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Trump Imposes New Tariffs on China, EU, and Key Trading Partners
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new wave of tariffs targeting nearly all of the United States’ major trading partners, signaling a dramatic escalation in the administration’s protectionist trade policy. The measures include a 34% tariff on imports from China and a 20% tariff on European Union goods, among other significant trade barriers.
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StandardAero Joins ALTA as Affiliate Member
StandardAero, a leading U.S.-based provider of MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services, has officially joined the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) as an affiliate member. The announcement signals StandardAero’s intent to deepen its engagement with the Latin American aviation sector and support the region’s airline and maintenance communities.
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Flybondi Sued Over Alleged Noncompliance With Maintenance Suspension
Flybondi, Argentina’s leading ultra-low-cost carrier, has been sued by the Argentine justice system over allegations that it failed to comply with a directive issued by ANAC (Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil) to temporarily suspend its aircraft maintenance operations at Ezeiza International Airport in October 2024. The legal action also places significant focus on ANAC authorities, who are being primarily targeted in the lawsuit.
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ATR Appoints Marion Smeyers as SVP of Operations and Procurement
ATR, the Franco-Italian regional aircraft manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Marion Smeyers as its new Senior Vice President of Operations and Procurement, effective 01 May 2025. She will succeed Eric Segura and report directly to Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, CEO of ATR.
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American Airlines Appoints Anthony Richmond as EVP and Chief Legal Officer
American Airlines Group has announced the appointment of Anthony Richmond as Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, and Chief Legal Officer, effective 05 May 2025. This key leadership transition reinforces the company’s strategic emphasis on corporate governance, regulatory affairs, and legal compliance as it navigates a complex and evolving global aviation environment.
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Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways Join SAF Project in Australia
Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways have announced a partnership with Renewable Developments Australia to support a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) project set to begin production in 2029. The initiative targets an annual output of up to 96 million liters of SAF, positioning it as one of the most significant clean fuel developments in the region.
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Porter Airlines Expands Maintenance Operations in Halifax
Porter Airlines, a regional airline based in Canada, is expanding its maintenance capabilities through the lease of a 20,000 square foot hangar at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. The newly secured facility will provide dedicated support for the airline’s growing E195-E2 and DHC8-400 fleets.
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IAI Eyes China MROs for B777-300ERSF Conversion Expansion
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is actively evaluating several Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in China as part of its strategy to expand global conversion capacity for widebody freighters. This move comes as the company approaches certification for its B777-300ERSF program, one of the industry’s most closely watched passenger-to-freighter (P2F) developments.
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United Airlines Takes Delivery of New A321neo
United Airlines has taken delivery of a new Airbus A321neo, serial number 12385, powered by PW1133G-JMengines. This latest addition reinforces the airline’s commitment to modernizing its narrowbody fleet with fuel-efficient, next-generation aircraft.
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SWISS Takes Delivery of New A321neo
SWISS, the flag carrier of Switzerland, has taken delivery of a new Airbus A321neo, bearing serial number 12436 and powered by PW1133G-JM engines. This addition is part of the airline’s ongoing fleet modernization strategy, focusing on fuel-efficient, next-generation aircraft.
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Spirit Airlines Projects Fleet Growth to 196 Aircraft by End of 2025
Spirit Airlines, the ultra-low-cost carrier based in the United States, has outlined its fleet development plan for 2025, projecting an increase from 192 aircraft at the end of 2024 to 196 by the close of 2025. The net growth follows a strategic adjustment involving the retirement of two Airbus A319s in the first quarter of 2025, and the expected delivery of six…
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Rise Air Considers Additional ATR72-600 Orders
Rise Air, a Canadian regional carrier, may expand its fleet beyond its current plans, as Chief Executive Derek Nice has indicated a willingness to order additional ATR72-600 aircraft. This would build on the three aircraft already on order, which are set to begin delivering between late 2025 and early 2026.
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MAS Plans Steady Freighter Fleet Growth Through 2030
MAS (Mexico), a growing cargo airline, has revealed plans to add one to two freighters per year until 2030, signaling a steady and measured fleet expansion strategy aligned with rising demand in the air cargo sector. The airline also announced that broader fleet development plans for the next decade are currently under internal review.
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Korean Air Takes Delivery of New B787-10
Korean Air has expanded its long-haul fleet with the delivery of a Boeing 787-10, registered HL8538 and powered by GEnx-1B engines. This latest addition underscores the airline’s continued investment in next-generation widebody aircraft as it strengthens its international network.
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Korean Air Grounds Four A220-300s Due to Engine Issues
Korean Air has confirmed that four out of its ten Airbus A220-300s have been grounded due to ongoing engine-related issues, which are expected to impact its domestic operations during summer 2025. The affected aircraft include serial numbers 55022, 55049, 55019, and 55031.
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Japan Airlines Finalizes LEAP-1B Engine Order for 17 B737-8s
Japan Airlines (JAL) and CFM International have finalized an agreement for the supply of LEAP-1B engines to power 17 additional Boeing 737-8 aircraft. These aircraft were part of a fleet expansion order first announced in March 2025, as JAL continues its modernization strategy across domestic and regional operations.
