Abra Group has finalized an agreement with CFM International for 100 LEAP-1A engines to power 50 Airbus A320neo family aircraft for its Avianca subsidiary, cementing the holding company’s status as the largest operator of CFM engines in Latin America.

Announced on July 21, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow in England, the deal includes spare engines and a comprehensive long-term services package. According to a press release from GE Aerospace, the maintenance agreement covers both Avianca’s Airbus A320neo family fleet and the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by Brazilian sister airline GOL. CFM International is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.

Fleet expansion and engine allocation

The newly ordered LEAP-1A engines will be installed on 50 previously unallocated Airbus A320neo family aircraft within Avianca’s existing order book. Following this allocation, Avianca retains a backlog of 134 Airbus A320neo family jets awaiting engine selection.

Once all in-service and backlog aircraft are delivered, Abra Group’s combined brands will operate a fleet of more than 650 LEAP-powered aircraft. The group also currently operates 176 older-generation aircraft powered by CFM56 engines across the Avianca and GOL networks.

Adrian Neuhauser, CEO of Abra Group, stated that the agreements drive reliability, fuel efficiency, and cost predictability across the Airlines. He noted the engine selection supports a broader strategy to build a competitive aviation platform across the Latin American market.

Maintenance strategy and regional growth

The inclusion of a long-term services agreement ensures maintenance support for the narrowbody fleets of both Avianca and GOL, providing the holding company with unified engine support across two different aircraft types.

“These agreements demonstrate the value operators place in CFM’s products and services,” said Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM International. “From new LEAP powered aircraft entering service to comprehensive support for fleets already in operation, we remain committed to helping our customers achieve high asset utilization, reliability, and operational efficiency.”

The engine manufacturer noted that it has delivered more than 10,000 LEAP engines to the global commercial aviation industry to date.

Regional connectivity strategy

The CFM International engine order aligns with a broader fleet and network expansion strategy executed by Abra Group during the Farnborough Airshow. On July 21, 2026, the holding company also announced an agreement to purchase up to 45 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, including 20 firm Orders, to increase operational flexibility.

This fleet expansion follows a July 14, 2026, strategic partnership established between Abra Group and Etihad Airways aimed at strengthening connectivity between Latin America, the Middle East, and other global markets.

AirPro News analysis

We view Abra Group’s decision to secure a unified long-term services package for both Avianca’s Airbus A320neo family and GOL’s Boeing 737 MAX fleets as a clear demonstration of the holding company’s structural synergies. By leveraging the combined scale of its two primary carriers, Abra Group is extracting maximum value from CFM International across competing airframes. The dual announcement of the LEAP-1A order and the Embraer E195-E2 acquisition indicates a strategic layering of the fleet, utilizing the E2 for thinner regional routes while relying on the A320neo and 737 MAX families for high-density trunk operations.

Sources: GE Aerospace

Tajikistan-based startup Shohin Airlines has placed a firm order for four Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, establishing the carrier’s initial fleet as it prepares to launch commercial passenger services.

Announced on July 21, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow, the agreement includes two Airbus A320neo and two Airbus A321neo jets. According to an Airbus press release, the transaction was previously recorded in the manufacturer’s June 2026 order book under an undisclosed customer.

Fleet strategy and configuration

The incoming aircraft will feature a dual-class cabin layout across both variants. The Airbus A320neo jets will be configured with 176 seats, while the larger Airbus A321neo aircraft will accommodate 196 passengers.

Shohin Airlines Chief Executive Officer Zafar Ahmadzoda stated that the new aircraft will form the foundation of the company’s operations and support the expansion of Tajikistan’s international air connectivity.

“The signing of our first contract with Airbus marks a milestone not only for Shohin Airlines, but also for the entire civil aviation sector of Tajikistan,” Ahmadzoda said. “The A320neo Family aircraft will form the backbone of our airline’s modern, efficient, and environmentally sustainable fleet.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus, confirmed the manufacturer’s readiness to support the startup’s vision to connect Tajikistan to global markets.

Market context and launch preparations

Registered as a private airline in Dushanbe in June 2025, Shohin Airlines has not yet announced a specific launch date or an initial route network. The carrier enters a growing Central Asian aviation market. According to reporting by Aviation Week, departing seat capacity from Tajikistan reached 1.36 million for the summer 2026 season, representing a 5.6 percent increase year-over-year.

Dushanbe accounts for 67 percent of the country’s departing seat capacity. The market is currently highly concentrated, with Russian carrier Ural Airlines holding a 46.8 percent market share of departing seats, followed by Tajikistan-based Somon Air at 28.2 percent.

AirPro News analysis

We view the Shohin Airlines order as a strategic move to capture a share of a growing but highly concentrated market. By selecting the Airbus A320neo Family, the startup is positioning itself to compete directly with established players like Ural Airlines and Somon Air on both regional and international routes. The dual-class configuration suggests a focus on capturing premium traffic alongside standard economy passengers, which will be critical for differentiating the new carrier in a market currently dominated by legacy operators.

Sources: Airbus

Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG) and WestJet finalized long-term lease agreements on July 14, 2026, for 13 Boeing 737-10 aircraft, positioning the Canadian carrier to potentially receive the first delivery of the variant from the lessor’s orderbook.

The transaction, announced in a press release by ACG, expands an existing relationship between the two companies following the delivery of two Boeing 737-8 aircraft in February 2026. The agreement supports WestJet’s fleet renewal strategy while highlighting ACG’s growing backlog of Boeing’s largest narrowbody variant.

Fleet expansion and the Boeing 737-10

The Boeing 737-10 represents 30 percent of the total 737 MAX order backlog, with more than 1,400 orders globally. According to ACG, the aircraft offers a 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat and a 20 percent increase in revenue potential compared to older generation aircraft.

ACG Chief Executive Officer and President Thomas Baker stated that the two companies share a strong commitment to the type, with over 140 aircraft on order between them.

“This makes ACG the leading lessor customer for the type and WestJet one of the largest airline customers,” Baker said.

WestJet Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Mike Scott noted that shifting deliveries to the 737-10 provides the airline with added flexibility to scale operations and meet passenger demand.

Certification timeline and labor context

The Boeing 737-10 has not yet received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Transport Canada (TC). ACG confirmed that deliveries to WestJet will commence only after the aircraft achieves regulatory approval.

The lessor has aggressively expanded its 737 MAX portfolio. In January 2026, ACG finalized an order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets, including 25 737-10s. This acquisition gave ACG the largest 737-10 orderbook of any aircraft lessor.

Labor unrest at WestJet

The fleet announcement arrives amid significant labor friction at the Canadian airline. On July 15, 2026, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125, which represents 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, announced that 99.4 percent of voting members authorized strike action. A legal strike could commence as early as August 2, 2026, potentially disrupting the carrier’s operations as it plans for future capacity growth.

AirPro News analysis

We view this lease agreement as a strategic hedge for both parties. For WestJet, securing 737-10s through a lessor provides delivery flexibility while the airline navigates immediate labor challenges and awaits the variant’s final certification. For ACG, placing 13 uncertified airframes with an established North American operator validates its heavy investment in the 737-10 program. The success of this timeline remains entirely dependent on the FAA and Transport Canada certification schedules.

Sources: Aviation Capital Group