Heathrow Airport expects that the UK government will provide an update on its plans to develop a third runway this autumn. The London hub's operator, which has revealed that July was its busiest month ever, is awaiting a response from the authorities to expansion proposals it submitted with a view to securing planning permission by 2029 and completing construction by 2035. These plans include an upgrade to the M25 motorway that Heathrow says can be delivered without disrupting traffic flows. "Heathrow is ready to mobilise, and the government will now decide the next steps, with an update expected in the autumn," says the airport. It argues that expansion would give passengers lower fares, more choice and more destinations, while helping to grow the economy. The airport handled 7.9 million passengers in July, a record high. It cites particularly strong demand to and from North America, up 0.9% on last year, boosted by "a fortnight of elevated traffic both before and after" the USA's 4 July Independence Day holiday.

Air India will suspend services between Delhi and Washington-Dulles from 1 September partly due to fleet availability issues as it started a programme to retrofit its 26 Boeing 787-8s in July. The airline states that the suspension will allow it to "ensure the reliability and integrity of Air India’s overall route network" as the retrofits continue, and in part due to the ongoing closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian carriers, which has led to "longer flight routings and increased operational complexity." Air India adds that the first 787-8 to undergo a retrofit, registered AT-ANT, ferried last month to Victorville, California, where it will be joined by a second 787 in October, with both jets slated to return to service in December. Seven of the jets will also undergo D-checks at Victorville, while the wider refit will see the 787s installed with new business, premium economy and economy seats, in-flight entertainment systems, as well as new lavatories, galleries and soft furnishings. The carrier adds that from early 2027 it will start retrofits of 13 of its 777-300ERs that will continue through to October 2028, later than it originally planned due to supply chain delays. Air India also says that 16 of its Airbus A320neos have undergone a retrofit, with 11 more due to be completed by September. "These upgraded A320neo aircraft, featuring all-new cabins, are being progressively deployed on key domestic and short-haul international routes, thereby enhancing passenger experience," it adds. The A320neo refits are being bolstered by the addition of a third line at GMR's MRO facility in Hyderabad.

The UK's Competition & Markets Authority has approved Boeing's takeover of Spirit AeroSystems, following a short investigation. "The CMA has cleared the anticipated acquisition by The Boeing Company of Spirit AeroSystems," says the regulator. Details of the decision will be published shortly. The regulator had in June announced that it would launch an initial probe into whether the transaction represented a relevant merger, and, if so, whether the merger would reduce competition in the UK market. A comment period ran from 26 June to 15 July. The USA's Federal Trade Commission is also examining the transaction. Spirit AeroSystems said on 5 August that regulators had requested further information, and that it expected the transaction to close in the fourth quarter. Boeing disclosed last July that it had agreed to acquire Spirit AeroSystems in an all-stock transaction at an equity value of about $4.7 billion. Airbus is set to acquire the segments of the business that supply its own aircraft programmes. On 5 August, Spirit AeroSystems reported sharply higher second-quarter losses, citing the disposal of certain businesses and charges on aircraft programmes with Airbus and Boeing. The aerostructure supplier's operating loss rose 45% to $481 million, while its net loss was 52% higher at $631 million, despite revenue rising a tenth to $1.6 billion. Kansas-based Spirit AeroSystems said that this mainly related to the losses from the transfer of certain businesses to Airbus, which brought a $133 million charge against the carrying value of the assets and sites. Spirit AeroSystems also recorded a series of net forward losses, primarily linked to the Airbus A220 ($100 million), A350 ($58 million) and Boeing 787 ($38 million) programmes, and driven by foreign-exchange rates, production performance, and supply-chain cost increases, including tariffs on the 787. The supplier notes that it holds a $51 billion backlog with Boeing and Airbus, and that deliveries increased in the second quarter amid higher production at Boeing, particularly on the 737 and 787 lines.