This article is based on an official press release from Safran Group.

Safran Expands Moroccan Footprint with €280 Million Landing Gear Facility

Safran Landing Systems has officially signed an agreement with the Moroccan government to construct a new manufacturing and maintenance facility in Nouaceur, near Casablanca. The signing ceremony, held on Friday, February 13, 2026, was presided over by King Mohammed VI, underscoring the strategic importance of the aerospace sector to the nation’s industrial roadmap.

According to the official press release from Safran Group, the new site represents an investment of approximately €280 million (over 3 billion MAD). The facility will focus primarily on the production, assembly, and maintenance of landing gear systems for the Airbus A320 family, the workhorse of the global narrow-body fleet. This expansion is expected to create 500 direct jobs, further solidifying Morocco’s position within the global aerospace supply chain.

The plant will be located in the Midparc Aerospace Industrial Zone, a specialized cluster that already hosts numerous international aviation companies. In alignment with Safran’s global sustainability goals, the company stated that the new facility will operate on 100% decarbonized energy.

Operational Capabilities and Strategic Focus

The new Nouaceur facility is designed to be one of Safran’s most significant landing gear production centers worldwide. It will integrate a comprehensive range of high-value industrial processes under one roof. These operations include the high-precision machining of landing gear components, the advanced assembly of complete systems, and dedicated maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services.

By localizing these capabilities, Safran aims to support the ramping production rates of the Airbus A320 while enhancing its service offerings for airline operators. The site will also feature on-site testing capabilities to ensure all components meet rigorous international aviation standards before delivery.

Ross McInnes, Chairman of Safran, highlighted the scale and ambition of the project during the announcement:

“This factory will be one of the largest in the world for landing gear and equipment. It will enable us to support the high production rates of the Airbus A320 and prepare for future generations of aircraft.”

Strengthening the Moroccan Aerospace Ecosystem

Safran has maintained a presence in Morocco for over 25 years, currently employing nearly 4,700 people across various subsidiaries and joint ventures. This new agreement follows closely on the heels of a separate major investment announced in October 2025, involving a maintenance facility for LEAP engines. However, the company clarified that this landing gear plant is a distinct project focused specifically on airframe systems rather than propulsion.

Ryad Mezzour, Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, emphasized that the project reflects the country’s growing technical maturity:

“This project demonstrates Morocco’s mastery of complex technologies and its successful integration into the global aerospace value chain. Thanks to the Royal Vision, Morocco has become a global aerospace platform over the last 20 years.”

AirPro News analysis

The decision to place a critical node of the A320 supply chain in Nouaceur reflects a broader industry trend toward “nearshoring” manufacturing closer to European final assembly lines. For Safran, expanding in Morocco offers a dual advantage: access to a skilled, cost-competitive workforce and significant logistical proximity to Airbus assembly facilities in Toulouse and Hamburg.

Furthermore, the inclusion of MRO capabilities at the new site suggests a long-term strategy to capture the aftermarket value of the growing fleet of aircraft operating in Africa and the Middle East. By combining production and maintenance, Safran reduces turnaround times and logistics costs, making the Midparc zone an increasingly vital hub for the EMEA region.

Sources

• Safran Group
• Reuters
• Morocco World News

This article is based on an official press release from Howmet Aerospace.

Howmet Aerospace Posts Record 2025 Results, Announces $1.8 Billion Acquisitions

Howmet Aerospace (NYSE: HWM) has reported record-breaking financial results for both the fourth quarter and the full fiscal year of 2025, driven by a robust recovery in the commercial aerospace sector and surging demand in defense markets. According to the company’s official release, full-year revenue climbed 11% year-over-year to $8.3 billion, while profitability metrics saw significant expansion.

The Pittsburgh-based engineered metal products manufacturers also revealed a major strategic expansion, announcing a definitive agreement to acquire Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing, LLC (CAM) for approximately $1.8 billion. This move is expected to bolster Howmet’s fastening systems portfolio as the industry enters what many analysts describe as an aerospace supercycle.

In a statement regarding the company’s performance, Executive Chairman and CEO John Plant highlighted the operational discipline that led to record margins.

“The Howmet team delivered an exceptional quarter to cap a strong 2025… Adjusted EBITDA margin increased approximately 330 basis points to 30.1%, a record.”

, John Plant, Executive Chairman and CEO

Financial Highlights: Q4 and Full Year 2025

Howmet’s financial report outlines substantial growth across key metrics, reflecting strong pricing power and volume increases. For the fourth quarter of 2025, the company reported revenue of $2.2 billion, a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Net income for the quarter rose to $372 million ($0.92 per share), up from $314 million ($0.77 per share) the previous year.

Full Year Performance

For the full fiscal year 2025, Howmet achieved:

• Revenue: $8.3 billion (up 11% year-over-year).
• Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS): $3.77, a 40% increase from the prior year.
• Adjusted EBITDA: $2.4 billion, representing a 26% year-over-year jump.
• Operating Cash Flow: A record $1.9 billion.

The company noted that free cash flow reached $1.43 billion, demonstrating a 93% conversion rate of net income, which supported aggressive capital deployment strategy throughout the year.

Segment Performance Breakdown

Growth was broad-based across Howmet’s four business segments, with the Engine Products division leading the charge. According to the earnings report, the Engine Products segment generated $1.16 billion in revenue, a 20% increase year-over-year. This surge was driven by high demand for engine spares and components across both commercial and defense sectors.

The Fastening Systems segment also saw double-digit growth, reporting $454 million in revenue (up 13%), aided by the ongoing recovery in commercial aerospace build rates. Engineered Structures grew 4% to $287 million, benefiting primarily from defense aerospace markets, while Forged Wheels revenue increased 9% to $264 million despite headwinds in the commercial transportation sector.

