National Airlines has committed to purchasing one GE90-110B and six CF6-80C2 engines from GE Aerospace to support its expanding widebody freighter fleet. The agreement, announced on July 23, 2026, during the Farnborough International Airshow, deepens the cargo carrier’s reliance on GE propulsion systems as it scales its long-haul operations.

In a press release issued by GE Aerospace, the manufacturers confirmed the order will power National Airlines’ growing fleet of Boeing 777-200F and Boeing 747-400F Commercial-Aircraft. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition builds upon the carrier’s existing inventory of 30 CF6 and eight GE90 engines.

Fleet capacity and operational integration

The engine order aligns with National Airlines’ recent capacity growth. The carrier has actively expanded its long-haul Cargo-Aircraft capabilities throughout 2026, taking Delivery of its first Boeing 777-200F in April 2026. A second Boeing 777-200F, registered as N792CA, arrived directly from The Boeing Company’s Everett facility on May 26, 2026.

This fleet expansion directly drives the requirement for additional GE90 engines, which serve as the exclusive powerplant for all Boeing 777 Freighter models. National Airlines currently operates four Boeing 777-200F aircraft and nine Boeing 747-400F aircraft.

“Reliability, performance, and consistency are the foundation of successful air cargo operations, which is why National Airlines has built its freighter fleet around GE Aerospace engine technology,” said Chris Alf, Chairman of National Airlines. “The addition of these CF6 and GE90 engines further strengthens our operational capability, ensuring we have the flexibility, capacity, and long-term resilience needed to support our customers’ evolving requirements for years ahead.”

Engine specifications and market presence

The CF6 engine family remains a cornerstone of global air cargo operations. According to GE Aerospace, CF6 turbofan engines currently power nearly 70 percent of the world’s widebody cargo airplanes. The addition of six CF6-80C2 engines will specifically support National Airlines’ Boeing 747-400F operations.

The GE90-110B engine features a 128-inch diameter front fan equipped with carbon fiber composite blades. During its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification testing, the GE90 engine achieved a world-record setting thrust of 127,900 pounds.

“We’re thrilled that National Airlines continues to invest in our engines after recently purchasing eight GE90 engines,” said Mohamed Ali, President and CEO of GE Aerospace Commercial Engines & Services. “These additional engines will help National meet growing cargo demand and demonstrates their continued confidence in these aircraft-engine combinations.”

AirPro News analysis

We view this engine commitment as a necessary logistical step following National Airlines’ aggressive fleet expansion in the first half of 2026. Securing spare engines is critical for maintaining dispatch reliability, particularly for a cargo operator heavily dependent on high utilization of aging Boeing 747-400F airframes and newly acquired Boeing 777-200F jets. By standardizing around the CF6 and GE90 platforms, National Airlines minimizes maintenance complexity and ensures a predictable supply chain for its global freight operations.

Sources: GE Aerospace via PR Newswire

Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier flynas finalized an order for 25 Airbus aircraft at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow on July 22, 2026, securing five additional Airbus A330-900s and 20 Airbus A321neos.

The agreement, announced in an Airbus press release, expands the airline’s total firm commitment with the European manufacturer to 235 aircraft. The capacity increase is designed to support domestic and regional expansion, align with Saudi Arabia’s tourism initiatives ahead of Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and provide operational resources for the upcoming launch of the flynas Syria joint venture.

Fleet expansion and strategic growth

The new firm order brings the total commitment by flynas for the A330neo to 20 aircraft and the A321neo to 56 aircraft. The carrier currently operates an all-Airbus fleet of 67 aircraft, which includes 61 Airbus A320neos, alongside Airbus A320ceos and Airbus A330-300s. This finalizes a preliminary agreement announced at the 2024 Farnborough Airshow, where the airline initially committed to 75 A320neo-family aircraft and 15 A330-900s.

Bander Almohanna, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of flynas, stated that increasing the confirmed Airbus orders out of a total orderbook of 280 aircraft will enable the airline to support the economic transformation taking place across the Saudi economy.

