MRO & Manufacturing
Boeing and Union Pause Contract Talks for Wichita Spirit Employees
Boeing and SPEEA pause contract negotiations for 1,600 Wichita Spirit AeroSystems staff until January 2026 amid complex reintegration logistics.

Boeing and Union Pause Contract Talks for Former Spirit AeroSystems Staff
Negotiations between The Boeing Company and the union representing approximately 1,600 white-collar workers at the newly re-acquired Spirit AeroSystems facility in Wichita have been halted until the new year. According to reporting by Reuters, labor officials confirmed on Wednesday that talks are paused until January 5, 2026.
The pause involves the Wichita Technical and Professional Unit (WTPU), represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA). These negotiations are critical as Boeing works to integrate the workforce following its official $8.3 billion acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, which closed on December 8, 2025.
Negotiation Timeline and Union Frustration
The decision to suspend talks comes just weeks before the current contract is set to expire on January 31, 2026. Reports indicate that Boeing requested the delay to manage the complex logistics of reintegrating Spirit’s operations into the wider Boeing enterprise. The company cited “complications related to the reunification” as the primary driver for the pause.
While SPEEA agreed to the schedule change, union leadership expressed significant dissatisfaction with the delay. SPEEA negotiator Wes Gardner voiced strong criticism regarding the company’s preparedness.
“I’m incredibly pissed off by this demonstrated lack of respect.”
, Wes Gardner, SPEEA Negotiator (via SPEEA/Reuters)
The union contends that Boeing had months to prepare for the Acquisitions and should have been ready to proceed with these critical discussions without interruption.
Context: The “Reunification” of Spirit AeroSystems
The backdrop of these negotiations is Boeing’s strategic move to re-acquire Spirit AeroSystems, a company it spun off in 2005. The acquisition is part of a broader effort by the planemaker to regain direct control over the quality of its fuselage production following a series of Manufacturing issues, including the January 2024 door plug incident.
The integration process brings approximately 15,000 former Spirit employees back under the Boeing umbrella. This massive logistical undertaking requires harmonizing different payroll systems, benefit structures, and union agreements. The WTPU represents non-engineering professionals, such as supply chain specialists, planners, and technical analysts, who are now seeking parity with their Boeing counterparts.
Precedent Set by Engineering Unit
The current friction contrasts with the recent success of the Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU), another group represented by SPEEA. In November 2025, the WEU ratified a four-year agreement that included a 23% wage increase, guaranteed bonuses, and improved retirement benefits. This deal serves as a significant benchmark for the WTPU, which is reportedly seeking similar gains, including:
- A one-time salary adjustment to recognize the return to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) status.
- Transition to Boeing’s corporate health benefits to lower monthly premiums.
- Enhanced 401(k) matching contributions.
AirPro News Analysis
The pause in negotiations highlights the friction inherent in reversing a two-decade-old corporate spinoff. While Boeing’s request for time to manage “reunification” logistics is operationally plausible, the timing creates a high-pressure scenario. With the contract expiration looming on January 31, the window for negotiation has narrowed significantly.
We observe that the union possesses considerable leverage. The successful ratification of the engineering contract sets a clear floor for the WTPU’s expectations. Furthermore, the narrative of “reunification” empowers the union to demand immediate parity with legacy Boeing employees. If a deal is not reached by the end of January, the resulting labor unrest could threaten the stability of 737 fuselage production just as Boeing attempts to stabilize its Supply-Chain.
Sources
- This article summarizes reporting by Reuters and Dan Catchpole.
Photo Credit: Fernando Salazar
MRO & Manufacturing
Velo3D Triples Capacity With New Livermore Manufacturing Facility
Velo3D opens a 288,747-sq-ft Livermore campus to expand metal additive manufacturing for aerospace and defense.

Metal additive manufacturing provider Velo3D is tripling its production capacity with a new 288,747-square-foot facility in Livermore, California, aiming to support the aerospace and defense sectors as they transition from prototyping to full-scale 3D-printed component production.
In a press release issued on June 30, 2026, the company detailed plans to bring the new production campus online later this year. The expansion creates one of the largest metal additive manufacturing footprints in North America, while Velo3D retains its existing Fremont, California, headquarters as a dedicated research and development hub.