Strategic Capital Deployment and M&A

Alongside its earnings, Howmet detailed significant capital allocation activities. The company repurchased $700 million of common stock during the fiscal year and reduced its debt by $265 million, achieving a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 1.0x.

The headline strategic development is the agreement to acquire Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing (CAM). Expected to close in the first half of 2026, this $1.8 billion acquisition is designed to deepen Howmet’s reach in the fasteners market. Additionally, the company completed the “bolt-on” acquisition of Brunner Manufacturing Co. to expand its engineered products capabilities.

“Healthy cash generation supported significant capital deployment… In full year 2025, Howmet repurchased a record $700 million of common stock.”

, John Plant, Executive Chairman and CEO

2026 Outlook and Guidance

Looking ahead, Howmet management issued optimistic guidance for fiscal year 2026, projecting continued double-digit growth. The company forecasts revenue between $9.0 billion and $9.2 billion. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range from $2.71 billion to $2.81 billion, with Adjusted EPS projected between $4.35 and $4.55.

AirPro News Analysis

The results from Howmet Aerospace underscore the durability of the current aerospace upcycle. While supply chain constraints have plagued airframers like Boeing and Airbus, suppliers with strong pricing power and aftermarket exposure, like Howmet, are capitalizing on the demand for spare parts and maintenance. The 32% growth in the Gas Turbines sub-segment also points to a secondary tailwind: rising electricity demand from data centers, which is driving orders for industrial gas turbines.

Furthermore, the 20% jump in defense revenue aligns with global trends of increased defense budgets and restocking cycles. By acquiring CAM, Howmet appears to be positioning itself to capture more value per aircraft as production rates eventually stabilize and increase.

Sources: Howmet Aerospace Press Release

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

End of an Era: Boeing Retires Final 787-8 Test Aircraft ZA004

After nearly 16 years of service as a dedicated “flying laboratory,” Boeing has officially retired ZA004 (Registration N7874), the last remaining flight-test aircraft from the original 787-8 Dreamliner program. According to an official announcement from Boeing, the aircraft concluded its final mission on February 11, 2026, marking the transition of the Dreamliner family from a developmental phase into a fully mature operational stage.

The aircraft, which accumulated over 2,250 flight hours across more than 670 test flights, was flown one last time from Boeing Field (KBFI) in Seattle to Pinal Airpark (KMZJ) in Marana, Arizona. There, it will be stored and likely used for parts reclamation to support active fleets.

A Unique History in the Skies

ZA004 holds a unique place in the history of the 787 program. As the fourth Dreamliner ever built, it was originally manufactured for Northwest Airlines prior to that carrier’s merger with Delta Air Lines in 2008. However, due to early program delays and the subsequent merger, the airframe was never delivered to a commercial customer. Instead, Boeing retained the aircraft, repurposing it as a dedicated testbed, a role it fulfilled for its entire operational life.

Unlike its siblings in the original test fleet, ZA001 through ZA006, ZA004 remained in service significantly longer. While the first three test aircraft were donated to museums and others were scrapped, ZA004 continued to validate new technologies for over a decade. John Murphy, the 787 Chief Project Engineer, highlighted the rarity of such a long service life for a test asset.

“Sixteen years of service with The Boeing Company, that’s a legacy few test airplanes achieve.”

John Murphy, 787 Chief Project Engineer (via Boeing)

Critical Contributions to Aviation Safety

Throughout its tenure, ZA004 served as a workhorse for systems reliability and propulsion testing. Boeing data indicates the aircraft was central to several critical engineering milestones that allowed the global 787 fleet to grow to over 1,100 aircraft.

Propulsion and Power Systems

The aircraft was the primary platform for testing upgrades to the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine. It played a vital role in certifying the “TEN” and “XE” improvement packages, which were designed to resolve durability issues and extend time-on-wing for airline operators. Furthermore, following the global grounding of the 787 fleet in 2013, ZA004 was instrumental in validating the redesigned battery containment system and updated power distribution software, paving the way for the fleet’s return to service.

The ecoDemonstrator Program

In 2014, Boeing utilized ZA004 for its ecoDemonstrator program. During this phase, the aircraft tested more than 25 new technologies aimed at reducing noise and improving fuel efficiency. These tests included aerodynamic enhancements and software designed to optimize flight paths, many of which have since been integrated into commercial operations.

The Final Mission

The retirement flight on February 11, 2026, was piloted by Captains Heather Ross and Craig Bomben. In a symbolic nod to the aircraft’s history, these were the same two pilots who sat in the cockpit for ZA004’s maiden flight on February 24, 2010.

According to Boeing, the decision to retire the aircraft was driven by economics. As the airframe approached a major heavy maintenance check (D-check), the company determined that maintaining a dedicated -8 testbed was no longer cost-effective given the maturity of the 787 platform.

“To the casual observer it looks like an old airplane, but it’s always been the future.”

Captain Heather Ross, Boeing Chief Pilot (via Boeing)

AirPro News Analysis

The retirement of ZA004 signals a definitive shift in the lifecycle of the 787 program. For years, the presence of a dedicated test airframe allowed Boeing to rapidly prototype fixes and upgrades, most notably during the battery crisis of 2013. The decision to retire the asset without a direct replacement suggests that Boeing views the 787-8 platform as sufficiently stable, requiring fewer experimental resources than it did during its volatile early years.

While the aircraft will no longer fly, its components will likely continue to keep other Dreamliners in the air, serving as a donor source for a fleet that now spans the globe. This move aligns with broader industry trends where mature airframe programs rely on operational data from airline partners rather than maintaining expensive, dedicated manufacturer test fleets.

Sources: Boeing News Now