AAV News in Brief 19 February 2026

Flyadeal inducts new aircraft: Flyadeal, Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing low-cost airline, has taken delivery of its first new aircraft of 2026 – an Airbus A320neo – boosting the carrier’s fleet to 45 all-narrowbody passenger jets. Arriving in Jeddah direct from Airbus’ assembly plant in Toulouse, the aircraft becomes the airline’s 34th A320neo, adding to the 11 A320neo variant that make up flyadeal’s total fleet. The delivery also marks a move away from the traditional naming of every aircraft after a constellation star. Named Al-Saqr (falcon) after the national bird of Saudi Arabia, it heralds the beginning of flyadeal’s new narrowbodies proudly adorning the names of different birds in the Kingdom. The falcon represents strength, courage, freedom and pride, deeply embedded in Saudi culture, reflecting the qualities so ingrained in the values of flyadeal.  Captain Abdulaziz Bahri, flyadeal Chief Operating Officer, added: “Being an all-A320 operator, flyadeal has shown confidence in this wonderful aircraft that supports our flying requirements domestically, regionally and beyond with low cost and fuel efficiency, fulfilling our key operational needs. Just six months ago, we took delivery of our 40th aircraft. We’re now up to 45 and continue to hire more pilots, including those joining through the government-backed graduate cadet training programme that we began participating in last year.” Tecnam wins deal with Barbers Point Flight School: Tecnam announced a significant fleet expansion for Barbers Point Flight School (BPFS), a premier flight training organization located on Oahu, Hawaii. Already operating two Tecnam P2010 aircraft, BPFS is expanding its fleet with two P-Mentors (scheduled for delivery in Q1 2026) and the P2006T NG Sport (scheduled for early 2027). This strategic move solidifies the school’s commitment to providing the most advanced training platforms available. Following the P2006T NG’s official US launch, which immediately sparked tremendous interest from both Flight Training Organizations (FTOs) and private customers seeking the next generation of multi-engine efficiency, Barbers Point acted decisively to secure the first position, becoming the US Launch Customer for the Tecnam P2006T NG Sport. Operating out of John Rodgers Airfield since 2010, Barbers Point Flight School has established itself as a pillar of aviation training in the Pacific. With approximately 140 active students and a waitlist of 91, the school is managing high demand, having graduated nearly 200 students with FAA practical test passes since 2022. To meet this demand while combating the high variable costs of operating in the Pacific, BPFS is deepening its reliance on Tecnam’s modern, fuel-efficient fleet. AFI KLM E&M receives first LEAP spare engine: Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) announced the arrival of the first LEAP-1B spare engine in Amsterdam, marking a major milestone in their recently signed agreement to purchase up to 10 CFM International LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. This strategic investment reinforces AFI KLM E&M’s commitment to provide world-class maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for airline customers across the globe. The newly arrived engine will play a pivotal role in AFI KLM E&M’s LEAP Premier MRO portfolio, ensuring maximum aircraft availability and operational continuity for airlines operating LEAP-powered fleet. By maintaining a robust reserve of spare LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines, AFI KLM E&M can offer rapid engine replacements and minimize aircraft downtime while performing essential services on operators’ primary engines. The arrival of the first spare LEAP-1B engine in Amsterdam underscores the increasing demand for highly efficient and reliable LEAP engines, which maximize aircraft utilization and availability. AFI KLM E&M’s expanded capabilities now offer customers enhanced engine availability, in addition to existing services such as quick-turn, performance restoration, and on-wing support. Satys completes strategic realignment: Satys has announced the completion of the company’s strategic realignment, fully refocusing its activities on the aeronautics sector. Driven by the strong momentum of the global aeronautics industry, the discreet Toulouse-based Satys Group is consolidating its growth, recovering its pre-Covid profitability ratios, and entering 2026 with solid development ambitions across its six markets: commercial aviation, regional aviation, business aviation, helicopters, defense, and aircraft repainting. The group has undertaken a major strategic shift since 2020 by refocusing on aircraft painting and surface treatment. This roadmap led Satys to divest its cabling business to an investment fund in 2020, then in early 2025 to sell its Satys Cabin division to the UUDS Group, a leading player in this field in France. Finally, on 30 January 2026, it sold its rail interior design business, Kelox, to the French group Barat, a well-established player in this sector. Kelox had been successfully restructured in 2025 following very serious financial difficulties between 2022 and 2024, which had required significant financial support from the shareholder. The group employs 2,200 people, including 1,500 in France. By 2030, it plans on recruiting 800 people, over one-third of which will be in France. Satys Aerospace’s shareholders include Christophe Cador through the Satys Industries holding company, the management team, and financial investors: funds managed by Tikehau Investment Management, Crédit Mutuel Equity, Groupe Crédit Agricole, BPI France, and IRDI. Ventura AirConnect launches new flights: Ventura AirConnect, Surat’s own regional airline, has launched flights connecting the city with Surat, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Amreli, reducing the travel time between Surat and Saurashtra to just 30 minutes. Ventura AirConnect has been operating daily flights between Surat–Ahmedabad, Surat–Bhavnagar, Surat–Rajkot and Surat–Amreli for more than 11 years using Cessna Grand Caravan 9-seater aircraft, which is one of the world’s safest aviation categories. The airline offers these services at highly affordable fares, making air travel accessible to people across all sections of society. Ventura AirConnect has recently introduced a luxurious, high-speed and ultra-safe 8-seater Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, manufactured in Switzerland, to expand its charter flight services. This charter service allows passengers to travel from Surat to destinations of their choice and is especially beneficial for emergency travel and corporate requirements across Gujarat. Each aircraft operates with nine passengers and two pilots. The flight durations are approximately 30 minutes to Bhavnagar, 45 minutes to Amreli and 60 minutes to Ahmedabad and Rajkot, significantly reducing travel time across the states. 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