FlightGlobal Focus

Airbus wing-production shift, Boeing 777-9 ETOPS hiccup and Vertical preps for production

The FlightGlobal Focus team explores recent headlines, from Airbus adapting its wing-manufacturing strategy to meet roaring demand, to Boeing navigating ETOPS delays amid a GE9X seal redesign, to Vertical Aerospace opening a Kemble assembly site while seeking strategic partners.

What would a second Falklands War look like?

It's been more than 40 years since Argentina attempted to seize the Falkland Islands from the UK by force, igniting war in the South Atlantic. The UK emerged victorious in the 74-day conflict, and the Union Jack still flies in the islands today. But in a bizarre turn of events, the American-Israeli war with Iran has stoked old tensions over the Falklands. In response to an alleged lack of support for the American war effort, US President Donald Trump has suggested he would not support the UK if Argentina made a second attempt at taking the archipelago. The move comes as Argentinian President Javier Milei has been ratcheting up incendiary rhetoric about the Falklands, amid worsening economic conditions and elections in 2027. The FlightGlobal defence team gets together to look back at the 1982 Falklands War, how the British military posture in the islands has changed since then, and what a second conflict might play out.

How Asia-Pacific airlines are coping with high fuel prices and top-level management changes

Asian carriers have reported their second-quarter earnings, which have included some heavy losses at China's 'Big Three' airline groups. India's airlines have also been grappling with challenges of their own, although new leadership at Air India and IndiGo is expected to usher in change. FlightGlobal's Airlines team, including Asia-Pacific Airlines Editor Alfred Chua - who has just been out to visit Malaysia Airlines - discuss the latest news from this part of the world.

Sonic booms, X-1's first flight and freighter conversions: a news recap

A look into some of the summer's top stories, from the FAA's effort to revive commercial supersonic flight to the approaching first flight of Airbus’s A350F and Heart Aerospace’s recent first flight of its all-electric X-1 demonstrator.

EMALS vs Steam: Donald Trump orders US Navy to ditch electromagnetic catapults on new aircraft carriers

The US Navy has spent more than two decades developing its new aircraft carrier, incorporating 23 new or significantly updated technologies into major systems across the ship. These include the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, which replaces the steam-driven catapult of the venerable Nimitz-class carriers with an electric induction motor. The navy says the system costs less to operate and inflicts less structural fatigue on aircraft. Together with other changes to the Ford-class, the new carriers are meant to increase sortie generation by an appreciable amount. However, US President Donald Trump has long opposed the electromagnetic catapult and over the past 10 years has repeatedly mused about ordering the navy to return to a steam-piston system. After years of talking about it, the Trump White House in August officially directed the US Navy to begin exploring options for replacing EMALS and other electrically driven systems with conventional steam and hydraulic alternatives on future Ford-class ships. FlightGlobal's defence editor Greg Waldron joins Ryan Finnerty to discuss the move and how it will impact carrier operations.

The mood among European and US airlines after reporting their second-quarter earnings

Fuel cost rises stemming from the Iran war really started to hit home for airlines in the second quarter. FlightGlobal's Airlines team, fresh from covering earnings season, takes a look at how carriers in Europe and the USA fared in the April-June period, and how they're feeling as they head into the second half of the year.

Airbus pursues broad ambitions with its Wing of Tomorrow

Airbus is immersed in a crucial research project to examine in depth the efficiency benefits of broad and slender wings as it prepares to develop a successor to its bestselling A320neo. While the quest for lower fuel-burn tends to centre on the engines, the UK-led Wing of Tomorrow programme is looking at the equally significant contribution from new wing structures and technologies. But design is only part of the equation – it also needs to examine whether these future wing concepts can be built at the rates demanded by the single-aisle market. As the programme reaches a pivotal point, with the ground-based research evolving towards flight-testing, FlightGlobal Focus explores its progress and objectives, as well as the obstacles Airbus needs to confront in this critical engineering effort.

The tactical case for hybrid-electric aircraft

The former head of the US Army says a new generation of hybrid-electric rotorcraft can provide significant tactical advantages over traditional helicopters, including faster flight speeds and increased range. General James McConville was the chief of staff of the US Army from 2019 to 2023. He’s also a seasoned rotary-wing aviator, having flown the Apache, Black Hawk, Kiowa and Cobra, among others. After retiring from the uniformed service, McConville joined the board of electric aircraft start-up Beta Technologies and helped shape development of the company’s MV250 – an unmanned, hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing design that represents Beta’s first dedicated military aircraft. McConville argues that hybrid-electric aircraft can offer significant tactical benefits compared to traditional helicopters, including increased range and flight speeds. In an interview with FlightGlobal at the 2026 Farnborough air show, McConville laid out why he chose to join Beta and how his military experience shaped the company’s design choices on the MV250.

IATA's new director general and the sustainability challenge she faces

IATA has appointed its first female director general and its first leader in more than 40 years to come from outside the airline industry. This week, Graham Dunn and Kerry Reals from FlightGlobal's Airlines team discuss the sustainability challenge facing Saadia Zahidi, and how her background at the World Economic Forum could prove to be a real advantage.

Farnborough review: a week of orders, innovation and airpower

From the sidelines of the 2026 Farnborough air show last week, our editors and reporters break down the stories that dominated this year's exhibition. From commercial aircraft and engine orders to hybrid-electric technology development and defence announcements, we tell you all you might have missed.

