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Safran, a jet engine manufacturer, raises its targets after a record-breaking first-half profit
French jet engine maker Safran raised financial targets after posting stronger-than-expected ?first-half profits on Tuesday, driven by demand for spare parts on the widely ?used engines it supplies jointly ?with GE Aerospace. The French company said that aftermarket demand was a major factor in its record operating margin for the first half of 2018.4%. CFM, by far the largest jet engine manufacturer in the world by number of engines sold, reaps maintenance profits on its CFM56 jets, which continue to power thousands of aircraft despite the recent LEAP being used for narrow-body plane deliveries. Safran's?mid-year operating profit increased 29% to EUR3,24 billion ($3,68 billion), while revenues rose 19% to EUR17.57 milliards. The sale of spare parts for civil engine grew 27.9%. Analysts expected an average operating profit of EUR3,06 billion on revenues of EUR17.47?billion. The shares of the French company dropped slightly in early trading. Safran's core Propulsion Division, which accounts for just over half of the company's'sales', reported a 28% increase in earnings to EUR2.25billion, while Equipment & Defense grew 29% to EUR907million. Aircraft Interiors has continued its gradual turnaround, with a profit up to EUR54 million from EUR27 millions. Safran has raised its target percentage for revenue growth in the full year to "mid teens" from "low to mid teens". Safran has also raised its prediction for growth of LEAP engine deliveries from 15% to "high teens". GE Aerospace raised its revenue and profit forecasts for 2026 last week, driven by the demand for engine equipment and services. Safran noted that the Middle East and supply chains were to be kept under review, but also stated that the LEAP engine production exceeded 500 units for a fourth consecutive quarter. Olivier Andries, CEO of the company, said that it continues to seek out new suppliers wherever possible. In defence, questions remain over the future of Safran's fighter-engine joint venture with Germany's MTU Aero Engines after the collapse ?of the Franco-German-Spanish FCAS fighter. Andries stated that the venture is funded through September, and the future of it will depend on the paths taken by each country in the future.
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Finland restricts maritime and air traffic near Russia due to drone threat
The?militaryof Finland said on Tuesday that it had 'closed' a section in Finnish 'airspace, and restricted'maritime traffic' off 'the southern coast of the country near the Russian border because of the risk of drones flying into the area. This year, Ukrainian drones that were targeting Russia have strayed into the airspaces of Finland, Estonia Latvia and Lithuania, raising fears that the conflict in Ukraine has spilled over to NATO's northern border. A military spokesperson stated that Finland is taking the necessary steps to ensure "safe countermeasures" and the safety for bystanders if drones stray in the area. The military spokesperson said that it could not comment on where the information about drone activity came from, as "it is 'operational'?information". Ukraine has increased its attacks against Russian targets using?long-range drones. The?NATO and Ukraine have blamed Russian jamming of signals for diverting some 'Ukrainian drones to NATO airspace. Moscow accuses Ukraine of deliberately guiding drones across borders. Reporting by EssiLehto and ElviiraLuomaEditing by TerjeSolsvik
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Safran, a jet engine manufacturer, raises its targets after a record-breaking first-half profit
French jet engine maker Safran joined its partner ?GE Aerospace in raising financial targets after ?posting stronger-than-expected first-half profits on Tuesday. The French company said that strong demand for spares contributed to a first-half operating profit margin record of 18.4%. CFM, which is the largest jet engine manufacturer in the world by?numbers of units sold?, reaps maintenance profits on its CFM56 engines. These engines continue to power thousands planes, even though they have been replaced by the more recent LEAP jet engine for current narrow body deliveries. Safran's mid-year operating profit increased 29% to EUR3.24 billion ($3.68 billion), and revenue grew 19% to EUR17.57 milliards. Widely watched sales of'spare parts for Civil Engines rose 27.9% in dollars. Analysts expected an average operating profit of EUR3,06 billion on revenues of EUR17.47billion. Safran's core Propulsion Division, which accounts for just over half of the company's revenue, saw its earnings rise by 28% to EUR2.25billion, while Equipment & Defense grew 29% to EUR907m. Aircraft Interiors has continued its gradual turnaround, with a profit of EUR54million up from EUR27million. Safran has raised its "percentage target" for full-year revenue to "mid-teens", up from "low-to mid-teens". Safran also forecast a full-year operating loss of EUR6.4 billion?to EUR6.5billion, up from an earlier goal?of EUR6.1billion to EUR6.2billion. It also raised its projection for growth in LEAP engines deliveries from a prior?target?of 15% to the "high 'teens". GE Aerospace raised its revenue and profit estimates for 2026 last week, driven by the demand for engine equipment and services.
