The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced this week that its prediction of a tripling of worldwide sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in 2024 is on track, but noted several policy measures that governments could take to accelerate SAF usage. This year, global production of unblended SAF is expected to reach nearly 400 million gallons, an amount that equates to just 0.5% of total jet fuel demand.

“SAF will provide about 65% of the mitigation needed for airlines to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” explained IATA director general Willie Walsh. “We still have a long way to go, but the direction of exponential increases is starting to come into focus.”

The organization noted that more than 140 renewable fuel projects with the capacity to produce SAF are expected to be operational by 2030. If they reach their expected output rates, renewable fuel capacity could total 13.5 billion gallons in about six years.

“The interest in SAF is growing and there is plenty of potential,” added Walsh, “but the concrete plans that we have seen so far are far from sufficient. Governments have to set clear expectations for aviation to achieve a 5% CO2 emissions reduction through SAF 2030 and to be net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

Business aircraft flying dipped 2% year over year (YOY) last month, with losses in North America and Europe overpowering a 14.5% gain in the rest of the world, according to TraqPak data released yesterday by Argus International. May traffic in North America fell by 2.5% YOY—higher than Argus’ -1.1% forecast—while activity in Europe plummeted by 7.2%. This month, Argus is predicting decreases of 3.2% and 6.6% in North America and Europe, respectively.

“European activity took a surprise turn in May, while the North American market was a little lower than forecast but still remains in the same territory it has been in for the last 24 months,” said Argus senior v-p of software Travis Kuhn. “Summer charter activity will be the focus to see if leisure travel can provide a necessary boost.”

In North America, fractional flying soared by 13.2%, but that wasn’t enough to offset the 7% and 3.4% reductions in Part 91 and 135, respectively. By aircraft category, only midsize jets eked out a gain in the region, rising by 2.4%; large-cabin jets were down 7.7%, followed by light jets, -4.4%, and turboprops, -3.3%.

Turboprops drove most of the traffic decline in Europe last month, falling 21.2% YOY, followed by a 7.7% drop in large-cabin jets. Light jets managed a 1.5% YOY increase in Europe, while midsize jets were largely flat at +0.1%.

Honeywell has announced that Aero-Dienst has become a certified maintenance provider for the HTF7000 engine nacelle system. The turbofan powers several super-midsize business jets such as the Bombardier Challenger 300/350/3500, Cessna Citation Longitude, Embraer Legacy 450/500 and Praetor 500/600, and Gulfstream G280.

Under the approval, Aero-Dienst can perform services associated with the nacelle. They include removal and return of various elements, corrosion and defect inspection, replacement of defective parts, and the use of the protective, anti-corrosive Mapaero coating.

Honeywell’s HTF7000 has achieved more than 10 million flight hours. Among its key design features is the ability to conduct many maintenance procedures and inspections on-wing, with a corresponding reduction in aircraft downtime. Additionally, line-replaceable units are designed to be easily changed using industry-common tools.

Classic Lear Jet Foundation—the nonprofit Wichita-based group that seeks to return the first production Learjet (S/N 23-003) to flight—reached a milestone in its progress with the removal of the twinjet’s interior. The group intends to restore the aircraft to its original appearance when it was delivered in 1964, and noted that the removed seats, sidewalls, carpet, cabinets, and partitions will be retained and used as patterns for the aviation companies that have volunteered to build and donate a period-accurate cabin for the project.

“This is a big step in the preparation of the aircraft for the non-destructive testing required to get the aircraft airworthy again,” Bill Kinkaid, the foundation’s president, told AIN.

Included among the recently accomplished work, which is being performed largely by local industry volunteers and retirees, some of whom worked on the Lear Jet production lines, was the removal of the wing flaps, spoilers, and ailerons. One of the latter revealed a large, fortunately unoccupied, wasp’s nest—a souvenir of the aircraft’s quarter-century in storage.

Currently ongoing is the removal of the cockpit instrumentation, with each unit being documented and carefully bubble-wrapped for storage until eventually required for refurbishment and/or recalibration before reinstallation.

