Emirates has operated an Airbus A380 demonstration flight with one of four engines powered on 100% drop-in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Dubai International airport. The Middle Eastern carrier says that this is the first time that drop-in SAF has been used on an A380 aircraft, with the expectation of full compatibility across the aircraft's existing systems. It adds that 100% SAF was used in one Engine Alliance GP7200 engine, while conventional jet fuel was used in the other three engines. The Pratt & Whitney PW980 auxiliary power unit also ran on 100% SAF. The engine used in the demonstration flight was recently tested by Emirates for validating its capability to run on the specially blended 100% drop-in SAF without affecting its performance or requiring any modifications. Ground engine testing took place at its engineering centre in Dubai. The flight is a result of Emirates' partnership with Airbus, Engine Alliance, Pratt & Whitney, ENOC, Neste and Viren. It carried four tonnes of SAF, comprised of hydro processed esters and fatty acids synthetic paraffinic kerosene provided by Neste and hydro deoxygenated synthetic aromatic kerosene from Virent. ENOC helped to secure the neat SAF comprised of hydrotreated esters and fatty acids straight paraffinic jet fuel (HEFA-SPK) and blended it with sustainable aviation kerosene at its facility in Dubai International airport and carried out into-plane services. Earlier this year, Emirates completed its first 100% SAF-powered Boeing 777-300ER demonstration flight. The carrier also operated its first flight with SAF provided by Shell Aviation from Dubai International airport in October. Shell supplied 315,000 gallons of blended SAF for the carrier's Dubai hub. The airline recently expanded its partnership with Neste for the supply of over 3 million gallons of blended SAF in 2024 and 2025 for flights departing from Amsterdam Schiphol and Singapore Changi airports.

Fitch Ratings has downgraded US carrier JetBlue Airways' long-term issuer default rating to "B+" from "BB-". The downgrade reflects the agency's expectation that JetBlue's profits in 2023 and 2024 will be lower than forecast as the airline "faces several near-term challenges that have driven weaker than expected results through the first nine months of the year." Though Fitch expects some improvement in 2024, margins will likely "remain under pressure, leading to additional borrowing and elevated leverage". It also notes that other near-term headwinds including outsized impacts from air traffic control delays due to its concentration in the northeast and pressures from industry capacity that is outpacing demand, particularly in off-peak periods. Its outlook remains negative, due to pressures around JetBlue's pending acquisition of Spirit Airlines, and uncertainties around the timing and recovery of JetBlue's standalone credit profile. The "B+" rating is supported by the company's favourable fleet mix, and network and routes that should lead to improving operating margins. It also considers JetBlue's liquidity and capacity to raise additional funds if necessary as it manages through a period of weak profitability. Fitch has affirmed the ratings on JetBlue pass through trust certificates, series 2019-1 "A+" and 2020-1 at "A" and has also affirmed JetBlue's secured revolving credit facility at "BB+"/"RR1". Fitch's actions come days after Moody's downgraded JetBlue's corporate family rating to "B1 RUR-Down" from "Ba2" and its probability of default rating to "B1-PD RUR-Down" from "Ba2-PD".

IAG has issued a request for proposals for the financing of five widebodies set to be deployed by Spanish subsidiary Iberia. The airline group is seeking financing bids for two Airbus A350s and three A330-900neos being delivered to Iberia, a source who has seen the RFP says. IAG has declined to comment. IAG had an RFP out earlier this year for the financing of 10 aircraft, including two A350-100s and two Boeing 787-10s to be delivered to British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia.