Silk Way West Airlines and Azerpost sign MOU: Silk Way West Airlines and Azerpost signed a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen partnership in the fields of postal logistics, air transportation, and e-commerce shipments. The agreement establishes a strategic framework for collaboration in areas such as international and domestic cargo delivery, mail sorting, warehousing, and logistics optimization. By combining their expertise and infrastructure, the two organizations aim to enhance the efficiency of postal and cargo flows both within Azerbaijan and internationally. Under the memorandum, Azerpost will utilize Silk Way West Airlines’ global network to transport international e-commerce parcels and postal shipments to Baku and beyond. In turn, Silk Way West Airlines will benefit from increased cargo volumes, while Azerpost will ensure last-mile delivery, sorting, and handling operations within Azerbaijan. The cooperation is also expected to open new opportunities within the Alat Free Economic Zone, where both parties plan to explore joint logistics solutions and advanced distribution models. As part of the first phase, a fully automated e-commerce terminal with an area of 12,000 square meters will be developed for handling all postal and e-commerce parcels, laying the foundation for large-scale regional logistics operations.
Firefly launches inaugural jet service from KLIA to Krabi: Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), commenced its new direct daily jet service to Krabi, Thailand (KBV) from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Terminal 1 on 17 November 2025. The inaugural flight FY3610 departed KUL at 11:30am local time and arrived at KBV at 12 noon, commemorating the start of Firefly’s latest international expansion. Captain Hamdan Che Ismail, Chief Operating Officer of Firefly said, “This new direct service from Kuala Lumpur underscores Firefly’s commitment to strengthening our footprint across Asia and enhancing regional connectivity. More importantly, this strategic expansion enables passengers from our sister airline, Malaysia Airlines, to seamlessly connect from major international hubs directly into Krabi, further elevating the overall travel experience.” The inaugural flight received strong public support, with load factor at 96%. Operating daily return services, the route enhances regional connectivity by offering travellers with seamless access to popular destinations across ASEAN, while supporting both tourism and business travel.
Rotortrade Tallard named Airbus Helicopters approved MRO centre: Rotortrade announced its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Tallard, France, has officially been recognised as an Airbus Helicopters Approved Maintenance Centre. The certification, granted under agreement SC-EUR-4221-2024, confirms that Rotortrade Tallard meets Airbus’s strict standards for infrastructure, processes, and personnel training. The approval covers maintenance centre O/I level activities, specifically for H120, AS350, H125, and H145 blades. This milestone, achieved in under two years of operation, underscores Rotortrade’s commitment to excellence and strengthens its long-standing partnership with Airbus. Becoming an Airbus Helicopters Approved Maintenance Centre goes beyond receiving a title. It reflects strict compliance with Airbus’s rigorous requirements for safety, quality, engineering, infrastructure, and personnel. To achieve this recognition, Rotortrade Tallard demonstrated adherence to Airbus-approved processes and specifications for repairs, inspections, and upgrades. Its technicians have undergone the necessary training and certifications, ensuring that only fully qualified experts perform critical inspections, modifications, and repairs. The approval also confirms the facility’s capability to handle a wide spectrum of maintenance tasks, ranging from routine checks to major inspections, overhauls, and structural repairs, as well as mission-specific upgrades and approved modifications. As part of the Airbus global MRO network, Rotortrade Tallard is now strategically positioned to deliver faster turnaround times and reduce downtime for operators. This ensures greater aircraft availability and reliability, as well as enhanced safety and compliance with international airworthiness regulations such as EASA.
Vallair Strengthens Ongoing Partnership with Air Corsica: Vallair announced the on-time redelivery of the first of two Airbus A320 aircraft undergoing scheduled C-Checks for Air Corsica. This milestone marks a continuation of the long-standing cooperation between the two companies, which has been built upon consistent operational performance. Gilles Fossecave, CEO of Vallair MRO at the organisation’s facility in Montpellier, France, stated: “We are proud to support Air Corsica’s fleet with high-quality maintenance services. Our partnership moves forward seamlessly as we now welcome the second aircraft for its planned heavy maintenance visit. Our team is inspired by the confidence that Air Corsica continues to place in us as we strive to be their trusted ‘go-to’ MRO provider whilst the airline expands its operations.” Jean-Luc Moine, Technical Director of Air Corsica, added: “We know Vallair well and have extensive experience working with their helpful and friendly teams. We are completely satisfied with the quality of the work performed and with the punctuality of this first redelivery.”
Volocopter to launch European eVTOL sandbox: Volocopter announced that it will launch a European sandbox program in 2026 to advance testing of its electric aircraft — the VoloCity and the VoloXPro — under near-commercial operation conditions. The initiative will feature a series of flight trials simulating real-world operations. The sandbox will validate operational readiness and support type certification for both aircraft through point-to-point missions. These trials will replicate key aspects of future UAM services, including flight procedures, ground operations, and passenger experience for VoloCity, as well as operational use cases for VoloXPro in urban and regional mobility. As part of this initiative, Volocopter’s long-standing partner ADAC Luftrettung will collaborate on select missions, exploring potential applications of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology for emergency medical services and lays the basis for ADAC Luftrettung’s upcoming pilot trials, which will begin in selected regions. “This sandbox is the final stretch toward making electric air taxis and ultralight aircraft a reality in Europe,” said David Bausek, CTO at Volocopter. “Testing VoloCity and VoloXPro in real-world environments with trusted partners like ADAC Luftrettung ensures we’re ready for commercial launch.”
BOC Aviation signs lease deal with EGYPTAIR: BOC Aviation announced that it has agreed to purchase and lease back three Airbus A350-900 aircraft with EGYPTAIR on a mix of long-term operating lease and finance leases. All aircraft will be powered by Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, with the first delivery scheduled for 2025. “We are excited to make our first delivery to EGYPTAIR, which marks the beginning of a new partnership and expands our footprint in Africa,” said Steven Townend, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, BOC Aviation. “The technologically advanced Airbus A350 aircraft makes an ideal choice for airlines looking to upgrade their fleet.” EGYPTAIR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Captain Ahmed Adel said “we are truly delighted to partner with BOC Aviation on this historic first Airbus A350 aircraft financing for EGYPTAIR, which marks a new chapter in our airline’s history. With these aircraft we can expand our network to more destinations, enhance our world-renowned reputation and build upon our new relationship with leading and innovative lessor, BOC Aviation. We look forward to many more transactions in the future working together.”
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Matt Driskill at matt.driskill@asianaviation.com
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Head of Sales Kay Rolland at kay.rolland@asianaviation.com
