Category: Commercial

KNIPEX Tools Awarded Chicago’s 2025 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For

KNIPEX Tools was recognized as one of Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies to Work For, a distinction awarded by the National Association for Business Resources. The award celebrates organizations that prioritize their workplace culture and continue to raise the bar as leaders in employment standards.

With 25 years of experience conducting the Best and Brightest competitions, the National
Association for Business Resources (NABR) partners with an independent research firm to review several key metrics before selecting winning companies. The categories for scoring include: Compensation, Benefits, and Employee Solutions; Creative Wellness and Wellbeing Solutions; Employee Enrichment, Engagement, and Retention; Employee Education and Development; Recruitment and Selection; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Civility and Inclusion; Work-Life Blend; Community Initiatives and Corporate Responsibility; and Leadership, Strategy, and Company Performance.

Six years ago, KNIPEX Tools LP (KTLP) launched a values-based culture for its employees with four core values: Knowledge, Teamwork, Loyalty and Passion. The values have become the building blocks for how the company does business, informing everything from people
strategies, benefits, training, performance reviews and more.

The award comes just on the heels of KNIPEX Tools being Certified by Great Place To Work
for the second consecutive year.

“We are very proud of the culture we have built – one based on respect, support,
communication, and especially, our shared values.” Julie Day, vice president of human
resources, expressed when asked what the latest accolade means to the organization. She
continued, “The experience we create internally directly influences company performance.
When our employees feel valued and love what they do, they contribute at the highest levels.
Receiving this additional recognition helps those outside the company see what we already
know to be true — that KTLP is a great company to work for.”

Delta TechOps and Korean Air Partner for LEAP-1B Work

Delta TechOps announced their first third-party LEAP-1B engine contract for the engines powering Korean Air’s 737 MAX fleet. The company says this milestone demonstrates Delta TechOps as a premier provider of advanced maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) solutions and a partner to the global LEAP operating community.

“Next-generation engines demand next-generation support, and this is where Delta TechOps excels,” said John Laughter, EVP – chief of operations and president of Delta TechOps. “Our LEAP-1B capability is powered by the expertise of the best people in the industry, built on decades of knowledge and a commitment to innovation — delivering the performance and reliability that keep fleets flying.”

As the first North American MRO to earn the exclusive designation of CFM Premier MRO Provider for LEAP Engines, we set the pace for next-generation engine support, combining deep technical knowledge with proven operational excellence.

“We have great confidence in Delta TechOps’ world-class technical expertise and maintenance quality, and we expect this agreement to further enhance our collaboration across the full spectrum of MRO,” said Jongseok Yoo, EVP and chief safety and operating officer at Korean Air. “This LEAP-1B engine agreement is a testament to our mutual focus on achieving the highest standards of operational assurance for our next-generation fleet.”

“As airlines transition to next-generation aircraft, the need for advanced engine maintenance is surging,” said Alain Bellemare, EVP – president of International and chairman – Delta MRO. “Delta TechOps’ LEAP-1B expertise demonstrates our ability to meet this demand with unmatched proficiency — setting the benchmark for technical mastery and innovation in the global MRO industry.”

This contract builds on existing MRO work between Delta TechOps and Korean Air the MRO says. Delta TechOps previously supported CF6 engine maintenance for Asiana Airlines, a subsidiary of Korean Air.

The rapid growth of LEAP-1B-powered fleets is fueling a new wave of maintenance requirements.

MRO CANADA 2026 to Launch in Calgary

The Western Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s Association (WAMEA) announced the launch of MRO CANADA 2026, the country’s first exclusive B2B Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) trade show, taking place March 3, 4 & 5, 2026 at the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Center.

This landmark event brings together Canada’s aviation maintenance sector—air operators, AMEs, OEMs, third-party MROs, regulators, parts and tooling suppliers, engineering organizations, educators, and workforce leaders—under one roof for three days of industry connection, business, learning and technical collaboration.

MRO Canada 2026 is co-located with the long-standing Western AME Conference, enabling general admission attendees to access both events with a single registration badge. We invite. MRO trade show focused air operators and aircraft owners at a discounted MRO only pass for $50 CA.

