Aircraft & Propulsion

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Progress on 787 quality problems is challenged by whistleblower claims of long-term fleet safety risks.

Archer Aviation has opened a new regulatory affairs office in Washington as it looks to ramp up lobbying efforts ahead of expected entry-into-service in 2025.

A deadline approaches for external parties to lodge “expressions of interest” in the island nation’s flag-carrier.

Boeing is working to validate recommendations for inspections on 787 forward pressure bulkheads to identify potential problems in the critical subassemblies.

Air New Zealand looks to trial flights on its electric Alia aircraft with passengers in the future but is uncertain if these will be on the current demo model.

The primary purpose of the new joint program is to serve as a replacement for the L-410 twin-turboprop, production of which was suspended in 2022.

China has wrapped up its first joint research meeting for the Comac C929 widebody aircraft project, following Russia's withdrawal from the project in 2023.

CEO Leslie Thng explains how Scoot has become one of the world’s most successful budget airlines and why it is introducing the Embraer E190-E2 to its fleet.

The airline has forged agreements with two lessors to lease 35 Airbus A321neos powered by CFM engines with deliveries expected in 2026 and 2027.

Boeing’s efforts to address widespread organizational safety problems were met with sharp criticism in two U.S. congressional hearings April 17.

French startup Aura Aero has invited suppliers to bid for the first large work packages for its planned ERA 19-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft.

Besides corporate aviation customers, the deal includes four fuel providers and three airlines.

New drive systems combining hydrogen fuel cells and distributed electric propulsion can be costly to develop.

Will green hydrogen be produced in sufficient quantity to meet aviation’s future needs?

Air New Zealand has selected an over-water domestic short-haul route for its planned electric aircraft demonstration flights.

Aegean Airlines will acquire four Airbus A321neos with extended range to explore broadening its network as far as Central Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

GKN Aerospace is nearing critical milestones in its H2Gear hydrogen-electric powertrain research and technology project after overcoming supply chain issues.

The special flight authorization is the first ever issued by the FAA for tests of a civil supersonic aircraft.

Scandinavian Seaplanes, Norway’s largest seaplane operator, has signed a strategic partnership with Dovetail Electric Aviation to electrify its fleet.

French cargo operator CMA CGM Air Cargo will use two Boeing 777-200F freighters to connect Asia to North America starting this summer.

Under book-and-claim, airlines operating from locations where there is no SAF available can buy SAF for use elsewhere.

Russia’s largest carriers are starting to introduce locally developed software to help maintain their Western-made airliners.

Moya Aero is preparing to test automated takeoff, flight to predefined points, return to home and landing on its demonstrator eVTOL.

Organizations are making progress but still debating the best way to prevent contrail formation.