Safran

The heterogeneous health and safety requirements passengers face when trying to travel within Europe are badly hurting the entire commercial aviation industry, the CEOs of two major OEMs are saying.

Safran’s research and technology engineers are studying ways to improve fuel efficiency by 20% for an engine that would enter into service in 2035, says CEO Philippe Petitcolin.

While powerplant suppliers Safran and MTU Aero Engines posted expected drops in aftermarket revenues for the last quarter, executives from each company highlighted several trends that support a cautiously optimistic outlook.

An intermediate engine between the current LEAP turbofan and one that would enter service in 2035 with slashed greenhouse gas emissions is not in the cards, according to Safran CEO Philippe Petitcolin.

French startup Flying Whales’ plans to produce large airships for commercial freight transport have taken a step forward with tests at French research

The funding pays for the first 18 months of work—Phase 1A—to develop the demonstrators and mature new technologies.

Aerospace and defense Tier 1 giant Safran has sold off software and systems engineering unit Base2 Solutions.

The 2,500-shp Aneto 1K is the first member of Safran’s new family of engines for medium and heavy helicopters.