Plans to debut electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi services at the Olympic and Paralympic Games have been scrapped after the certification for the engine failed to come through. German urban air mobility (UAM) pioneer, Volocopter, lobbied for authorisation ahead of the games but the setback highlights the critical safety requirements when pioneering new modes of transportation.

Dirke Hoke, CEO, Volocopter said the change in plans was due to “an American supplier who was not capable of providing what he had promised,” adding, “we are a little disappointed but in any case we had said that we would not make any compromises with security.”

Although the main test demonstrations will no longer go ahead, a successful crewed test flight took place at the Aerodrome of Saint-Cyr-l’École which Volocopter reported was the first bespoke commercial vertiport for eVTOL integrated within Volocopter’s approved flights routes in Paris. Commenting on the test, Hoke said:

“Everyone at Volocopter is incredibly proud of how far the company has come and what it means to fly today at Saint-Cyr-l’École. City launches take time to establish a foothold on the ground, and through open communication and dedication, Volocopter has become an embodiment of trust, from our partners, Europe’s leading aviation authorities, and Paris which has become one of the most advanced IAM networks in the world […] We still aspire to fly at the Austerlitz vertiport later this year. Beyond that, we concentrate on the Type Certification of the VoloCity and will start the test phase of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Germany together with our partner ADAC Luftrettung in 2025.”

Adding a new mobility layer to a city is a complex process where safety must remain paramount. For insights from the CEO & Head of UAM at Airbus, Balkiz Sarihan, into what this process entails, watch this short conversation. To hear more on the topic in person, Billy Nolen, Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer at Archer will be answering the question, ‘is the industry ready for the developments in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)?’ at Aerospace Tech Week Americas. Book your ticket for free to find out the answer.

For more like this see:

• Maturing AAM technology with CEO & Head of UAM at Airbus
• Head of ATM Transformation, EUROCONTROL on building a scalable and efficient system
• The next big aerospace innovations with the MD of JetBlue Ventures

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At Aerospace Tech Week, Franc Sanmartí, Director of Sustainability & Aeropolitical Affairs, Vueling Airlines joined to share his insights on the industry’s progress towards the net-zero by 2050 target. This five-minute conversation looked at key targets within the airline, the vital role of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other emission-cutting initiatives, and Sanmartí’s perspective on the Single European Skies agreement.

Emphasising the importance of SAF, Sanmartí noted that when reducing emissions, 60-70 per cent will come from SAF, compared to 20 per cent from new aircraft technology, 10 per cent from operational efficiency, and the rest from innovations like carbon capture. This highlights that although SAF is critical for the industry’s decarbonisation journey, other efficiency-based tech innovation also has its part to play.

Touching on the Single European Sky agreement, Sanmartí explained that effective digitalisation and innovation can achieve the same emission reduction that the agreement initially proposed. To unlock this, collaboration within the industry and across the value chain will be crucial.

Watch the full interview below for more.

Questions asked include:

1. 1. Do you think the industry is where it needs to be to hit the net-zero by 2050 targets?
   2. What balance are you striking between investment in SAF and investment in sustainability focused technologies?
   3. Are you satisfied with the Single European Sky agreement’s ability to drive meaningful progress with regards to sustainability?

For more from onsite at Aerospace Tech Week see:

1. 1. • Transforming ATM: Viasat’s Joel Klooster on the future of connectivity
      • Willie Walsh: “They’re part of the problem, they’ve got to be part of the solution.”
      • The next big aerospace innovations with the MD of JetBlue Ventures

The post Digitalisation and SAF: Director of Sustainability on striving for net-zero at Vueling first appeared on Aerospace Tech Review.

Farnborough International Airshow has seen some major announcements this week, with several large orders despite ongoing supply chain issues. By the end of day two, Forbes reported a total of 187 orders between Airbus and Boeing, with Boeing in the lead at 118 orders compared to Airbus’ 69.

US-based Boeing has enjoyed a number of deals, with Qatar Airways ordering 20 more 777-9 planes bringing its total order to nearly 100 aircraft, a deal which Reuters identified as nearly $4 billion. Boeing also secured an order from Macquarie Airfinance for 20 737 MAX-8 planes, estimated to be worth around $1 billion.

