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 potential delivery of up to 200 Joby aircraft and related services valued at $1 billion is expected over the coming years. / Saudi Arabia Stocktwits
• [New] Cities like Berlin and Munich are expected to implement pilot projects that include air taxis as part of smart city transportation. Precedence Research
• [New] For aviation, 2026 may mark the year when supersonic flight shifts from the fringes of experimentation toward tangible progress in everyday air travel. Electronic Specifier
• [New] A Presidential Executive Order has directed the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to allow mature eVTOL aircraft to begin operations in select cities as early as 2026, even before full certification is completed. Carbon Credits
• [New] Within 18-24 months, integration with manned fighter aircraft for loyal wingman operations will likely be demonstrated, followed by deployment to forward units by 2027. Drone Warfare
• [New] The BNATCS architecture decisions in 2026-2027 will either enable or cripple autonomous UAS integration for the next two decades, creating a narrow window for semiconductor-aviation alignment. Drone Warfare
• [New] Looking ahead, airline groups expect 2026 to focus less on recovery and more on long-term profitability and sustainability, marking a new phase for global aviation. Caribbean News Digital
• [New] Tesla is preparing to launch its fully autonomous robo-taxi service, 'Cyber Cab', with pilot projects already underway in Austin, and a full rollout expected in 2026. Orion Market Research
• [New] Russia will likely respond with enhanced point-defense systems, decoy deployments, and hardened aircraft shelters, while Ukraine refines swarm tactics and AI-enabled terminal guidance to overcome adaptive countermeasures. Drone Warfare
• [New] Within 10-15 years, flying cars could genuinely transform how we think about transportation - even if most of us access them as passengers rather than pilots. Veritas Electronics Kenya
• [New] The Tranche 3 Tracking Layer will be organized across eight orbital planes and builds on Tranches 1 and 2 by extending and improving coverage for global, persistent indication, detection, warning, tracking and identification of conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic systems. Space War
• [New] FAA pilots are expected to start for-credit flight testing in 2026, but certification may not be achieved until 2027. Yahoo Finance
• [New] With AAM services expected to begin pilot projects by 2027, the future of urban air mobility is becoming tangible. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The U.S. Department of Transportation's AAM strategy represents a bold vision for the future of aviation, one that will transform the transportation landscape in the U.S. and across the world. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The Civil Aviation Administration of China expects the low-altitude economy to grow from 670 billion yuan ($93 billion) in 2024 to 1.5 trillion yuan ($211 billion) by the end of 2025, reaching 3.5 trillion yuan ($483 billion) by 2035. / China Low Altitude Economy
• [New] American Airlines has made strides in reducing its fuel consumption, implementing more fuel-efficient aircraft, and committing to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Travel And Tour World
• [New] A new study has highlighted significant potential for Power-to-Liquids and Power-and-Biomass-to-Liquids (PBtL) aviation fuels in the Asia-Pacific region. GreenAir News
• [New] APAC, especially China and India, will be the scale engine, with state-led ATMS, smart highways, dense AV pilots, and V2X ecosystems. Resources
• [New] CAA will encourage aviation operators to conduct reviews following disruption caused by extreme weather events and will promote understanding of climate risks affecting airports and NATS, through targeted training and increased climate analysis. GOV.UK
• [New] Although certification of the 777 X by the Federal Aviation Administration is still pending, its approval is expected to catalyze a significant rebound in wide-body output, complementing the upward trajectory of 787 production. / Japan rebecca.gladen@trade.gov
• [New] Under current policies, estimates indicate a reduction in final demand for oil of roughly 46% (42% including international aviation) in 2050 compared to 2024. GOV.UK
• [New] Hydrogen-powered aircraft could play a key role in cutting aviation emissions while supporting future growth. TravelWires

Last updated: 28 December 2025