This article summarizes reporting by Aviation Week by Karen Walker.

The Boeing 777-9 has secured Type Inspection Authorization Phase 4B from the Federal Aviation Administration, clearing the way for agency personnel to directly participate in the aircraft’s final flight testing. Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope announced the regulatory milestone on June 6, 2026, during the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

According to Aviation Week, the approval marks a critical transition for the delayed widebody program. The Phase 4B authorization permits the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to evaluate the aircraft’s avionics, human factors, and stability and control systems in flight, shifting the focus from component-level validation to integrated operational assessments.

Advancing through the certification phases

The Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) process consists of five distinct phases. Pope noted that the previous Phase 4A was a smaller step, while Phase 4B represents one of the most substantial remaining hurdles before final certification.

“This authorization unlocks the largest remaining portion of our flight tests with the FAA that we can now go execute,”

Pope stated, as reported by Aviation Week. She added that the testing will now heavily focus on avionics and non-normal operations, allowing the manufacturer to validate checklists and system redundancies alongside regulators.

Timeline discrepancies and delivery targets

The manufacturer and the regulator have offered slightly different timelines for the final certification of the Boeing 777-9. During her June 6 remarks, Pope indicated that Boeing is focused on completing flight tests and achieving certification by the end of 2026.

However, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford provided a different estimate during the CAPA Americas Airline Leader Summit in late May 2026. Bedford stated that the agency expects to certify the Boeing 737 MAX 7 and Boeing 737 MAX 10 by the end of 2026, with the 777X program following in early 2027. Initial commercial deliveries of the 777-9 are currently projected for early 2027.

AirPro News analysis

The transition to TIA Phase 4B is a definitive signal that the FAA is satisfied with Boeing’s preliminary data and is ready to commit agency resources to in-flight validation. For a program that has faced years of delays, reaching this stage indicates that the aircraft’s core systems are stable enough for direct regulatory scrutiny.

We note that the slight divergence in certification timelines between Boeing and the FAA is standard for this phase of a major aircraft program. The FAA’s projection of early 2027 aligns with the agency’s current rigorous oversight posture, prioritizing thoroughness over manufacturer targets. Even if certification slips into 2027, the early 2027 delivery target remains plausible provided no major anomalies are discovered during the Phase 4B flight tests.

Sources: Aviation Week

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters citing Bloomberg News.

Airbus SE is finalizing an agreement to supply Scandinavian Airlines (SAS AB) with 15 to 20 widebody aircraft, securing critical delivery slots for the carrier in the early 2030s.

According to reporting by Bloomberg News, summarized by Reuters on June 6, 2026, the prospective order includes a mix of Airbus A330neo and Airbus A350 jets. The decision to select the European manufacturer over Boeing Co. aligns with the airline’s strategy to maintain fleet commonality and control operational costs across its long-haul network.

Strategic Fleet Commonality

SAS currently operates an all-Airbus widebody fleet featuring newer A350s and older A330 aircraft. In February 2026, SAS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anko van der Werff confirmed the airline was evaluating proposals from both Airbus and Boeing for a large widebody acquisition.

The carrier intends to finalize the agreement in the coming weeks. This fleet renewal supports the airline’s planned growth at its primary Copenhagen Kastrup Airport (CPH) hub. The expansion follows a recent equity investment from Air France-KLM and the Scandinavian carrier’s transition to the SkyTeam alliance.

Navigating Geopolitical and Fuel Pressures

The fleet investment comes as SAS navigates severe operational headwinds. The ongoing Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have driven jet fuel prices to record highs.

Reuters reported that these fuel cost spikes recently forced the airline to reduce its flight schedule. Securing next-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft like the A330neo and A350 is a critical component of mitigating long-term exposure to volatile energy markets.

AirPro News analysis

We view the SAS decision to stick with Airbus as a pragmatic move to avoid the transition costs associated with introducing a new aircraft type into the fleet. Pilot training, maintenance tooling, and spare parts inventory for a mixed Boeing and Airbus widebody operation would likely erode the economic benefits of a split order. Securing delivery slots for the early 2030s now protects the airline against ongoing supply chain constraints that continue to limit widebody availability across the industry.

Sources: Reuters

Aircraft lessor Azorra has expanded its commitment to the Embraer E2 family, placing a firm order for 15 Embraer E195-E2 jets and securing 15 additional purchase rights on June 5, 2026. The transaction pushes the total orderbook for the Brazilian manufacturer’s E2 program past the 500-aircraft milestone.

In a press release issued from São José dos Campos, Embraer S.A. confirmed the order will be added to its second-quarter 2026 backlog. This marks the third time Azorra has increased its commitment to the E2 program since its initial order in December 2021, bringing the lessor’s total firm E2 orders to 54 aircraft.

Azorra expands global E2 placement

Azorra has actively worked to broaden the E2 customer base worldwide. The lessor recently facilitated deliveries of E195-E2 and E190-E2 aircraft to international operators including Royal Jordanian Airlines, Scoot, and Virgin Australia.

Azorra Chief Executive Officer John Evans stated that the lessor’s continued investment reflects strong airline demand for right-sized, fuel-efficient aircraft that offer operational and network planning advantages.

“As an early supporter of the program, Azorra has worked closely with Embraer and Pratt & Whitney to expand the E2 customer base and bring the aircraft to new operators across multiple regions around the world,” Evans said. “We are proud to further strengthen our partnership with Embraer through this order and to play a role in the E2 program surpassing 500 orders.”

Embraer reaches program milestone

The E195-E2 is Embraer’s largest commercial aircraft. It features a two-by-two seating configuration and is marketed for its low fuel burn and reduced emissions. Following the Azorra transaction, the E2 program has officially secured more than 500 orders.

Embraer reports that more than 200 E2 family aircraft are currently in operation globally, flying for 24 different airline customers.

Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, highlighted the lessor’s role in the program’s global success.

“Azorra has been an important partner in the global success of the E2, and this latest order is another strong endorsement of the aircraft’s outstanding economics, performance and passenger appeal,” Meijer said. “Surpassing 500 E2 orders is a proud moment for Embraer and reflects the growing momentum behind right-sized, fuel-efficient aircraft.”

AirPro News analysis

We view Azorra’s repeated follow-on orders as a strong indicator of lessor confidence in the E2 family. The partnership between Embraer, Azorra, and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has proven effective in placing the aircraft with diverse global operators. Crossing the 500-order threshold provides Embraer with a solid backlog and validates the market positioning of the E195-E2 as a versatile crossover narrowbody for airlines seeking to modernize fleets and open new routes.

Sources: Embraer S.A., Azorra