The Latvian government has agreed to pump €14 million ($16.3 million) into Air Baltic to match the commitment made by Lufthansa Group, securing its position as a strategic investor and smoothing its journey towards an IPO. Participation by the Latvian state, which owns 98% of Air Baltic, will take place alongside the German carrier to ensure that "the state retains its strategic participation in the company," the airline says. Lufthansa Group said in January it would invest €14 million in exchange for a 10% stake in Air Baltic, commenting that the funds would cement a wet-lease partnership but did not reflect a desire to consolidate it into the wider group. The Latvian government says it "made the decision" to attract Lufthansa as a strategic partner a month earlier. "Having one of the industry leaders become a strategic investor in Air Baltic increases the value of our national airline, confirms its leading market position, and strengthens the company’s path toward an IPO," explains Latvian transport minister Atis Svinka. "This will help attract other investors, as it demonstrates that Air Baltic’s business model is sustainable." Air Baltic expects Lufthansa’s investment in the company to be completed by the end of August. The company notes that Estonian and Lithuanian partners are yet to decide whether to invest in the company ahead of its IPO, describing their involvement as a "broader, gradual process" with discussions continuing. This could include their involvement at the IPO stage. The airline notes that its planned expansion will "bring benefits to the entire region." On 7 July, the Estonian government indicated that it would not be investing in Air Baltic for now, instead prioritising the development of its own main airport in Tallinn. "When Air Baltic’s business plan is clearer, we can reconsider the purchase," Kuldar Leis, Estonia’s minister of infrastructure, was quoted by the government as saying. Air Baltic and the Latvian government are keen for the airline to attract external capital, either via its potential IPO or other means, to enhance the carrier’s ability to attract external capital. Air Baltic disclosed on 13 August that it has delayed plans for a "potential" IPO until 2026, having first floated the idea of taking the company public in 2019.

Boeing has disclosed that it recently engaged all of its five 777-9 flight test aircraft in parallel certification trials for the first time. The fifth flight test aircraft (designated WH286 and registered N2007L) completed its first sortie 5 on August and was subsequently transferred from Boeing's assembly line in Everett, north of Seattle, to Marana, Arizona, for electromagnetic interference trials, the US airframer says. It notes that WH286's initial flight marked the first time in nearly five years that the manufacturer completed and flew a newly built 777-9. The other flight test aircraft completed their first flights in 2020. WH001, the initial flight test aircraft (N779XW), has most recently been used for take-off performance tests at Edwards Air Force base in California. This included velocity minimum unstick tests to validate take-off performance at the lowest safe speed, Boeing says. WH002 (N779XX) meanwhile performed certification tests to clear the type for flight in icing conditions. These tests at Moses Lake, Washington, involved fixing artificial ice shapes to the aircraft's wings and other surfaces where ice can build up and affect performance. The third test aircraft (N779XY) was used for engine start certification tests at Boeing Field, near Seattle, while WH004 (N779XZ) underwent hot-day certification trails in Yuma, Arizona. All these tests were completed across five days, Boeing says. "It requires a tremendous amount of effort from many teams to safely plan and execute testing on a single airplane," states 777X test programme manager Brandon Schmitz. "When you scale that up five-fold, it's amazing to see our teams orchestrate successful testing across the entire fleet, especially in different locations," he adds. The 777-9 test fleet has accumulated more than 1,500 flights and 4,100h to date. Boeing has target of starting 777-9 deliveries in 2026.

Airbus UK workers represented by the Unite union plan industrial action at the European airframer's facilities in Broughton and Filton in September in relation to a pay dispute. Unite says that 90% of members voted in a ballot in favour of strike action. The union represents more than 3,000 aircraft fitters and engineers across the two sites which produce wings for A320-family jets, A330s, A350s and A400M military transports, it notes. The union plans strike action on 10 days over a three-week period beginning 2 September and warns the measures will "delay deliveries and put pressure on the global supply chain". "Airbus is generating billions in profit; workers deserve a fair deal," states Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, adding: "Our members are simply seeking fairness not favours." Airbus UK country manager commercial aircraft Sue Partridge says the airframer made a "competitive and fair pay offer in 2025 that builds on the strong foundations" of previous pay increases since 2022 and a bonus payment in April of this year. "Our priority remains to find a resolution together with the trade union that ensures the long-term competitiveness and success of Airbus in the UK," Partridge asserts. Airbus says that it is "not currently concerned" about the impact of potential industrial action on "year-end deliveries". The airframer has a target of making 820 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2025, up from 766 last year. By the end of July, Airbus had handed to customers 373 jets and completed a number of engine-less aircraft amid a supply shortfall of CFM International Leap powerplants, which both manufacturers previously said would be resolved by year-end.