“This step is aimed at ensuring the sustainable growth of the flynas fleet over the coming years to support the continued expansion of our six operating bases across the Kingdom, while also strengthening our operational and expansion capabilities for flynas Syria,” Almohanna said.

The flynas Syria joint venture and regional operations

According to reporting by Aviation Week, flynas is preparing to launch flynas Syria in the fourth quarter of 2026. The new carrier is structured as a joint venture, with Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport holding a 51 percent stake and flynas holding the remaining 49 percent.

The joint venture plans to serve destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. This development follows flynas becoming the first Saudi carrier to restore scheduled service to Damascus, Syria, in June 2025.

The expansion comes amid a complex operating environment in the region. On July 14, 2026, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an information note advising operators to account for potential risks when assessing routes through Israeli, Jordanian, Omani, and Saudi Arabian airspace.

AirPro News analysis

We view the formalization of this order as a critical step in flynas’ transition from a traditional narrowbody low-cost carrier to a hybrid network operator. The addition of A330-900s provides the necessary range and capacity to support high-density routes and long-haul ambitions tied to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 tourism goals.

The allocation of resources to flynas Syria represents a calculated commercial maneuver. By partnering directly with Syria’s civil aviation authority, flynas secures a first-mover advantage in a recovering market. However, the recent EASA airspace advisories highlight the persistent operational complexities of expanding a footprint in the Middle East.

Sources: Airbus

BOC Aviation Limited has finalized an agreement with Pratt & Whitney to purchase up to 220 Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines to power a fleet of up to 110 Airbus A320neo family aircraft.

Announced on July 21, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow, the transaction represents the largest single order the aircraft leasing company has ever placed with the RTX Corporation subsidiary. The deal was originally signed as an undisclosed agreement in June 2025 and reinforces BOC Aviation’s commitment to the GTF platform amid a broader expansion of its narrowbody portfolio.

Deepening a decades-long partnership

The agreement extends a 29-year relationship between the lessor and the engine manufacturer. BOC Aviation Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Steven Townend noted the historical significance of the deal in a press release issued by the companies.

“This order is the largest that BOC Aviation has placed with Pratt & Whitney and a continuation of our 29-year relationship, reflecting the key role they have played in our growth,” Townend stated.

Pratt & Whitney President of Commercial Engines Rick Deurloo emphasized that the order demonstrates continued market confidence in the GTF platform. The manufacturer highlights that the GTF engine delivers a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and a 75 percent reduction in noise footprint compared to prior generation engines.

Broader fleet strategy and market positioning

The Pratt & Whitney agreement is part of a dual-sourcing strategy for BOC Aviation’s narrowbody expansion. On July 20, 2026, the lessor announced a separate order for up to 300 CFM International LEAP engines to power both Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737-8 aircraft.

As of June 30, 2026, BOC Aviation reported a total portfolio of 811 aircraft and engines, encompassing owned, managed, and on-order assets. The lessor cited the fuel efficiency of the GTF engines as a primary driver for the acquisition. Townend noted the engines will enable a substantial reduction in fuel costs for future fleet operations.

Pratt & Whitney backlog growth

The BOC Aviation order contributes to a growing backlog for the engine manufacturer. On July 22, 2026, Pratt & Whitney reported that its GTF engine program had surpassed 800 orders and commitments year-to-date, bringing the total program backlog to over 8,000 engines.

AirPro News analysis

We view BOC Aviation’s decision to split its massive narrowbody engine requirements between Pratt & Whitney and CFM International as a standard risk-mitigation strategy for top-tier lessors. By securing up to 220 GTF engines alongside its recent 300-engine CFM LEAP order, BOC Aviation ensures it can offer airline customers their preferred powerplant options on the Airbus A320neo family.

The public confirmation of this order at the Farnborough International Air-Shows provides Pratt & Whitney with valuable commercial momentum. A record-breaking commitment from a major lessor like BOC Aviation signals enduring institutional confidence in the engine’s long-term operating economics.

Sources: BOC Aviation (July 21 Press Release)