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] By 2050, at least half of all sustainable aviation fuel must consist of RFNBOs: Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin. EurekAlert!
• [New] Thousands of new plants will be needed globally to meet the growing demand for sustainable aviation fuels in the coming decades. EurekAlert!
• [New] The Pratt & Whitney PT6A family - by far the most-used turboprop engine in business aviation, with over fifty thousand units produced - is certified to operate on 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel blends today, with 100% SAF certification expected by 2028. SmartPrivateJet
• [New] Airlines face tightening emissions mandates - the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, EASA environmental requirements, and CORSIA offsetting obligations - that will require either SAF at volumes far beyond current production, radical improvements in airframe and engine efficiency, or both. BUSINESS 2.0 NEWS
• [New] Elections Canada will continue implementing its Indigenous Inclusion Program Pilot to strengthen reconciliation efforts with First Nations, Inuit and Metis and foster greater trust in, and understanding of, Canada's electoral process. Elections Canada
• [New] Japan Airlines launched a humanoid robot trial at Haneda Airport for baggage handling, aircraft towing, and cabin cleaning through 2028. / Japan LinkedIn
• [New] AI is moving from pilots to platforms, with governance frameworks scaling to manage risk and drive real value. Michelin Key Hotels
• [New] As New York's drone pilot progresses, officials will closely monitor not only operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness but also the impact on patient care and community sentiment. eplaneai
• [New] China's peak May travel season is running into mounting disruption as a sweep of heavy rain, cold fronts and localized storms collides with already strained aviation and rail networks, creating fresh uncertainty for millions of domestic and international travelers. The Traveler
• [New] Given the transformation of warfare, Europe will require the full range of its air defence capabilities, including fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, uncrewed aerial systems, cyber technology and satellites. Airbus
• [New] U.S. military support to Project Freedom will include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members. UANI
• [New] The US Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance initiative, the UK-Italy-Japan Global Combat Air Programme, and the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System led by Dassault Aviation and Airbus Defence & Space collectively represent hundreds of billions in projected lifecycle costs. BUSINESS 2.0 NEWS
• [New] Aircraft delivery delays and environmental compliance costs will continue to pressure airlines in 2026. Mexico Business
• [New] The 2026 global fuel crisis and rising jet fuel prices have further exposed the aviation industry's vulnerabilities, forcing airlines to consider fare increases of at least 20% to maintain financial viability. eplaneai
• [New] As airport connectivity eVTOL route services demonstrate commercial viability and operational track record in UK, service expansion to additional point-to-point urban corridor connections will follow progressively as fleet size and pilot familiarity with urban operational environments grow. Mobility Foresights
• [New] As UK aviation regulatory frameworks for eVTOL operations mature and certification standards are formally published and enforced, regulatory clarity will provide the investment confidence and operational permission environment required for commercial eVTOL service launch and fleet scale-up. Mobility Foresights
• [New] Digital air traffic management platforms enabling simultaneous dense eVTOL operations across urban airspace in UK will be a critical infrastructure enabler that regulatory authorities and technology developers are actively developing in parallel with aircraft certification programs. Mobility Foresights
• [New] Nine ongoing USTR Section 232 investigations could lead to more tariffs in 2026 on imports of semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and equipment, critical minerals, aircraft, drones, polysilicon, wind turbines, and robotics. The Trust Company of Kansas
• [New] Analysts at MarketGenics project the broader sector will scale from $1 billion in 2025 to $45 billion by 2035, a 43% compound annual growth rate driven by the shift from pilot programs to full-scale enterprise deployment. Cision PR Newswire
• [New] The second plank of European sovereignty is the digital euro, which continues to move steadily towards a pilot launch in 2027. Business of Payments
• [New] A coordinated Canada-Nordic response framework could enable aircraft, icebreakers, and specialized emergency units to operate across national boundaries during crises, improving response times and reducing environmental damage. ArcticToday
• [New] Artificial intelligence could control passenger planes from take-off to landing. ExtraSlice
• [New] While supply challenges remain, OEM supply of new aircraft is slowly improving, although it could take until 2030 or later for supply to fully recover. KPMG

Last updated: 17 May 2026