Hexcel Corporation has secured the aerospace industry’s first National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP) qualification for a honeycomb core material, establishing a publicly available database intended to streamline structural design and reduce qualification costs.

In a press release issued on September 22, 2026, the Stamford, Connecticut-based advanced composites manufacturers announced the qualification of its HexWeb HRH-10 aerospace honeycomb. The milestone extends the NCAMP framework beyond composite prepreg systems, providing engineers with design-ready material data to accelerate the adoption of composite structures.

Expanding the NCAMP framework

The qualification was achieved in conjunction with NCAMP and Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). Historically, NCAMP databases have focused primarily on composite prepreg systems. The inclusion of honeycomb core materials represents a structural shift in how aerospace manufacturers can access and utilize standardized engineering data.

Lyndon Smith, Hexcel President of Americas & Global Fibers, emphasized the growing necessity of standardized data for manufacturers developing advanced aircraft and launch vehicles.

“As aerospace manufacturers work to bring increasingly advanced aircraft, launch vehicles and other aerospace platforms to market, access to trusted engineering data is becoming as important as access to the materials themselves,” Smith stated.

Industry applications and upcoming showcases

The establishment of a common foundation for honeycomb core materials allows engineers to bypass redundant testing phases. Smith noted that this accessibility enables design teams to focus on developing next-generation aerospace structures rather than foundational material qualification.

Hexcel plans to present the newly qualified HRH-10 honeycomb at the CAMX 2026 trade show. The company will showcase the material alongside its expanded United States manufacturing capabilities for the HexPly M901 fast-curing prepreg system.

AirPro News analysis

We view the expansion of the NCAMP database to include honeycomb core materials as a practical step toward lowering the barrier to entry for advanced composite manufacturing. By socializing the qualification costs and providing a trusted baseline of material properties, smaller aerospace entrants and established original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) alike can accelerate their development timelines. This move aligns with broader industry trends prioritizing rapid prototyping and reduced time-to-market for novel aerospace platforms.

Sources: Hexcel Corporation

On September 23, 2026, Honeywell Aerospace and PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (GA) finalized a three-year strategic agreement to provide comprehensive repair and maintenance services for the airline’s auxiliary power units (APUs). The multi-year framework is designed to stabilize repair costs and improve maintenance predictability across the Indonesian national carrier’s fleet.

Announced in a press release issued by Honeywell Aerospace, the contract covers the manufacturer’s 131-9B, 331-350, and 331-500 APU models. APUs are critical components that provide electrical power and conditioned air while aircraft are on the ground during boarding and turnaround operations.

Contract Scope and Operational Impact

The agreement leverages Honeywell’s global lifecycle-service network, which includes 26 repair and overhaul facilities and more than 100 commercial air transport partner locations worldwide. By securing a defined service framework, Garuda Indonesia aims to execute more effective maintenance planning and ensure reliable APU operation.

Eric Ai, President of Asia Pacific for Honeywell Aerospace, emphasized the operational benefits of the arrangement.

“Consistent, predictable maintenance support is critical in helping airlines plan maintenance effectively and keep their fleets operating reliably. This agreement enables Honeywell Aerospace to provide that support to Garuda Indonesia through a clear multi-year framework and represents an important next step in our longstanding relationship focused on supporting the airline’s operational needs.”

Garuda Indonesia Director of Maintenance Mukhtaris noted that the agreement aligns with the airline’s ongoing transformation efforts. The carrier is focusing on strengthening operational capabilities and optimizing APU reliability to maintain aircraft readiness.

Regional MRO Expansion and Supply Chain Pressures

The Southeast Asia-Pacific aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) market is currently experiencing high demand for component work and predictive maintenance. Airlines and MRO providers are utilizing long-term agreements to manage industry-wide supply chain disruptions and reduce aircraft on ground (AOG) events.

