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] 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
• [New] The 2026 EU Emissions Trading System revision will be a pivotal moment for decarbonising aviation and shipping. SASHA Coalition
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] The commercial aircraft segment is expected to lead, accounting for 68% of revenue in 2026, due to its extensive fleet, high daily flight frequency, and stringent maintenance requirements. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The Association of Unmanned Aviation expects a 40% increase in the global commercial drone fleet between 2022 and 2030. The National Law Review
• [New] Electra plans to invest $850 million in a Springfield, Ohio, plant that will create 1,975 jobs and produce up to 800 aircraft annually. Supply Chain 24/7
• [New] The next five years will determine whether today's wave of innovation delivers the world's first new generation of supersonic passenger aircraft, or joins the long list of ambitious aerospace projects that never happened. We Are Innovation
• [New] Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) is the new mode of transport which will operate as a flying taxi in the UAE and other advanced countries from next year. Khaleej Times
• [New] France will send 16 Rafale aircraft to Ukraine in 2028-2029, and allow Ukraine to build the Aster-30 missiles for SAMP/T air defence systems, AASM Hammer guided bombs and SCALP cruise missiles. Sarcastosaurus
• [New] 40% of Agentic AI projects will fail to move beyond pilots, not because of model accuracy or engineering challenges, but due to poor alignment between technical outcomes and business objectives. California Management Review
• [New] Choosing the right AI integration company in 2026 will determine whether AI delivers measurable value or remains stuck at the pilot stage. WebcluesInfotech
• [New] Skyband Systems, a developer of aviation-grade, PNT-resilient navigation hardware, will integrate the Iridium PNT ASIC into its M100 LRU for business and commercial aviation. Iridium Satellite Communications
• [New] Hydrogen - as a primary energy source for propulsion, either for fuel cells, direct burn in thermal engines or as a building block for synthetic liquid fuels - could feasibly power aircraft with entry into service by 2035 for short-range aircraft. Clean Aviation
• [New] Most eVTOL aircraft seat 2 to 5 passengers, and operators plan to offer both private charter and shared ride options similar to UberPool and Lyft Shared. eVTOL.Travel
• [New] US-based flying taxi operator Archer Aviation will deliver an additional aircraft next year, ahead of the launch of commercial air taxi operations in the UAE. Khaleej Times
• [New] Offsetting all domestic flights and SAF will help JetBlue move toward the lower-carbon economy for which aviation and all sectors must plan. South Pole

Last updated: 26 July 2026