Commercial Aviation reported an eight-year backlog record of US$13.1 billion in 2Q25. (The previous record for the division was US$13.4 billion in 4Q17.) The backlog increased 31% compared to 1Q25 and 16% versus 2Q24. Alongside its strong sales performance, the business unit celebrated an important milestone – 1,000 E175 units sold since its 2005 launch.

In 2Q25, the business unit delivered 19 new aircraft, exactly in line with the number of aircraft delivered in 2Q24. Consequently, in the 1H25, deliveries totalled 26 aircraft and 32% of the midpoint of the full year guidance (between 77 and 85 in 2025), 3 percentage points short of the average 35% level for the period recorded over the past five years.

Executive Aviation posted a backlog of US$7.4 billion in 2Q25, up 62% year-over-year but down a slight 2% quarter-over-quarter. Deliveries reached 38 jets during the period, 41% higher than the 27 jets in 2Q24. Consequently, in the 1H25, deliveries totalled 61 aircraft and 41% of the midpoint of the full year guidance (between 145 and 155 in 2025), 8 percentage points higher than the average 32% level for the period recorded over the past 5 years.

In Defence & Security, the backlog ended at US$4.3 billion in 2Q25, 3% higher sequentially and twice as high than a year ago.

The final commitment of nearly $297 million for TAAG Angola Airlines will support the export of Boeing 787-10 passenger aircraft and General Electric Aerospace spare engines.

“With nearly 1,400 jobs supported across the United States through this transaction, EXIM continues to fulfil its mandate to support jobs through exports,” said Acting President and Chairman James Cruse. “With this approval, we are supporting the nation’s economic security while bolstering Angola’s economy through the export of these aircraft and engines.”

Speakers on the infrastructure panel, titled: What are the challenges for India to achieve the right airport, ATM and ground services to support and deliver growth? include:

 Shri Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India

 Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, Delhi International Airport Ltd

 Radha Bhatia, Chair, The Bird Group

 Hari Marar, MD & CEO, Bangalore International Airport

The infrastructure session will be moderated by Chloe Greenbank, Airports Editor for Aviation India. “It is incredibly exciting to bring these organisations together to examine India’s hugely ambitious airport development plan as it seeks to bring connectivity to its citizens across the country,” she said.

“Over the last decade the number of airports in India has grown from 74 to 160 with plans to add another 50 by 2029, according to AAI,” added Greenbank.

“Equally significant is the creation of dual-airport systems in Mumbai and Delhi with the opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport and Noida International Airport bringing much-needed extra capacity to these cities.

“India is on a steep upward trajectory in air transport and all players from airports to ground service providers have a critical role to ensure they meet the demands of airline customers and travellers,” Greenbank concluded.

The 2nd edition of Aviation India & South Asia Summit & Exhibition 2025 is organised by Times Aerospace Events alongside joint venture partner, the MRO Association of India.

Under the event headline: “Shaping the pathway for Indian aviation”, the Summit promises to be one of the most significant gatherings of the commercial air transport community and ecosystem this year in India and builds upon the success of the launch summit in 2024 which attracted 582 delegates.

It is expected the 2025 edition will attract over 800 delegates and some 70 exhibitors.

Aviation India summit 2025 builds on the formula of the successful Times Aerospace Aviation Africa events, which began in Dubai in 2015 and have been held in Rwanda, Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Africa.

Following unconditional approval from the South African Competition Commission, Parrot Aviation, the holding company of Federal Airlines (FedAir), has acquired the 50% stake previously held by Comair General Aviation Holdings.

Simultaneously, Justin Reeves, co-founder and long-serving CEO of CFS, has acquired the remaining shares from other minority shareholders.

This transaction marks the conclusion of a successful 12-year partnership with Comair and ushers in a new chapter for the company. It also signals the formal retirement of the Comair Flight Services name, with the company now operating under its refreshed brand: CFS Aviation Group—a reflection of its evolution into a fully independent and integrated business aviation group.

“This marks an exciting new chapter in the CFS journey,” said Justin Reeves, Group CEO of CFS Aviation Group. “The new structure reinforces our long-term vision, strengthens our shareholder base, and preserves our operational independence. Our clients can expect the same exceptional service, safety and professionalism they’ve come to know, with renewed energy and focus.”

Etihad Airways carried 1.8 million passengers in June, marking a 16 percent increase compared to the same month last year. This sustained growth highlights the airline’s strategic expansion and strong position in the market. The passenger load factor rose to 88 percent, up from 86 percent in June 2024, demonstrating Etihad’s continued success in optimising capacity while meeting robust demand.

The airline’s operating fleet now comprises 101 aircraft, supporting its expanding network and ongoing service enhancements. During the first half of 2025, Etihad welcomed 10.2 million travellers on board, reflecting a 17 percent rise from the same period in 2024. The average passenger load factor for the year to date stands at an impressive 87 percent.

Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, said: "We are pleased to see continued momentum in our growth, with passenger numbers in June increasing by 17 percent year-on-year in the first half of the year, maintaining our position as the fastest-growing airline in the Middle East. Our year-to-date figures show that more than 10 million guests have flown with us in 2025, and our rolling 12-month total has almost reached 20 million as our customers continue to place their trust in our service.

"Our route expansion continued in June as we began operating to Prague and Warsaw for the first time and resumed five seasonal routes to summer hotspots: Nice, Malaga, Mykonos, Santorini and Antalya."