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Iberia Takes Delivery of First A321XLR
Iberia, the flag carrier of Spain, has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, serial number 12085, powered by LEAP-1A33X engines. This delivery marks a significant milestone for the airline as it introduces Airbus’s longest-range single-aisle aircraft into its fleet, offering new flexibility for medium to long-haul routes.
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Hunnu Air Takes Delivery of First E195-E2
Hunnu Air, the Mongolian carrier based in Ulaanbaatar, has taken delivery of its first Embraer E195-E2, serial number 19020171, powered by PW1900G engines. This marks a major milestone in the airline’s fleet modernization strategy as it becomes the first operator of the E2 family in Mongolia.
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Green Africa Airways Acquires First Owned Aircraft
Green Africa Airways, a Lagos-based carrier in Nigeria, has marked a major milestone by taking delivery of its first owned aircraft, an ATR72-500, serial number 852. The aircraft was acquired from ATRiam Capital, an aviation leasing firm based in Ireland, marking the airline’s transition from leasing-only operations to asset ownership.
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Frontier Airlines Takes Delivery of New A321neo
Frontier Airlines, a leading ultra-low-cost carrier in the United States, has taken delivery of a new Airbus A321neo, bearing serial number 12394 and powered by PW1133G-JM engines. This latest addition reinforces the airline’s ongoing fleet modernization efforts, centered on fuel-efficient, next-generation aircraft.
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Embraer Delivers 30 Aircraft in Q1 2025, Up 20% YoY
Embraer, the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer, delivered a total of 30 aircraft in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a 20% year-over-year increase. The improved performance signals a solid start to the year and renewed momentum in both its commercial and executive aviation segments.
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Crestone Acquires B737-800 and B737-700 on Lease with Sunwing and Southwest
Crestone, a U.S.-based aviation investment firm, has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of two Boeing narrowbody aircraft currently under lease with major North American carriers. The firm has purchased one B737-800, leased to Sunwing Airlines of Canada, and one B737-700, leased to Southwest Airlines in the United States.
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Central Airlines Shifts Focus to Widebody Freighters
Central Airlines, a cargo carrier based in China, is shifting its fleet strategy by moving away from narrowbody freighters and transitioning toward larger widebody aircraft. The airline is now looking to sell its remaining B737-300F aircraft as part of this transition, signaling a broader realignment of its operational priorities toward long-haul and higher-capacity routes.
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Austrian Airlines Equips Four B777-200ERs with AeroSHARK
Austrian Airlines has completed the installation of AeroSHARK surface technology on four of its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, marking a key step in its sustainability and efficiency strategy. The bio-inspired surface film is designed to reduce aerodynamic drag, leading to lower fuel consumption and emissions during long-haul operations.
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Air Canada Adds New B787-9 to Fleet
Air Canada has expanded its widebody fleet with the delivery of a new Boeing 787-9, serial number 66993, powered by GEnx-1B74/75 engines. This latest addition further strengthens the airline’s long-haul capabilities and supports its ongoing fleet modernization efforts.
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Thai AirAsia Launches $58.5M High-Risk Callable Debenture Offering
Thai AirAsia has initiated the issuance and offering of High-Risk Secured and Callable Debentures, with backing from a corporate guarantor. The offering totals US$58.5 million, with a 5.5% annual coupon rate and a tenor of 2.5 years. This financial instrument is designed to attract yield-seeking investors while supporting Thai AirAsia’s ongoing liquidity and operational funding needs.
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Spirit Airlines Completes $215M Class B Pass Through Certificate Offering
Spirit Airlines, a major U.S.-based ultra-low-cost carrier, has successfully completed a private offering of its Class B® Pass Through Certificates, Series 2025-1B®, with an aggregate face amount of US$215 million. The offering represents another strategic move to bolster the airline’s financial flexibility as it navigates current industry challenges and positions itself for long-term sustainability.
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SMBC Aviation Capital Finance Closes $500M Senior Notes Offering
SMBC Aviation Capital Finance, a subsidiary of SMBC Aviation Capital based in Ireland, has successfully completed the sale of US$500 million in five-year senior unsecured notes, priced at a principal rate of 5.10%. The offering represents a major financing initiative for the aircraft leasing group as it continues to expand and optimize its capital structure.
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Air Mauritius Secures $176M Equity Boost from Airport Holdings
Air Mauritius has received a critical financial lifeline from its parent company, Airport Holdings Ltd (AHL), which has formally converted a US$176 million shareholder loan into equity. This move comes as AHL acknowledges the airline’s ongoing financial challenges and aims to stabilize its capital structure during a period of fiscal strain.
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Aerolineas Argentinas Posts $114M Profit for 2024
Aerolineas Argentinas, the national carrier of Argentina, has reported a confirmed net profit of US$114 million for the year 2024. The figure was validated by the country’s Treasury Department, marking a significant financial milestone for the airline after years of fiscal challenges.
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Aero Capital Solutions Closes $936M Fund, Targets $3.5B Deployment
Aero Capital Solutions (ACS), based in the United States, has announced the final closing of its fourth and largest aviation investment vehicle to date, securing total aggregate equity commitments of US$936 million. The fund underscores the growing investor appetite for aviation assets and ACS’s expanding role as a major player in the aircraft leasing and investment…