Skytech Helicopters has become the first UK-based MD Helicopters-authorized service center (ASC). The CAA-approved maintenance company has been serving MD helicopter operators for more than 20 years from a 7,500-sq-ft facility in Northampton.

Located at Sywell Aerodrome, Skytech is a CAA-approved Part 145 maintenance provider and can also service U.S.-registered helicopters. In addition to all of the MD-series helicopters and Schweizer piston-engine models, the company offers maintenance for the Bell 206 series and provides technical assistance and parts in Italy and Portugal.

“We have been a longstanding supporter of MD Helicopters and are passionate about the airframe and its loyal customers,” said Martin Lovell, owner of Skytech Helicopters. “We are proud to be the first ASC in the UK and excited to continue our high-quality maintenance, service, and support for the entire line of MD Helicopters products.”

“We continue to deliver on our promise to our customers to reduce response times by increasing and expanding the geographical location of our MD Helicopters service providers,” added MD Helicopters v-p of aftermarket service and support Ryan Weeks. “Expanding in Europe is a milestone we are proud to achieve and we look forward to continuing to grow our service base around the world.”

The FAA issued a Part 135 air carrier and operator certificate to Archer Aviation, permitting the eVTOL manufacturer to begin on-demand commercial air taxi operations, the startup company said today. While the company works to complete the type certification process for its Midnight eVTOL, it can use already-certified airplanes to refine its systems and procedures.

An Archer spokesperson told AIN that the company will use a Beechcraft Bonanza A36 to begin flying planned eVTOL routes in the San Francisco Bay Area, near its headquarters in San Jose, California.

“Additionally, we will be using the various apps and platforms we're developing alongside the aircraft operation as part of the refinement process ahead of launching Midnight into service once it's received its type certification from the FAA,” the spokesperson said. “We will begin operations with the GA aircraft imminently as the certificate requires we fly commercially every month to keep our pilots and the cert current.”

The Part 135 certificate was issued to the company’s Archer Air subsidiary, through which Archer aims to operate its own aircraft in urban environments. Archer’s spokesperson said the company does not expect to generate any revenue through the Archer Air subsidiary until Midnight enters service.

Archer Aviation is the second eVTOL developer to obtain a Part 135 certificate. Joby Aviation received its Part 135 certificate in May 2022.

Ametek MRO’s AEM and Antavia units are broadening their component capabilities in Europe to support the rapid expansion of the business aviation sector. Ametek MRO said the integration of the technologies, processes, and technicians within each division will enable the facilities to provide a wide range of component services, including scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of parts, safety equipment such as life rafts, avionics repairs and upgrades, and other specialized repairs.

AEM recently expanded its escape raft capabilities at its UK facility near London Stansted Airport, and Antavia has added a battery shop, oxygen MRO capability, and specialist wheels and brakes services close to Paris Le Bourget. Ametek noted that the facilities are strategically located to boost speed and efficiency to support the business aviation customer base.

“Currently, the European business jet market size is estimated at $4.6 billion and is expected to reach $7.08 billion by 2030, so the component MRO segment is expected to grow rapidly over the next six years,” said Ismaël Fadili, v-p of sales for Europe at Ametek MRO.

The company has partnered with OEMs to gain the technical expertise and required MRO certification to provide onsite MRO service to business jets, Fadili added. “These partnerships, which form the bedrock of our business in the commercial sector, will underpin our presence and share of the business jet market. Our relationships with the OEMs enable us to stay abreast of the market with an inside track to changes and developments.”

AIN’s senior-level Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit (CALS) East, set for July 15 to 17 in Jersey City, New Jersey, will address the latest hot topics, strategies, and solutions in business aviation. The summit is attendee-centric and serves as an educational and professional networking platform, connecting corporate aviation leaders with peers, industry experts, and solution providers in a relaxed, informal environment. We invite U.S.-based flight department leaders to apply to attend this all-expenses-paid event as our guests. Seats are limited, so don’t wait to apply.