Aviation

Airbus is building the first H125 helicopter assembly line in India with TATA.

8 Locations Shortlisted by Airbus for H125 Helicopter Assembly Line in India

Airbus Helicopters has revealed that it is collaborating with the Tata Group to set up a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters in the nation, which is a significant step toward promoting “Made in India.”

From its civil range, Airbus‘ best-selling H125 helicopter will be produced by the FAL for India and exported to some of the neighboring countries.

The Government of India’s “AatmaNirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) project will benefit greatly from the FAL, which will be the first private sector establishment of a helicopter manufacturing plant in India. As part of this agreement, Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a Tata Group company, will establish the facility.

The key component assemblies, avionics, mission systems, electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system, and engine integration will all be handled by the FAL in India. Additionally, it will test, qualify, and ship the H125 to clients in the vicinity of India. The first “Made in India” H125 deliveries are anticipated to start in 2026, and the FAL will take 24 months to set up. Airbus and the Tata Group will decide on the FAL’s site together.

Among single-engine helicopters, the H125 is the best-selling model globally, outperforming other helicopters in its class. This adaptable, high-performing helicopter is part of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, which has flown at than 38 million hours globally. It is capable of functioning in extremely hot and humid conditions and is readily adaptable to a wide range of tasks, such as aerial operations, law enforcement, firefighting, rescue operations, air ambulance services, passenger transport, and many more.

The H125 is the only helicopter to have made a landing on Mount Everest, proving its adaptability in harsh, high-altitude conditions. By utilizing TASL’s aerospace and defense expertise, Airbus plans to create its second FAL in India, a helicopter manufacturing facility. The C295 military transport aircraft FAL is being constructed in Vadodara by the two businesses.

Aviation

Boeing Faces New Setbacks as 777X Delays Extend and scraps B767-300F

Boeing’s challenges continue as employees halted production due to a strike, creating new obstacles for delivering aircraft to customers. The company now faces financial losses from delays in the delivery of its boeing 777x aircraft.

Boeing recently announced that the new delivery date for the 777-9 will be in 2026, with the freighter variant scheduled for 2028. This news has been frustrating for airlines that have committed to and are waiting for the aircraft.

Mega Comparison of Boeing 777x vs A350-1000 Aircraft

The Boeing 777X program, which began in early 2019, was initially delayed to 2021 due to COVID-19 disruptions. Subsequent issues, including defects found during testing, have placed the program under scrutiny by the FAA, which insists on the aircraft meeting all safety standards before entering service. Boeing is now facing pressure from both airlines and investors.

Boeing 777x Delay

New Commercial Airplanes expects to incur pre-tax charges of $3.0 billion related to the Boeing 777X and 767 programs.

The company forecasts a $2.6 billion pre-tax charge due to the updated timeline, which accounts for delays in flight testing for the 777-9 and the impact of the IAM (International Association of Machinists) work stoppage. The first 777-9 delivery is now expected in 2026, with the 777-8 freighter following in 2028.

Exploring the Boeing 777x: Highlights from the Debut at …

In addition, Boeing plans to conclude production of the 767 freighter, resulting in a $0.4 billion pre-tax charge. From 2027 onwards, the company will solely produce the 767-2C aircraft for the KC-46A Tanker program.

In August 2024, Boeing grounded its 777X test fleet after detecting a failure in a key engine mounting structure during a routine inspection. The new boeing 777x, powered by the GE9X engine, is the world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, but this issue has caused further setbacks.

Boeing 777x, A close-up of the engine, landing gear, and wing

Comparison of 777x vs A350

Meanwhile, the Airbus A350 continues to secure new orders from airlines, becoming a strong competitor in the wide-body aircraft segment. While the a350 vs b777 offer similar ranges, the 777X is designed to carry a heavier payload.

In other developments, Boeing has hinted at starting production of a new mid-sized aircraft, the Boeing 797, which would likely compete with the Airbus A321 XLR.