FlightGlobal Focus

Embraer looks to challenge the C-130's dominance in the tactical transport market

The global market for military airlift has long been dominated by just a few options. Lockheed Martin’s C-130 has been a mainstay for decades, now representing 20% of the military cargo fleet worldwide. Airbus captures around 10% of the market with its C295 and A400 together, while Boeing’s larger C-17 represents 6% of the active global inventory. Leonardo’s C-27J doesn’t even make the top 10 list by market share, falling below China’s Y-8 and out-of-production designs from former Soviet manufacturer Antonov. But recently a new contender has been scoring win after win in competitions for new military airlifters. After launching operations in 2009, orders for Brazilian manufacturer Embraer's C-390 have started pouring in from around the world, now with 12 customers spread across Europe, Asia, Latin America and, most recently, the Middle East. FlightGlobal's defence team discusses Embraer's strategy in developing the C-390, with choices like opting for a jet-powered design over a turboprop.

Spirit collapse, fuel prices cast pall ahead of IATA's annual conference in Rio

As airline executives prepare to gather in Rio for IATA’s Annual General Meeting, soaring fuel prices, worries of fuel shortages and the collapse of Spirit Airlines have intensified concerns about the industry’s position. Carriers globally are cutting capacity and hiking fares, while US discounters are navigating particularly pressured business models.

• Transcript

From cabin comfort to cost crisis: signals from the show floor

What this spring’s biggest aerospace shows reveal about the future of flight — and how a sudden fuel shock might change the picture.

• Transcript

The US Air Force has graduated its last class of new A-10 pilots

After years of noise about wanting to retire the famous Fairchild Republic A-10 ground attack fighter, the US Air Force now says it has graduated the last class of new pilots assigned to fly the "Warthog". But just weeks later, the Pentagon announced that the A-10's. retirement is being pushed back to at least 2030. It's just the latest example of the titanium-enclosed jet beating the odds on bureaucratic survival. Has the end really come for the Warthog or can the plane famous for its battlefield survivability once again stave off the end from Washington? Americas defence reporter Ryan Finnerty speaks with the commander of the 357th Fighter Squadron that trains new A-10 pilots and retired air force Colonel Kim "KC" Campbell, whose combat service in the Warthog over Iraq has made her arguably the most famous A-10 pilot. Show Notes: Kim Campbell profile in Flight International, 2023: https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/2023/06/rough-air-over-baghdad-a-10-pilot-kim-campbell-flies-into-aviation-history/ US Air Force begins first A-10 retirements: https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/2023/04/usaf-begins-long-sought-a-10-retirements/ The A-10 returns to combat in Iran: https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/2026/03/a-10-returns-to-combat-hunting-iranian-vessels-in-strait-of-hormuz/ A-10 "Sandy" mission over Iran: https://www.flightglobal.com/archive/2026/04/iran-rescue-mission-featured-155-aircraft-refuelling-over-enemy-territory-and-one-lost-a-10/ The armed crop duster that could replace the A-10: https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/2025/02/us-air-force-dubs-new-oa-1k-armed-crop-duster-skyraider-ii-ahead-of-first-delivery/

• Transcript

Fuel costs overshadow airline earnings season

This week we discuss rising jet fuel prices related to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East, and look at how global carriers are responding to the crisis heading into the summer air travel season.

• Transcript

Runways to radio waves: LaGuardia crash highlights failed safety nets, US airlines brace for altimeter replacements

The deadly 22 March collision involving an Air Canada Express CRJ900 exposed holes in overlapping aviation safety networks. Meanwhile, the entire US aerospace industry is coming to terms with a pending requirement to replace all altimeters on all aircraft to prevent interference from new 5G cellular networks, a multi-billion-dollar effort.

• Transcript

Europe takes on a bigger share of NATO defence spending and the US loses an E-3 to Iran

The annual report from NATO's secretary general is out and it shows some notable trends. More than a year of threats and berating from US President Donald Trump seems to have spurred European governments to take on a greater share of financial responsibility for collective defence. Figures for 2025 indicate Europe and Canada now account for 48% of NATO spending versus only 40% in 2024. Meanwhile in the Middle East, the US Air Force lost a Boeing E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft while on the ground in an Iranian long-range strike. The incident calls into question the ability of the USAF to execute its agile combat employment strategy for protecting aircraft on the ground. FlightGlobal's European defence editor joins Americas defence reporter Ryan Finnerty to discuss spending trends in Europe and the future of the crucial airborne early warning mission set.

• Transcript

Adding fuel to fire: How are airlines managing fuel price uncertainty?

It is a month since the Iran conflict started, and a more far-reaching impact is beginning to take root, centred around the volatility of fuel prices. With fuel being the single largest expense for any airline, any spike in pricing will ultimately impact profitability. FlightGlobal’s head of airlines, Lewis Harper, joins Asia-Pacific airlines editor Alfred Chua to discuss what operators are doing to tackle the issue, and what the longer-term implications are.

• Transcript