BOC Aviation has confirmed that it has signed to lease five new Airbus A321neos from its orderbook to Thai Airways International. The Singapore-based lessor states that the aircraft will be powered by CFM International Leap-1A engines. Fleet's data shows that the aircraft are tentatively planned for delivery in 2027 and 2028. "We are pleased to be working once more with long-time customer, Thai Airways," says BOC Aviation chief executive and managing director Steven Townend "The delivery of these technologically advanced aircraft is an important transaction in the development of our portfolio and will support Thai Airways as it expands its fleet and regional network." Thai currently leases seven Boeing 777-300ERs from BOC Aviation, fleets data shows.

EVTOL-maker Archer Aviation has released plans for a proposed New York City air taxi network with United Airlines, an investor in Archer that has also placed an order with the company. The announcement adds to proposed air taxi networks in San Francisco and Los Angeles. "Archer's goal is to enable passengers to travel from Manhattan to nearby airports in just 5-15 minutes using Midnight, dramatically reducing travel times compared to traditional ground transportation and helping avoid the city's notorious traffic," Archer said in a 17 April press release. Midnight is Archer's piloted electric air taxi designed to carry up to four passengers while producing less noise and emissions than a traditional helicopter, Archer says. Midnight is built with redundant systems across the aircraft – including 12 total engines and propellers – allowing Archer to target similar levels of safety as commercial airliners, it adds. Archer is building Midnight in the USA at manufacturing facilities in San Jose, California and Covington, Georgia. Archer notes it is continuing to work with the FAA to seek type certification of Midnight. "Once type certification is received, Archer and its operating partners plan to safely and seamlessly integrate Midnight into service, beginning with major airports like those in the New York City area," Archer says. Archer received its FAA Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Certificate in June 2024. "At United, our focus is on driving innovation, reimagining the future of air travel and enhancing the customer experience every step of the journey," states Andrew Chang, head of United Airlines Ventures. "Our strategic collaboration with Archer will be key to our efforts to build and optimise the infrastructure – such as real estate development, air space management, and safety and security protocols – necessary to bring advanced air mobility to our customers."

A UK court has ruled that VietJet Air is liable to pay FitzWalter Aviation (FWA) a total of $181.8 million for the termination of leases due to default and owed lease payments. The compensation trial follows a July 2024 judgement ruling that VietJet was liable for breach of contract relating to four Airbus A321s, with FitzWalter seeking more than $300 million in damages. The carrier has also been accused of frustrating the repossession and export process of the aircraft. The aircraft at the centre of the dispute are two A321neos, bearing registration 2-FWCD (MSN 8937) and 2-FWCC (MSN 8906), and two A321ceos bearing registrations 2-FWCA (MSN 8577) and 2-FWCB (MSN 8592). Of the total sum, VietJet is liable to pay $108 million pertaining to the termination value on the two A321neos and $57.1 million for the two A321ceos, according to the 17 April judgement. VietJet was also deemed liable to pay leases for the two A321neos up to the redelivery of the aircraft, which amount to $8.3 million and $8.4 million for MSNs 8906 and 8937, respectively. The carrier had disputed the claims, saying that if these are successful, it “would mean that VietJet would be required not only to hand over the Aircraft but also to pay sums tantamount to their value”. VietJet has 28 days from the ruling to make payment, but Cirium understands the carrier has applied for an extension though it has yet to be determined if the extension will be granted. At the same time, VietJet is expected to start its appeal hearing against the 31 July judgement in May, with the carrier saying it is “confident that justice will prevail”, according to a 18 April statement to the Vietnam stock exchange. “The airline has consistently fulfilled its financial obligations to dozens of banks and aircraft lessors supporting its fleet of hundreds of aircraft. The dispute concerning the four aircraft in this period is isolated and exceptional,” it adds. Speaking to Cirium, a source notes that should the court not grant VietJet an extension on payment and if the airline reneges on payment, the appellate court may be “unwilling to sit for appeals where court orders haven’t been complied with.” Following the conclusion of the quantum amount, another hearing is scheduled to take place in March next year to determine further damages relating to the condition of aircraft upon redelivery, and VietJet’s alleged interference in the export of the aircraft. The trial will concern whether “any delay by FWA exporting any of the Aircraft is because of any culpable acts by VietJet, or because of FWA's own failures, or just the result of the actions of third parties, or events outside the parties' control,” reads the 17 April judgement. “That issue will be the subject of a further (and hopefully final) trial likely to take place in 2026,” adds Justice Picken. Cirium understands from an industry source that the damages could “add an additional roughly $100 million of restitution”. For example, he points out that the last aircraft to leave Vietnam, an A321neo by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines, MSN 8937, took a long time because it was missing an engine. The jet was ferried from Ho Chi Minh City to Alice Springs airport on 13 March 2025. He details that the missing engine was found “orphaned” in an engine shop in Singapore, and FitzWalter had to work with the engine maker to rehabilitate the aircraft and put it back on wing, spending about $6-7 million in the process. Cirium understands that VietJet and FitzWalter are in the process of setting up negotiations to settle the dispute. VietJet did not respond to Cirium’s request for comment, while FitzWalter Capital Aviation Services declined to comment.