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] Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 13.07% from 2026 to 2033 driven by advancements in AI, autonomous systems, cost-efficiency, and force-multiplier capabilities that enhance mission flexibility and reduce pilot risk. GlobeNewswire
• [New] 2026 will be the pivotal year for global robotaxi adoption as pilot projects move towards commercial rollouts, and companies accelerate from a test phase into a coordinated international expansion, with US and Chinese developers pushing their way into Europe and the Middle East. Yahoo
• [New] Japan and Australia's security relationship will become stronger, so expect to see more Australian ships and aircraft heading north to operate in joint task forces in the South and East China Sea. Ben Morgan's Substack
• [New] In 2026, AI will be embedded in R&D, diagnostics, and care delivery, moving from pilot projects to core infrastructure. Talencio
• [New] The FAA's official safety alert serves as a grim reminder that space exploration might just be the most dangerous thing to happen to the aviation industry. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The Federal Aviation Administration's emergency safety alerts have intensified, warning pilots of the catastrophic hazards posed by debris from spacecraft explosions falling into busy flight paths. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The US Federal Aviation Administration's warning is clear: spacecraft failures could lead to tragic disasters in the sky. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued urgent warnings, alerting pilots about the catastrophic dangers posed by falling rocket debris. Travel And Tour World
• [New] As space companies like SpaceX ramp up their missions, the risks for aviation are skyrocketing. Travel And Tour World
• [New] More than 1,000 participating companies from over 50 countries and regions will gather at Singapore Airshow 2026, representing the full spectrum of commercial aviation, defence, space, MRO, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. Yahoo Finance
• [New] By 2028, the first 1.4 nm chips will enter pilot production in the U.S., further pushing the boundaries of Moore's Law. FinancialContent
• [New] With airlines ordering new aircraft and governments investing in defence modernization, aeronautical engineers will remain in high demand worldwide. Academia Magazine
• [New] More than 16,000 US airline pilots are expected to retire over the next five years. Aerotime
• [New] The emphasis in 2026 is shifting towards the speed of getting systems fielded, and budgets in 2026 will prioritize AI enabled systems, autonomous platforms and collaborative combat aircraft. / USA Defense Tech and Acquisition
• [New] The Royal Australian Air Force's F-35A Lightning II, an advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft, will be making its debut. ST
• [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

Last updated: 08 February 2026