Airbus’ key orders included 20 Airbus A350-900 twin-aisle planes and 11 single-aisle A321neo aircraft for Japan Airlines, worth over $3 billion, in addition to six A320neo family aircraft for Berniq Airways, and seven Airbus A330-900s for Virgin Atlantic estimated at $800 million. Speaking on the order, Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic said:

“Our special partnership with Airbus began with the arrival of ‘Lady in Red’ in 1993, with our most recent arrival, ‘Ruby Rebel’, arriving to mark our 40th birthday this year. Virgin Atlantic has flown more than 60 Airbus tails in the last three decades. While not first to the party, they’ve been our main dance partner, making our customers smile ever since.”

Despite these orders, the persistent supply chain challenges remain front of mind for many, with flydubai’s CEO Ghaith al-Ghaith criticising Boeing on Monday:

“So in March, we were told your 12 aircraft is now going to be eight. So now in July, just last week, we were told, out of the eight, we’ve already received four and we’re not going to receive anything more. From our point of view, this is where there is frustration, and we felt like we had to say something.”

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From 2025, Heathrow will use digital twin technology developed by NATS to tackle emissions at the airport. The Demand Capacity Balancer (DCB), ‘digital twin’ already predicts and models operational performance in near real-time at the airport but will soon be used to reduce CO2 emissions.

The DCB is a predictive decision-making tool developed by NATS and Frequentis Orthogon that accurately forecasts demand, capacity, and performance metrics from the day of operations and up to six months in advance.

Rolling out a new series of environmental performance-based features, NATS is supporting Heathrow in understanding the most efficient operating plan to reduce emissions. The press release revealed this these improvements would reduce airborne holding and fuel burn and could result in CO2 savings up to 30,000 tonnes a year.

Kelly Stone, Head of Airport Operations, Heathrow said:

“It is fantastic to see the DCBs use extended to environmental performance. Small incremental steps like this are vital to reduce ‘in the air’ emissions to reach Heathrow’s goal of net zero by 2050. I am grateful for NATS’ ongoing commitment in bringing world first technology to Heathrow helping us be an extraordinary airport, fit for the future.”

Guy Adams, Managing Director of NATS Services, said:

“DCB is a proven success at Heathrow, helping save several millions of pounds a year by reducing delay, so it makes perfect sense to harness that same analytical technology to include environmental performance. No other airport in the world has this capability, and NATS is proud to be supporting Heathrow’s ambition.” 

For more on sustainability see:

• Scaling up SAF production with EASA managed EU SAF Clearing House
• The next big aerospace innovations with the MD of JetBlue Ventures
• ECLIF3 study highlights non-CO2 reduction benefits of SAF in commercial aircraft

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At Aerospace Tech Week Europe, Stephen Snyder, Managing Director, JetBlue Ventures joined for a five-minute discussion into the current innovation landscape. Snyder described the space as dynamic, with capital readily available and continued excitement around artificial intelligence (AI). Highlighting the technology’s current position in the trough of disillusionment, Snyder explained why this is an exciting point in the hype cycle for an investor, where applications shift from theoretical to practical and investors can advocate for their future.

Looking ahead, Snyder predicted sustainability-based technologies will be dominating the market 5-10 years into the future, with eVTOL aircraft, hydrogen propulsion, and hybrid electric tech poised to support the industry’s transition to net zero.

Discussing innovation in this safety critical sector, Snyder reiterated that while there is no margin for error, “we also cannot stall when it comes to innovation.” He urged that we must shift the mindset around safety and innovation from “either, or” to “both, and.”

Watch the full interview now.

Questions asked include:

• How would you characterise the current innovation landscape with regards to Aerospace?
• If we think 5-10 years into the future, what technologies will still be dominating the market?
• How do you strike a balance between the importance of safety & security and the need for innovation?

