MRO & Manufacturing
Airhub Aviation Secures Maintenance Deal with AerCap at Siauliai Airport
Airhub Aviation partners with AerCap for base maintenance, EASA modifications, and storage at Siauliai International Airport in Lithuania.

This article is based on an official press release from Airhub Aviation.
Airhub Aviation has secured a strategic maintenance agreement with AerCap, the world’s largest aircraft lessor. The deal designates Airhub Aviation as a strategic Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) partner for AerCap, focusing on base maintenance and aircraft redelivery services.
According to the official press release, the services will be conducted at Airhub Aviation’s facility located at Siauliai International Airport (SQQ) in Lithuania. The partnership aims to support narrow-body aircraft transitions, deliveries, and re-deliveries throughout Europe and the Middle-East.
This agreement highlights the growing demand for efficient MRO and transition services in the commercial leasing sector, ensuring that aircraft downtime is minimized during critical handover periods between operators.
Expanding MRO Capabilities for Global Lessors
Under the newly announced agreement, Airhub Aviation will deliver a comprehensive suite of base maintenance services tailored to AerCap’s customer base. The press release notes that these services include EASA modifications, such as avionics upgrades and cabin reconfigurations (LOPA mods), alongside engine swaps and landing gear replacements.
To facilitate rapid aircraft inductions, Airhub Aviation is allocating a dedicated ad-hoc bay. This infrastructure is specifically designed to ensure minimal downtime for both lessors and operators during the transition phase, a critical metric for asset profitability.
Leadership Perspectives
Oleg Novak, Managing Director of Airhub Aviation, emphasized the strategic importance of the deal in a company statement, noting the facility’s readiness to handle complex lessor requirements.
“This partnership cements our position as a key player in aircraft transitions and maintenance. Our Siauliai facility is purpose-built for fast-turnaround base maintenance, aircraft modifications, engine swaps, as well as long-term storage, critical services for lessors managing fleet transitions.”
Novak further stated that the company looks forward to building its relationship with AerCap beyond asset leasing and trading, expanding deeply into the MRO segment.
Infrastructure and Asset Management at Siauliai
Beyond standard MRO services, Airhub Aviation is leveraging its broader expertise to support AerCap’s fleet. The company’s asset management division will provide mid-life aircraft support, which encompasses parts harvesting, component repair management, and optimized inventory solutions for operators and leasing houses.
The Siauliai facility itself offers significant logistical advantages. According to the press release, the site features extensive long-term parking capacity capable of accommodating up to 25 narrow-body aircraft simultaneously. The company states this is one of the largest capacities available in the region.
Strategic Location Advantages
Siauliai International Airport provides cost-effective storage and transition solutions due to its proximity to key European markets. Furthermore, as a NATO base airport, SQQ offers high-security infrastructure and round-the-clock operational flexibility, which are crucial factors for lessors protecting high-value aviation assets.
AirPro News analysis
We view this agreement as a strong indicator of the current pressures within the aircraft leasing market. With global supply chain constraints and high demand for narrow-body aircraft, lessors like AerCap require reliable, fast-turnaround MRO partners to keep their assets generating revenue rather than sitting idle in transition.
By securing a general terms agreement with the world’s largest lessor, Airhub Aviation not only validates the technical capabilities of its Siauliai facility but also positions itself favorably for future asset leasing and trading opportunities. The integration of maintenance, parking, and parts harvesting in a single, secure European location creates a highly efficient one-stop-shop for mid-life aircraft transitions, a model that is becoming increasingly attractive to major leasing firms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What services will Airhub Aviation provide to AerCap?
Airhub Aviation will provide base maintenance, EASA modifications (including avionics and cabin reconfigurations), engine swaps, landing gear replacements, and long-term storage.
Where is the maintenance facility located?
The services will be carried out at Airhub Aviation’s facility at Siauliai International Airport (SQQ) in Lithuania.
How many aircraft can the Siauliai facility store?
According to the company, the facility can accommodate up to 25 narrow-body aircraft simultaneously for long-term parking.
Sources
Photo Credit: Airhub Aviation
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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