News

China Airlines Commits to Boeing 777X Freighter and Passenger Variants

Boeing has announced a significant new order from China Airlines for both 777-8 Freighter and 777-9 passenger aircraft. While the specific number of aircraft has not been disclosed, the deal is framed as part of China Airlines’ long-term strategy to modernize its fleet, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce emissions.

China Airlines has a longstanding relationship with Boeing, with a fleet that includes:

• 10 Boeing 777-300ERs used for long-haul passenger operations

• 18 Boeing 747-400 freighters, making it one of the largest 747F operators globally

• 6 Boeing 787-9s on order from prior agreements

The 777X family will allow the airline to gradually phase out older aircraft while maintaining its cargo dominance in the Asia-Pacific region. Freight rates are declining due to US tariffs on Chinese goods and an end to de minimis exemptions, but the long-term demand for capacity is likely to remain high in the region with China Airlines positioning itself to be a strong player with the addition of the 777X Freighter to their fleet. Boeing described the order as a reaffirmation of confidence in the 777X program, particularly its freighter variant, which continues to gain traction globally as a purpose-built wide-body freighter.

Baykar and Leonardo Confirm Strategic UAV Partnership

Baykar and Leonardo officially announced their joint strategic UAV partnership during the Türkiye–Italy Intergovernmental Summit on 29 April 2025. The deal centers on collaboration in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), combining Baykar’s proven expertise in tactical drones like the well-known TB2 and Akıncı with Leonardo’s aerospace and defense technologies. Leonardo has experience with UAS through the Selex ES Falco product line, which served in conflict monitoring roles with the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2013. Leonardo has offered “turn-key” services with this system as of 2021, indicating a need in the market for contractor-owned, contractor-operated UAS missions supplying clients with raw or analyzed data. Whether Leonardo continues this approach in collaboration with Baykar will be notable.

Leonardo’s Aeronautics Division will lead the Italian side of development, with a focus on export-friendly designs suitable for NATO-aligned countries. While specific platforms were not named, the agreement suggests a joint roadmap for ISR and potentially armed drone capabilities, aimed at global markets. More information is expected to be released this summer, outlining product offerings and capabilities that may indicate potential customers. Baykar’s success has demonstrated the global proliferation of drone technology as UAS have increasingly featured prominently in recent conflicts.

The NTSB has released its preliminary report on the April 10, 2025 crash of a Bell 206L-4 helicopter (registration N216MH) near Jersey City, NJ. The aircraft was conducting an air tour under Part 91 and had departed the Downtown Manhattan/Wall Street Heliport with five passengers. The weather on the day of the accident was VMC.  All six occupants were fatally injured when the helicopter suffered a catastrophic in-flight breakup over the Hudson River.

Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts indicated the helicopter separated mid-air into three main sections: fuselage, main rotor assembly, and tail boom. The breakup occurred shortly after a rapid descent began at approximately 675 feet altitude, with final ADS-B data ending at 125 feet above the river.

The NTSB preliminary report indicates that the helicopter had accumulated:

• 12,975 total airframe hours on the aircraft which was manufactured in 2004

• 23,305 total engine hours which had undergone a 100-hour and progressive inspection on February 27, 2025, and had flown approximately 50 hours since that time.

The pilot was on his first day back after time off and had completed seven tours already that day. Notably, the aircraft was not equipped with any onboard flight recorder which is not required for this type of aircraft and operation, but the pilot was seen wearing augmented sunglasses with video recording capability. These have not been recovered.

This week’s report release provides the first official account of the accident sequence, with further analysis expected in the final report. Any discussion of potential causes outside of official sources at this point should be disregarded as speculation.