Rolls‑Royce has secured €64 million ($74 million) from the EU's Clean Aviation research programme to advance the development and planned ground testing of its UltraFan 30 demonstrator for future single‑aisle aircraft. The UK engine manufacturer helms a Clean Aviation project named UNIFIED – for "ultra novel and innovative fully integrated engine demonstrations" – which was announced in September 2025. Ground testing of the UltraFan 30 demonstrator is targeted for 2028, says Rolls-Royce. Participants in the UNIFIED project include Airbus, ITP Aero, Lufthansa Technik, TU Darmstadt, Aerospace Transmissions Technologies, Imperial College London and the aerospace research organisations DLR, NLR, ONERA and INSA Lyon. The project is intended as a "decisive step" toward a 30% reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions for short‑ to medium‑range aircraft entering service in 2035 compared with 2020, says Clean Aviation head of unit project management Maria Calvo Blanco. Rolls-Royce director of research and technology Alan Newby describes UNIFIED as "an important step in advancing the UltraFan technologies that could underpin a future narrowbody application", adding: "The narrowbody segment is central to global aviation growth and delivering step-change improvements in efficiency in this market is key to long-term sustainability."

Qantas has been awarded an additional 97 seats to operate a fifth weekly frequency between Brisbane and Honiara from 29 March despite opposition from Solomon Airlines. Australia's International Air Services Commission issued a determination on 13 March that awards the capacity for five years, with the service to be operated using Embraer 190s wet-leased Alliance Airlines. Qantas's application, which was filed on 23 January, drew only one response during the public comment period from Solomon Airlines which objected, citing that traffic on the route has been in decline in recent years, and the added competition threatened the viability of the route. "While the Commission acknowledges the concerns raised by Solomon Airlines regarding commercial impacts, the Commission considers that these primarily relate to the effect of increased competition on Solomon Airlines’ own commercial operations, rather than any demonstrable detriment to Australian public benefit," the determination states. Qantas's additional frequency will operate on Tuesdays when neither airline operates on the route, which the Commission says "consumers are likely to benefit from increased frequency and choice, and competitive pricing as a result of the additional capacity on the route". Solomon Airlines flies thrice-weekly services between Brisbane and Honiara using Airbus A320s, plus a weekly service to Munda, Cirium schedules data show.

Flight cancellations on 17 March reduced to just under 27% after a drone attack on fuel facilities near Dubai International airport a day earlier temporarily shut the airport. Flight tracking data indicates that on Tuesday there were only 721 flights cancelled out of the 2,674 scheduled, which was a slight improvement from the 34% cancellation rate the day prior. Yet, schedules data from the year prior show that the level of operations in the region remains at a relative trickle as several carriers extend their flight cancellations to the Middle East, while the key super connectors Emirates and Qatar Airways are not operating a commercial schedule.

That is as several news outlets report that air defenses in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have continued to intercept Iranian drones and missiles.

The Government of Dubai Media Office confirms on 18 March that " sounds heard across parts of the city were the result of successful air defense interception operations".

Despite the short-term challenges, analysis of schedules data indicates that over the last week of schedule filings, the net number of flights to be operated during the April-October period, largely covering the northern summer season, has increased by 20,497, generating nearly 2.5 million additional seats. Those are subject to change, but for now the indications are that despite the disruption to Middle Eastern airspace, spiking fuel prices and potential shifts in consumer sentiment, airlines are still planning for a strong peak travel season.