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] The Transport Resilience And Capacity Kickstart pilot program will support more fuel-efficient freight movements across Australia, which is especially relevant while the conflict in the Middle East continues to affect global fuel supply. Mirage News
• [New] The Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, a vital initiative to combat $1.6 billion in annual damages caused by invasive wild pigs, is extended with new funding through 2031. American Farm Bureau Federation
• [New] A key theme of AUTOMATE 2026 will be the transition of artificial intelligence from pilot programs to full-scale industrial deployment. Metrology and Quality News - Online Magazine
• [New] Air taxi services are expected to launch commercially in select cities within the next 1-3 years, while personal ownership of roadable aircraft is likely 5-10 years or more out. Day Spring Management
• [New] Global SAF production is expected to reach 2.4 million tonnes in 2026, equal to only 0.8% of aviation fuel use. ESG News
• [New] Beta's CX300, a type of aircraft designated cTOL, already has orders from carriers like Air New Zealand and is expected to begin revenue-cargo flights later in 2026 under a Transportation Department pilot program. Business Insider
• [New] Companies such as Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation expect to begin commercial service in 2026, while the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) eVTOL Integration Pilot Program is working to accelerate deployment in partnership with state and local governments. TTA
• [New] The LINK robotic servicer developed for the task in hand by Katalyst Space Technologies is set to launch on a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket and will be carried aloft by the Stargazer L-1011 aircraft from the Marshall Islands to approximately 40,000 feet over open ocean. National Space Centre
• [New] 300,000 pilots will be needed in business and commercial aviation by 2034 to meet growing global demand and replace retiring aviators. Skies Mag
• [New] The Federal Aviation Administration is exploring frameworks for approving autonomous operations, which could unlock new commercial use cases. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Airlines worldwide will need more than 600,000 new pilots over the next 20 years. Yahoo
• [New] The EU's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation stipulates a gradual increase in the minimum proportion of SAF in jet fuel to reach 2% in 2025 and 6% in 2030, while the UK is aiming at a 9.5% SAF target by 2030. Yahoo Finance
• [New] WeRide and Uber plan Spain's first commercial Robotaxi pilot in Madrid - the fourth of 15 cities in their global deployment deal - with AVOMO running fleet operations beginning later in 2026. Self Drive News
• [New] The Civil Aviation Bill will support airspace modernization and enhance safety standards for passengers across the UK. GOV.UK
• [New] Renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel facilities could consume more than half of total U.S. soybean oil production within the next several years. Ag Bull Trading
• [New] NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft is expected to hit the flight milestone - at speeds of over 630 mph - for the first time at approximately 43,000 feet during a series of test flights in early June. KPVI
• [New] Multi-rotor drones are projected to record 16.2% share in 2026 as security operators need agile aircraft for urban monitoring and facility patrol. FactMr
• [New] Beginning in July, the Federal Aviation Administration will allow some lightweight aircraft to be powered by electric propulsion without exemptions - a small but concrete step forward. The Washington Times
• [New] The future outlook of the robotaxi industry beyond 2035 remains highly promising as autonomous mobility continues to evolve from pilot deployments to mainstream transportation networks. DataM Intelligence
• [New] The U.S. could produce about 2.1 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel annually by 2030 under its most favorable scenario, short of the federal goal of 3 billion gallons per year. AVweb
• [New] Flights of civil aircraft in the Moscow air zone at altitudes from 0 to 5,100 meters will be completely prohibited. UNN

Last updated: 14 June 2026