Facility specifications and production scale
The Livermore site dedicates 270,000 square feet specifically to manufacturing operations. The building features 36-foot clear heights, providing nearly 10 million cubic feet of vertical volume required to house the company’s large-format additive manufacturing systems.
At launch, the facility is designed to support more than 40 large-format systems. The site infrastructure allows for future expansion to accommodate over 100 metal 3D printers. Combined with the Fremont location, Velo3D will have the capacity to support a total of 125 machines.
“We believe additive manufacturing should be accessible, scalable, and production-ready,” said Michelle Sidwell, Chief Revenue Officer at Velo3D.
Aerospace and defense market momentum
The physical expansion follows a period of revenue growth driven by defense and aerospace contractors adopting the company’s Rapid Production Solutions (RPS) and Sapphire metal 3D printers. In May 2026, Velo3D reported first-quarter revenue of $13.8 million, representing a 48 percent year-over-year increase.
Earlier in 2026, the company secured an $11.5 million multi-year production agreement with a major U.S. defense contractor. This followed a February 10, 2026, announcement that Velo3D was selected as the first qualified additive manufacturing provider for the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center.
Financial analysts have noted the company’s alignment with domestic manufacturing initiatives. On June 25, 2026, Needham analyst Austin Bohlig initiated coverage of Velo3D with a Buy rating and a $33 price target, forecasting $65 million in revenue for 2026.
“We believe the company’s leading metal additive manufacturing platform is becoming a critical enabling technology for the reindustrialization of the U.S. aerospace and defense (A&D) industrial base,” Bohlig stated.
Market positioning and conflicting outlooks
On June 29, 2026, Velo3D was officially added to the Russell 3000 Index and the Russell Microcap Index. Chief Executive Officer Arun Jeldi indicated the inclusion is intended to broaden the company’s visibility among institutional investments.
AirPro News analysis
We observe a sharp divergence in market sentiment surrounding Velo3D’s growth trajectory. While the company is executing tangible physical expansions and securing multi-million dollar defense contracts, it faces aggressive skepticism from some market participants. The simultaneous June 25, 2026, release of Needham’s bullish forecast and a bearish short-seller report from Morpheus Research highlights this tension. Morpheus characterized the business as a “promotional grift,” contrasting starkly with the company’s reported 17.2 percent gross margin improvements and transition to full-scale production. The successful activation and utilization of the Livermore facility later in 2026 will likely serve as the primary indicator of whether the aerospace supply chain can sustain this expanded capacity.
Sources: Velo3D, Inc. / PR Newswire
Photo Credit: Velo3D
MRO & Manufacturing
MT-Propeller FAA STC Approved for Pilatus PC-12/47G
MT-Propeller’s seven-blade Silent 7 composite propeller receives FAA STC for the Pilatus PC-12/47G, with no engine modifications required.

MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH has secured an amended Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to install its seven-blade “Silent 7” composite propeller on the Pilatus PC-12/47G. The approval, issued on June 02, 2026, expands the certified applications for the MTV-47 propeller system without requiring engine modifications.
The company publicly announced the Certification on June 11, 2026. The FAA approval (STC SA02742NY) follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) STC issued on January 22, 2026, and a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) Letter of Acceptance from July 31, 2024. The upgrade targets operators seeking improved short-field performance and compliance with stringent European noise Regulations.
Performance and noise reduction metrics
According to MT-Propeller’s official STC data sheet, the MTV-47 installation delivers measurable performance gains for the PC-12/47G. The certified ground roll distance is reduced by approximately 10 percent, while the takeoff distance over a 50-foot obstacle decreases by 15 percent compared to the original four-blade metal propeller. The composite propeller has a maximum diameter of 102.36 inches (260 cm) and an installed weight of 221.8 pounds (100.6 kg), including the spinner.
Noise abatement is a primary feature of the “Silent 7” design. The manufacturer reports an approximate 4 dB(A) reduction in exterior noise levels. Inside the aircraft, cabin noise is reduced by 6 to 7 dB(A), depending on the specific seating location. This acoustic performance allows the PC-12/47G to comply with strict European noise standards, including Germany’s 2010 Landeplatz Lärmschutz Verordnung, enabling unrestricted operations at noise-sensitive airports.
