Flight International, May 2026

In our second issue of the year, we look at the broader impact of the US/Israeli military campaign against Iran, as defence companies anticipate a major spending increase by Washington, and the airline industry faces soaring fuel costs.

We look at the factors behind Spirit Airlines' collapse, after the US ultra-low-cost-carrier lost its long-running battle to survive. Meanwhile, Airbus is seeing strong orders demand for its A350 freighter, as its first development aircraft advances towards a debut flight in the third quarter.

Also this issue, we report from the Aero Friedrichshafen show, and the US Army's annual 'Quad A' conference, where its in-development Bell MV-75 tiltrotor received the service name Cheyenne II.

Our rotorcraft special includes coverage about Airbus Helicopters and Sikorsky; and we look at defence developments affecting NATO, and how China is making rapid advances in airborne early warning technology. Plus, our environment focus details the new-look E9X being developed by Dutch start-up Elysian Aircraft.

To access the latest issue, along with our archive dating back to 2012, click here.

Analysis Washington has spent $25 billion on Iran war, mostly on munitions

The Pentagon consumed thousands of precision-guided missiles in the early weeks of the war, equivalent to several years of production.
DEVELOPMENT Volocopter launches VoloXPro as first product and targets year-end approval

Diamond Aircraft-owned Volocopter has officially unveiled the VoloXPro, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) platform specifically pitched at the general aviation market.
Aircraft programmes Airbus begins work to install first A350F’s main-deck cargo door

Airbus has taken a big step towards completing its first A350 freighter with the arrival of the main-deck cargo door at its final assembly line facility in France.
SURVEILLANCE China’s AEW&C fleet is growing, but can it survive modern warfare?

Beijing is making significant progress with new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, even as doubts grow about the survivability of such platforms in modern warfare.
Rotorcraft US Army names new MV-75 tiltrotor ‘Cheyenne II’

The name reveal comes as manufacturer Bell is working to deliver the first of six MV-75 test aircraft that will launch the army’s tiltrotor fielding programme.
DEVELOPMENT Elysian tweaks E9X design, boosting weight and wingspan of battery-powered aircraft

Dutch start-up Elysian Aircraft has tweaked the configuration of its planned E9X regional aircraft as part of the conceptual design review phase, extending the wingspan beyond 50m (164ft), trimming the number of electric motors from eight to six, and upping the maximum take-off weight to more than 80t.
HELICOPTERS Honours Even: Airbus Helicopters chief leaves post with head held high after eight-year stint

The success or otherwise of a chief executive can be objectively measured in many ways: financial performance, market share, product launches, industrial expansion, to name but a few. If those metrics rise across their tenure, well, it’s bonus time and Champagne all round.
Defence NATO spending tops $1.4 trillion, with non-US contributions soaring by 20%

All military-equipped NATO nations met the alliance’s baseline spending target of 2% of national gross domestic product (GDP) for the first time last year, the alliance’s newly published review states.
Helicopters Sikorsky plans three first flights this year as it defines next product

The helicopter manufacturer is advancing multiple technology demonstrators including a hybrid-electric tiltwing, the autonomous Nomad 100 rotor-blown-wing aircraft and an unmanned U-Hawk Black Hawk variant, with first flights scheduled for 2026.