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FAA: Seats on Boeing 737 MAX jets could need to be inspected
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced on Monday that the seats of 'hundreds' of Boeing 737 MAX - registered aircraft in the U.S. - may need to be inspected in case they are incorrectly installed. The agency stated that if the seats are not fixed, they could cause injury to passengers or crew during an emergency landing, or even block the aisle, slowing an evacuation. The FAA proposed airworthiness directive released on Monday would "apply to" 453 jets registered within the United States. The FAA only has jurisdiction for U.S. airlines, but other regulators usually follow FAA directives when applicable. According to IBA, there are 823 737 MAX aircraft in service in the U.S. and nearly 2,300 in other countries. Boeing is working to boost production and improve quality under CEO Kelly Ortberg. In early 2024, production quality?problems?were revealed when a door panel blew off of a brand new Alaska Air 737 MAX while in flight. In the proposed airworthiness directive, the FAA stated that they received a report stating that certain passenger seat assemblies had not been installed correctly in the seat tracks. The FAA stated that the assemblies could be disengaged from the tracks in the event of an increased load, turbulence, or an emergency landing. The FAA stated that there could be up to 69 track mounted passenger seat assemblies per 737 MAX aircraft. It would take approximately one hour to inspect each assembly, and another hour to repair it. The FAA said that airlines could 'have multiple employees inspecting the seats at once, greatly reducing total time per aircraft. The report did not specify how soon 'airlines' would have to fix the problem. Boeing's spokesperson confirmed that the company issued guidance on the subject to operators in December 2025. The spokesperson stated in an email that "we support the FAA making this guidance mandatory." (Reporting and editing by Christian Schmollinger, Jamie Freed and Dan Catchpole)
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FAA claims that seats on Boeing 737 MAX jets have been incorrectly installed
The U.S. 'Federal Aviation Administration' announced on Monday that seats?on a large number of?Boeing 737 MAX aircraft registered in the U.S. had been installed incorrectly and needed to be repaired. The seats should be able to support passengers in an emergency landing. The FAA proposed airworthiness directive issued on Monday would be applicable to 453 jets registered in the U.S. The FAA did not specify whether international operators would also be affected. However, they typically follow FAA directives if applicable. In the proposal for an airworthiness directive, the agency stated that "certain passenger seat assemblies were not properly installed in?the seat tracks." The FAA stated that each 737MAX could have up to 69 track mounted passenger'seat assemblies'. Each assembly would require an estimated hour of work to repair. The report did not specify how soon airlines would have to fix the problem. Boeing?did not immediately respond? to a comment request. (Reporting and editing by Christian Schmollinger, Jamie Freed, and Dan Catchpole from Seattle)
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FAA delays flights at New York and Philadelphia airports
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)?said Monday that it would slow flights into three airports in the New York City region and Philadelphia International Airport because of?severe weather and a?staffing shortage for air traffic. Staffing problems at the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center affect flights at John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia International and Newark Liberty International Airports. FlightAware reported that between 20 and 30 percent of flights at these four airports were cancelled. The FAA reported that ground delays range between 71 and 149 minutes. The FAA continues to try and address the persistent shortage of air traffic control personnel. The FAA increased flight limits last month at three of the major airports in the New York area. New York Area Terminal Radar approach Control has only 57% of the target number of air traffic controllers. The shortage of fuel has caused delays in flights, and many facilities have been forced to work six-day weekends and mandatory overtime. The FAA has extended the limit at Newark Airport until the summer of 2027, and at JFK Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York through the end of October 2028. The FAA has also extended relief from the minimum flight requirements for JFK, LaGuardia, and Reagan Washington National Airport until?late 2027. The FAA implemented significant flight reductions in Newark, New Jersey on May 20, 2025. This was after a series major disruptions that caused hundreds of flights to be delayed and raised alarm over the 'aging U.S. Air Traffic Control System. The FAA has extended those flight cuts until October 2027. The FAA stated that the air traffic control staffing shortages at Newark will not "significantly improve" until October 2027. Airlines can lose their landing and takeoff slots at congested airfields if they don't use them 80% or more of the time. With the FAA's newest?waiver, airlines can fly 10% less flights. The FAA issued several waivers in the past to address staffing problems at JFK Airport and LaGuardia.
