$AIR.PA

The EU and the SpaceRISE consortium signed the Rendezvous 1 implementation agreement on Aug. 7, authorizing manufacturing, ground infrastructure and launch procurement for IRIS2’s planned 348-satellite secure communications network. The total rises from 290 in a Dec. 2024 contract, adding 66 defense-focused high-LEO satellites. First launches are targeted for 2029, with HispaSat leading the ground segment.

Airbus inaugurated a second modernized A320 Family final assembly line at its Jean-Luc Lagardère site in Toulouse, France, to support higher single-aisle output. CEO Guillaume Faury said it adds flexibility and capacity toward a target of 75 A320 Family aircraft per month. The new line will ramp up alongside sites in Hamburg, Mobile, Tianjin and Toulouse.

Airbus reported 204 gross commercial aircraft orders in July 2026. SMBC Aviation Capital ordered 100 A320neo family aircraft (35 A320neos, 65 A321neos). Hainan Airlines ordered 40 A320neo family aircraft, and China Eastern ordered 25 A330-900s. Airbus delivered 67 aircraft in July and said deliveries totaled 418 by end of July.

Airbus reported July 2026 commercial aircraft activity on airbus.com. It delivered 67 aircraft to 39 customers, including A220-300, A320neo, A321neo, A350-900, and A350-1000. Airbus also registered 204 gross orders, led by A320neo and A321neo, plus A330-900 and A350-1000. 2026 deliveries to date total 418.

Airbus Defence and Space was awarded a contract by Hisdesat to develop SpainSat NG-III, a secure X and Ka-band communications satellite. Airbus will be prime contractor, with Thales Alenia Space leading UHF and military Ka-band payloads. Airbus says the satellite adds encrypted command-and-control, improved anti-jamming, and agile X-band active antennas. Launch is planned for Q3 2030.

Airbus says its U030 Flexrotor began maritime surveillance in the Baltic Sea for the European Maritime Safety Agency, starting in July across Estonia, Latvia and Finland. The work follows a €30 million EU framework contract awarded in Dec 2025 to Airbus Helicopters, with Extensee as subcontracted operator. Airbus says the system streams EO, IR and radar data to EMSA in real time.

Airbus Helicopters delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 to France’s Armament General Directorate, a special-operations variant of the NH90 TTH, according to the company. France ordered 18 aircraft for delivery to mid-2029. Spain joined in Dec 2025 with 31 similar aircraft. Standard 2 adds Safran Euroflir 410D, digital mapping, third crew provisions, and options for Direct Aperture System.

Airbus said about 3% of the worldwide A220 fleet was still grounded as of August 2026 due to unresolved Pratt & Whitney engine technical issues. Airbus said the issues are largely fixed and the remaining aircraft are scheduled to return to service before Dec. 31, 2026, with airlines adjusting schedules as inspections and retrofits are completed.

Airbus says it developed the CabinMarker robot to automate marking seat-bolt locations during aircraft assembly. Airbus reports the robot cuts installation time from 150 minutes to 30 minutes and improves accuracy and ergonomics. The robot was certified for industrial use in Dec 2025 and is being used on the A321 final assembly line, with plans to expand to other plants.

European stocks closed higher on Tuesday. The pan-European Stoxx 600 rose 0.73%, with DAX up 0.77% and CAC 40 up 0.61%. Brent crude fell nearly 6% to $78.70. Company moves included Travis Perkins +18.5% on strong interim results, Smith & Nephew -6% after cutting its forecast, and Zalando -13.4% after lowering its 2026 outlook. HSBC reported $14.626B net income and announced a share buyback.