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] 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 |
• [New] A covert aviation switch used a catering truck and a C-32A to mask presidential movements after an Iran threat. Simple Flying
• [New] Electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, known as eVTOLs, are expected to begin testing throughout Florida's aerospace region by the end of 2026. FOX 13 Tampa Bay
• [New] Wisk Aero, a subsidiary of Boeing that's focused on fully autonomous eVTOLs, will test its aircraft in a Texas EIPP project. Fortune
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• The UK's Civil Aviation Authority is targeting having eVTOLs certified to carry passengers commercially from the end of 2028. Business Insider

Last updated: 23 August 2026