For more from onsite at Aerospace Tech Week see:

• Willie Walsh: “They’re part of the problem, they’ve got to be part of the solution.”
• Ensuring safety while integrating AI with Anna von Groote, Director General, EUROCAE
• Maturing AAM technology with CEO & Head of UAM at Airbus

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Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) have long been sparking conversation around what the future of transport will look like. With recent major developments in the AAM sector, this is evolving from concept to imminent reality. Balkiz Sarihan, CEO & Head of UAM at Airbus shared her insights on this journey and what it could mean for our cities.

Firstly discussing the promise of AAM, Sarihan described what adding a new mobility layer to a city would look like and the potential it offers for revolutionising how we live our lives and design our cities.

The conversation also touched on the challenges that come with integrating this technology into the broader ecosystem, where Sarihan cautioned that patience and safety are paramount and fostering collaboration across stakeholders is essential.

Looking ahead, Sarihan unpacked the steps need to mature AAM aircraft, mentioning investment, safety standards, and user interface.

Questions asked:

• Can you briefly summarise the transformative potential of Advanced Air Mobility?
• What are the major challenges you foresee when it comes to the broader ecosystem of Urban Air Mobility? How are you pre-empting these?
• What are your priorities for the next five years?

Watch the full interview below.

For more 5 minute insights see:

• Willie Walsh: “They’re part of the problem, they’ve got to be part of the solution.”
• Unlocking MRO capacity through digitalisation with Karen Miller, GM, Connected Aero

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising every industry and aviation is no exception. Its transformative power already spans a multitude of applications and more doors are opening as the technology develops. However, its rapid integration into this safety critical sector requires a measured approach, facilitated by expert understanding of technology and the industry.

EUROCAE, the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment, plays a pivotal role in advancing the aviation industry through its range of standards. The non-profit organisation brings together manufacturers, operators, regulators, and other aviation stakeholders to develop and promote standards for aviation equipment and related systems. Taking a proactive approach to standardisation, EUROCAE is instrumental in ensuring the aviation industry can harness the benefits of AI without compromising safety and trustworthiness.

Watch below for five-minute insights from Anna von Groote, Director General, EUROCAE on the importance of standardisation as the industry navigates the role of AI.

Questions asked include:

•  Can you articulate the impact AI has had on the industry? And how have you noticed this change in recent years?
• How do you tackle the issue of AI trustworthiness when thinking about safety within the industry?
• With AI evolving at such a rapid pace, how do you approach its standardisation and do you anticipate having to change this approach if its applications within the industry continue to proliferate?

See EUROCAE’s Video series on AI in aviation here. 

For more on AI see:

• Lufthansa Technik Philippines encourages startup-driven AI innovation for aircraft MRO
• Effective human-AI collaboration in the cockpit
• Industry 4.0: Digital Twin technology at Rolls-Royce

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At Aerospace Tech Week, Willie Walsh, Director General, The International Air Transport Association (IATA) joined for a five minute discussion on the industry landscape. During the interview, he outlined a path for tackling the sustainability challenge and looked at the failures of the Single European Sky (SES) deal.

Underscoring the critical role of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in navigating the decarbonisation of the industry, Walsh briefly mapped out the role governments must play in stimulating its scale up. Highlighting the concerning disparity between the US and European SAF production, Walsh cautioned that we are not seeing the right balance between incentives and mandates being adopted internationally, and governments are failing to recognise the opportunity in front of them.

Walsh urged that effectively addressing the sustainability challenge will take the support from every member of the ecosystem including governments, regulators, OEMs etc. Singling out fuel suppliers, Walsh said:

“Traditional fuel suppliers who have made hundreds of billions in profit off the industry over the years need to significantly accelerate their investment in the production of SAF […] They’re part of the problem, they’ve got to be part of the solution.”

Unpacking the flaws of the SES deal which Walsh previously condemned as a “failure,” he highlighted its initial promises: a tenfold improvement in safety, tripling Europe’s airspace capacity, substantial cost reduction, and a 10 per cent decrease in CO2 emissions. Criticising the deal for falling short on all four fronts, Walsh described the deal as “very disappointing given the critical importance of all of those issues.”

