The US Federal Aviation Administration has certificated an increased maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) for the 787-9 and -10 ahead of its entry into service with launch customer Air New Zealand. Boeing states that the first of the jets built to the new production standards are "now progressing through ticketing and delivery activities", and that all 787-9s and -10s assembled since December are structurally capable of being certified at the higher weight. The upgrade increases the MTOW of 787-9s by around 10,000lb (4.54t), which delivers over 300nm (560km) of additional range, or an increase in payload of around 3t. On the larger -10 variant, the 14,000lb increase in MTOW extends its range by more than 400nm or allows an extra 5t of payload. "Certification of an increased maximum takeoff weight for the 787 reflects years of rigorous engineering, testing and close coordination with our regulators,” says Lisa Fahl, Boeing's vice president of 787 engineering. "This certification approval has followed a structured, data-driven program of analysis to validate structural loads, performance and systems behaviour at the higher weight that will deliver more capability and new opportunities for our customers." Boeing confirms that Air New Zealand is the launch customer of the 'iMTOW' programme, and the carrier's general manager of strategy, networks and fleet says that the weight increase "gives us greater ability to carry additional payload on our ultra long-haul routes – an important enabler for our network ambitions, supporting trade, tourism and better connectivity for New Zealand." Fleet data indicates that the carrier is expected to take delivery of the new 787-9 in April, with another due in July and two more in 2027. They will be the first GE Aerospace GEnx-powered aircraft that will join its existing fleet of 14 Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-powered 787-9s.

Garuda Indonesia Group's full-year loss before income tax widened from $81 million the year prior to $354 million in 2025 as maintenance costs surged and revenue eased. Accounts filed with the Indonesia Stock Exchange show that the carrier's revenue for the year fell 5.85% to $3.2 billion, largely driven by an 8.3% fall in scheduled passenger revenue, while charter services were broadly steady. Operating expenses, meanwhile, rose 20% to $468 million, as a 23% increase in maintenance costs to $661 million offset lower flight operating and network expenses. It cited increases in heavy checks, utilisation patterns and cost inflation for the increase in maintenance costs. Garuda has previously signaled that it is working to rapidly reactivate stored aircraft as it continues to rebuild its post-pandemic operations. Fleets data shows that at 31 December, the Garuda Indonesia group (including low-cost subsidiary Citilink) has 102 aircraft in service and 38 in storage. Overall, the group reported a net loss of $319 million, compared to $69.8 million in the year prior. At the end of the year, Garuda had $943 million in cash and cash equivalents, up from $219 million at the start of 2025, boosted by a $1 billion cash injection from sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia during the last quarter.

Ryanair plans to build a new hangar and additional component repair shops at its maintenance site in Prestwick, Scotland. The new hangar will add four aircraft bays to the six Ryanair already has at Glasgow Prestwick airport, says the airline, noting that the heavy maintenance facility will thus become its largest. Ryanair estimates that the expansion project will create 450 jobs, and says it represents a £40 million ($54 million) investment. Regional and national authorities are providing financial support. From a £32 million UK government support package for aerospace around Prestwick, £4.9 million has been allocated to the new hangar. Regional investment authority Scottish Enterprise, meanwhile, has approved £11.6 million in funding for the project and will additionally deliver £1.52 million for infrastructure in collaboration with Scotland's regional government. Ryanair chief Eddie Wilson states that the authorities' "focused approach in backing this project has been crucial in enabling us to grow Prestwick into a major heavy maintenance and training hub that will deliver skilled careers and economic benefits for many years to come". He highlights the airline's plan to grow its fleet to 800 aircraft by 2034. In 2024, Ryanair opened a technical training facility in Prestwick. This represented a £5 million investment, it notes.