A New National Platform for Canada’s MRO Sector

MRO Canada 2026 is designed as a true B2B marketplace for tech ops: maintenance and engineering, providing an annual hub for Canada’s extensive MRO, AMO, and air operator communities to meet. We welcome international exhibitors who wish to expand their presence in Canada or who seek to find Canadian partners.

The event will feature:

· 16,000 sq ft trade show floor showcasing third-party MROs, AMOs, OEMs, DAOs, STC holders, tooling suppliers, teardown services, engineering organizations, and aviation technology companies

· Technical sessions, airworthiness updates and CAR 573.06 eligible AME training

· Private meeting rooms for air operator and supplier meetings.

· Networking reception, Sneak-a-Peek on March 3 19:00-21;00

· Complimentary Breakfast & Lunch both days

· Happy Hour on March 4 16:30-18:00

· On March 4, an Exhibitor-Air Operator Dinner will be held at the hotel. Buy a table for 8.

Invitation to all Air Operators, & Aircraft Owners at Special Rates

To support Canada’s commercial and general aviation communities, air operators, airlines, and individual aircraft owners may attend the two day MRO Canada 2026 trade show for $50 CA. (US $36. GBP 27. Euro 31.). A general admission rate is available for a badge that permits access to both the. MRO and AME events.

This discounted MRO trade show rate provides those with their primary focus on the 120 MRO exhibitors attending, which provides access to the March 3 evening reception and two full days of MRO CANADA for exhibitor interaction and meetings.

“MRO Canada is intended as a meeting ground between the people who operate Canada’s aircraft and the organizations that keep them airworthy,” says Kirk Watson, President of WAMEA. “By making it very accessible for aircraft operators and owners of every type of aircraft out there, we ensure meaningful B2B conversations happen on the trade show floor.”

Attendees and Participants

Hundreds of aviation tech ops professionals from across Canada and abroad are expected to attend, both fixed wing, rotary wing and heavy lift drones, including:

· Air operators tech Ops staff & leadership

· Aircraft owners, owner operators and lessors of aircraft AN

· AMEs (M1, M2, E, S), technicians, ACA / SCA staff

· DOMs, PRMs, QA and regulatory managers, line maintenance managers

· Heavy check, paint and cabin interior design and install

· Repair administrators, material & services buyers, supply chain and logistics staff

· Consultants, DARs, MD-Ms, OEM representatives

· Training managers, engine managers, and project managers

Registration Now Open

WAMEA Website: http://www.western-ame.org

Boeing Completes Acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems

Boeing announced it has completed its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems as of December 8, 2025.

“This is a pivotal moment in Boeing’s history and future success as we begin to integrate Spirit AeroSystems’ commercial and aftermarket operations and establish Spirit Defense,” said Kelly Ortberg, president and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company. “As we welcome our new teammates and bring our two companies together, our focus is on maintaining stability so we can continue delivering high quality airplanes, differentiated services, and advanced defense capabilities for our customers and the industry.”

Boeing’s acquisition includes all of Spirit’s Boeing-related commercial operations, including fuselages for the 737 program and major structures for the 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner. It also includes commercially procured fuselages for the P-8 and KC-46.

The transaction also brings Boeing’s largest supplier of spare parts in house, expands Boeing’s global maintenance, repair and overhaul services footprint and adds to Boeing’s rotable, lease, and exchange portfolio with Spirit’s aftermarket businesses.

Spirit Defense will continue to support its customers as an independent supplier to the defense industry to ensure uninterrupted support for its customers. It will act as a non-integrated subsidiary of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, aligning for financial reporting and select enterprise functional and site support, but maintaining independent governance and operations.

In addition, portions of Spirit AeroSystems’ operations in Belfast, Northern Ireland, have been acquired by Boeing, and the Belfast site will operate as an independent subsidiary branded as Short Brothers, a Boeing Company.

