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 UK's Project NYX represents a significant Western commitment to manned-unmanned teaming for rotary-wing aviation, potentially establishing operational templates for loyal wingman integration that could reshape NATO helicopter doctrine by 2030. Drone Warfare
• [New] Aircraft Leasing Ireland's member firms are investing in research across a number of areas, including projects that could lead to more radical decarbonization of aviation through hydrogen and electric-powered flight. The Irish Times
• [New] At SMBC Aviation Capital we aim to own at least an 80% new-technology fleet by 2030. The Irish Times
• [New] Over the coming years the aircraft leasing industry will continue to improve its sustainability performance, support airline customers' desire to lower their emissions and invest in the new technologies that will prove progress is possible. The Irish Times
• [New] Stablecoins will attract more interest in 2026 as regulated digital dollars and tokenized deposits move from pilots into early use. Airwallex
• [New] The vulnerability of bases in the U.S. has become a concern after last year's Operation Spiderweb, in which Ukrainian drones attacked airbases and destroyed parked aircraft deep inside Russia. Defense News
• [New] With today's announcement, Delta's A330 - 900 fleet will increase to 55 aircraft, and the A350 fleet will reach 79 aircraft, including 20 A350 - 1000s that Delta expects to begin receiving in early 2027. Aero Crew News
• [New] Delta will add 31 additional next-generation Airbus widebody aircraft to its fleet, an investment that will fuel international growth and accelerate fleet renewal in the years to come. Aero Crew News
• [New] Aircraft are assembled from global suppliers; a vulnerability in a small vendor's firmware can propagate across fleets. News, Events, Advertising Options
• [New] Global commercial aviation will require about 660,000 new pilots over the next 20 years as airlines expand fleets and replace retiring crews. Aerotime
• [New] There will be more than 16,000 retirements over the next five years and a cumulative shortage of 28,126 pilots by 2030. WDEL 101.7FM
• [New] The global commercial aircraft fleet is forecast to grow from approximately 30,800 units today to 51,900 by 2045. eplaneai
• [New] Turboprop manufacturer ATR is working under the European Union's Clean Aviation program to fly a hybrid-electric regional aircraft based on the ATR 72-600 by 2030. Runway Girl
• [New] A Canadian start-up backed by Boeing and Pratt & Whitney Canada aims to change the face of aviation with a hybrid-electric regional aircraft that promises to reduce emissions, slash maintenance costs and improve the passenger experience when it enters service in the early 2030s. Runway Girl
• [New] South Korea's bold move to introduce Sustainable Aviation Fuel by 2027 for international flights marks a crucial step in its commitment to reduce carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. VURDHAAN
• [New] By 2027, South Korea aims to establish a fully integrated SAF supply chain capable of supporting its aviation sector's growing needs. VURDHAAN
• [New] South Korea's leadership in introducing SAF to international flights is expected to serve as a model for other nations, accelerating the worldwide shift towards sustainable aviation. VURDHAAN
• [New] In a notable partnership, the Lufthansa Group announced it will equip its fleet of 850 aircraft with Starlink technology, aiming to enhance in-flight internet services for passengers. KeepTrack
• [New] The deployment of heavy transport and special operations aircraft toward staging areas, with some assets proceeding to the Middle East, served to project U.S. airpower and enhance readiness amid broader geopolitical strains. Grokipedia
• [New] Jet Aviation announced that it will provide sustainable aviation fuel during the World Economic Forum 2026 in Zurich, marking the fifth year it has supported SAF availability as part of ongoing efforts to enable more sustainable choices for customers. Ccarbon.info
• [New] Ethanol-to-jet could link the large ethanol industry in the United States to aviation, one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize. Resources for the Future
• [New] The CATNLF flight test at NASA Armstrong will bring laminar technology one step closer to being implemented on next-generation aircraft. NASA
• [New] NASA researchers successfully completed a high-speed taxi test of a scale model of a design that could make future aircraft more efficient by improving how air flows across a wing's surface, saving fuel and money. NASA

Last updated: 01 February 2026