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 International Air Transport Association (IATA) targets 10% of global aviation fuel to be SAF by 2030, and the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation mandates a 2% SAF blend by 2025, escalating to 70% by 2050. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Fastest Growing Segment: The aviation SAF sub-segment is the fastest growing application, driven by EU's ReFuelEU mandates, IATA's 10% SAF target by 2030, and large-scale HEFA-SAF investments by Diamond Green Diesel, Neste, Shell, and TotalEnergies. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Expanding refinery conversion projects, record investments in HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) technology, and growing corporate net-zero pledges from logistics, aviation, and marine sectors are collectively reinforcing robust demand across all major geographies through 2033. Persistence Market Research
• [New] American Airlines will equip more than 500 narrowbody aircraft with Starlink from 2027, bringing high-speed, low-latency inflight connectivity that supports streaming, gaming and real-time collaboration. Future Travel Experience
• [New] Unlike in the Taiwan Strait, there is no arsenal of modern medium-range missiles that could seriously threaten US aircraft carriers. Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP)
• [New] NSPM-11's standards for AI assurance, supply-chain security and interoperability will likely influence the FAA's evolving framework for autonomous aviation as well. Autonomy Global - Industry Insights: Latest in Autonomo
• [New] Industry analysts expect the earliest realistic window for commercial supersonic passenger service over the continental US to be the early 2030s, pending Senate action, FAA rulemaking, and aircraft certification. Tech Times
• [New] Boom Supersonic is developing a supersonic airliner called Overture with the goal of delivering the first aircraft to customers by 2029. Ars Technica
• [New] The Federal Aviation Administration is taking a pivotal step toward enabling civil supersonic flights over the continental United States after massive innovations in supersonic technology which will make it possible to safely operate supersonic aircraft without a sonic boom. Lynnwood Times
• [New] The FAA has announced that it plans to propose separate rules later in 2026 for noise standards during take-off and landing of supersonic aircraft. AvioRadar
• [New] Agile Combat Employment training, where aircraft operate from multiple dispersed bases, addresses NATO's vulnerability in vast Arctic territories where concentrated air assets face greater risk. The Arctic Institute - Center for Circumpolar Security
• [New] Vermont-based startup Beta Technologies aims to convince US consumers that electric aviation has arrived in ways that will change how they travel for work and leisure, and invited media to ride in the state-of-the-art all-electric aircraft that it calls the Alia CX300. Business Insider
• [New] Multilingual discovery will be expanded through a new working group and roadmap, building on successful pilots in Latin America. Knowledgespeak
• [New] To deliver emissions reductions to achieve the Seventh Carbon Budget (2038 to 2042) and the 2050 Net Zero target, action needs to start now in agriculture and land use, aviation, and engineered removals. Climate Change Committee

Last updated: 12 July 2026