Market Intelligence: North and Central Asia

Airbus Updates 2025 Aircraft Delivery Forecast to 790

Global – Airbus has revised its 2025 commercial aircraft delivery target due to a recent quality issue from a supplier affecting the fuselage panels of its A320 Family aircraft.

  • The updated 2025 delivery target is approximately 790 commercial aircraft, down from previous target of 820

  • In 2024 Airbus delivered 766 aircraft

  • Despite the delivery adjustment, Airbus reaffirmed its 2025 financial guidance:

    • EBIT Adjusted remains at around Euro 7.0 billion.

    • Free Cash Flow before Customer Financing remains targeted at approximately €4.5 billion.

  • The company plans to publish its November 2025 aircraft orders and deliveries on 5 December 2025.

Source: Airbus

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IATA Highlights Strong International Traffic as Asia and Middle East Lead Growth in October 2025

Global – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released global passenger traffic results for October 2025, reporting continued strength in both international and domestic markets despite increasing macroeconomic uncertainty. Total global demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), rose 6.6% year-on-year, supported by capacity growth of 5.8%, pushing the worldwide load factor to 84.6%.

  • International demand increased 8.5% year-on-year, with capacity up 7.1% and load factor improving by 1.1 percentage points to 84.6%.

  • Domestic demand rose 3.4%, with capacity up 3.6%; the domestic load factor remained stable at 84.6%.

  • IATA noted a rebound in North American international traffic, rising 4.5%, compared to several months of sluggish performance earlier in the year. Scheduled global capacity is forecast to expand 3.6% in November and 4.7% in December, signalling strong year-end leisure and business travel demand.

Regional International Market Highlights

  • Asia-Pacific: Demand up 10.9%; capacity up 9.1%; load factor 84.4% (+1.4 ppt). Traffic to/from China, Japan and Vietnam exceeded 10% growth, reflecting robust intra-Asia recovery.

  • Europe: Demand up 7.4%; capacity up 6.0%; load factor 86.5% (+1.2 ppt), the highest among all regions.

  • North America: Demand up 4.5%; capacity up 4.7%; load factor 84.2% (-0.1 ppt). Transatlantic traffic grew 3.8%.

  • Middle East: Demand up 10.7%; capacity up 8.1%; load factor 82.5% (+2.0 ppt). Growth partly reflects recovery from last year’s geopolitically affected base.

  • Latin America: Demand up 7.2%; capacity up 8.2%; load factor 84.6% (-0.8 ppt).

  • Africa: Demand up 7.3%; capacity up 5.3%; load factor 74.1% (+1.4 ppt).

Source: IATA

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CAE Implements CBTA Principles Across Business Aviation Recurrent Training Offering in 2026

Global – CAE has announced the implementation of Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) principles across its Business Aviation recurrent training programs, beginning January 2026.

  • CAE will roll out CBTA-based recurrent training starting with Phase A of the EASA curriculum in January 2026.

  • Clients will have the option to choose between CBTA-based or traditional training formats.

  • CBTA is internationally recognised by FAA, EASA, UK CAA, and Transport Canada, and is championed by ICAO and IATA.

  • The CORe (Continuously Optimized Recurrent) model will structure delivery, embedding scenario-based modules and continuous data-driven assessments.

  • CAE began instructor development for CBTA implementation over a year ago, incorporating mentorship and standardized teaching protocols.

CBTA benefits include:

  • A stronger focus on real-world competency, decision-making, teamwork, and situational awareness.

  • Improved training engagement through modular and scenario-based learning.

  • Enhanced safety and measurable performance feedback aligned with modern operational realities.

Statements:

  • “The adoption of CBTA-Principles is a testament to CAE’s ongoing commitment to safety, innovation, and excellence in business aviation,” said Alexandre Prévost, President, Civil Aviation, “Our advanced training solutions are designed to help pilots and operators thrive in an ever-changing aviation landscape.”

Source: CAE
Photo Credit: CAE

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Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Propair Flight – Digital Model Developer for Flight Simulators

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Balázs Bojkó, Chief Technology Officer at Propair Flight – which revolutionize the way new generations of pilots, whether future professionals or passionate enthusiasts learn and train. Believing that the integration of cutting-edge digital technologies, such as gaming engines, virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics, opens unprecedented opportunities to deliver educational experiences that are not only highly effective but also genuinely engaging and fun.

