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] Europe's ReFuelEU Aviation initiative requires airlines to use a 2% SAF blend by 2025, increasing gradually to 70% by 2050. Industry EMEA
• [New] Through the early to mid-2030s, sustainable aviation fuel will continue scaling rapidly as the primary near-term solution, leveraging compatibility with existing fleets and infrastructure. Industry EMEA
• [New] Vertical is targeting airliner-level safety type certification for its eVTOL Valo in 2028 with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, which will be followed by JCAB validation. Aerotime
• [New] The long-anticipated arrival of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is now within reach, with commercial operations expected to commence in urban centers as early as 2026. eplaneai
• [New] Electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft are expected to complete key safety validation missions by 2026. Toborlife AI Robots - Autonomous Robots
• [New] Vertical is targeting airliner-level safety certification for the Valo with the UK Civil Aviation Authority by 2028. eplaneai
• [New] Currently, drone operators must obtain a waiver or exemption from FAA to fly beyond their visual line of sight and show, among other things, how they will detect and avoid other aircraft. Hstoday
• [New] A new United States military laser-based anti-drone system led authorities to halt air traffic in and out of El Paso, Texas, after aviation officials raised serious concerns about risks to commercial aircraft. Al Jazeera
• [New] The FAA acted over concerns that a military counter-drone laser system could pose risks to aircraft. Al Jazeera
• [New] Airlines are expected to need 19,560 new passenger aircraft, accounting for 46% of global demand. ST
• [New] Budget for systems upgrades: Swiss HR and travel teams will need to interface with the EU's common EU Visa Application Platform once pilot testing starts in 2027. VisaHQ
• Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 13.07% from 2026 to 2033 driven by advancements in AI, autonomous systems, cost-efficiency, and force-multiplier capabilities that enhance mission flexibility and reduce pilot risk. GlobeNewswire
• 2026 will be the pivotal year for global robotaxi adoption as pilot projects move towards commercial rollouts, and companies accelerate from a test phase into a coordinated international expansion, with US and Chinese developers pushing their way into Europe and the Middle East. Yahoo
• Japan and Australia's security relationship will become stronger, so expect to see more Australian ships and aircraft heading north to operate in joint task forces in the South and East China Sea. Ben Morgan's Substack

Last updated: 15 February 2026