Spirit AeroSystems’ commercial and aftermarket operations in Wichita, Kansas; Dallas, Texas; and Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as Spirit’s Aerospace Innovation Center in Prestwick, Scotland, will begin to integrate into Boeing. Approximately 15,000 teammates across the five sites are becoming a part of Boeing.

“Kansas’ aviation expertise reaches far beyond our borders,” said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. “We help manufacture the aircraft the world relies on. Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems underscores the global significance of the work happening in our state and positions Kansas to continue shaping the future of aerospace innovation for decades to come.”

“Wichita would not be the Air Capital of the World without the extraordinary engineers, designers and manufacturers who have invested in our aerospace industry and made Kansas their home,” said U.S. Senator Jerry Moran. “Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems will help build bridges between Seattle and Wichita and bring new opportunities to the Air Capital of the World. I welcome Boeing back to Wichita and look forward to working with them to build a lasting relationship with the community and its workforce, as well as current and future suppliers, to continue building on the growth we have seen in recent years.”

“Today’s announcement is a great recognition of the world-class talent we have in Wichita,” said U.S. Senator Roger Marshall. “Our workers and the unions that represent them have kept America as the gold standard in aerospace, and they deserve to be at the center of any future investment. I’m grateful that this agreement further solidifies Wichita’s prestige in the industry.”

“Kansas has a rich aviation history, and our region continues to lead the way in designing, developing and manufacturing world-class aircraft that serve the world,” said U.S. Congressman Ron Estes. “Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems continues to build on the successes of a century of U.S. flight. As the flags change at the manufacturing facility in southeast Wichita, I will remain a steadfast advocate for the skilled workforce and communities that make up the Air Capital of the World.”

easyJet to Acquire Adria Tehnika Maintenance Facility

easyJet has agreed to acquire the Adria Tehnika maintenance facility based in Slovenia. The five-bay aircraft maintenance facility in Brnik has undertaken heavy maintenance for the easyJet fleet of aircraft for several years and the airline plans to invest in the facility over the long term. 

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to complete in early 2026. We are pleased to welcome the Adria Tehnika team to the easyJet Group. Adria Tehnika, which will continue to be led by Barbara Perko Brvar, chief executive officer, will remain based in Slovenia.

easyJet has brought a significant amount of its base maintenance operations in house, over the last 18 months through the acquisition of the SR Technics a heavy maintenance operation in Malta. The acquisition of Adria Tehnika is part of this strategy. 

“We are delighted to have the Adria Tehnika team joining the easyJet group. We have worked with Adria Tehnika for almost a decade and entrusted them with over a 200 heavy maintenance inputs on our fleet of Airbus aircraft,” said Brendan  McConnellogue, director of engineering and maintenance. “We are really pleased to be acquiring the facility, along with its skilled workforce, which will help us further our aim of bringing more of our maintenance in house with plans to further develop and grow the facility in the coming years.”

Barbara Perko Brvar, CEO of Adria Tehnika commented: “I am delighted that easyJet has recognized us as a strategic investment. Through our past work and strong references, we have proven to be a credible, reliable, and trusted partner to all our clients. With a strategic investor like easyJet, we will be able to further and more rapidly develop our activities, capacities, and the expertise of our employees.”

The airline’s fleet of aircraft fly on over 1000 routes to more than 160 airports across 35 countries. easyJet operates to Ljubljana from London Gatwick having flown 63,000 customers on the route over the last summer season, a 15% increase on the previous summer. easyJet commenced services between Ljubljana and Manchester last November with a services from Edinburgh starting on 4 April for the coming summer season. 

AerFin strengthens global reach with launch of A320neo inventory availability

December 3, 2025 – Newport, UK – AerFin has expanded its global materials offering with the launch of more than 6,000 A320neo components now available across its warehouse network. The announcement follows the teardown of five A320neo aircraft in France and the Philippines, each delivering between 1,200 and 1,400 quality-assured parts.

