Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

Atlas Air Worldwide has ordered 20 Airbus A350F freighters, a deal that makes the US cargo operator the largest customer for Airbus’ next-generation freighter and gives it early delivery slots for the type. Airbus announced the agreement on March 16, 2026, calling Atlas the biggest A350F customer to date. Atlas said the order also includes options for 20 more aircraft. Deliveries of the firm-order jets are expected to start in 2029 and run through 2034, giving the New York-based group a new widebody freighter platform as it prepares for the retirement of older cargo aircraft across the market. Michael Steen,…

A fleet of Airbus A330-300 freighters leased to Amazon Air and operated by Alaska Airlines have joined the IAT Leasing portfolio as part of a new acquisition. On March 16, 2026, Dublin-based IAT Leasing announced that 10 Airbus A330F aircraft were “purchased from funds managed by ALTAVAIR and were acquired on behalf of funds managed by Blue Owl Capital and financed by MUFG”. In its role, IAT Leasing will provide ongoing lease administration and asset management services for the Amazon Air A330F fleet. “This is a transformative transaction for IAT. Acquiring ten A330 converted freighters on lease to Amazon Air…

Ground stops have been issued at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) as the US braces itself for major storms. On March 16, 2026, the Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, turned to social media to confirm that at least 2,000 flights had been cancelled with more than 9,500 flights delayed in the face of severe weather. Flights leaving Hartsfield-Jackson and Charlotte Jackson have been grounded due to thunderstorms while wind has caused a ground delay at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). “Bad weather can delay, disrupt or even…

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Top Aces has been awarded a contract to provide F-16 instructor pilot training for the Argentine Air Force, adding a new training pillar to Buenos Aires’ ongoing effort to field its newly acquired Danish Fighting Falcons. The company announced on March 16, 2026, that it had been selected to deliver the training program in support of Argentina’s F-16 introduction. The announcement follows a US government contract notice published on February 24, 2026, which said Top Aces had received a $33.19 million firm-fixed-price award for F-16 instructor pilot training under the Foreign Military Sales framework. Work is to be performed in…

Subscription Required By Karl Sinclair March 16, 2026, © Leeham News: Aircraft lessor giant Air Lease Corporation (ALC) of Los Angeles (CA) closed the books on 2025 and reported record figures. In early 2026, the company will cease to exist. The Sumitomo Corporation, SMBC Aviation Capital, Apollo, and Brookfield funds are expected to acquire Air Lease Corporation for $7.4bn in the early part of this year and rebrand it the Sumisho Air Lease Corporation (SALC). SALC will be a new powerhouse lessor that Airbus, Boeing, and the engine makers will be dealing with. According to ALC, Air Lease Class A…

Thales has been selected by Pilatus Aircraft to supply its radio management system for a fleet of PC-7 military trainer aircraft operated in Europe.  The French group said the system is intended to improve operational performance and communication reliability during training missions, providing what it described as more robust, resilient, and flexible communications for evolving mission requirements. It will also expose student pilots to digital environments earlier, which they are likely to encounter later in operational service.   Thales did not publicly identify the operator or disclose the number of aircraft covered by the contract.  “Together, we have come up with a system offering a high-level of efficiency, which will enable these…

A drone strike at Dubai International Airport (DXB) caused a fuel tank fire with airlines forced to suspend flights in response to the incident. On March 16, 2026, shortly before 04:00 local time, the Government of Dubai issued a statement that authorities were “responding to a fire resulting from a drone-related incident in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport”. Around half an hour later it was explained that the drone attack had affected one of the fuel tanks at the airport and emergency measures were being taken to “ensure everyone’s safety”. After approximately an hour, it was confirmed that Civil…

They may be small in size, but fasteners play a big role in aerospace engineering. They are used to mechanically hold two or more parts together. Temporary fasteners include bolts, screws and nuts, whereas permanent fasteners include rivets, staples and weld-on fasteners. While they are all used to hold multiple parts together, aerospace fasteners are available in different finishes. Some of them have a zinc-plated finish. Other aerospace fasteners have a cadmium-plated finish. What Are Zinc-Plated Aerospace Fasteners? Zinc-plated aerospace fasteners are characterized by a thin outer layer of zinc. These fasteners are still made of strong and durable materials,…

Brazilian airline Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes (GOL) has confirmed Lisbon Humberto Delgado International Airport (LIS) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) as its first European destinations.  This announcement follows the Brazilian low-cost carrier move to secure five Airbus A330-900neo widebody aircraft on lease through its parent company, Abra Group. These five A330-900neo aircraft are part of an order of seven aircraft which Abra Group expects to receive in 2026 and 2027.  Although GOL already operates some relatively long flights within the American continent, for example, with its routes between Brazil and Florida, it does so with a fleet made entirely of…