarie AirFinance
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) is in advanced talks to acquire Macquarie AirFinance, a joint venture owned 50% by Macquarie Group and 25% each by PGGM Infrastructure Fund and Australian Retirement Trust. The transaction would expand DAE's owned, managed and committed...
British Airways Accidentally Leaks Seat Map For Reconfigured A380 Superjumbos But Refit Project Could Be in Trouble
British Airways unintentionally published the seat map for its re‑configured A380 fleet, exposing a new layout that trims capacity to 421 seats, a 10% reduction. The redesign introduces 12 First Class suites, 84 World Traveller Plus seats, 215 World Traveller...
Airports of Thailand Increase Passenger Departure Tax To THB 1,120 From June 20, 2026
Airports of Thailand (AOT) announced that the international passenger service charge will rise from THB 730 to THB 1,120 per departing passenger, effective June 20, 2026. The domestic charge remains at THB 130. AOT projects the hike will generate roughly...
The F-14 Pilot Grounded After Leaving an EA-6B Unescorted to Strafe an Iraqi Ground Target During Desert Storm
During Operation Desert Storm, F‑14 Tomcats struggled to engage Iraqi aircraft because older A/B models lacked modern IFF and relied heavily on AWACS. Frustrated pilots turned to ground‑attack missions, and one VF‑14 crew abandoned an EA‑6B Prowler escort to strafe...
RAVE Aerospace Nixes Proprietary Antenna Work as LEO Shapes IFEC
RAVE Aerospace, newly rebranded after its acquisition by Kingswood Capital Management, announced it will cease internal development of proprietary inflight connectivity (IFC) antenna technology. The company will continue supporting its existing Ka2517 (ThinKom) line‑fit terminals on Airbus and Boeing aircraft...
When Does Boom Go Boom; Military Goes Green and Loses the Battle
Boom Aviation’s 88‑passenger Overture supersonic transport, ten years after its 2014 launch, has demonstrated a prototype but still lacks a certified engine partner. The company has secured more than $600 million in funding and conditional orders from major airlines, yet major...
ESA Awards Contracts for Lunar Remote Camp Studies
The European Space Agency has awarded two contracts to study lunar habitat concepts that could protect robotic equipment and later support short‑duration human missions. Copenhagen‑based SAGA Space Architects, together with The Exploration Company and Space Applications Services, will lead the...
AMD VEK385 Versal AI Edge Gen 2 FPGA Evaluation Kit Plugs Directly Into a PCIe Gen5/Gen4 Slot
AMD unveiled the VEK385 evaluation kit built around the Versal AI Edge Gen 2 XC2VE3858 SoC FPGA. The board combines eight Cortex‑A78AE cores, ten Cortex‑R52 cores, a Mali‑G78AE GPU, 144 AI Engine‑ML v2 tiles delivering up to 184 INT8 TOPS, and 20 GB...
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Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Feb 22 ’26 Business Report]
The Defense & Aerospace Report podcast highlighted a Supreme Court ruling that struck down several of former President Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Analysts discussed the fate of roughly $200 billion in tariff revenue and the...
Milan Malpensa (MXP) Runway Closure March 16 – May 9, 2026
Milan Malpensa Airport will close runway 35L/17R from March 16 to May 9, 2026 for full repaving, taxiway refurbishment, and LED lighting upgrades. During this period MXP will operate on a single runway, sharply reducing its handling capacity. The airport has arranged...
Another Artemis II Issue Arises (Update)
NASA had slated a no‑earlier‑than‑March 6 launch for Artemis II, but an unexpected interruption in helium flow through the Space Launch System’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage forced the agency to consider rolling the rocket and Orion spacecraft back to the Vehicle Assembly...
Frontier Airlines Largely Abandons New York John F Kennedy International Airport
Frontier Airlines is cutting nine of its ten routes that serve New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, leaving only a daily flight to Atlanta. The eliminated city pairs include Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, San Juan and Tampa, with cancellations...
Evolito to Develop Electric Wheel Taxi System with Airbus and UK Government Support
Evolito Limited has been chosen to create an electric wheel‑taxi system under the UK‑backed Project SONATA, partnering with Airbus, ATI, Innovate UK and several research institutions. The company will supply a low‑speed, high‑torque axial‑flux motor delivering roughly 350 kW and 56 Nm/kg, designed to...
Embraer, Adani Launch India E175 Assembly Push
Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer and Adani Defence & Aerospace have signed an enhanced MoU to set up a final assembly line for the E175 regional jet in India. The venture aims to tap an estimated demand for 500 aircraft in...
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[COPY] The Airline Data Project
The episode delves into the Airline Data Project, an expansion of MIT's original dataset, now covering U.S. airline operations from 2017 onward. It explains how the project aggregates flight schedules, performance metrics, and financial data to enable rigorous research and...
FAA Slammed in New Report That Found It Relied Upon ‘Virtual’ Inspections During United Airlines Safety Probe
A U.S. DOT Office of Inspector General report criticizes the FAA for using virtual inspections to oversee United Airlines’ maintenance during a 2024 safety probe. The audit found the FAA’s Certificate Management Office was severely understaffed, with 33% of positions...
Sunrise Dominicana Seeks Clearance for U.S. Flights
Sunrise Dominicana, a Dominican carrier certified in 2025, has filed a request with the U.S. Department of Transportation for a five‑year exemption to operate scheduled and charter flights between the Dominican Republic and the United States. The airline plans to...