Questions asked:

• You described the EU’s Single European Sky deal as a failure. Which areas in particular did the agreement fall short and to what extent will this impact the industry’s ability to modernise European air traffic management?
• What do you see as the major challenges when it comes to meeting the net zero by 2050 goal and how many of these are going to require government involvement to overcome them?
• How do you propose we catalyse the mindset shift towards a more inclusive ecosystem involving governments, suppliers, airlines etc.?

Watch the full interview below.

For more video insights see:

• Disruptive sustainability technology with Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus
• From OCC to IOCC with Diederik-Jan Bos, Head of IOCC, SunExpress
• Driving aviation standards for emerging tech: EUROCAE’s role in safety, efficiency, and innovation

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The Airbus innovation arm UpNext has launched Optimate, a “flying truck” replicating an A350 cockpit. The fully-electric next-generation autonomy demonstrator emulates the aircraft, rolling down airport runways equipped with an A350 virtual flight deck and ‘computer vision’ devices, including geo-locating sensors, 4D radar and LIDAR, as well as a full flight test installation in the back to monitor the tests.

Developed in partnership with researchers, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders, Optimate is designed to both support pilots and increase operational safety. The truck has already been trialled at UpNext’s HQ and Blagnac airport but this year it aims to experience the runways of an international airport.

One key objective for the three-year research project is evaluating how a collaborative map and virtual flight assistant can aid a pilot’s strategic decisions alongside air traffic control and airline operations centres. A second objective is for the test bed to develop and test automatic taxiing grounded in reliable position calculations and unlocking the potential of quantum.

However, the press release detailed the project’s ultimate aim as “perform[ing] a highly efficient automatic ‘gate-to-gate’ mission on an Airbus commercial airliner, featuring 4D trajectory flight management, a tablet-operated connected virtual assistant, and overridable protections – all to support the flight crew.”

Remaining mindful of sustainability, the use of an electric vehicle reduces unnecessary CO2 emissions.

Michael Augello, CEO Airbus UpNext said:

“We are delighted to unveil another innovative demonstrator that reflects our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of aviation. Our ambition is to use the best technologies to make our aircraft even more aware of their operating conditions, analysing it in as much detail as possible to become smart and reliable assistants to pilots, providing them with the optimal assistance. We are confident that this project will contribute to safer and more efficient air travel.”

For more on testing see:

• UK tests “ground-breaking” quantum enabled navigation systems
• “The future of air traffic control: ” Test centre built for Namur’s digital control tower
• Rolls-Royce tests its most powerful business aviation engine yet

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This month, the UK successfully tested “ground-breaking” quantum technology aimed at creating an unjammable back-up for GPS navigation systems.

Although the technology’s “practical implementation” in commercial aviation is still estimated to be 10-20 years away in the UK, this test signals a key milestone for quantum enabled navigation systems.

The research has received nearly £8m in funding from the UK government who are pushing to be seen as a world leader on quantum, and is the “first test of this type of technology in the UK on an aircraft in flight.”

Accordingly to the government press release, the test is part of a project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) specifically focusing on creating quantum sensors to address the UK’s heavy reliance on GNSS/GPS for location, navigation, and timing data.

Science Minister Andrew Griffith said:

“From passenger flights to shipping, we all depend on navigation systems that are accurate, safe and secure. The scientific research we are supporting here on quantum technology could well provide the resilience to protect our interests.”

The flight tests involved Infleqtion, a quantum information company, and aerospace companies BAE Systems and QinetiQ. The two tests showed the technology offers “exceptional accuracy, and resilience, independent of traditional satellite navigation using GPS.”

Roger McKinlay, Challenge Director Quantum Technologies at Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), said:

“Modern infrastructure is increasingly dependent on highly accurate timing and navigation derived from satellite signals. These flight tests mark the culmination of two excellent projects which Infleqtion has had the vision to create and the deftness in leadership to execute with an outstanding team of collaborators.”

For more like this see:

• Combatting GNSS spoofing and jamming: EASA’s partnership with IATA

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