This article is based on an official press release from TrueNoord.

TrueNoord Finalizes Sale of Two Embraer E190s to South Africa’s Airlink

Regional aircraft lessor TrueNoord has announced the completion of a sale involving two Embraer E190 aircraft to Airlink, South Africa’s premier independent regional airline. The transaction, which was finalized in December 2025, marks a strategic shift for the operator as it seeks to bolster its supply-chain resilience.

According to the official announcement, the aircraft were previously on lease to the U.S. carrier Breeze Airways. Unlike traditional fleet expansions aimed at increasing capacity, Airlink has acquired these specific airframes primarily to harvest engines and critical components. This move is designed to support the operational reliability of the airline’s existing fleet amidst ongoing global supply chain constraints.

Strategic Acquisition for Fleet Support

The aviation industry continues to navigate a complex environment characterized by shortages of spare parts and maintenance delays. Airlink’s decision to purchase these older E190 airframes outright reflects a growing trend among operators to secure their own supply lines rather than relying solely on delayed OEM shipments.

In the company statement, Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht emphasized the necessity of this approach to maintain service levels.

“Securing these aircraft is a strategic move to safeguard the reliability of our Embraer fleet. By acquiring additional engines and components, we can mitigate the impact of global supply chain disruptions and maintain the high standards of service our customers expect.”

, de Villiers Engelbrecht, CEO of Airlink

While the airline is assessing options for the future operation of these airframes, the immediate priority remains the availability of spares, specifically GE CF34 engines, to keep their active fleet flying.

Transaction Details and Partners

The two Embraer E190s were marketed by TrueNoord following their lease term with Breeze Airways. TrueNoord, a specialist regional aircraft lessor headquartered in Amsterdam, manages a fleet of over 100 regional aircraft. This transaction highlights the lessor’s ability to remarket assets across different continents, moving aircraft from a U.S. operator to an African carrier to solve specific operational challenges.

Richard Jacobs, Chief Commercial Officer at TrueNoord, noted the collaborative nature of the deal:

“Further strengthening our existing relationship with this leading African operator, our joint collaborative efforts ensured the sale was finalised in a timely, streamlined and efficient manner. Additional thanks also go to the aircraft’s previous lessee, Breeze, for their support throughout the process.”

, Richard Jacobs, CCO, TrueNoord

Deepening Regional Partnerships

This sale builds upon an established relationship between the two companies. In April 2023, TrueNoord novated the leases of two other E190s to Airlink from Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC). However, the 2025 transaction differs significantly as it involves the outright transfer of ownership rather than a leasing arrangement.

Airlink currently operates a fleet of approximately 70 aircraft, predominantly consisting of Embraer regional jets. While this acquisition focuses on older airframes for parts, the airline is simultaneously pursuing modernization. In mid-2025, Airlink finalized agreements to lease 10 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, signaling a dual strategy of maintaining current reliability while investing in future efficiency.

AirPro News Analysis

The decision by Airlink to purchase aircraft specifically for “part-out” purposes underscores the severity of the current aftermarket supply chain crisis. For regional operators, the inability to source engines or landing gear can ground viable aircraft for months. By internalizing the supply chain through the acquisition of whole aircraft, Airlink is effectively buying insurance against downtime.

From a lessor’s perspective, TrueNoord’s ability to sell older assets to operators for teardown represents an effective exit strategy for aircraft that may be nearing the end of their leasing viability in primary markets. We expect to see more of these “strategic spare” acquisitions in 2026 as airlines prioritize operational continuity over pure capacity growth.

Sources

• TrueNoord

This article is based on an official press release from GE Aerospace and Delta Air Lines.

Delta Air Lines Selects GE Aerospace GEnx Engines for New Boeing 787-10 Fleet

In a significant move for its future widebody operations, Delta Air Lines has selected GE Aerospace to power its incoming fleet of Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners. According to a joint announcement released on January 13, 2026, the carrier has chosen the GEnx-1B engine for an order comprising 30 firm aircraft and options for 30 additional jets.

The agreement extends beyond the initial hardware, encompassing spare engines and a comprehensive long-term services support contract. This selection marks a pivotal moment in the nearly 70-year partnership between the two companies, ensuring GE Aerospace remains a cornerstone of Delta’s international fleet strategy well into the next decade.

Agreement Details and Delivery Timeline

The newly announced deal secures propulsion for Delta’s latest widebody acquisition. The order covers 30 firm Boeing 787-10 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to commence in 2031. Should Delta exercise its options for the additional 30 aircraft, the total scope of the agreement could cover up to 120 installed engines, exclusive of spares.

While specific financial terms were not disclosed in the press release, the inclusion of a long-term maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) agreement suggests a deep commitment to the GEnx platform. This “power-by-the-hour” style support is standard for major fleet renewals, ensuring predictable maintenance costs and high dispatch reliability.

Executive Commentary

Both companies highlighted the strategic importance of this renewal. Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, emphasized the role of efficiency in the airline’s international expansion.

“GE Aerospace’s GEnx engines will enable us to connect our passengers to international destinations across the globe with greater efficiency and improved reliability and are foundational to our growth vision.”

, Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines

H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace, noted the historical depth of the relationship, which dates back to the Convair 880 in 1956.

“For more than 60 years, GE Aerospace has been proud to partner with Delta Air Lines, and we’re honored the GEnx now will be underwing to support their international growth plans.”