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, said: “Partnering with Crypto.com to integrate cryptocurrency into our digital payments system reflects Emirates’ commitment to meeting evolving customer preferences, in addition to tapping into younger, tech-savvy customer segments who prefer digital currencies. This strategic move is in line with Dubai’s vision to be at the forefront of financial innovation while at the same time providing our customers with greater flexibility and choice in how they transact with Emirates.”

“We’re delighted to complete the signing of this important MoU with Emirates Airline. As we continue to expand the everyday use case for crypto, integration with exceptional partners such as Emirates will bring real momentum to the digital asset industry and enable both companies to offer genuine innovative finance solutions for our customers. We look forward to working together as we continue to build our crypto offering in the GCC,” added Eric Anziani, President and COO, Crypto.com.

Integration is expected to take effect next year.

This agreement paves the way towards the creation of a national domestic carrier, as Sonatrach exits the aviation sector.

Air Algérie said: “The agreement outlines precise regulatory mechanisms to ensure a smooth transfer process, fully compliant with regulatory requirements, guaranteeing seamless ownership transition and operational continuity.

“This deal reflects the mutual commitment of both parties to principles of governance, operational synergy, and strategic complementarity in the air transport sector.”

Turkish also plans to sign lease deals for 14 narrowbody aircraft at the show. “We had a final gap between us and Boeing. I was hoping that we could close that here in Le Bourget but they had to fly to India for the event that happened,” Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat told journalists at a June 16 roundtable at the Paris Air Show. “I think we are very close.”

The gap is related to negotiations on price, including engine costs, and specifically achieving a deal that will allow it to maintain sustainable growth, he says. Bolat also says the airline would on June 17 sign a new deal with two lessors for 14 narrowbody aircraft to help it continue to grow even amid delivery delays of new aircraft.

“Day by day, both manufacturers are informing us the aircraft are further delayed,” Bolat says. “Meanwhile, we are working with the lessors. Tomorrow, we are going to sign 14 new aircraft to be leased to Turkish from two lessors.”

Those leases will be signed with Carlyle and Avolon and involve both Boeing MAX and Airbus Neo narrowbodies to be delivered in 2028.

“We don’t really distinguish in the narrowbodies,” Bolat says. “With the operating leases, we continue to grow and maintain the 8% growth rate, even with the current shortage of aircraft,” Bolat says. The airline is also close to finalising deals with other lessors, he adds.

Looking at broad hopes for growth, Bolat says Turkish wants to encourage more visitors to the country’s cultural and historical sites. “Most people are coming for sand and sea, but we’re trying to attract more tourists for cultural things.”

In particular, he says Turkish could encourage more French tourists to visit the country, with around 6 million German visitors, 4.4 million from the UK, but only 1 million French despite a strong interest in cultural and historical sites for French tourists. “We have a lot of homework to do to let the French people know Turkey is not just sand and sea.”

Asked about its partnership with IndiGo in India, including the wet lease of 777s, which is due to come to an end but has been granted a brief reprieve by the Indian government, Bolat says: “IndiGo at the moment is continuing. India is an important market for us, but we of course abide by all the rules and regulations.”

Bolat notes that out of 253 total destinations, Turkish flies to only two cities in India.

SAA said: ‘SAA has no authority or direct oversight over Mango’s financial obligations, current and future business plan.”

According to the Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP), Sipho Sono, Mango Airlines is in the final stages of concluding a sale and purchase of shares transaction with its selected investor, with the aim of relaunching the airline. This stage of the business rescue process follows debates and litigation between Sono, the former Ministry of Public Enterprises, and the Board of SAA on the level of transparency required from a BRP on the identity and financial capabilities of the investors purchasing a business being disposed of.

As part of this BRP’s disposal process, Mango is verifying the value of unflown air tickets purchased by Mango passengers before 26 July 2021 for departure dates after 26 July 2021. Mango operations were suspended on 26 July 2021.

SAA emphasised that it is ‘not’ involved in Mango Airlines' claims, refunds, or any financial settlements related to its operations.

SAA added: “SAA remains focused on its own strategic objectives and operational commitments, separate from Mango Airlines. We appreciate the public’s understanding and urge affected individuals to follow Mango’s official channels for all inquiries related to its business rescue process.”

The airline carried 1.7 million passengers in May, representing a 19% increase compared to the same month last year. This continued growth reflects the airline’s strategic expansion and strong market positioning. Passenger load factor climbed to 87%, up from 84% in May 2024, reinforcing Etihad’s ability to optimise capacity while maintaining high demand.

Etihad’s operating fleet now stands at 100 aircraft, supporting its growing network and service enhancements. In the first five months of 2025, 8.4 million travellers have flown with Etihad, a 17% rise from the same period in 2024, with the airline maintaining an impressive 87% average passenger load factor.

Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways CEO, said: "We saw a pleasing continued growth in our momentum, with May’s passenger numbers growing by 19% year-on-year, underlining our position as the fastest-growing Middle East airline. Our year-to-date results show more than 8 million customers have flown with us in 2025, and our rolling 12-month figure now stands at almost 20 million, a testament to the trust placed in Etihad’s service.

“We reached an exciting milestone in May as our fleet number reached the 100 mark. As we continue expanding our route network and growing our fleet in the coming months, our focus remains on delivering a seamless and exceptional customer experience.”