This latest contract builds upon a previous strategic agreement signed on September 19, 2025, during the MRO Asia-Pacific event. In that arrangement, PT Garuda Maintenance Facility Aero Asia Tbk (GMF AeroAsia), the airline’s MRO subsidiary, partnered with Honeywell for a flat-rate repair program covering 331-350 APU piece parts and line-replaceable units (LRUs). GMF AeroAsia formally entered the APU market under that 2025 agreement, targeting 150 shop visits per year by 2027.

AirPro News analysis

We view this three-year agreement as a necessary defensive measure for Garuda Indonesia against the rising operational and maintenance costs currently impacting airline profitability across the Asia-Pacific region. By locking in a multi-year framework with Honeywell Aerospace, the carrier secures predictable maintenance costs. This cost control is highly strategic for Indonesian carriers navigating volatile supply chains, ensuring that critical components like APUs do not become bottlenecks for fleet availability.

Sources: Honeywell Aerospace

Pratt & Whitney Canada has secured a four-year maintenance, repair, and overhaul agreement with AirBorneo Airways to support the PW127M engines powering the carrier’s legacy ATR 72-500 regional turboprop fleet. Announced on September 24, 2026, the contract ensures operational continuity for the airline’s critical Rural Air Services network across East Malaysia through 2030.

In a press release issued by RTX Corporation, Pratt & Whitney Canada confirmed the engine work will be conducted primarily at its newly expanded facility in Singapore. The localized support is designed to reduce turnaround times and maintain high dispatch reliability for AirBorneo, which relies heavily on its turboprop fleet to connect remote and underserved communities.

Bridging the fleet transition

AirBorneo Airways officially commenced operations under its own identity on January 1, 2026, following the Sarawak government’s acquisition of MASwings from Malaysia Aviation Group. The transition included taking over the Rural Air Services network and an existing fleet of eight ATR 72-500 aircraft.

While the airline placed a firm order for eight new ATR 600-series aircraft at the Singapore Airshow on February 3, 2026, those airframes are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029. The new maintenance agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada bridges this gap, ensuring the older PW127M-powered aircraft remain viable and reliable until the fleet modernization is complete.

AirBorneo Chief Executive Officer Megat Ardian Aminuddin emphasized the importance of regional support for the carrier’s specific operational profile.

“Having this support based in Singapore puts our engine maintenance and repairs close to home and our aircraft back in service faster. That confidence gives us the operational certainty we need to consistently serve our customers on our intra-Borneo routes where reliable air transport is a vital link for remote communities.”

Expanded maintenance capabilities in the Asia-Pacific

The agreement highlights Pratt & Whitney Canada’s recent investments in its Asia-Pacific infrastructure. By expanding its Singapore facility to accommodate broader turboprop maintenance capabilities, the manufacturer can serve regional operators without the logistical delays of shipping engines to North America or Europe.

Anthony Rossi, Vice President of Customer Service for Pratt & Whitney Canada, stated the company worked closely with the airline to develop a solution that manages costs while supporting high dispatch availability. Rossi noted the contract reinforces the manufacturer’s commitment to advancing its maintenance services to meet evolving customer requirements.

The PW100 engine family, which includes the PW127M, has accumulated more than 200 million flight hours over 40 years of regional turboprop operations. When AirBorneo begins receiving its new ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600 aircraft, those airframes will be powered by the newer PW127XT Series engines, continuing the operator’s relationship with the RTX business unit.

AirPro News analysis

We view this four-year agreement as a pragmatic stopgap for AirBorneo Airways as it navigates the complex transition from a legacy MASwings operation to an independent, modernized state-owned carrier. The Rural Air Services network operates in challenging environments where aircraft downtime directly impacts community lifelines. By utilizing Pratt & Whitney Canada’s expanded Singapore facility, AirBorneo mitigates supply chain risks and turnaround delays associated with aging airframes. For RTX, which reported $88 billion in sales in 2025 and employs over 180,000 people globally, securing the legacy maintenance contract ensures continuous revenue from the PW127M while seamlessly transitioning the customer to the PW127XT platform later in the decade.

Sources: RTX