Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

LATAM Airlines receives first A321neo

LATAM Airlines has taken delivery of its first A321neo leased from AerCap and placed an order for 13 additional A321neo aircraft to further expand its route network and drive its regional growth.

Image copyright Airbus

This is the first delivery of a committed backlog of 76 A321neo aircraft. In total, LATAM has 111 A320 Family aircraft to be delivered.

The newly delivered A321neo for LATAM can seat up to 224 passengers and feature Airbus’ Airspace XL bins in the cabin. The larger bins provide a 40% increase in storage space and facilitates 60% more carry-on bags, allowing a more relaxed boarding experience for passengers and cabin crews. The newly delivered A321neo flew to its destination with 49% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

“Our fleet renewal and modernisation strategy is fully aligned with our sustainability commitment and brings us closer to the goal of becoming a carbon-neutral group by 2050,” said Ramiro Alfonsín, Chief Financial Officer of LATAM Airlines Group. “We will continue to work on enhancing the current fleet with next-generation aircraft to further improve our connectivity while caring for the environment.”

“We thank LATAM for their continued confidence in our aircraft, reselecting the A321neo for its continued network growth. This strategic move also accelerates LATAM decarbonisation trajectory as the A321neos are at least 20% more fuel-efficient, emitting 20% less CO2  and 50% less noise compared to previous generation aircraft,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.

The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ best-selling single-aisle A320 Family. To date, more than 5,200 A321neos have been ordered by customers worldwide.

LATAM Airlines Group and its affiliates are the main group of airlines in Latin America, with presence in five domestic markets in the region: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, in addition to international operations throughout Europe, Oceania, the United States and the Caribbean. Today, LATAM operates 240 Airbus aircraft and is the largest Airbus operator in Latin America. In July this year, LATAM took delivery of a new Airbus A320neo, the first delivery using 30% SAF.

 

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

 

Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner
UK hydrogen airport trial sets out roadmap for further studies

Aerospace

UK hydrogen airport trial sets out roadmap for further studies

18 February 2026

A new report into the UK’s first airside trial of multiple hydrogen-powered ground support equipment (GSE) has confirmed that hydrogen can be safely and effectively integrated into airport ground operations, whilst setting out a series of essential next steps needed to accelerate hydrogen adoption and decarbonisation across the aviation sector.

Kent collaborates on Pre-FEED study for Eq.flight SAF demo plant

Aerospace

Kent collaborates on Pre-FEED study for Eq.flight SAF demo plant

18 February 2026

Integrated energy services partner, Kent, has collaborated with Equilibrion during a successful bid for funding from the UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) and with that funding for Equilibrion and its partners, Kent is delivering the Pre-Front-End Engineering Design (Pre-FEED) for Eq.flight, an advanced power-to-liquids ...

TEKEVER launches UAS Training School at West Wales Airport

Aerospace

TEKEVER launches UAS Training School at West Wales Airport

18 February 2026

Today, provider of AI-centred uncrewed aerial systems, TEKEVER, has announced the official opening of its new Training School at West Wales Airport.

UK

Aerospace

UK's January air traffic soars into 2026

17 February 2026

January’s UK air traffic increased by 1,725 flights in 2026 versus the previous year, equivalent to a 1% uptick in flights flying in UK airspace.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Responsive Engineering unveils apprentice-built Welding Academy

Aerospace

Responsive Engineering unveils apprentice-built Welding Academy

17 February 2026

Responsive Engineering, the daughter company of Pearson Engineering, marked National Apprenticeship Week with the unveiling of its new Welding Academy, a unique training space built almost entirely by its apprentices using repurposed and recycled materials.

UK pioneers 3D printing of aircraft parts using recycled titanium

Aerospace Defence

UK pioneers 3D printing of aircraft parts using recycled titanium

17 February 2026

QinetiQ, in partnership with Additive Manufacturing Solutions Limited (AMS Ltd.), has completed the maiden flight of an aircraft containing a 3D printed structural component, made from recycled titanium.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner