Korean Air has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to order 103 Boeing aircraft, comprising 20 777-9s, 25 787-10s, 50 737-10s and eight 777-8 Freighters, scheduled for delivery through the end of 2030. The carrier has also agreed an MoU to acquire 11 and eight spare engines from GE Aerospace and CFM International, respectively, while GE will provide engine maintenance services for 28 aircraft over 20 years. Korean Air has valued the upcoming aircraft and spare engine orders at $36.2 billion and $690 million, respectively, with the engine maintenance contract valued at $13 billion, according to a 25 August press release. The order comes on the heels of the carrier's order for 20 777-9s and 20 787-10s in March. The carrier says the aircraft acquisition is part of its "proactive measure to support Korean Air's long-term growth following its integration with Asiana Airlines", as it grapples with ongoing delivery delays. "Acquiring these next-generation aircraft is the core of our fleet modernisation strategy, delivering significant gains in fuel efficiency and enhancing the passenger experience across our global network," says Walter Cho, chairman and chief executive of Korean Air. "This investment is also a critical enabler for our future as a merged airline with Asiana, to ensure that our combined carrier is one of the most competitive airlines in the industry." As part of its strategy, Korean Air's long-term fleet will be restructured into five aircraft types comprising 777s, 787s, 787s and Airbus A350s and A321neos. Korean Air currently operates nine Airbus and Boeing aircraft types, Cirium fleets data shows. The MoUs were signed on the back of a high-level visit between the leaders of South Korea and the USA in Washington, with the carrier calling the deal "a strategic choice to strengthen Korean Air’s partnership with the US aviation industry". "As Korea's leading flag carrier, Korean Air will continue to serve as a vital bridge between the two countries. This strategic investment in the US market will further strengthen the airline’s operational capabilities and global competitiveness, and foster robust commercial ties that will drive sustained growth," it adds. The order, when finalised, will bring the carrier's Boeing orderbook to 175 aircraft, while it also has 40 A321neos, 27 A350-1000s and four A350-900s on order.

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.