Korean Air has signed a sustainable aviation fuel co-operation programme agreement with logistics company Yusen Logistics to further promote the use of SAF in the air cargo industry. The two companies will collaborate on promoting SAF usage within the Asian region in alignment with the aviation industry's climate change goals, the airline says. Yusen Logistics is the airline's first cargo SAF partner based in Japan. “We are delighted to welcome Yusen Logistics as our cargo SAF programme partner, to jointly promote and implement SAF usage”, says Jaedong Eum, head of cargo business division at Korean Air. “With this partnership with Korean Air, we are able to support our customers to decarbonize their supply chains and help stimulate larger supply for SAF,” adds Eisuke Fukagawa, global head of airfreight forwarding group at Yusen Logistics. In September 2023, Korean Air launched a programme to use SAF for air cargo operations with air cargo customers and forwarders. Under the programme, customers are able to purchase SAF for air cargo operations, and Korean Air will share the carbon emissions reductions with its customers.

South African Airways (SAA) will reinstate its services between Johannesburg and Perth, effective 28 April. The carrier says it will operate thrice weekly flights between Tambo International airport and Perth International airport using Airbus A340-300s. The Perth route marks the second interoceanic route to be reopened within six months of the successful launch of the Sao Paulo, Brazil route on 31 October 2023. According to SAA chief executive John Lamola, the airline's operations to Perth are "in line with the airline's strategic plans" to scale its operations to a profitable level by leveraging its unique capabilities as a national carrier with widebody aircraft that can provide South Africa with long-haul intercontinental air connectivity. "The recommencement of the route provides an easier and direct passage for both leisure and business travellers, promoting trade and cultural exchange between South Africa and Australia," he adds.

Boeing is revising the instructions it had sent to the US Federal Aviation Administration on 8 January intended to provide carriers with a method to comply with the US regulator's 737 Max 9 emergency airworthiness directive. Upon reviewing Boeing's initial instructions, the FAA on 8 January approved and issued to affected carriers an inspection process and requirements for returning grounded Max 9 jets to service. On 9 January FAA disclosed that Boeing was revising those instructions, and suggested that those revisions and a subsequent review by the regulator might further delay the return to service of the grounded Max 9s. "Boeing offered an initial version of instructions yesterday which they are now revising because of feedback received in response," the FAA stated on 9 January, adding: "Upon receiving the revised version of instructions from Boeing the FAA will conduct a thorough review." It adds: "The safety of the flying public, not speed, will determine the timeline for returning the Boeing 737-9 Max to service." The FAA on 6 January ordered the temporary grounding of certain 737 Max 9 aircraft operated by US airlines or in US territory following a mid-cabin door blow-out event on a 5 January Alaska Airlines flight operated with a Max 9. "Every Boeing 737-9 Max with a plug door will remain grounded until the FAA finds each can safely return to operation," the regulator said on 9 January, adding: "To begin this process, Boeing must provide instructions to operators for inspections and maintenance." Boeing says that it continues to be "in close contact" with its customers and the FAA on the required inspections. "As part of the process, we are making updates based on their feedback and requirements," Boeing says.