MONTREAL - Air Canada has confirmed a firm order for eight Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, formally revealing a commitment that had previously appeared as an unidentified customer order in Airbus’s backlog.

The deal adds to Air Canada’s ongoing widebody fleet renewal and signals continued confidence in long-haul international demand as the carrier looks to strengthen its global network over the second half of the decade.

The A350-1000 will be used to support Air Canada’s long-haul growth strategy, offering additional capacity and range on key intercontinental routes. The aircraft provides meaningful efficiency gains compared with older-generation widebodies, with lower fuel burn and emissions enabled by its advanced aerodynamics, composite-intensive structure, and latest-generation Rolls-Royce engines. Airbus also highlighted the type’s compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel, aligning with Air Canada’s longer-term environmental goals.

From a product and passenger standpoint, the A350-1000 brings a modern widebody platform to Air Canada’s fleet, with a quieter cabin, improved comfort, and updated onboard systems. For Airbus, the order reinforces continued momentum for the A350 program in the upper widebody segment, as airlines seek long-range aircraft that balance capacity, efficiency, and flexibility for evolving international networks.

Source: Airbus
Associated URL: https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-02-air-canada-discloses-order-for-eight-airbus-a350-1000s

KUALA LUMPUR - AirAsia X is reworking its fleet strategy as it looks to grow beyond its traditional long-haul focus.

The airline’s leadership said it plans to move ahead with a sizable order for smaller aircraft to support regional and medium-haul expansion, while stepping away from its earlier plan to take Airbus A330neo widebody jets. Management indicated that the carrier is currently evaluating competing options from Airbus and Embraer, with a final decision expected in the near term. The shift reflects a broader effort to better align aircraft size with route demand and to improve flexibility as the group rebuilds its network.

The change in direction also ties into AirAsia X’s post-restructuring growth strategy, which emphasizes profitability and disciplined expansion rather than a return to heavy long-haul capacity too quickly. Alongside the potential regional jet order, the airline is pursuing longer-range narrowbody aircraft to open thinner international routes that were not previously economical with widebodies. Executives noted that financing discussions have been a key factor in the timing of the announcement, but the overall goal is to position the airline for sustainable growth across Asia and selected longer-haul markets as travel demand continues to normalize.

Source: Economic Times
Associated URL: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/airasia-to-place-order-for-small-airliners-drop-a330neo/articleshow/128196788.cms?from=mdr
Author: Reuters 

PARIS - Ryanair and CFM International (CFM) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a long-term material services agreement to support Ryanair’s entire fleet of about 2,000 CFM56 and LEAP engines powering its Boeing 737 aircraft.

The MoU, announced by Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, and Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, one of CFM’s two parent companies, will cover the provision of spare parts and parts repair from CFM for the two new engine MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) shops that Ryanair plans to establish in Europe from 2029.

CFM will also support Ryanair with a services agreement for both CFM56 and LEAP engines, until the Ryanair MRO facilities are fully operational.

Ryanair operates the world’s largest fleet of CFM-powered Boeing aircraft and the largest fleet of CFM56 engines in Europe, powering more than 400 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. The airline currently has more than 200 LEAP-1B-powered Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in service. Ryanair has also placed an order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, with 150 additional options.

Source: Safran
Associated URL: https://www.safran-group.com/pressroom/ryanair-and-cfm-strengthen-landmark-partnership-long-term-services-agreement-2026-02-09