Farnborough International Airshow 2026: The day four wrap

Farnborough International Airshow entered its fourth day with the focus shifting from headline-grabbing aircraft orders towards the technologies, partnerships and industrial capabilities shaping aviation’s next generation.

Today’s developments ranged from Airbus hybrid-electric research and renewed flight testing of the UK’s Excalibur technology demonstrator to fresh commercial aircraft commitments, growing demand for regional aviation and further European involvement in Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat programme.

Here are the major aerospace and defence stories from Farnborough on Thursday.

Airbus advances hybrid-electric aircraft technology with LEIA programme

Airbus is pushing ahead with a project to test the hybrid-electric technologies that will power short and medium-range flights in the future.  The company detailed the steps it was taking alongside its industry partners on the Large Scale Integration Demonstrator of Hybrid Electrical Architecture – or LEIA.

Backed by €35 million of funding, the LEIA project began in December 2025 and will run until December 2027. It aims to accelerate the development of hybrid-electric aircraft technologies, bringing together 25 industry and research partners under the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking.

Read more about Airbus’ LEIA project here

Excalibur flight test aircraft resumes flying after major upgrades

The UK’s Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft has returned to the skies following a new round of modifications, marking the latest step in a programme designed to reduce technical risk before key technologies are integrated into the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) fighter expected to enter service from 2035.

The converted Boeing 757, developed by Leonardo in partnership with specialist aviation company 2Excel and the UK Ministry of Defence, has completed the next phase of flight testing after extensive structural modifications, including the installation of a fighter-style nose radome, large fuselage-mounted pods and other external fairings that will support advanced sensor and communications trials.

Read more about the Boeing 757-based testbed known as Excalibur here

Fuji Dream Airlines signs for two additional Embraer E175 regional aircraft

Japanese carrier Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) had placed a firm order for two additional E175 regional jet aircraft. The new additions will join FDA’s current fleet of 15 Embraer E170/E175 regional jets operated from its main base at Shizuoka Airport (FSZ) to points across Japan.

FDA is a full-service regional airline that has operated E-Jets since commencing operations in 2009. Since its inception, the airline has consistently been recognised for its strong operational and on-time performance across Japan.

Get the full story on FDA’s purchase of two Embraer E175s here

Flynas expands Airbus order with additional A330neos and A321neos

Saudi low-cost carrier flynas is expanding its narrow- and wide-body fleet with an order for five additional Airbus A330-900 aircraft and 20 additional A321neos.

The latest purchase deal with Airbus puts flynas’ confirmed orders with the OEM at 235 aircraft. Flynas used the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 to sign the original deal with Airbus for 75 A320neo family aircraft and 15 A330-900.

DeHavilland secures first Twin Otter Classic 300-G order for the Maldives

De Havilland Canada has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Island Aviation Services Limited (Maldivian) for the purchase of two DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft. It is the first commitment for the latest Twin Otter variant in the Maldives – the world’s largest Twin Otter operating market.

Maldivian already operates a fleet of eleven DHC-6-300 Twin Otter seaplanes alongside ATR turboprops, Airbus narrowbody aircraft and an Airbus A330 serving international routes. The addition of the Classic 300-G will modernise part of its amphibious fleet as travel demand continues to grow.

Get the full story on DeHavilland’s first Twin Otter Classic 300-G sale to the Maldives

ATR sees strong turboprop demand over the next 20 years

Despite not announcing any orders at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is experiencing a period of strong market momentum.

Explaining that the company has sold more than 50 aircraft annually over the past two years while producing around 35 a year, Chief Commercial Officer Alexis Vidal told Aerospace Global News, “Our book-to-bill ratio is above one, and we have a growing order backlog.”

Read more about ATR’s outlook for the regional turboprop market here

Boeing adds Leonardo, Eaton and Hensoldt as MQ-28 programme partners

Boeing delivered an update on the continued development of its autonomous MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone at the Farnborough International Airshow on 21 July, during which the firm formally announced that Italy’s Leonardo, the UK’s Eaton and Germany’s Hensoldt had joined the programme as official partners.

Announced by Glen Ferguson, the MQ-28 Global Program Director at Boeing Australia – the addition of the three European defence firms comes as Boeing begins to ramp up its bid to sell the Australian-made Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) to export customers around the globe.

Get the full story on the MQ-28s new partners here

AALTO advances Zephyr towards commercial operations from the ‘Stratospace’

AALTO is intensifying flight testing of its solar-powered Zephyr aircraft as the Airbus subsidiary works towards certification and the global commercialisation of services delivered from the stratosphere.

Speaking to Aerospace Global News at the Farnborough International Airshow, AALTO CEO Hughes Boulnois described the layer between conventional airspace and satellites as the “Stratospace”, an emerging operational domain with potential applications spanning communications, Earth observation and defence.

Get the full story on AALTO’s expanding flight test programme here

Zenix Aerospace targets global growth after completing integration

Newly launched Zenix Aerospace is preparing for its next phase of expansion after bringing together a collection of specialist manufacturing businesses under a single global operating model.

The group manufactures complex components and structures from materials including titanium, Inconel and aluminium. Its products are used across aircraft engines, fuselages, wings and engine pylons, with the company concentrating particularly on difficult-to-manufacture and mission-critical parts.

According to McLarty, the group has now emerged from an initial six-month transition period and is examining how it can build upon the capabilities contained within its existing businesses.

Get the full story on Zenix Aerospace and its growth

Just one day of FIA 2026 to go

With the trade days now complete, attention turns to Friday’s public day and the return of Pioneers of Tomorrow, when the airshow will welcome students, apprentices and future aerospace professionals. Stay with Aerospace Global News for the latest news, interviews and highlights from the final day of Farnborough International Airshow 2026.