Airbus Takes $500M Hit as A220 Ramp Slows
Airbus recorded a $500 million impairment on its A220 program as the aircraft’s production ramp slowed and order growth lagged expectations. The write‑down reflects weaker cash‑flow projections and higher unit costs, casting doubt on the A220’s earnings contribution. CEO Guillaume Faury remains...
TNflygirl and the Beech Debonair
On 7 December 2023 a Beech 35‑C33 Debonair crashed in Tennessee, killing the private pilot known as “TNflygirl” and her father. The pilot, a YouTube creator documenting her flight‑training journey, had 390 total flight hours—about 200 in the Debonair—but had not demonstrated...
Press Release: Kobe’s Journey From Domestic Gateway to Global Hub
Japan’s Kobe Airport has launched a new international terminal, shifting from a domestic‑only facility to a regional gateway linking the Kansai area with major Asian cities such as Seoul, Shanghai and Taipei. The terminal incorporates SITA’s Flex Essentials platform, common‑use...
Russian MOD Shows U.S. F-35, F-16 Intercepting Tu-95MS And Su-35S Off Alaska
On February 19, 2026 the U.S. Air Force deployed two F‑35As, two F‑16Cs, an E‑3 AWACS and tanker support to intercept a Russian formation of two Tu‑95MS bombers, two Su‑35S fighters and a Beriev A‑50 AEW aircraft transiting the Alaskan...
United, American to Inject $200 Million Into Brazil’s Azul
United Airlines and American Airlines have each pledged $100 million to recapitalize Brazil’s Azul as it emerges from Chapter 11, while existing creditors will contribute an additional $100 million. United’s cash will flow through a public equity offering and American will use warrant...
Avalanche Technology Introduces Next-Gen VNX+ Storage Module for Space and Military Applications
Avalanche Technology unveiled its VNX+ storage module, combining Space Grade MRAM with Lattice’s CertusPro‑NX FPGA to deliver true radiation immunity without sacrificing density, speed, or endurance. The solution is engineered for military and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) applications and satisfies...
U.S. Navy Seeking Anti-Radiation Missile Which Can Also Kill Airborne Radars
NAVAIR has issued a Sources Sought notice for an Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM) that would exceed the range of the current AGM‑88G and add the ability to engage both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground targets. The missile must integrate with the...
16 Air Assault Demos AI-Enabled Air Manoeuvre Strike
The British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team showcased AI‑enabled reconnaissance‑strike capabilities during a visit by Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker. The demonstration linked new hardware, software and procedures to accelerate target acquisition and air‑delivered...
A-4 Pilot Recalls when His Skyhawk Cabin Pressurization Failed at 40000 + Feet During a Test Flight
A Navy A‑4 Skyhawk maintenance test pilot climbed above 40,000 feet to verify the aircraft’s pressure‑breathing cabin system. During the test the pressurization failed, causing a sudden influx of pure liquid oxygen, cockpit flooding and even a watch explosion. The pilot...
Navy Declares IOC for SDB II on Super Hornet
The U.S. Navy has declared initial operational capability for the GBU‑53/B Small Diameter Bomb II on its F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet, completing a transition that began with limited use in 2025. The StormBreaker’s tri‑mode seeker—infrared, millimeter‑wave radar and semi‑active laser—enables all‑weather,...
Bjorn’s Corner: Faster Aircraft Development. Part 28. Development Times.
The Leeham study tracks a seven‑year development cycle for a new 200‑seat airliner, mapping each certification milestone from concept to entry‑into‑service. Modern tools such as 3D CAD, PLM and Digital Twin have trimmed design and documentation effort, but the overall...
UK Joins NATO Ballistic Missile Defence Effort
The United Kingdom has joined six NATO allies in a new High Visibility Project aimed at bolstering ballistic missile defence. Announced on 12 February 2026, the initiative will develop and field sensors, interceptors and tactical control systems to plug gaps...
Pratt & Whitney Shows F-47-Like Fighter in Latest XA103 Adaptive Engine Video
Pratt & Whitney released a new video showcasing its XA103 adaptive engine alongside a speculative F‑47‑style fighter design. The rendering features a twin‑engine, tailless aircraft with canards, differing from official Air Force images and likely serving as a concept illustration....
PSA, Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Labor Agreement
PSA Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants‑CWA have reached a tentative three‑year labor agreement that delivers an immediate 10 % wage increase, retroactive pay and a boarding‑pay premium that can add up to 16 % to earnings. Over the contract term,...
GAMA Results Positive for Businesss Jets in 2025
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported that its 2025 year‑end data showed a robust rebound in the business jet segment, with 300 deliveries in the fourth quarter—up 37 aircraft from the same period in 2024. Higher billings were driven...
At Air France-KLM, the Onus Is on KLM to Do Better
Air France‑KLM posted a €1.754 billion FY25 net profit, with Air France delivering a 6.7% operating margin while KLM lagged at 3.2%. The Back on Track cost‑reduction program saved €450 million, yet KLM’s expenses rose faster than revenues, pressured by higher Schiphol...
FAA, EASA Qualify Boeing 777-9 Flight Simulator
The FAA and EASA have issued initial qualification certificates for the Boeing 777‑9 flight simulator, a joint effort by Boeing and CAE. The simulator, housed at Boeing's Gatwick training campus, will now be used by regulators to validate training courseware before...