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] Drone-based infrastructure inspection is projected to reduce inspection costs by 30-40% while improving safety and data quality, per published pilot programs by TUV Rheinland and DNV. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Russian strikes on UK manufacturing nodes could create production bottlenecks affecting engines, seekers, guidance systems, warheads, certification, financing, and launch aircraft. Hudson Institute
• [New] Aviation is the fastest-growing application segment, expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2025 to 2034. Straits Research
• [New] The U.S. FAA projects the commercial drone fleet to reach about 1.18 million aircraft by 2029, supporting sustained demand for advanced imaging, navigation, communication, and intelligent payload technologies. Persistence Market Research
• [New] By 2035, Japan's strongest flying-car positions are unlikely to belong to aircraft manufacturers alone. openpr
• [New] By 2026, 75% of enterprises will have moved beyond isolated AI pilots to fully operationalized agentic systems. Site Title
• [New] Fuel from AirPlant One is expected to power an Alaska Airlines flight, helping move Power-to-Liquid SAF from first production toward regular commercial aviation use. Twelve | A World Made from Air
• [New] UK regional airline Loganair has signed a term sheet with Beta Technologies for five Alia CX300 electric conventional takeoff-and-landing aircraft to enter service in 2029, with options for five more. Aviation Week Network
• [New] Collaborative Combat Aircraft programs - where uncrewed platforms fly alongside crewed fighters, absorbing risk and extending sensor reach - are advancing from prototype to procurement across the U.S. and allied air forces. Defence Industries
• [New] Asia-Pacific is projected to register the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by increasing defence spending, rapid military modernization, and expanding procurement of advanced fighter aircraft, UAVs, naval platforms, and missile systems across China, India, Japan, and South Korea. stratviewresearch.com
• [New] Japan's SkyDrive has begun formal familiarization meetings with the U.S. FAA on certification validation for its SD-05 eVTOL air taxi, which is planned to be type certified with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau for commercial service beginning in 2028. Aviation Week Network
• [New] Under the MOU, Korean operator UI has agreed to acquire up to 20 Beta Alia A250 eVTOL and/or Alia CX300 eCTOL aircraft for delivery beginning in 2029. Aviation Week Network
• [New] As Saudi Arabia accelerates its ambitions to become a leading global aviation hub under Vision 2030, the Global Airports Forum 2026 is set to return with an expanded strategic agenda focused on collaboration, innovation, investment, and next-generation airport development. Day of Dubai
• [New] The MQ-25 is the first operational carrier-based uncrewed aircraft, though it's not expected to enter active service until 2029. / USA SlashGear
• [New] President Trump has ordered the US Navy to draw up plans to replace electromagnetic aircraft catapults and weapons elevators with old-fashioned steam and hydraulic systems. theregister
• [New] No US aircraft carrier will remain in the Pacific. BBC News
• [New] Dutch aerospace company Elysian Aircraft, working with KLM, is developing a larger model: a 90-passenger battery-electric aircraft with a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) range, aimed at commercial service by 2035. The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News |
• [New] French startup Aura Aero is building a 19-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft with a range of up to 1,500 kilometers (930 miles), aiming for certification in late 2029. The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News |

Last updated: 30 August 2026