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EPA: Power for data centers can bypass pollution laws
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?on Monday said that power sources supplying electricity to data centers and not to the public grid might?not be governed by federal pollution laws. The EPA'said that if a power plant is not supplying electricity into the grid, it would not be covered by the federal Clean Air Act Acid Rain Program. This program has played a key role in the reduction of smog and soot from industrial facilities. The EPA's Assistant Administrator Aaron Szabo stated in a letter dated July 16, "The EPA is of the opinion that the Acid Rain Program doesn't apply to power generation facilities which are not connected to the larger electric grid in any way." The?agency stated that its interpretation of?federal pollution laws?would speed up the development?of artificial intelligence infrastructure?while reducing the strain on regional electrical grids? The EPA clarified in its guidance that the Acid-Rain Program does not cover so-called "island" power generation plants that operate'separately' from the broader network. The agency stated that the interpretation will give developers more flexibility to build data centers in the United States. The agency stated that its action supports President Donald Trump's Ratepayer Protect Pledge which was expanded last Thursday and requires participating companies build, procure, or pay for all the energy required to power their facilities and associated infrastructure. Developers, utilities and state regulators will be expected to pay for new projects under the non-binding pledge rather than pass them on to customers. (Reporting by Tim McLaughlin, editing by David Gaffen.)
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NTSB Chair urges Congress to pass aviation legislation
The head of the National Transportation Safety Board urged Congress on Monday to end a long-running standoff over competing safety measures in aviation and approve major reforms. Jennifer Homendy, the NTSB's Chairperson, said that "the board" had "provided a roadmap for improving aviation safety and reducing the risk of another mid-air collision." It's now time to take the action promised months ago." The U.S. House of Representatives voted in April 396-10 for a sweeping aviation reform bill that would address dozens of recommendations made after a collision between an American Airlines regional plane and a U.S. Army chopper in January 2025, which killed 67 people. Meanwhile, a rival bill called the ROTOR act passed the U.S. Senate in December unanimously but required a two-thirds vote in the House under fast-track regulations and fell one vote short. The NTSB stated that ADS-B could have prevented the collision of 2025 in the crowded airspace near the nation’s capital. The NTSB reported in January that systemic failures of the FAA were responsible for the accident, which was the worst U.S. airline disaster since 2001. The House legislation mandates the installation of collision-prevention technology on all military aircraft, except for fighters, Bombers, and Drones. It also establishes requirements to equip collision-mitigation technologies for civilian planes and helicopters. The House and Senate are currently in talks to resolve their differences. Bryan Bedford, the head of Federal Aviation Administration, said earlier this month that he provided technical assistance to Congress regarding?the bills. Bedford stated that the FAA would rather have lawmakers direct the FAA on ADS-B than wait for a perfect solution which could take six or seven years. The NTSB found that the accident in 2025 was caused by the FAA's decision of allowing?helicopters close to airports?without safeguards to separate aircraft from helicopters, and their failure to review and act on recommendations for moving helicopter traffic away. Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by Chris Reese & Aurora Ellis
Oman has presented regional mechanisms for Hormuz in Iran, a source claims
Oman presented to Iran a proposal for a regional?joint mechanism to manage the Strait of Hormuz with voluntary fees. On Tuesday, a Gulf?source told?
Source: Under the Omani plan, which is supported by the region, Iran will not be the sole owner of this vital waterway.
The proposal is based upon the Strait of Malacca where users of the strait contribute to navigation, environmental protection, and search and recovery. U.S. air strikes on Iran were abruptly suspended over the weekend. This raised hopes for a diplomatic resolution that would allow shipping to resume in the Strait of Hormuz, which was responsible for a fifth of the world's energy supply before the conflict. Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States is having "good discussions" with Iran, and that there's a chance of a deal. However, he warned U.S. air strikes will resume if negotiations fail to deliver.
Abbas Araqchi, Iran's foreign minister, discussed Monday the Strait of "Hormuz" with his Omani and Saudi colleagues.
According to Iran's Foreign Ministry, "He stressed the need to strengthen cooperation and advance joint efforts to establish stability in the area and lift the insecurity that has been imposed on the Strait of Hormuz because of the aggressive actions of the United States."
(source: Reuters)