An Airbus A321 is being assembled in the final assembly line hangar at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama.Aircraft leasing firm Air Lease, founded by industry mogul Steven Udvar-Házy, agreed to sell itself in deal that would take it private to a group of investors for $7.4 billion, ushering in more consolidation in the airplane-renting business.The planned acquisition, announced Tuesday, was led by Japan's Sumitomo and SMBC Aviation Capital, and also includes asset managers Apollo and ...

Group 1: Etihad Airways and Boeing Orders - Etihad Airways confirmed an order for 28 new Boeing long-haul aircraft during President Trump's visit, bringing the total Boeing sales announcements during the trip to 268 aircraft [2] - The new agreement includes a mix of Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X airplanes, with deliveries starting in 2028, supporting Etihad's plan to double its fleet by 2030 [4][6] - Etihad currently operates a fleet of 100 aircraft with an average age of 9 years and had 17 pending deliveries before this announcement [6] Group 2: Engine Orders and Industry Context - Etihad Airways selected GE Aerospace engines for the new aircraft, which aligns with Qatar Airways' recent large engine order [5] - The backlog for Boeing's 777X continues to grow, with Qatar Airways adding orders for 30 of the new 777-9 planes, contributing to a total backlog of 481 777Xs as of March [7] - The first airline expected to receive a 777-9 is Lufthansa in 2026, pending certification completion [11]