ITA Airways (AZ) will officially join the Europe-Japan Joint Venture operated by Lufthansa Group (LH) and All Nippon Airways (NH) in Autumn 2026, adding its daily Rome-to-Tokyo route and extensive Southern European network to the partnership.

The expansion agreement was signed on June 7, 2026, at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. According to a press release from Lufthansa Group, the inclusion of the Italian carrier will increase the joint venture’s capacity to 160 weekly long-haul flights between Europe and Japan, while providing passengers with streamlined connections across Italy, the Mediterranean, and North Africa.

Strategic expansion of the Europe-Japan network

The original joint venture between Lufthansa and ANA was established in 2012 to coordinate schedules and fares on routes connecting the two regions. The addition of ITA Airways brings the carrier’s daily nonstop service between Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) into the integrated network.

Japanese antitrust authorities granted the necessary immunity for the expanded partnership several weeks prior to the June signing. The integration will feature a sequential rollout of joint booking options beginning in Autumn 2026, allowing travelers to combine flights from all three carriers on a single itinerary.

Executive perspectives on the integration

ANA President and CEO Juichi Hirasawa highlighted the upcoming 15th anniversary of the joint venture, noting that the partnership has historically provided a seamless travel experience for passengers moving between the two markets.

“With ITA Airways joining us to open up the gateway to Rome, we look forward to offering travelers exceptional service and even more convenient access to Italy, Southern Europe, the Mediterranean and beyond,” Hirasawa stated.

For ITA Airways, the agreement represents a critical step in its broader integration into the Lufthansa Group network. ITA Airways Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Joerg Eberhart described the move as a key milestone for the airline’s international development, particularly in the strategically important Asia-Pacific region. Eberhart noted the partnership will offer customers more efficient connections and an increasingly integrated travel experience.

AirPro News analysis

We view the rapid integration of ITA Airways into the ANA and Lufthansa Group joint venture as a clear indicator of Lufthansa’s strategy to leverage its new Italian asset immediately. By routing Asia-bound traffic through Rome Fiumicino, the Lufthansa Group can relieve congestion

Airbus SE has initiated a two-month flight testing and certification campaign for the A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range) following the aircraft’s maiden flight on June 2, 2026. The testing phase marks a critical milestone for Qantas Airways Limited and its Project Sunrise initiative, which aims to operate the world’s longest commercial passenger flights.

According to press releases issued by Airbus, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification campaign will focus on the structural and systems modifications required to keep the aircraft airborne for up to 22 hours. Qantas ordered 12 of the ultra-long-range jets in May 2022 to connect Australia’s east coast directly with cities including London and New York.

Engineering the ultra-long-range architecture

To achieve an approximate range of 10,000 nautical miles, Airbus integrated a Rear Centre Tank into the A350-1000ULR. This modification provides an additional 20,000 litres of fuel capacity compared to the standard A350-1000 variant. The certification campaign will heavily evaluate the new fuel system architecture, specifically the sequencing and management of fuel transfers by the Fuel Quantity Management System.

The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. Alongside the fuel system changes, Airbus introduced a new galley air cooling system. This system saves 300 kilograms of weight and will eventually become standard across the broader A350 Family.

Flight test instrumentation and campaign scope

The maiden test flight of the first A350-1000ULR, designated as manufacturer serial number 707 (MSN707), took place in Toulouse, France. The aircraft flew for 3 hours and 43 minutes and reached a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet.

For the two-month testing period, Airbus installed 5 tonnes of custom flight test instrumentation on MSN707, including 1,000 specially designed sensors distributed throughout the cabin.

“Flight testing a production aircraft adds a layer of extra pressure. You are sitting inside the actual product. The customer is trusting us with their future flagship. Every switch we flip, every check we carry out, every manoeuvre we perform has to be executed with the passenger experience and operational reliability in mind,” said Laurent Rossignol, an Airbus Test Flight Engineer.

Unlike dedicated prototype airframes, MSN707 will not remain a permanent testbed. Following the conclusion of the EASA certification campaign, Airbus will retrofit the aircraft to Qantas’ commercial specifications prior to delivery.

Delivery timeline adjustments

Qantas initially challenged manufacturers to increase the range of long-haul aircraft when it launched Project Sunrise in 2017. While the flight testing phase is now underway, the airline will wait slightly longer than initially anticipated to receive its first airframe.

According to reporting by FLYING Magazine, supply chain constraints have delayed the first delivery of the A350-1000ULR to Qantas. Originally targeted for late 2026, the handover is now expected in April 2027.

AirPro News analysis

We view the condensed two-month certification window as a strong indicator of Airbus’s confidence in the baseline A350-1000 platform. Because the ULR variant relies on targeted modifications rather than a clean-sheet redesign, the regulatory burden is significantly reduced. The integration of the Rear Centre Tank is the primary technical hurdle. While the delivery delay to April 2027 is a setback for Qantas, it aligns with the broader supply chain bottlenecks currently affecting both major commercial airframe manufacturers. The successful deployment of these 12 aircraft will likely serve as a definitive test case for the economic viability of ultra-long-haul point-to-point routing.

Sources: Airbus

Aviation Capital Group (ACG) has secured long-term liquidity by extending the maturity of its $3.1 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility to June 2030.

Announced in a press release on June 10, 2026, the amendment and restatement of the facility was completed with JPMorgan Chase Bank acting as the administrative agent. The extension from its previous June 2028 maturity date provides the Newport Beach, California-based aircraft lessor with continued financial flexibility to fund new aircraft deliveries and support its global airline customer base.

Facility details and banking syndicate

The $3.1 billion facility is supported by commitments from 24 financial institutions. This core credit line is part of ACG’s broader liquidity strategy, which includes approximately $5.1 billion in total revolving commitments. Alongside the primary syndicate, ACG maintains a $1.5 billion line of credit provided by its parent company, Tokyo Century Corporation, and a separate $500 million revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders based in Asia.

Matthew Novell, Vice President of Capital Markets and Assistant Treasurer of ACG, stated that the extension reflects the strength of the company’s platform and the depth of its global banking relationships.

“This extension further enhances our liquidity and financial flexibility, enabling us to continue investing in our fleet, support our airline customers and execute on our growth objectives,” Novell said.

Fleet expansion and corporate restructuring

The extended credit facility arrives as ACG actively expands its portfolio, which stood at approximately 500 owned, managed, and committed aircraft as of March 31, 2026. The lessor currently places aircraft with roughly 90 Airlines across 50 countries. To support this fleet growth, ACG finalized an Orders for 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets on January 13, 2026, splitting the commitment evenly between the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737 MAX 10 variants. This order increased the company’s total 737 MAX backlog to 121 aircraft.

Deliveries are ongoing, with ACG handing over its first of six new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to Royal Air Maroc on March 31, 2026. The lessor has also restructured its executive team to manage these manufacturer relationships, appointing Rob Downes to the newly created role of Chief Original Equipment OEMs Officer on April 16, 2026.

AirPro News analysis

We view the successful extension of ACG’s $3.1 billion credit facility as a strong indicator of institutional confidence in the aircraft leasing sector. By pushing the maturity date to 2030, ACG insulates itself from near-term refinancing risks while securing the capital required to absorb its expanding Boeing 737 MAX order book. The backing of 24 financial institutions, combined with the $1.5 billion backstop from Tokyo Century, positions the lessor to capitalize on high global demand for narrowbody lift even as it navigates a transition period following the May 31, 2026, departure of Chief Financial Officer Craig Segor.

Sources: Aviation Capital Group