Farnborough News in Brief 21 July 2026

GE Aerospace partners demo high-altitude hybrid electric flight: GE Aerospace announced an industry first to advance the future of flight, demonstrating the viability of more electric aircraft engine systems for aviation. In collaboration with NASA, BETA Technologies, and Boeing, GE Aerospace conducted the first hybrid electric flight above 30,000 feet, reaching the same altitude levels of passenger commercial aircraft. During tests, the team’s single longest flight in hybrid electric operation was more than two hours. The record-breaking test campaign was enabled by GE Aerospace’s fully integrated megawatt-class and multi-kilovolt hybrid electric propulsion system developed through the NASA Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. The right side of the EPFD aircraft, a Saab 340B, was modified for flight tests with a hybrid electric system that fits inside an inverted nacelle, providing extra ventilation. The system includes GE Aerospace-developed motor/generators, power converters and inverters, controllers, Avio Aero gearboxes, Dowty propellers, Unison heat exchangers, torque sensing, and engine harnesses, and a CT7 engine. BAE Systems provided the batteries used and Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences supplied the complete nacelle. GE Aerospace also announced a deal with the Air France KLM Group — Air France, Hop! and Transavia France — has signed a five-year agreement for Fuel Insight, GE Aerospace’s fuel analytics solution that helps airlines optimise fuel planning and performance and supports sustainability reporting. This agreement extends Fuel Insight’s footprint across the broader Air France KLM Group. Four Air Operator Certificates are already using the solution, KLM, KLC, Martinair, and Transavia Holland, and the Air France KLM Group’s adoption means the entire group will be using Fuel Insight, with an expectation that a shared platform will further reinforce internal cooperation and best-practice sharing. Air Canada and Airbus launch joint initiative on SAF: Air Canada and Airbus announced their intent to establish a jointly funded Sustainability Co-Investment Platform. This agreement states a shared objective to invest up to approximately CAD 13.7 million (US$10 million), through the platform to support a commercial-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry in Canada. Both companies are confident that, with a supportive public policy framework in place, this investment can serve as a catalyst for the broader Canadian SAF ecosystem. Key focus areas include accelerating a jointly agreed Canadian SAF project toward a Final Investment Decision (FID). While Air Canada and Airbus intend to drive this investment, both companies look forward to continuing their constructive collaboration with government partners to establish the right structural frameworks to support SAF production to emerge at scale in Canada. Their ongoing joint advocacy alongside the Canadian Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition (C-SAF) reflects a shared commitment to working with federal and provincial governments. By aligning industry initiatives with supportive public policy mechanisms, they can successfully champion domestic SAF production and price competitiveness, with the objective to make renewable fuels available for the Canadian aerospace industry and to preserve affordability of air travel. CAE tapped by Turkish Airlines to expand pilot training: CAE announced it has been awarded a multi-year contract by Turkish Airlines to deliver a comprehensive suite of next-generation full-flight simulators (FFS) and flight training devices (FTD). The contract reinforces CAE’s longstanding partnership with Türkiye’s national carrier and supports the airline’s investments in expanding its pilot training capacity through advanced simulation technologies amid one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world. “This agreement is a testament to our longstanding relationship with Turkish Airlines and to the trust it continues to place in CAE as a strategic partner in advancing its pilot training capabilities,” said Matthew Bromberg, President and Chief Executive Officer at CAE. “For more than 20 years, we have worked together to support the airline’s growth and evolving training needs. Through this comprehensive fleet of Airbus and Boeing training devices, we will continue to deliver advanced, high-fidelity simulation solutions that help Turkish Airlines build pilot capacity, maintain the highest safety standards, and support its long-term ambitions.” As part of the agreement, CAE will deliver five full‑flight simulators and two flight training devices, with option for two additional FFSs, covering next‑generation platforms across Airbus and Boeing fleets. Jackson Square Aviation selects CFM LEAP-1A engines: Jackson Square Aviation (JSA) announced the selection of CFM International’s LEAP-1A engines to power a number of Airbus A320neo family aircraft from its previously announced Airbus order. Kevin McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of Jackson Square Aviation, said: “As we continue to build our future fleet, the selection of the LEAP-1A engine represents an important step in delivering the aircraft and performance our airline customers expect. We are pleased to expand our relationship with CFM as we execute our long-term fleet strategy and continue providing airlines with superior fleet and capital solutions.” Jackson Square Aviation is an aircraft lessor focused on providing airlines with long-term fleet and financing solutions. Since its establishment in 2010, the company has built one of the industry’s most modern and fuel-efficient portfolios, supporting airline fleet replacement and growth worldwide. Today, it’s owned, committed, and managed fleet totals 344 aircraft, serving 64 airlines across 34 countries. With more than 10,000 engines delivered to date, CFM LEAP engines have experienced the fastest ramp in commercial aviation history. CFM continues to upgrade the LEAP fleet with a high-pressure turbine (HPT) durability kit to extend time on wing and a reverse bleed system (RBS) to lower airline maintenance burden. The company is focused on delivering high engine availability through exceptional MRO performance and competitive cost of ownership, with the benefits of aftermarket competition through its open MRO ecosystem. Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance and AerCap form LEAP JV: Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (“AFI KLM E&M”) and   announced the signing of an agreement to establish a 50/50 LEAP engine leasing joint venture to support the growing demand for LEAP spare engines. The joint venture follows the memorandum of understanding announced at the Paris Air Show in 2025 and is subject to the necessary approvals by the relevant authorities. The joint venture will provide spare engine support to AFI KLM E&M customers operating LEAP-powered aircraft worldwide and is expected to initially acquire approximately 40 new CFM LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B spare engines. Subject to the necessary approvals by the relevant authorities, deliveries are scheduled through 2032, with the first four LEAP engines expected to be available to AFI KLM E&M customers by early 2027. “The signing of this agreement to establish a joint venture with AerCap marks a significant strategic step in addressing the evolving needs of the LEAP engine market,” said Anne Brachet, Executive Vice President Air France-KLM E&M. “This joint venture will bring together complementary expertise to strengthen support for LEAP operators worldwide. Philippine Airlines Selects GE Aerospace GEnx engines: GE Aerospace announced that Philippine Airlines (PAL) has selected the GEnx-1B engines to power its 15 new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, including purchase rights for five additional aircraft. PAL is the Philippines’ flag carrier and the country’s only full-service network airline. It has been a GE Aerospace customer for over 50 years and currently operates a fleet of GE Aerospace and CFM* powered aircraft. This includes the GE90 for its Boeing 777-300ER widebody fleet and CFM56-5B for its Airbus A320s with a total of 52 engines currently in service. Mohamed Ali, President & CEO, GE Aerospace Commercial Engines & Services, said: “Philippine Airlines’ selection of the GEnx engine for its new Boeing 787-10 fleet builds on our long-standing relationship and reflects the strength of our technology, services and support. We are proud to support PAL as it grows its widebody fleet with an engine that delivers proven reliability, fuel efficiency and strong operating performance.” Lucio C. Tan III, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL Holdings, Inc., said: “As we continue to invest in our fleet and expand our international network, GE Aerospace remains an important partner of Philippine Airlines. We are confident that the GEnx engines will provide the reliability, efficiency, and performance needed to support our operations and deliver an even better travel experience for our customers.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]