News from July 2024
Sheltair Aviation and the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) recently celebrated the grand opening of the Jerry Holland Destination: Aviation Playground, a tribute to Jerry Holland, who founded Sheltair Aviation Services in 1963. Jerry’s dedication to the general aviation and business aviation community has been instrumental in the growth of aviation in Florida. His commitment to constructing hangars and an award-winning FBO network to support aviation in Florida and beyond has been significant.
Boeing, a major player in the aerospace industry, is predominantly owned by institutional investors.
Increased demand for Taylor Swift's final US tour dates has driven Southwest Airlines to add one-off flights for fans. The airline strategically chose flight numbers referencing Swift's hit singles and albums to delight fans. Extra flights from various cities to the Miami area and New Orleans were added to accommodate concertgoers attending Swift's shows.
As Embraer emerged from a period in its history when a deal to sell 80 percent of its commercial airplane division to Boeing fell apart four years ago, the Brazilian company soon turned its attention to restoring the forward-looking trajectory of the entire business. Today, as its U.S. competitor struggles, the OEM appears to have rediscovered its momentum, highlighted by its controlling interest in eVTOL developer Eve Air Mobility, the resilience of its business aviation division, and the market progress achieved by its C-390 military transport.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced on July 17 that the U.S. production capacity for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) could see a significant increase of 1400% this year, contingent upon all announced capacity additions becoming operational. The actual production of SAF is anticipated to grow by 50% within the same period.
Aerospace manufacturers are increasingly focusing on achieving net zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050, extending their efforts beyond developing low-carbon aircraft and hybrid-electric technology to include greener production processes.
During an online roundtable on July 17, Joby Aviation founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt discussed his journey into the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft industry. He described the current period as one where transformational technologies are converging, which he believes will make aviation more relevant to daily life and enhance productivity globally.
Textron Aviation is preparing to showcase seven aircraft at the upcoming EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, an annual event that attracts aviation enthusiasts from around the world.
Committed to supporting and accelerating the decarbonization of air transport, VINCI Airports is working to develop the use of hydrogen in airports.
LATAM reported a 10.3% increase in passenger traffic compared to last year, with 6.5 million passengers flown in June 2024. International passengers saw the largest increase, rising by 26.7% year-on-year, while domestic operations in Brazil saw a 3.1% increase despite flooding impacting operations in Porto Alegre. LATAM made a $258 million profit in Q1 2024.
When asked about Howard Levinson, friends readily recount his kindness and notable character. They share stories from his military career and personal moments that highlight the impact he had on their lives. Howard, who passed away in March 2024 at the age of 100, was a respected figure in the aviation community for over 75 years.
The Farnborough Airshow 2024 has brought to light significant advancements in green aviation technology, signaling a potential shift in the regional airliner market. Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) is set to conclude the first stage of its Series B funding round by the end of July, enabling it to advance its hydrogen-powered regional airliner project. Despite delays in funding that postponed hardware purchases for its technology demonstrator, CAeS remains committed to launching a converted nine-passenger Britten-Norman Islander into commercial service by 2027.
Yesterday, July 17, the last known remaining fighter pilot from the 1940 Battle of Britain celebrated his 105th birthday. Group Captain (ret’d) John Allman “Paddy” Hemingway, DFC, AE, was born in Ireland in 1919. In the summer of 1940, Hemingway turned 21 while flying Hawker Hurricanes with the Royal Air Force’s 85 Squadron, led by then Squadron Commander Peter Townsend. Townsend later earned greater fame for his romantic involvement with Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth.
Aircraft air conditioning ensures passenger comfort by adjusting temperatures and mitigating humidity. Onboard air conditioning maintains a breathable environment at high altitudes by supplying fresh oxygen. Air conditioning systems in planes rely on engine bleed air and intricate mechanisms to create a comfortable and safe flight.
Vertical Aerospace has unveiled its second full-scale prototype of the VX4 eVTOL aircraft, marking a significant milestone ahead of its planned flight testing. The UK-based company released images of the newly completed aircraft on Thursday and announced that it will commence flight tests once the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) grants a permit to fly.
JetBlue is set to introduce a domestic first-class cabin, according to reports from Live and Let's Fly. This new class, named "Mini Mint," will be available starting in 2026.
easyJet will begin a twice-weekly winter service from London Gatwick to Luxor, replacing the London Luton-Hurghada route as the carrier's longest London winter route by distance. Luxor is easyJet's ninth airport addition in 2024. Beginning in November, easyJet will fly to Luxor from Gatwick, the airline's most-served airport. The Egyptian airport will rejoin its portfolio after 11 years. When the route takes off, it will be easyJet's longest service – by distance only – from London. Additionally, it will surpass all UK capital offerings operated by Ryanair and Wizz Air....
Work is underway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to become the first airport in the nation to use a special cleaning technology that more fully removes foam containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” from airport fire trucks and replace it with new fluorine-free foam. All five of SEA’s Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles will be ready with the new product. Prior to approvals granted in 2023, the nation’s airports were required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to continue using PFAS...
Southwest Airlines has confirmed to CBS News that the intense summer heat is causing soda cans to burst after being loaded onto some of its flights. Airline officials reported a series of incidents where cans of carbonated drinks have ruptured, often during opening, resulting in onboard messes and about 20 employee injuries so far this summer.
Oman’s national transport company, Mwasalat, has provisionally agreed to operate up to 25 of the Laila uncrewed aircraft being developed by Odys Aviation. Under the terms of an agreement announced on July 17, the companies will work together to develop plans for experimental cargo flights in unpopulated areas of the Gulf state using a pre-production example of the aircraft in 2025.