Global Scans · Aviation · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: More than half of the expected new passengers over the next two decades will originate from China, which will displace the US as the world's largest aviation market by around 2029. More than half of the expected new passengers over the next two decades will originate from China, which will displace the US as the world's largest aviation market by around 2029. Sales of consumer and prosumer drones are soaring and the Federal Aviation Authority forecasts there will be more than 1.3 million licensed drone pilots by 2020 in the U.S. alone.

• [New] During 2026-2034, the aerospace 3D printing industry is expected to generate a cumulative sales opportunity of USD 83.6 billion, reflecting strong long-term revenue visibility and sustained adoption across commercial aviation, defence, and space applications. stratviewresearch.com
• [New] The Joby electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers and is expected to reduce the trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah to just 10 minutes instead of a 45-minute car ride. curt.cultice@trade.gov
• [New] CCID Consulting, a Chinese state-affiliated research group, expects at least seven domestic companies to be offering eVTOL aircraft by the end of 2026. DroneXL
• [New] The European Union's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation requires fuel suppliers to blend a minimum of 2% sustainable aviation fuel from 2025, climbing to 70% by 2050, while the International Civil Aviation Organization CORSIA scheme entered its mandatory phase in 2027. Persistence Market Research
• [New] With the AVIA reporting $71 million in initial safety-related economic savings in dedicated 2026 pilot zones, CROs must integrate advanced AI hazard detection capabilities into their baseline risk underwriting. Astute Analytica
• [New] The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is kicking off its inaugural Lift Challenge, a week-long competition that will advance heavy vertical-lift aviation by finding a drone capable of transporting a payload many times its own weight. SOF News
• [New] Led by Vertical Aerospace with the University of Bath and InnCat Ltd., ECLiPSE will develop charging and liquid-cooling technologies to cut infrastructure costs and enable faster aircraft turnaround. Automotive World
• [New] The UK's Civil Aviation Authority is targeting having eVTOLs certified to carry passengers commercially from the end of 2028. Business Insider
• [New] EASA and other civil aviation authorities have moved toward similar facility-based airspace protections in recent years, so a finalized Part 74 could influence how critical-infrastructure drone restrictions are framed outside the US as well. PickDrones
• [New] North America and EMEA are expected to experience some of the strongest airfare increases in 2026, driven by capacity constraints, higher operating costs and ongoing aircraft delivery delays. Global Business Travel Association - GBTA
• [New] Electric aircraft and hydrogen-powered planes could become a common sight in UK skies, after 8 companies were awarded funding. Innovation News Network
• [New] Agentic AI is moving from pilots to production, with nearly 40% of enterprise apps expected to embed task-specific agents by end of 2026 but weak governance is the top reason projects get cancelled. Easy Comm
• [New] As Asia becomes the global growth hub for aviation infrastructure, PTE Asia Conference will provide a focused environment for industry leaders, solution providers, investors, and regulators to collaborate on shaping the next-generation airport ecosystem. Passenger Terminal Expo Asia 2026
• [New] The global aviation industry is a massive sector with significant economic impact, projected to surpass $1 trillion in revenue in 2026, supporting 86.5 million jobs, contributing $4 trillion to the global economy and carrying over 5 billion passengers in 2026. Shell Climate Change
• If the ETS aviation scope were expanded to emissions from flights departing the EEA, 25% of the generated revenues could fund CfDs for enough e-kerosene to meet RFEUA mandates until 2040, or a substantial percentage of the € 10-20 bn of European e-kerosene producers' capital requirements up to 2030. SASHA Coalition
• The 2026 EU Emissions Trading System revision will be a pivotal moment for decarbonising aviation and shipping. SASHA Coalition
• The production facility will ensure Electra remains at the forefront of American global leadership in hybrid-electric aviation, with the EL9 Ultra Short unlocking new markets for commercial advanced air mobility, military logistics, and humanitarian applications. ELECTRA
• MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) is expected to be the fastest-growing orbit segment through 2033, supported by increasing demand for navigation, satellite telephony, and aviation connectivity applications. Persistence Market Research
• Condition-based maintenance is expected to lead, accounting for 34% of revenue in 2026, due to its widespread implementation across modern aviation maintenance programs. Persistence Market Research

Last updated: 09 August 2026