Recent News

Dubai, November 18, 2025: CAE has signed an agreement with Riyadh Air for the purchase of two Airbus A321neo 7000XR full-flight simulators (FFS). CAE will provide comprehensive operations, maintenance, and qualification services for Riyadh Air’s simulators. The airline’s latest purchase expands on the existing Training Centre Operations (TCOPs) agreement signed in 2023 for the operation of two Boeing 787 FFS. The new devices will be deployed at Riyadh Air’s training facility in Saudi Arabia. “We are proud to support Riyadh Air with advanced simulation technology and operational expertise to ensure they receive world-class pilot training while ramping up operations,” said Alexandre Prévost, CAE’s President, Civil Aviation. “The two new A321neo FFS join two Boeing 787-9 FFS which were purchased in 2023 from CAE. This expanded partnership reflects our shared vision for safety, innovation, and excellence in pilot training.” This collaboration positions CAE as Riyadh Air’s trusted partner for all pilot training needs. Beyond delivering advanced simulators, CAE will oversee maintenance and qualifications to ensure a reliable, high-quality training infrastructure and seamless operations. “We highly value our strong and collaborative partnership with CAE, whose delivery and ongoing support of the full-flight simulators we have procured is integral to Riyadh Air’s operational readiness,” said Martin Eiba, Acting Chief Operating Officer of Riyadh Air. “These state-of-the-art CAE simulators will form a core pillar of our pilot-training ecosystem, ensuring our pilots are trained to the highest levels of proficiency. This investment directly supports our shared commitment to safety, innovation, and operational excellence.” This latest agreement builds on Riyadh Air’s existing partnership with CAE, which began in 2023 with the acquisition of two Boeing 787-9 full-flight simulators and a flight training device (FTD), along with training centre operations support. Riyadh Air commenced operations on October 26, 2025, with daily flights to London Heathrow from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, and flights to Dubai will be added soon.

Dubai, November 19, 2025: CAE has announced that Republic Airways has selected Flightscape to enhance and streamline its airline operations. The deployment of Flightscape NextGen Crew Manager, Crew Access, Movement Manager, and Unified Task Board marks a new chapter in Republic’s digital transformation. After a comprehensive evaluation, Flightscape stood out for its agility, innovation, and proven ability to deliver tailored solutions at scale. This multi-year agreement reflects a shared commitment to long-term collaboration and underscores the strategic importance of aligning advanced capabilities with Republic’s evolving needs. “Innovation is at the heart of Flightscape’s value to airlines,” said Pascal Grenier, President, Flightscape. “Our modular platform delivers real-time operational intelligence, enabling carriers to respond faster, optimize performance, and navigate disruption with confidence. That forward-thinking capability — paired with our steadfast commitment to partnership — is what made Flightscape the right fit for Republic.” Flightscape’s NextGen Crew Manager, Crew Access, Movement Manager, and Unified Task Board will empower Republic to streamline crew operations, boost real-time decision-making, and enhance agility across its airline operations. Republic Airways Chief Operating Officer, Paul Kinstedt, said “Republic is looking forward to taking this next step with a long-term partner in advancing operational efficiency and reliability. Leveraging advances and innovation in technology to manage our day-to-day operation will maintain Republic’s commitment to operational excellence.”

Dubai, 17th Nov 2025: Avolon, the aircraft leasing companies, has announced a firm order for 100 CFM LEAP-1A engines to equip 50 new Airbus A320neo family aircraft. Avolon has been a CFM customer since 2010 and currently manages a fleet of 99 A320neo family aircraft powered by LEAP-1A engines, with firm orders for an additional 163 LEAP-1A powered aircraft. “Our sustained partnership with CFM International underpins Avolon’s strategy to reduce emissions and support the demand we see from our airline customers’ growth and replacement needs through 2030 and beyond.”said Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon. “We are honored by Avolon’s continued confidence in our LEAP engine technology,” said Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM International. “This order reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership and our commitment to delivering world-class products that meet the needs of our airline customers for efficiency, reliability and lower emissions in their operations.” With more than 4,000 aircraft delivered to date, CFM LEAP engines have experienced the fastest ramp in commercial aviation history. Advanced technologies like composite fan blades and ceramic matrix composites deliver an engine that’s 15% more fuel efficient, with 15% lower carbon emissions than prior-generation CFM56 engines. Backed by advanced health monitoring systems and an open MRO ecosystem, CFM LEAP engines offer mature reliability and enable high asset utilization for narrowbody aircraft.

