Boeing Plans 737 MAX Successor as Airbus Leads Jet Deliveries

This week in aerospace news: Airbus has overtaken Boeing in jetliner deliveries. Meanwhile, Boeing is reportedly planning a successor to the 737 MAX. Global air travel is projected to reach 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, driven primarily by international traffic, while Latin America expects to see 789 million passengers, led by Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil.

In Europe, the EU’s proposed “drone wall” faces delays due to costs and coordination challenges, highlighted by a Munich Airport closure following drone sightings.

More news below:

Greenwashing Risks Threaten Aviation Industry Cirium

The aviation industry is under increasing pressure to provide accurate environmental reporting as regulators, investors, and consumers demand transparency in sustainability efforts. Cirium, a global aviation analytics provider, warns that misleading or exaggerated environmental claims—commonly known as greenwashing—pose significant reputational, financial, and legal risks for airlines.

Latin America Air Travel to Hit 789 Million Passengers by 2025

The Airports Council International for Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC) projects that the region will close 2025 with 789 million air passengers, a 4% increase over 2024. The  forecast, announced at ACI-LAC’s Annual Assembly and Conference in Trinidad and Tobago, identifies Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil as the main growth drivers.

EU’s Proposed ‘Drone Wall’ Stalls Over Costs and Coordination

The European Union’s plan to build a “drone wall” to protect its airspace faces major challenges related to funding, coordination, and technology. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the initiative in September, shortly after NATO shot down drones that entered Polish airspace, exposing gaps in the alliance’s defenses. EU leaders will discuss the proposal at an informal summit in Copenhagen, though officials acknowledge that full implementation could take years.

Mexican Drone Operators Seek Lower Fees Amid New Regulations

Drone operators in Mexico are urging authorities to lower fees for licenses and certifications as new regulations take shape. At the Second DroneMex Congress 2025 in Queretaro, participants raised concerns over the costs associated with exams and procedures required for drone certification.

Mexico’s Aviation Growth Threatened by Pilot Shortage

Mexico is facing a growing shortage of commercial pilots, putting the expansion of its aviation sector at risk. Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook projects that over 660,000 new pilots will be needed globally over the next 20 years, driven by traffic growth and retirements. In Latin America, more than 37,000 pilots and nearly 134,000 aviation professionals, including technicians and cabin crew, will be required.

Airbus Overtakes Boeing in Jetliner Deliveries With 12,260 A320s

Airbus has become the manufacturer of the most-delivered jetliner in aviation history, surpassing Boeing’s long-held record after the handover of an A320neo aircraft to Saudi carrier Flynas. The delivery, confirmed by UK-based aviation analytics firm Cirium, brought total deliveries of the A320 family to 12,260 units since its entry into service in 1988.

US Air Traffic Union Urges Members to Work Unpaid Amid Shutdown

The union representing more than 13,000 US air traffic controllers has urged members to continue working without pay during the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has also affected around 50,000 Transportation Security Administration employees at airport checkpoints.

Mexico’s Aviation Agency Sees Leadership Shift Amid Scandal

The Mexican Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) is undergoing a leadership transition amid allegations of corruption and internal misconduct. General Miguel Vallín was dismissed this week after reports surfaced of irregular behavior and systemic bribery within the agency. His replacement, retired Air Force General Emilio Avendaño, officially assumed the position, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT).

ICAO Assembly Adopts Global Frameworks for Aviation Safety

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concluded its 42nd Assembly in Montreal where 192 Member States adopted new global frameworks to enhance aviation safety, security, cybersecurity, and environmental sustainability. The decisions align with ICAO’s Strategic Plan for 2050 and long-term goals of achieving zero fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions.

AICM 2026 Improvements Aim at Service, Not Capacity: Moody’s

Moody’s Ratings emphasized that investments announced for Mexico City International Airport (AICM) ahead of the 2026 World Cup aim to enhance passenger experience and services, not expand terminal capacity. Diego González, Moody’s vice president and analyst, told A21 that AICM will remain critical for the metropolitan area.

US Shutdown Pressures Air Travel, Risks Delays and Cancellations

The US government shutdown that began on Oct. 1, is already affecting air travel,  raising the risk of longer lines, delays, and cancellations if it continues. President Donald Trump and Congress failed to reach a funding agreement, leaving essential federal employees working without pay.

Munich Airport Closure Raises Calls for Stricter Drone Rules

Munich Airport suspended operations on Oct. 2 following multiple drone sightings, affecting nearly 3,000 passengers. Air traffic control halted flights at 10:18 p.m. local time (2018 GMT) before suspending all operations. Seventeen flights were canceled and another 15 were diverted to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt.

Boeing Reportedly Planning Successor Jet to 737 MAX

Boeing is reportedly in the  early stages of developing a new single-aisle, twin-engine aircraft intended to eventually replace the 737 MAX family, according to people familiar with the matter cited by The Wall Street Journal. The program  remains in initial planning, and no final decisions have been made regarding production or certification.

French Firms Advance Stratospheric Spy Balloon Programs

The strategic relevance of near-space operations became global news in 2023 when the United States downed a suspected Chinese spy balloon. Beijing maintained the balloon had scientific purposes and entered US airspace unintentionally.

Tulum Airport Faces Passenger Drop Despite Expansion Efforts

The Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport in Tulum recorded a significant decline in passenger traffic in August 2025, handling 83,740 travelers—50,863 domestic and 32,877 international. This represents a sharp drop from earlier months, with March peaking at 143,589 passengers, according to airport data.

South Korea’s Defense Giants to Hit US$28 Billion in 2025 Sales

South Korea’s four largest defense industry companies are projected to surpass ₩40 trillion (US$28.45 billion) in combined annual sales for the first time in 2025, driven largely by overseas exports.

Global Air Travel to Reach 9.8 Billion Passengers in 2025: ACI

Global air travel is projected to reach 9.8 billion passengers by the end of 2025, according to Airports Council International (ACI) World’s latest World Airport Traffic Report (WATR). The report, based on data from more than 2,800 airports across 185 countries, highlights international travel as the primary driver of growth, despite regional disparities and medium-term challenges.