Regional, Business & General Aviation

MOSCOW - Russia’s United Engine Corporation (UEC) has successfully concluded certification testing for the PD-8 turbofan. The domestically-built engine is the designated engine for the Yakovlev SJ-100, an "import-substituted" evolution of the Superjet 100, as well as the Beriev Be-200 amphibious firefighter. Rostec says the PD-8 features 17 new technological advancements, including high-pressure turbine blades and nozzle assemblies crafted from advanced heat-resistant materials.

The comprehensive test program saw the PD-8 accumulate nearly 6,600 hours of operation, including over 1,400 hours in the air using an Ilyushin Il-76 testbed and SJ-100 airframes. The engine was subjected to extreme conditions, including bird-strikes, ice ingestion, and a final "hail ingestion" test conducted in April.

Following these successful tests, UEC is now submitting the final documentation to the federal air transport agency, Rosaviatsiya, with a type certificate expected to be issued soon.

Source: Flightglobal
Associated URL: https://www.flightglobal.com/archive/2026/05/united-engine-wraps-up-certification-tests-for-pd-8-engine/
Author: David Kaminski-Morrow 

LAS VEGAS, Nv. - Allegiant Air has officially finalized its purchase of Sun Country Airlines, establishing a major new force in the American budget travel sector.

While the two carriers will eventually integrate their operations to leverage roughly $140 million in projected annual savings, they will continue to function as independent brands with separate booking systems and loyalty programs for the immediate future. This strategic union combines Allegiant’s focus on linking small regional towns to major vacation spots with Sun Country’s diverse portfolio of scheduled flights, charter services, and cargo operations. For passengers, the merger promises a significantly broader network of nonstop routes and better access to leisure destinations across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean without the need for traditional hub-and-spoke connections.

Source: Aeropsace Global News
Associated URL: https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/allegiant-completes-sun-country-acquisition-traveller-impact/
Author: Marisa Garcia 

MCLEAN, Va. -- Iridium Communications Inc. has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Aireon LLC, the operator of the global space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) air traffic surveillance system. The acquisition consolidates Aireon’s surveillance and data services into Iridium’s existing satellite communications and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) network.

The transaction moves Aireon’s technology, which currently operates as a payload on Iridium’s satellite constellation, under the full control of the parent network. The Aireon system is certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and monitors approximately 190,000 flights daily. This system allows for real-time tracking of aircraft identity, altitude, and speed with total global coverage, including remote and oceanic regions.

As part of the acquisition, several major air navigation service providers (ANSPs) that were founding investors in Aireon, including NAV CANADA and NATS of the United Kingdom, will divest their stakes. Despite the change in ownership, both NAV CANADA and NATS have agreed to extend their data services contracts through 2035. These providers manage the North Atlantic Tracks, the most heavily trafficked oceanic airspace in the world, and were the first to implement space-based ADS-B tracking. Other departing shareholders include AirNav Ireland, ENAV of Italy, and Naviair of Denmark.

The integration of Aireon allows Iridium to offer a centralized platform for aviation safety that combines aircraft tracking, pilot communications, and GPS integrity monitoring. The combined company plans to continue the development of new technologies, such as space-based VHF communications and specialized data analytics for turbulence detection and spoofing identification.

This acquisition signals a shift from a consortium-based utility model to a centralized commercial platform for global air traffic management. By bringing surveillance and communication under one roof, Iridium is positioning itself as the primary gatekeeper for the data infrastructure required to manage increasingly crowded and autonomous airspaces. For the aviation industry, this consolidation ensures the long-term stability of space-based tracking while providing a streamlined path for the rollout of next-generation safety protocols that do not rely on traditional ground-based radar.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: ww.iridium.com