Major assets and high-demand components are already positioned in Newport and Gatwick, with additional APAC availability delivered through AerFin’s partnership with B&H Worldwide in Singapore. Fast-moving A320neo parts will also be introduced into AerFin’s Miami warehouse, extending coverage for customers across the Americas. This coordinated distribution approach ensures operators, lessors and asset owners can access inventory quickly, wherever they operate.

Simon Goodson, AerFin CEO, said: “A320neo operators are navigating sustained supply-chain pressures, and our role is to help them use the difficulty. By recovering material at scale and positioning it across our global network, we’re giving customers dependable access to the quality components they need to keep their fleets flying.”

The extended inventory supports operators seeking trusted solutions to minimise downtime, manage cost and maintain operational resilience. Stock includes major structural assemblies, nacelles, APUs, landing gear and a broad range of rotables and consumables, each supported by AerFin’s technical expertise and quality assurance.

The programme also highlights the partners enabling AerFin to deliver greater scale. The collaboration with B&H Worldwide strengthens the business’s footprint in Asia Pacific, improving distribution speed and service levels as demand continues to rise across the region.

AerFin’s A320neo inventory is available now, with new material arriving into stock each week. Operators can access individual components, tailored support or strategic material packages designed to keep their fleets moving with confidence.

Hi Fly Achieves Another First: Airbus A330 Lands in Antarctica

Hi Fly has once again made aviation history, successfully landing an Airbus A330 in Antarctica for the first time. The flight marks a new chapter in the airline’s pioneering Antarctic operations, just one month after celebrating five consecutive years of flights to the White Continent.

Hi Fly’s Airbus A330-302, registered 9H-HFI and equipped with General Electric engines, touched down safely on the blue-ice runway at Wolf’s Fang Runway, Antarctica, on December 1st at 11:59 p.m. local time. Commanded by Captain Carlos Mirpuri, Vice-Chairman of Hi Fly, the aircraft connected Cape Town, South Africa, to the remote airfield, continuing Hi Fly’s ongoing partnership with White Desert Antarctica for the 2025/2026 season. Joining the flight was Captain Antonios Efthymiou, Hi Fly’s CEO, who was on board to celebrate this important milestone

The A330 shares the same fuselage as Hi Fly’s A340 but is powered by two engines instead of four, delivering comparable performance with greater cost efficiency and an improved environmental footprint. Twin-engine operations at Wolf’s Fang runway are now possible thanks to additional ground support equipment that was not in place when Hi Fly began Antarctic flights. Highly reliable, comfortable, and with an excellent safety record, the aircraft performs exceptionally well in extreme polar conditions.

This milestone builds on the airline’s historic 2021 achievement, when Hi Fly became the first to land an Airbus A340 on the frozen continent. The introduction of the A330, renowned for its efficiency, versatility, and environmental credentials, represents a new era in sustainable, flexible operations to one of the world’s most challenging environments.

“Landing in Antarctica is never routine, every flight demands careful planning, exacting precision, and respect for the environment,” said Captain Mirpuri, who also commanded Hi Fly’s first A340 mission. “Introducing the A330 to this remote runway highlights our commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and the ongoing evolution of polar aviation.”

The arrival of the A330 reinforces Hi Fly’s status as a leader in complex, long-range, and environmentally demanding missions, combining proven operational expertise with the latest in modern widebody technology.

Hi Fly is a leading widebody aircraft wet lease and charter specialist, offering worldwide services to airlines, governments, tour operators, companies, and individuals. The company operates a modern and efficient fleet with a strong focus on safety, reliability, and sustainability. Hi Fly is well known for its expertise in special operations, humanitarian missions, and pioneering flights to some of the most challenging and remote locations on Earth, including its groundbreaking Antarctic operations.

FlightSafety International Appoints Eric Hinson as Chief Executive Officer

FlightSafety International announced the appointment of Eric Hinson as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Hinson will succeed former president Barbara Telek who recently announced her retirement.

Hinson’s appointment marks a return to FlightSafety. He served as an executive vice president from 2009 to 2012 before leaving to be the president and CEO of Simcom International, Inc.