Dubai, 17th Nov 2025: Raksha Rajya Mantri (RRM) Sanjay Seth will lead an Indian delegation to the Dubai Air Show 2025, scheduled to be held on 17–18 November 2025, in the United Arab Emirates. The delegation includes senior officers from the Department of Defence, Department of Defence Production, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Armed Forces. A bilateral meeting between RRM and his UAE counterpart is planned on the sidelines of the Air Show. RRM will also chair an industry round table with around 50 companies from India, UAE, Australia, USA, Brazil, UK, and Italy to enhance cooperation in defence technology and manufacturing in India. Sanjay Seth will inaugurate the India Pavilion set up at the Dubai Air Show. The Pavilion will feature stalls from HAL, DRDO, Corel Technologies, Dantal Hydraulics, Image Synergy Ekxplor, SFO Technologies etc. Apart from the Pavilion, 19 Indian industries including Bharat Forge, BrahMos, Tech Mahindra, and HBL Engineering will showcase their capabilities independently. In addition, 15 Indian startups will exhibit their products and solutions. The Indian Air Force will participate in the Air Show with the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team and LCA Tejas. Dubai Air Show is a biennial event that hosts more than 1,500 exhibitors and over 148,000 industry professionals from 150 countries, including major international aerospace companies such as Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Thales, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, and Calidus.

Bangkok, 13 November 2025: Chief executives and senior leaders of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) will convene in Bangkok on 14-15 November 2025 for the Association’s annual Assembly of Presidents, hosted this year by Bangkok Airways. Themed “Bolstering Supply Chains and Manpower Resilience for a Sustainable Future,” the Assembly provides a critical platform for airline leaders across the Asia Pacific region to review industry performance, exchange insights, and address key operational and strategic challenges shaping the sector’s trajectory. Industry Outlook Since 2022, air travel demand in the Asia Pacific region has demonstrated continued resilience, with international passenger traffic expanding by 10 percent during the first nine months of 2025. While the outlook for 2026 remains positive, growth is expected to align more closely with long-term historical trends. Passenger load factors remain elevated due to constrained capacity growth, as the industry continues to face an estimated global shortfall of more than 5,200 aircraft deliveries in 2025. Maintenance and repair operations also face significant bottlenecks, with extended turnaround times driven by shortages of components and skilled manpower. Meanwhile, the availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) remains nascent, with production volumes far below the levels required to support the industry’s decarbonisation targets. Global Trade and Supply Chain Pressures For the second consecutive year, supply chain constraints and workforce resilience remain dominant themes at the Assembly, compounded by renewed trade tensions and tariff measures that threaten to increase operational costs and disrupt the free flow of aviation goods and services. Commenting ahead of the event, Mr. Subhas Menon, Director General of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, said,“The introduction of new tariffs at a time when global supply chains are still in recovery represents a setback for the aviation sector. Tariffs elevate supplier costs and undermine the principles of free trade on which global aviation supply chains are built. While passenger and cargo demand remains strong, persistent supply challenges could restrict airlines’ ability to meet the expectations of travellers and businesses alike. The air freight market, in particular, stands to be directly affected by escalating trade tensions in the months ahead.” Sustainability and Fleet Modernisation Mr. Menon further noted that supply chain disruptions also hinder the industry’s sustainability transition, as ongoing delays in new aircraft deliveries slow fleet renewal and extend the operational life of older, less fuel-efficient aircraft – potentially increasing the industry’s overall carbon emissions footprint. “The Assembly serves as a vital forum for the region’s aviation leaders to discuss the current state of the industry and to chart a sustainable and resilient path forward,” Mr. Menon added. “Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, the robust demand for air services, combined with the region’s strong economies and favourable demographics, continues to underpin optimism for the Asia Pacific aviation sector in the year ahead.”

Abu Dhabi, 11th Nov 2025: Etihad Airways has launched four inaugural routes to Tunis, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, and Hong Kong within three consecutive days. The new services further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub and gateway to the UAE, supporting inbound tourism and trade while delivering nearly 45% of the UAE’s total aviation growth this year. As Etihad continues to expand its network, the airline is adding thousands of new seats to and from Abu Dhabi, making it easier for travellers from Africa and Asia to experience the city’s cultural landmarks, pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and year-round calendar of events. The routes also give UAE residents and visitors more choice for travel across key leisure and business destinations. New routes from Abu Dhabi: • Tunis (1 November, three weekly flights): Strengthening Etihad’s North African network and supporting growing demand for travel between the UAE and Tunisia. • Hanoi (2 November, six weekly flights): Linking Abu Dhabi directly to Vietnam’s capital for the first time, enhancing trade and tourism ties between the two nations. • Chiang Mai (3 November, four weekly flights): Opening Northern Thailand to travellers from the Middle East and Europe through Abu Dhabi. • Hong Kong (3 November, five weekly flights): Reconnecting Abu Dhabi with one of Asia’s premier business and leisure centres, alongside the relaunch of Etihad’s codeshare with Hong Kong Airlines for enhanced connectivity across Asia. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said, “Each of these destinations adds its own character to our network – from Tunis’s heritage to Hanoi’s vibrancy, Chiang Mai’s charm and Hong Kong’s global energy. Together, they expand options for our guests while bringing more visitors to discover Abu Dhabi – one of the world’s most exciting cities. As we continue to deliver almost half of the UAE’s aviation growth this year, our focus remains on connecting more people, cultures, and opportunities through our home in Abu Dhabi.”

