Embraer's availability of E-Jet delivery slots from 2026 represents a "competitive advantage" versus Airbus and Boeing, the Brazilian airframer's chief executive Francisco Gomes Neto believes. Speaking during a financial results briefing on 18 March, Gomes Neto said that order activity in recent years had concentrated on larger aircraft than Embraer's E-Jet family. "But now," he adds, "we are also noticing an interest in smaller aircraft." Citing a recent study that a third of international aircraft demand is not being met, he suggests "there is an opportunity for airlines to add capacity to their fleets quickly" by ordering E-Jets. Airbus previously said it has no delivery slots for new A320-family orders before 2030. Boeing's 737 ramp-up plan, meanwhile, has been put on hold by the US Federal Aviation Administration as part of its probe in the US airframer's quality processes following the Alaska Airlines Max 9 in-flight door-plug separation accident in January. Beyond the E190-E2 and E195-E2, Embraer sees continued demand for first-generation E175s because of improvements in the US pilot labour market, Gomes Neto says. He estimates 30-40 annual E175 deliveries to replace in-service aircraft. New E175s are mostly being ordered by US operators because it is the sole in-production aircraft that complies with scope clauses in US collective labour agreements. Gomes Neto says that Embraer is involved in international sales campaigns totalling more than 200 commercial aircraft and predicts that the company's E-Jet production will grow to more than 100 annual deliveries between 2025 and 2026. He cites talks with Lufthansa Group about potential replacement of E-Jets in its fleet and a request for proposals by Polish carrier LOT for 48 new aircraft as examples of ongoing sales campaigns. Embraer targets 72-80 deliveries in 2024. The company handed 64 E-Jets to customers last year, citing supply chain bottlenecks as having limited output. The supply chain situation has become better since 2022, Gomes Neto says, noting close collaboration with suppliers to manage material flow to the airframer's production lines. "I am sure there will be more improvements in 2024 on major bottlenecks, especially when it comes to critical parts for production such as engines." Gomes Neto warns "there may be difficulties and delays" during the second half of this year, but he expresses confidence that the company will meet its guidance. "We are very confident because we have been conservative when it comes to the supply commitment."

Air New Zealand has issued an 'opportunity statement' seeking global partnerships to supply it with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The carrier states that the document provides an overview of its SAF requirements based on network, fleet, sustainability targets and other criteria, and is looking to enter into offtake agreements over the short- and long-term. Chief sustainability officer Kiri Hannifin says that finding a stable supply of SAF is critical to reducing the airline's emissions. "That’s why we’ve taken this novel approach, asking emerging SAF producers from around the world to connect with us and respond to the Opportunity Statement," she adds. The airline expects it will require SAF to make up around 20% of its fuel uptake by 2030, and is also advocating for a strategic regulatory package to support its uptake. In 2022 the airline took its first import of 1.2 million litres of SAF that was blended with fuelling infrastructure at Auckland airport. "Air New Zealand is an ideal airline partner for SAF innovators and producers. We have a mature understanding of SAF, a clear roadmap to meet our targets, and the volumes of SAF we need to align with current production capabilities," says Hannifin.

Rolls-Royce plans to restart assembly of Trent XWB-84 engines at its Dahlewitz site, as part of a wider effort to grow production and MRO capacity across both the German facility and the UK manufacturer's Derby headquarters. The project involves investment of £55 million ($70 million) and recruitment of more than 300 staff, says Rolls-Royce. About half of the investment and two thirds of the additional jobs are allocated to Derby. The aim of the UK investment is to grow engine build capacity in Derby and increase deliveries from the site by more than 40% from 2025. Aftermarket support capacity will also be increased at the site, Rolls-Royce adds. Trent XWB-84 assembly at Dahlewitz will resume in 2026 under the plan. Rolls-Royce tells Cirium that an overhaul line for the Airbus A350-900-powering engine will be set up at the site this year and subsequently converted for production. The manufacturer had begun assembling Trent XWB-84s in Dahlewitz in 2017 (alongside their production in Derby), as the only commercial turbofan to be produced at the site. Amid the pandemic, however, Rolls-Royce consolidated all its commercial engine assembly in Derby, also ending Trent 1000 production in Singapore. Dahlewitz, located outside Berlin, is home to Rolls-Royce's business-jet engine activities. The manufacturer in late 2019 announced its intention to support Trent engines at the site, but the plan was not completed amid the pandemic. The facility's large-engine test capacity will be used to "support near-term services demand", says Rolls-Royce. It predicts that the number of Trent-powered aircraft in service will increase by 7-9% per annum through 2030. Last month, the company outlined a £1 billion continuous improvement programme for the Trent engine family. "These latest investments in our engine build and services capacity is further proof of our commitment to deliver both excellent products and services to our global customer base," states Rolls-Royce civil aerospace president Rob Watson.