Archives: Market Intelligences

Hong Kong’s Cathay Group Appoints Guy Bradley as New Chair Effective May 2026

Hong Kong – The Cathay Group has announced that current Chair of the Board, Patrick Healy, will step down on 13 May 2026 and retire from the Swire Group at the end of that month. Guy Bradley, JP—Chairman of Swire Pacific and a director of Cathay Pacific Airways—has been appointed as the incoming Chair, effective the same day.

  • Healy, who has served as Chair since 2020, led Cathay through the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing its recovery to pre-pandemic capacity and expansion to over 100 destinations.

  • Bradley, a Swire Group veteran since 1987, brings global leadership experience across aviation, property, and engineering sectors and will continue in his existing leadership roles alongside this appointment.

  • Cathay is currently executing a HK$100 billion investment program across customer experience, network, and operational infrastructure to reinforce its role in Hong Kong’s aviation hub.

Statements

  • “Pat has demonstrated unwavering commitment and leadership throughout his six years as Chair, especially during the pandemic. During his tenure, Cathay Pacific has reinforced its reputation as one of the world’s best airlines, and the Cathay Group has returned to pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity while expanding its network to more than 100 destinations,” said Guy Bradley.

  • “As Chair of the Cathay Group, my focus will be on working closely with the leadership team on enhancing the Cathay Group’s overall performance, as well as continuing to support Hong Kong, our home city, and strengthening its status as a leading international aviation hub.”

  • “It has been a privilege to chair the Cathay Group for the last six years, working alongside a passionate, committed team who have shown immense resilience through one of the most challenging periods in our 80-year history. I also thank our customers for their unstinting loyalty. Cathay is in a unique position, with our deep roots in Hong Kong, being proudly part of China and connecting Hong Kong to the world. We are investing well over HK$100 billion to drive continuous improvement across all aspects of our customer proposition. All this will ensure we remain at the very centre of the Hong Kong international aviation hub for the coming decades. I wish everyone associated with Cathay all the very best for the future,” said Patrick Healy.

Source: Cathay Group
Photo Credit: Cathay Group

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Blackwing Sweden Achieves EASA Production Approval and 12 Deliveries in 2025

Sweden – Light aircraft manufacturer Blackwing Sweden has closed 2025 with a strong operational and commercial performance, including new certifications, expanded customer reach, and key aircraft deliveries across Europe.

  • Delivered 12 aircraft during 2025

  • Participated in key industry events and fly-ins across Europe and the Middle East, including AERO Friedrichshafen (Germany), Rotax Fly-In (Austria), Flygfesten (Sweden), and events in France, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.

  • Started the year with the German type certification of its BW650 aircraft equipped with the Rotax 916 iS engine.

  • Achieved EASA production approval in June 2025, allowing Blackwing to issue its own flight permits—a major step in production autonomy and quality assurance.

  • Concluded the year with the Danish authorities’ approval of the 600 kg ultralight rules, expanding regulatory access and market potential.

  • Blackwing currently counts four Danish and nine Swedish customers.

Source: Blackwing Sweden
Photo Credit: Blackwing Sweden

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Airbus Delivered 10 A321neo Aircraft in a Single Day in December 2025

France – Airbus marked a major year-end milestone on December 19, 2025, by delivering 10 A321neo aircraft in a single day across three production sites, as it pushed to meet its revised annual delivery target of 790 aircraft.

  • The 10 A321neos were dispatched from Airbus facilities in Toulouse (1 aircraft), Hamburg-Finkenwerder (5 aircraft), and Tianjin, China (4 aircraft).

  • The deliveries were made to six global airlines:

    • Air China – 3 aircraft (B-32PJ, B-32PL, B-32PK)

    • Wizz Air – 3 aircraft (HA-LDK, 9H-WMQ, HA-LDH)

    • IndiGo – 1 aircraft (VT-NHJ)

    • Scoot – 1 aircraft (9V-NCM)

    • AirAsia – 1 aircraft (9M-CAB)

    • China Airlines – 1 aircraft (B-18123)

  • The push comes amid Airbus’s attempt to close a high-pressure delivery cycle, having achieved 657 deliveries by end of November 2025, with 133 aircraft remaining to hit the revised goal.

  • Originally targeting 820 deliveries in 2025, Airbus revised this to 790 due to supply chain and ramp-up constraints, with the A321neo program playing a central role in meeting the target.

Source: Airbus

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California-based LA Flight Academy Upgrades 2026 Fleet with Cirrus SR20 GTS and G1000 Avionics

California, USA – LA Flight Academy (LAFA), based at Van Nuys Airport (VNY), has announced the acquisition of a new Cirrus SR20 GTS and the integration of Garmin G1000 avionics across its fleet.

  • The newly acquired Cirrus SR20 GTS serves as LAFA’s flagship Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA), featuring a full glass panel, 200-hp engine, and Avidyne PFD integrated with dual Garmin 430 GPS units.

  • The broader fleet has been upgraded with Garmin G1000 avionics, ensuring students receive training on modern glass cockpit systems standard in commercial and corporate aviation.

  • The school maintains a diverse fleet including:

    • Cessna 172s (R, S, and N models) with Garmin 750/650 avionics.

    • Piper Archers and Warriors for foundational training.

    • Beechcraft 95-A55 Baron for multi-engine instruction.

  • Fleet upgrades are supported by an FAA-approved Gleim BATD simulator, enhancing instrument and emergency procedure training on the ground.

  • LAFA’s exclusive career pathway with SOFAR (Part 135 charter operator) allows students to progress directly into First Officer roles, with prior experience on G1000-equipped aircraft easing the transition into commercial operations.

Statements

  • “The installation of G1000 avionics and the addition of the Cirrus to our line is a game-changer for our students. We are bridging the gap between training aircraft and the jets our students will eventually fly. By offering training on both reliable steam-gauge aircraft like our Pipers and advanced glass-cockpit aircraft like the Cirrus, we produce well-rounded, adaptive pilots ready for any cockpit,” said Anthony Nercessian, owner of LA Flight Academy.

Source: LA Flight Academy
Photo Credit: LA Flight Academy

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