, H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace

Technical Specifications and Performance

The GEnx-1B is currently the best-selling engine for the Boeing 787 family, holding approximately two-thirds of the market share for the airframe. Delta’s selection aligns with industry trends favoring the engine’s maturity and performance metrics.

According to technical data referenced in the announcement and industry reports, the GEnx-1B offers several key advantages over previous generation powerplants:

• Fuel Efficiency: The engine delivers a 15% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the CF6 engines currently powering Delta’s older Boeing 767 fleet.
• Reliability: The GEnx fleet has accumulated over 70 million flight hours with a dispatch reliability rate of 99.98%.
• Material Innovation: The engine utilizes carbon fiber composite fan blades and a composite fan case, which significantly reduce weight and eliminate corrosion issues associated with traditional metal components.
• Emissions: The Twin Annular Pre-Swirl (TAPS) combustor technology reduces NOx emissions to approximately 55% below current regulatory limits.

AirPro News Analysis: Strategic Fleet Diversification

This order represents a notable shift in Delta’s recent procurement strategy. Over the past decade, the Atlanta-based carrier has leaned heavily on Airbus for its widebody renewal, investing significantly in the A330neo and A350 families. The introduction of the Boeing 787-10, and specifically the choice of GE engines, reintroduces balance to the fleet.

By operating both Airbus and Boeing widebodies, Delta mitigates the risk of supply chain delays or certification issues that might affect a single manufacturer. Furthermore, the 787-10 is optimized for high-capacity, mid-range international routes (such as Transatlantic and South American corridors), complementing the ultra-long-range capabilities of the A350-1000. The decision to pair the airframe with GE engines avoids the durability challenges that have historically affected the competing Rolls-Royce Trent 1000, signaling a preference for operational stability over other factors.

Sources

Sources: PR Newswire / GE Aerospace

This article is based on an official press release from The Boeing Company and additional market data.

Boeing Reports Surge in Q4 Deliveries, Tops Airbus in 2025 Net Orders

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today a significant rebound in its operational performance for the fourth quarter of 2025, delivering 160 commercial airplanes to close out the year. According to the official press release, this surge brings the manufacturer’s full-year total to 600 commercial aircraft, marking a 72% increase over the previous year and the highest annual delivery volume since 2018.

The announcement signals a potential turning point for the aerospace giant under the leadership of CEO Kelly Ortberg. While Boeing’s total delivery numbers for 2025 still trail rival Airbus, which delivered 793 jets, Boeing successfully secured more net new orders than its European competitor for the first time in seven years. Market data indicates that Boeing stock rose approximately 2.25% in trading following the news.

Commercial Aviation Recovery

The commercial sector was the primary driver of Boeing’s fourth-quarter performance. Data released by the company highlights a stabilization of the 737 MAX program, which had previously faced production halts and labor strikes. In the fourth quarter alone, Boeing delivered 117 737 jets, a sharp increase from the 36 delivered during the same period in 2024.

For the full year of 2025, the 737 program accounted for 447 deliveries, up 68.7% from 265 in 2024. The widebody segment also saw improvement, particularly with the 787 Dreamliner. Boeing delivered 27 Dreamliners in Q4, bringing the annual total to 88, the highest level for the program since 2019.

Summary of Commercial Deliveries (FY 2025)

• 737 Family: 447 deliveries (up from 265 in 2024)
• 787 Dreamliner: 88 deliveries (up from 51 in 2024)
• 777: 35 deliveries (up from 14 in 2024)
• 767: 30 deliveries (up from 18 in 2024)

Defense and Space Operations

While the commercial division grabbed headlines with its volume, Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security unit reported stable growth. The company delivered 37 defense units in the fourth quarter, contributing to a full-year total of 131 deliveries, compared to 112 in 2024.

Key defense programs included the AH-64 Apache, which saw a combined total of 61 deliveries (new and remanufactured) for the year. The KC-46 Tanker program also ramped up, delivering 14 units in 2025 compared to 10 the previous year. However, fighter jet deliveries saw mixed results, with F-15 deliveries dropping to 9 for the year, down from 14 in 2024.

Market Context and Order Book

Industry analysts note that while Boeing is still working to match Airbus in total output, the order book tells a different story regarding airline confidence. In 2025, Boeing secured 1,075 net new orders, surpassing Airbus’s 889. This victory in the sales race is attributed to major recent deals, including a historic order from Alaska Airlines for 737-10s and Delta Air Lines’ decision to modernize its widebody fleet with 60 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

AirPro News Analysis

The 2025 delivery figures suggest that Boeing’s “industrial excellence” strategy, emphasized by CEO Kelly Ortberg since August 2024, is beginning to stabilize the factory floor. The ability to deliver 63 jets in December alone, including 44 MAX aircraft, indicates that production rates are recovering toward targets that were previously capped by regulators.

However, delivery numbers are primarily operational metrics. The true financial impact of this surge will be revealed during the Q4 earnings call scheduled for January 28, 2026. Investors will likely look for confirmation that this delivery volume is translating into positive free cash flow, a critical milestone for the company’s debt reduction efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many planes did Boeing deliver in 2025?
Boeing delivered a total of 600 commercial airplanes and 131 defense units in 2025.

Did Boeing deliver more planes than Airbus in 2025?
No. Airbus delivered 793 commercial jets in 2025, retaining the lead in total deliveries. However, Boeing surpassed Airbus in net new orders.

When will Boeing release its financial results?
Boeing is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter financial results on January 28, 2026.

Sources: Boeing, Investing.com