FlightGlobal at Farnborough: what to expect as 2026 edition opens

This year's Farnborough air show kicks off as airlines grapple with the fallout from the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, governments around the world are seeking to dramatically expand the production of defence equipment amid geopolitical volatility. The entire FlightGlobal team is at Farnborough this week to cover the news as it happens. In this episode, find out what the key themes are this year, in defence, aerospace and airlines. FlightGlobal's Americas defence reporter Ryan Finnerty joins defence managing editor Greg Waldron, Asia airlines editor Alfred Chua and aerospace managing editor Jon Hemmerdinger this week.

How Rolls-Royce is putting its Trent 1000 troubles behind it

One of two engine choices for the Boeing 787, the Trent 1000 has faced durability challenges as thrust demands have increased across the Dreamliner fleet. However, the manufacturer has been working hard on a series of enhancements that it is now rolling out, leading to dramatic improvements to time on wing. In an interview with Murdo Morrison, Rachel Walker, senior vice-president for the Trent 1000, explains how the programme is progressing, and why Rolls-Royce is convinced it is already changing perceptions of the product.

All eyes on EasyJet as airline earnings season kicks off

This week, we discuss EasyJet and look at the ongoing acquisition attempts of the European low-cost operator. Plus, we examine the key issues and themes as airlines prepare to report their financial results. FlightGlobal’s Europe airlines reporter Kerry Reals and contributing airlines editor Graham Dunn join Asia airlines editor Alfred Chua to discuss these developments.

Inside Horizon Aircraft’s unique path of a bringing hybrid VTOL to market

Horizon Aircraft CEO Brandon Robinson joins FlightGlobal Focus to explain why he views Horizon's somewhat unique hybrid VTOL strategy as a winner. Unlike rivals pursuing short-range, battery-powered air taxi concepts, Horizon is targeting regional missions with its hybrid-electric Cavorite X7, an aircraft designed to carry six passengers on flights up to 400nm. Robinson insists the X7's enclosed lift fans and turbine-electric architecture will provide operational flexibility and lower operating costs than helicopters while sidestepping limitations facing all-electric VTOLs.

A sit-down with Boeing's head of defence

Steve Parker has been at the helm of Boeing Defense, Space & Security since 2024, first on an interim basis and later as the permanent chief executive officer. A Boeing insider of more than 30 years, Parker stepped into the role at a time of tremendous uncertainty for the company. Its fighter manufacturing business was looking shaky, the world was questioning whether helicopters still had a role in modern combat, and poorly structured, fixed-price contracts from the 2010s were generating billions of dollars in losses. Nearly two years later, the picture couldn’t be more stark. Demand for precision munitions is booming. There is renewed interest in existing platforms like the AH-64E attack helicopter and F-15EX fighter, and Boeing secured a massive contract to produce the new F-47 sixth-generation fighter. Boeing has also emerged as a leader in the development of uncrewed jet aircraft like the MQ-28 Ghost Bat fighter and MQ-25 Stingray tanker. FlightGlobal’s managing editor for defence Greg Waldron sits down with Steve Parker to discuss the company’s turnaround and what to expect from Boeing over the next few years.

IATA AGM: Airlines confront costs, engine woes and limits of green ambitions

Airline executives arrived at this year's AGM with a growing list of problems that transcend borders: higher fuel costs tied to Middle East instability, severe engine shortages, aircraft delivery delays and mounting questions about the viability of sustainable aviation fuel.

Boeing nears 777-9 and Max approvals as key Russian programmes clear certification

Boeing appears to be regaining momentum after years of manufacturing and certification setbacks, expecting 737 Max 7 and 10 certifications this year followed soon after by the 777-9's approval. Meanwhile, Russia's import-substitution strategy advances with key approvals, while Honeywell Aerospace reveals a strategy refresh ahead of its planned 29 June spin into a standalone publicly traded firm.

Sensing victory: why airborne early warning contests are heating up

With Canada having shortlisted Saab's GlobalEye and the US administration seemingly back on board the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail programme, we assess the latest developments in the airborne early warning sector. How might additional nations – and the NATO alliance – look to bolster their surveillance capabilities, and could China gain an information advantage as it develops its own advanced platforms? FlightGlobal's European defence editor hosts a discussion looking at the global state of play for airborne early warning, with Americas defence reporter Ryan Finnerty and Asia defence editor Greg Waldron.

Executive interview: Chris Raymond, CEO Boeing Global Services

With an annual turnover of almost $21 billion, Boeing Global Services' activities span everything from aircraft maintenance and fleet support for commercial and military customers, to parts and distribution, manufacturing cabin products and delivering training. FlightGlobal Focus sat down with BGS CEO Chris Raymond to discuss the affects of ongoing Middle East instability, soaring fuel costs and the resulting potential for fleet adjustments and new aircraft sales. Plus, we look at latest developments involving Boeing's integration of the former Spirit AeroSystems business in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and a recent deal to deliver enhanced support for the UK military's fleets of Apache and Chinook helicopters.

Inside propulsion: Hydrogen trials, Russian engine updates and Leap durability promises

From Rolls-Royce’s hydrogen tests to Russian powerplant developments and GE Aerospace’s push to address Leap engine durability shortcomings, we break down the conventional and unconventional tech shaping aviation propulsion.

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