China Southern Airlines has taken delivery of a Boeing 737-8, bearing serial number 65275, further advancing its modernization of narrowbody operations. The aircraft is powered by LEAP-1B engines, developed by CFM International, and represents the latest addition to the airline’s growing 737 MAX fleet.
China Southern Airlines has placed ten Boeing 787-8 aircraft and two GENX-1B70 engines up for sale as it continues to streamline its widebody fleet. The aircraft, bearing serial numbers 34923 through 34932, are each listed at a minimum price of approximately US$50 million, reflecting their market valuation amid ongoing fleet restructuring efforts.
Ascend Airways, a UK-based operator, has taken delivery of a Boeing 737-8, bearing serial number 44863, as part of a lease agreement. The aircraft is powered by LEAP-1B27 engines, reflecting the airline’s continued push to modernize and expand its narrowbody fleet with next-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