Engine compatibility and North American expansion
The amended STC covers the PC-12/47G alongside previously certified models, including the PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E. The MTV-47 propeller is approved for use with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B, PT6A-67P, and PT6E-67XP engines. MT-Propeller emphasized that the installation is a direct bolt-on upgrade requiring no modifications to the existing powerplant.
The FAA certification aligns with MT-Propeller’s recent efforts to expand its support infrastructure in North-America. In April 2026, the company announced the opening of MT-Propeller Canada Inc., a joint venture with AMK Aviation Inc. based in Murillo, Ontario. The new facility is designed to provide enhanced service, spare parts distribution, and field support for North American operators adopting the composite propeller systems.
AirPro News analysis
We note a discrepancy in the performance figures marketed by regional distributors compared to the official certification data. While Finnoff Aviation Products, the exclusive North American distributor for the upgrade, cites a 20 percent reduction in ground roll and a 23 percent reduction in obstacle clearance distance, MT-Propeller’s official June 2026 STC data sheet lists more conservative figures of 10 percent and 15 percent, respectively. Operators evaluating the upgrade should base their operational planning on the certified flight manual supplements rather than distributor marketing materials. The addition of the PC-12/47G to the STC ensures that newer airframes can utilize the seven-blade system, which has become increasingly popular for operators flying into noise-restricted European airfields or backcountry strips requiring maximum short-field performance.
Sources: MT-Propeller STC Data Sheet
Photo Credit: MT-Propeller
MRO & Manufacturing
Honeywell Aerospace Spin-Off Completed June 2026
Honeywell Technologies completed its aerospace spin-off on June 29, 2026, launching Honeywell Aerospace as an independent Nasdaq-listed company.

Honeywell Technologies finalized the spin-off of its aerospace division on June 29, 2026, officially dismantling the historic conglomerate to become a pure-play automation company.
In a press release issued on June 29, 2026, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company confirmed the completion of the transaction, which establishes Honeywell Aerospace as an independent, publicly traded entity. The milestone concludes a multi-year portfolio transformation that began in 2023 and previously saw the separation of Solstice Advanced Materials.
Financial restructuring and market debut
Concurrent with the aerospace spin-off, Honeywell Technologies executed a 1-for-2 reverse stock split. According to reporting by Benzinga, the reverse split reduced the company’s issued and outstanding shares from approximately 634 million to roughly 317 million. The company also reduced its authorized common shares from 2 billion to 1 billion.
Honeywell Aerospace shares were distributed at a 1-for-2 ratio to Honeywell Technologies shareowners of record as of June 15, 2026. The newly independent aerospace supplier commenced trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol “HONA,” while the legacy automation business continues to trade under the “HON” ticker.
Strategic shift to pure-play automation
The corporate restructuring effort was initiated in 2023. Honeywell communicated its intention to spin off its advanced materials business in October 2024, followed by the February 2025 announcement detailing the separation of its automation and aerospace divisions. The board of directors formally set the record date and expected timing for the final spin-off on June 5, 2026.
Vimal Kapur, chairman and chief executive officer of Honeywell Technologies, described the completion as a defining moment for the company.
“With the completion of this separation, we have successfully transformed Honeywell into three independent, industry-leading companies: Honeywell Technologies, Honeywell Aerospace and Solstice Advanced Materials. Each company is built around a distinct strategy with greater focus and financial flexibility to pursue a long-term growth agenda,” Kapur stated in the press release.
To reflect its new operational focus on the building, industrial, and process sectors, Honeywell Technologies will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. According to StreetInsider, this filing will present the former aerospace and advanced materials businesses as discontinued operations and provide recast historical financial data for fiscal years 2024, 2025, and the first quarter of 2026.
AirPro News analysis
The dissolution of the Honeywell conglomerate reflects a broader aerospace and industrial sector trend favoring specialized, pure-play operations over diversified holding companies. By isolating the aerospace division, Honeywell Aerospace can now pursue targeted capital allocation and mergers and acquisitions specific to aviation manufacturing and supply chain demands. For the legacy automation business, shedding the capital-intensive aerospace unit provides a clearer value proposition for investors focused on industrial technology and building automation. We expect the newly independent aerospace entity to face immediate scrutiny regarding its supply-chain resilience and production ramp-up capabilities as it operates without the financial buffer previously provided by the broader conglomerate.
Sources: Honeywell Technologies
Photo Credit: Nasdaq
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