India’s attempt to build a hub-and-spoke system is moving from policy intent to early execution, with Air India preparing to link Varanasi to international departures via Delhi as part of a government-backed trial expected to begin in June. The model…
IndiGo Receives DGCA Warning India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a warning letter to IndiGo over possible violations of temporary airfare caps imposed in December 2025. The action was taken after reports that some…
NTSB Air Canada Crash Report A preliminary investigation into the deadly runway crash at LaGuardia Airport in New York has revealed serious communication and safety failures. The incident involved an Air Canada Express passenger plane and an airport fire truck,…
Air India Controversy Explained Air India has clarified its position after facing criticism online about rules related to traditional symbols like sindoor, tikka, and bindi worn by employees. The airline said that there is no strict rule stopping staff from…
Air India has said airlines may not move quickly to the newly opened Navi Mumbai International Airport, raising doubts over a fast shift from Mumbai’s current airport. In a letter sent to the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA)…
Mali International Airport News Mali faced fresh violence on Saturday morning after several attacks were reported in the capital Bamako and other regions of the country. Loud explosions and heavy gunfire were heard near a military base and close to…
Noida International Airport News The Noida International Airport has announced a change in its top leadership. The airport has appointed its Chief Financial Officer Nitu Samra as the interim Chief Executive Officer. She will take charge immediately and will continue…
Jeypore Airport Expansion The Odisha government has started plans to expand Jeypore Airport to improve air travel and support development in southern Odisha. Officials said about 244 acres of land from three villages will be taken for this project. The…
Independent technical oversight in business aviation refers to the technical and project-side representation provided to an aircraft buyer through the course of an acquisition. It is approached differently by each buyer, and the starting point is to understand how that…
The Indian business aviation market has long struggled with the friction between rising demand and rigid regulatory frameworks. For those who have tracked the sector since the early 2000s, the evolution from the flexible owner-operator models of the past to today’s…
Business aviation projects rarely fail on intent—they stall in execution. From aircraft completions and pre-purchase inspections to maintenance oversight and cross-border acquisitions, the pressure points today lie in timelines, supply chains and technical alignment between stakeholders. As demand for both…
Every April, as the snow retreats from the Garhwal Himalayas, a small fleet of helicopters begins the most unglamorous work in Indian aviation. Back and forth, dozens of times a day, between the helipad at Phata and the shrine at…
Copa Airlines is extending its long-standing engine partnership with CFM International as it adds more Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to its fleet, with up to 60 additional aircraft—40 firm and 20 options —to be powered by LEAP-1B engines. The agreement…
The next leap in civil aviation fuel efficiency may not come from a radically different engine architecture. It may come from something already familiar, the turbofan made smarter, more adaptable, and more connected to a broader electrical system. That is…
Twenty years of engineering investment, a supply chain running through Indian manufacturers, a training infrastructure feeding the workforce Indian aviation needs, and a next-generation engine built specifically for the operating conditions that define flying across the subcontinent— Pratt & Whitney has…
American Airlines and CFM International (“CFM”) today announced that American’s future deliveries of Airbus A321neo aircraft will continue to be powered by the CFM LEAP-1A engine. These engines will be installed on Airbus A321neo aircraft that American ordered two years…
Liebherr-Aerospace has inducted the first Airbus A350 nose landing gear into overhaul at its Lindenberg facility in Germany, marking a transition point in the programme from production to lifecycle support as the global A350 fleet matures. The company, which developed…
Lufthansa Technik Canada (LTCA) has completed its first live LEAP-1B engine event at its interim facility in Calgary, marking the site’s transition into active operations and confirming its readiness to support engine maintenance activity in North America. The development adds…
Korean Air has implemented Ramco Systems’ Aviation Suite at its Engine Maintenance Centre, bringing engine maintenance, finance, customer support and billing functions onto a single integrated platform as part of its broader maintenance strategy. The Aviation Suite is an enterprise…
Daher has added two new logistics contracts from Safran, expanding a long-standing industrial relationship into production logistics and aftermarket support. The agreements cover nacelle integration logistics in Hamburg and the establishment of a dedicated MRO and AOG platform in the…
Saudia Group has signed a major 13-year agreement with Air France-KLM Group. Air France Industries, a leader in aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, will support and service of 86 GE90 engines powering Saudia’s Boeing 777 fleet at its Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly facilities.
This agreement builds on the strategic Memorandum of Understanding signed in Riyadh in December 2024 during the state visit of President Emmanuel Macron. The MoU laid the foundation for deeper industrial cooperation in aircraft maintenance, local content development, and commercial synergy between Saudia Group and Air France-KLM Group.
Under this long-term partnership, Air France Industries KLM E&M will provide comprehensive and integrated engine support, including performance analytics, predictive maintenance solutions through PROGNOS®, on-wing services, and field support. These services are designed to maintain optimal engine performance and reduce aircraft downtime, a key priority as Saudia continues to elevate its operational reliability and guest experience.
This collaboration reinforces Saudia Group’s commitment to aligning with globally recognized leaders in aviation to support the airline’s transformation strategy and long-haul network expansion.
H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, commented: “This agreement marks a significant step in strengthening the technical backbone of our long-haul operations. The trusted partnership with Air France Industries KLM E&M reflects our confidence in their expertise and aligns with our goals to deliver world-class reliability and excellence across our fleet. It also complements our broader strategy to localize MRO capabilities and build long-term value for the Kingdom.”
Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, said: “This agreement represents a strategic milestone in the collaboration between our two aviation groups. It reflects a profound level of trust and confidence between our parties and lays the foundation for strengthened cooperation in the fields of passenger transport and aircraft maintenance. Building upon our initial agreement in December, this partnership with Saudia Group underscores our shared commitment to excellence and innovation in the aviation industry.”
This signing at the Paris Air Show 2025 highlights Saudia Group’s proactive role in expanding its global partnerships, advancing technical excellence, and supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 through a robust and future-ready aviation ecosystem.