Dubai, 11 November, 2025 The Dubai airshow kicks off next week, signalling the last public event at which large commercial orders are announced before the year draws close. As usual, my standard airshow caveat must reiterate that the timing is purely for airline and OEM PR, as orders take months, even years, of careful negotiation before signing. Much like Paris and Farnborough, the Dubai Air Show is a major event, with close to 150,000 industry attendees expected and a large mix of commercial, private and defence exhibits on display, with orders anticipated across the entire field. Historically, while not usually matching the European shows in scale, Dubai has still produced some significant order activity and provided early signals of key buying decisions from operators and lessors, not just from the Middle East but also Africa, Europe and the US. Indigo Partners’ 2021 and 2017 orders for 255 and 430 A320neos, respectively, underscored that point, with deliveries spread across Wizz, Frontier, Volaris, and JetSmart. However, the largest customers have often been from within the region and surrounding areas. The 2025 Landscape so far So far, 2025 has already seen a sizeable level of ordering activity, well above delivery levels, despite relatively benign oil pricing and a wounded supply chain. While it will be another week before Airbus and Boeing announce “official” ordering activity for October, IBA Fleets & Values has already tracked gross firm orders (for the year to date) reaching at least 745 for Airbus and 821 for Boeing. This is also without considering the roughly 650 LOIs, MoUs and options announced but not yet converted, several of which could firm up in Dubai later this month or soon after. Among those from the region are Avilease (25 A320neos, 12 A350Fs, and 10 737 MAX 8s from May and June), Gulf Air (18 787s from July), Riyadh Air (25 A350-1000s from June), and Turkish Airlines (150 MAXs and 25 787s from September). However, the main factors that will likely draw focus this year will be Boeing’s recent announcement of additional delays for the 777X and whether Emirates will continue to make further changes to its overall fleet plan. Anticipated activity and key storylines at the Dubai Airshow The 777X and Emirates’ Dilemma Regarding the 777X, the Middle East and surrounding area account for 65% of the firm backlog for the 777-9, 777-8 and 777-8F, with Emirates leading the pack with 205, followed by Qatar with 124. The remainder is split across Etihad, Ethiopian, Air India and Silk Way, before spreading out to other regions for the rest. With the delay pushing into 2027, Sir Tim Clark has vented his frustration, but aside from continuing with the interior refurb plan and potentially adding a few more to the list that they may have expected to convert, return to lessors or retire, what can Emirates do? They are certainly no strangers to change. They’ve already extended many of their leases on 777s and A380s, but with the price of 777 freighter feedstock reaching a new high, investors may decide to sell the aircraft at lease end rather than extend for a further period. There is nothing on offer above the 777-9, but there is still an ongoing battleground to cover the rest. In particular, Dubai 2025 is the right time to decide on the right mix for the A350 and 787 families, or whether the range/capacity mix for the 777-8 is not required. Emirates currently holds 170 777-9s, 35 777-8s, 15 787-8s, 15 787-10s and 52 A350-900s on order. There has been much talk about a large potential A350-1000 order to replace the ageing 777-300ERs, but there remain question marks coming from Emirates on the engine’s reliability. Similarly, shifting from 30 787-9 orders to an even split of the 787-8s and -10s appeared to open up a gap, too. Whilst a decision may not be made this year, I certainly feel that yet another reassessment could be on the cards that could see 777-8s fall out, A350-1000s go in, and a further adjustment of the 787 mix to pull in some -9s and perhaps more -10s. Regional widebody activity Elsewhere on the widebody front, additional A350 top-ups are possible from a number of potential customers, and potentially a greater number of 787 orders appearing if current-year trends continue. Nailing it down to who is likely other than Emirates is trickier, as many within the region already have long backlogs. Narrowbody activity On the narrowbody front, orders for the A321neo and MAX 8/10s are expected, although the largest MAX type remains in the certification process. Already within the region, Saudia, flydubai, Pegasus, flynas, Air Arabia, and SunExpress probably have enough to be getting on with, whilst Oman Air, Gulf Air, Royal Air Maroc, EgyptAir and Etihad are potentially shy of where they need to be to satisfy fleet growth and replacement requirements. For some, it will be about replacement with a larger variant, whilst others may explore longer-range options. As mentioned, Turkish Airlines could firm up the recent LOIs for 150 MAXs placed just six weeks ago. Despite other OEMs’ increased presence at the show, I’m not expecting many orders from others within the region, outside of private or military use. Conclusion In summary, a reasonable number of orders and commitments are expected, potentially exceeding 300. It will be a tougher show for selling 777s (except perhaps freighters, which are not due for a few years) but could see a major A350-1000 order from Emirates, some reshuffling of widebody portfolios, and steady narrowbody demand. The A350F also can’t be ignored, which is beginning to gain traction. IBA expects around 300 commercial aircraft orders and commitments from this year’s Dubai Air Show,including firm, MoU, LOI and options, but excluding conversions and adjustments to existing deals. ( News based on press release and published unedited.)