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Aviation Leaders Tackle Growth Issues Ahead of Airshow

2/5/2026

Center

Aviation Leaders' Summit

Aviation leaders met in Singapore on February 2 to discuss growth barriers and geopolitical tensions before the Singapore Airshow.
Willie Walsh, head of the International Air Transport Association, noted ongoing supply chain issues affecting airlines since the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted disruptions from U.S. import tariffs.
Toshiyuki Onuma, the new president of the International Civil Aviation Organization, stressed the importance of global cooperation for a sustainable aviation sector.
China's Commercial Aircraft Corporation (Comac) announced new orders for its C909 firefighting aircraft and advancements in its C929 widebody jet to compete with Boeing and Airbus.

Right

Aviation Investments Surge

The Singapore Airshow, which began on February 3, spurred major investments in the aviation sector.
GE Aerospace plans to invest up to $300 million by 2029 to enhance engine repair capabilities with advanced technologies.
RTX will invest $139 million to improve maintenance services, including support for Boeing aircraft.
Thales will establish Singapore as a key R&D center for its inflight entertainment platform to enhance cloud and edge computing capabilities.

Left

Chinese Air Force Debuts

The Singapore Airshow debuts the People's Liberation Army Air Force Bayi Aerobatic Team with J-10C fighters, signaling enhanced maneuverability.
The team arrived in Singapore on January 27 and received in-flight refueling from a YU-20A tanker.
Chinese aviation displays include the J-35A stealth fighter and J-10CE, with officials citing high performance.
The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) showcased models and described J-35A as a fifth-generation development informed by J-20 feedback.

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Aviation Leaders' Summit

Aviation leaders met in Singapore on February 2 to discuss growth barriers and geopolitical tensions before the Singapore Airshow.
Willie Walsh, head of the International Air Transport Association, noted ongoing supply chain issues affecting airlines since the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted disruptions from U.S. import tariffs.
Toshiyuki Onuma, the new president of the International Civil Aviation Organization, stressed the importance of global cooperation for a sustainable aviation sector.
China's Commercial Aircraft Corporation (Comac) announced new orders for its C909 firefighting aircraft and advancements in its C929 widebody jet to compete with Boeing and Airbus.

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