Asia-Pacific Aerospace Briefs Today
March 20th 2026
Today's briefs report news from ACIA Aero Leasing, Air Astana, Airbus, ATR, Avation, BAE Systems, BOC Aviation, Boeing, Chingis Airlines Unity, European Union, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), International Air Transport Association (IATA), and Pratt & Whitney. Read More »
BOC Aviation reported record total revenues and other income of over US$2.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025. Net profit after tax was US$787 million compared with US$924 million in 2024, as the prior year included US$291 million of higher non-recurring recoveries related to aircraft in Russia. As of December 31, 2025, the company handled a total portfolio of 815 aircraft and engines owned, managed, and on order. The average aircraft age was 5.0 years with an average owned aircraft remaining lease term of 7.8 years, and the orderbook of 337 aircraft.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on March 17 cleared Boeing to continue advancing its long-delayed 777-9 into the fourth phase of certification testing, the Air Current exclusively reported.
ATR announced that Singapore-based lessor Avation has exercised purchase rights for five ATR 72‑600 aircraft under its long-term framework agreement signed in 2011. Deliveries are scheduled for 2028 and 2029. The latest commitment covers the 50th to 54th ATR aircraft ordered by Avation since the start of its cooperation with ATR 15 years ago.
Airbus is ramping up pressure on Pratt & Whitney by pursuing potential damages in an escalating dispute over late engine shipments, Reuters exclusively reported. The move follows a long dispute between the OEMs over who gets priority access to scarce engine supplies: aircraft assembly lines or airlines already facing lengthy repair queues.
BAE Systems will sell its remaining 6.9% stake in Air Astana, valued at $31 million, the airline informed. BAE invested under $10 million in 2001 to back Air Astana’s launch, at a time when it was pursuing a radar systems deal in Kazakhstan.
ACIA Aero Leasing announced the delivery of an ATR 72-600 passenger aircraft on lease to Chingis Airlines Unity in Mongolia.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for the review of the European Union’s (EU) Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to enhance European air connectivity and economic resilience by improving the competitiveness of Europe’s air transport industry. IATA said the EU should ensure full implementation of CORSIA for all international flights, including those within the European Economic Area (EEA). “To prevent market fragmentations, the EU should avoid regional derogations, additional eligibility hurdles, and overlapping measures that conflict with this global framework,” IATA said. The EU should also enable a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) book-and-claim system, reinvest revenue in decarbonization, and balance climate policy to build resilience, said IATA.