Hinson started his aviation career as a naval aviator flying tactical aircraft in training, fleet, and operational test squadrons. Today, he is an active ATP-rated pilot with more than 5,000 total flight hours. He brings a unique operational perspective to the position—one that blends executive leadership with firsthand experience.

In addition to FlightSafety and Simcom, Hinson has served in a variety of senior leadership positions at leading aviation companies, including Honeywell, Gulfstream, and Piaggio Aerospace. He also served as a board member of the General Aviation Manufacturer Association (GAMA) from 2013 to 2024 and Chairman in 2023.

“I am thrilled to return to FlightSafety International at a transformative time for the business and the aviation industry,” said Hinson. “Together, we will continue driving innovation, enhancing operational excellence, and delivering world-class safety experiences for our customers.”

Hinson received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Anderson School at UCLA and a bachelor’s degree from Lewis and Clark College.

AerFin Recognised as UK’s Fastest Growing Profit-Led Firm

AerFin, the aviation asset specialist that buys, sells, leases and repairs aircraft, engines and parts, has been named the Fastest Growing Profit-led Firm at the UK Fast Growth Index Awards, a recognition that highlights the sustained growth the business is building across the global aviation aftermarket.

The award reflects the commitment of AerFin’s employees and the trust placed in the company by more than 600 customers worldwide. It marks another milestone in a year when AerFin has strengthened its position as a reliable partner for airlines, lessors and MROs as the business celebrates its 15th anniversary year. This momentum has been driven by strong, profit-led performance and results tracking ahead of plan, supported by continued expansion into new markets, the opening of new offices, an enhanced service offering, and the development of new investment structures designed to meet changing industry needs.

“This award is a powerful endorsement of the way our teams show up every day, said Simon Goodson, CEO. “Their focus, discipline and drive underpin everything we do. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, but even more proud of the way we’ve achieved it — by focusing on performance, putting our customers first and delivering value they can depend on. We’ll continue to build on this momentum as we move forward.”

The UK Fast Growth Index celebrates companies demonstrating exceptional commercial performance and sustained, profit-led expansion. AerFin’s recognition reinforces its trajectory as a trusted partner helping customers maximise the value of their aircraft, engines and parts.

AJW Technique Receives Gilles Demers International Influence Award

AJW Technique, the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub for AJW Group’s global component repair and overhaul capabilities, has won the International Influence Award at the Gilles-Demers Gala – standing out among 11 world-class finalists.

AJW Technique’s win is an acknowledgement of its global contributions, not only across AJW Group’s worldwide ecosystem, but also as part of Québec’s mission to grow its aerospace footprint, attract international investment, and compete at the highest level of the aerospace industry.

The Gilles-Demers International Influence Award was established by Québec‘s aerospace cluster, Aéro Montréal, to recognise the SMEs that strengthen the region’s global aerospace leadership. The award celebrates companies whose export growth, international partnerships, and global presence elevate Québec on the world stage. This year’s event welcomed an exceptional audience and featured guests of honour invited by AJW Technique: Christine Fréchette, Québec’s Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, and Guy Nadeau, Vice President at Desjardins Entreprises.

Over the past few years, the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility has sharpened its focus on workflow optimisation, manpower efficiency, and strategic parts support in collaboration with suppliers and operators. By accelerating the adoption of digital tools across product development and shopfloor operations, the team has reinforced its commitment to delivering an exceptional customer and delivery experience. These efforts have resulted in expanded MRO capabilities across the latest generation aircraft types, including the Airbus A220, A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX and 787.

Announcing the award, Aéro Montréal commented: “The International Influence category recognizes companies that export their know-how, forge strategic international partnerships and make Québec shine on the world stage. AJW Technique occupies an important place on the global scene thanks to its MRO expertise, the quality of its operations and the trust placed in it by major international clients. Congratulations AJW Technique!”

Louis Philippe Mallette, president of AJW Technique, added: “It is with tremendous pride that AJW Technique accepts the honour of winning the Gilles Demers International Influence Award 2025. This recognition is testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team at AJW Technique, and we are so proud to contribute to Québec’s global presence, influence, and continued growth on the world stage.”