United Airlines has been officially identified as the customer behind a previously undisclosed order for 40 Airbus A321neo aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin after 2030. The revelation adds clarity to Airbus’s backlog and underscores United’s continued commitment to fleet renewal and capacity expansion.
Copa Holdings, the parent company of Copa Airlines based in Panama, has announced the exercise of purchase optionsfor six additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The newly added aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2028, increasing the group’s firm order book to a total of 57 aircraft.
China Airlines has announced a significant order with Boeing for 14 next-generation 777X aircraft, including 10 777-9 passenger jets and 4 777-8 freighters (777-8F). The Taiwanese carrier also secured purchase options for an additional 5 777-9s and 4 777-8Fs, solidifying its long-term fleet modernization and cargo expansion plans.
Saudia Group has signed a significant aircraft acquisition deal with Airbus, committing to the addition of up to 20 A330neo widebody aircraft to support the group’s long-term fleet expansion plans. Of these, 10 are firm orders allocated to flyadeal, the group’s low-cost subsidiary. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027 and conclude by 2029.
Boeing has confirmed that a total of 11 B777 freighters were ordered during March 2025, highlighting continued demand for long-haul cargo capacity. Of the total, eight aircraft were ordered by FedEx Express (US), while the remaining three were attributed to an undisclosed customer.
Thai Airways International has reaffirmed its commitment to fleet expansion as a core element of its strategic growth plan, confirming that its order for 45 Boeing 787 aircraft remains active, with deliveries set to begin from mid-2027. In addition to this substantial widebody order, the airline also announced intentions to procure an additional 35 aircraft, contingent on evolving market conditions and demand recovery.
Cebu Pacific, the largest low-cost carrier in the Philippines, is considering additional narrowbody aircraft acquisitions before 2029, citing sustained passenger demand across its domestic and regional markets. This review comes on the heels of its record order for 152 Airbus A321neo aircraft, which reaffirmed its commitment to fleet standardization and capacity growth.
EVA Air, the Taiwanese full-service carrier, has finalized a firm order with Airbus for six A350-1000s and three A321neo aircraft, formalizing its March 2025 commitment to the European manufacturer. This latest transaction significantly strengthens EVA Air’s widebody and narrowbody expansion pipeline, positioning the airline for long-term fleet modernization and capacity growth.
Rise Air, a Canadian regional carrier, may expand its fleet beyond its current plans, as Chief Executive Derek Nice has indicated a willingness to order additional ATR72-600 aircraft. This would build on the three aircraft already on order, which are set to begin delivering between late 2025 and early 2026.
Japan Airlines (JAL) and CFM International have finalized an agreement for the supply of LEAP-1B engines to power 17 additional Boeing 737-8 aircraft. These aircraft were part of a fleet expansion order first announced in March 2025, as JAL continues its modernization strategy across domestic and regional operations.