The conversation covers:

  • Propair Flight is a technology company specializing in developing high-fidelity virtual training environments for the aviation industry. Their work includes creating 3D aircraft and airport models, flight simulation systems, and immersive learning tools that make traditional pilot training more engaging and effective. The company has grown into a 42-member team driven by the vision of transforming how pilots learn and practice across all stages of their training journey.
  • From Simulation Design to Real-World Application: Propair Flight’s solutions go beyond visual realism — they focus on functionality, system accuracy, and scenario-based learning. Their technology allows pilots to train in highly detailed virtual environments that replicate real-world flight conditions, procedures, and decision-making situations. By combining technical precision with engaging user experiences, the company provides tools that enhance pilot readiness and confidence long before they enter a full-flight simulator.
  • Bridging the Gap Between Academy and Airline Training: The company’s Airbus A320 Guidance Management Trainer helps bridge the gap between type rating and real-world airline operations. Designed as a compact, single-pilot device, it allows pilots to practice normal procedures and automation management independently. Guided by built-in software and training programs, the device enables cadets to gain hands-on experience before entering full-flight simulators or line training.
  • Strategic Partnerships and Data-Driven Innovation: Propair Flight collaborates closely with AXIS Aviation to integrate VR and mixed-reality solutions into training ecosystems. Their joint work aims to offer full-scope training packages — from system familiarization to procedure trainers — while collecting performance data to validate training effectiveness. Balázs emphasizes that data-driven insights and certification are key to making AI and VR tools part of approved pilot training programs.
  • The Future of Pilot Training and Propair Flight’s Vision: Balázs predicts that simulators will evolve into intelligent training devices combining realism with interactive learning layers. He highlights the importance of developing not just technical, but also non-technical competencies like decision-making and teamwork. Looking ahead to 2026, Propair Flight plans to launch an integrated training suite combining flashcards, questionnaires, and VR tools — part of their mission to modernize training while preserving the core values of aviation instruction.

For more information:

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Airbus Helicopters Supports Fred North’s Global Mentorship Program for Young Pilots

Global – Airbus Helicopters has partnered with veteran stunt pilot Fred North to sponsor the Helicopter Safety Mentorship Program, a global initiative designed to connect young aviators with experienced mentors to enhance safety and professional development across the rotorcraft industry.

  • The programme, founded by Fred North — one of the world’s most recognised helicopter pilots in film and television — links early-career pilots with seasoned peers to provide guidance on operational decision-making, safety practices, and career progression.

  • More than 350 pilots worldwide are currently enrolled, with a further 40 on the waiting list, representing participants from North America, Europe, South Asia, and Latin America.

  • The mentorship structure allows flexible engagement between mentors and mentees, typically involving short, periodic exchanges to discuss topics such as mission planning, stress management, and operational risk.

  • Airbus Helicopters views the initiative as part of its holistic aviation safety strategy, focusing not only on technical innovation but also on pilot mindset, training quality, and human factors.

  • The company’s Head of Aviation Safety and Quality, Florence Verlut, highlighted that Airbus’ support for the programme aligns with its Zero Accidents roadmap by encouraging knowledge transfer between generations of pilots.

  • Airbus test pilot Olivier Gensse is among the mentors participating in the programme, contributing decades of operational experience to the next generation of rotorcraft professionals.

Statements

  • “We’ve done so much mechanically in the past 40 years that today helicopters are really reliable, if you do the maintenance correctly. Now, the weak part is us, as pilots, as human beings,” said Fred North, founder of the Helicopter Safety Mentorship Program. “I would love every young pilot doing his commercial license to be part of the programme. It can help create a safer environment because they can ask questions now and not make that mistake eight years later.”
  • “Airbus’ strategy is holistic — to not only look at the product, but to look at everything that can enhance safety. Fred’s mentors can reach all types of pilots, and his willingness to think about the future by upskilling the new generation aligns with Airbus’ safety roadmap,” said Florence Verlut, Head of Aviation Safety and Quality at Airbus Helicopters.

Source: Airbus

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