Rolls-Royce is preparing to start ground tests of its UltraFan demonstrator engine in early 2023. The UK manufacturer says it has moved the demonstrator from its build workshop at the company's Derby main base and mounted it to "Testbed 80". Opened in 2020, that testbed was "especially built to accommodate the size and technical complexity of the UltraFan demonstrator", Rolls-Royce notes. The testbed has been used for other engines too. The aim of the UltraFan project is to mature technology for a new engine generation that could enter service from 2030. The demonstrator features a geared 140in fan, driven by a two-spool core with new architecture and materials. Rolls-Royce predicts 25% lower fuel consumption versus the Trent 700, available as an option on Airbus A330ceos, and that it could eek out another 10% efficiency "in the longer term". It notes that UltraFan technology could be used to update in-production engine models. The programme will deliver technology "to support sustainable air travel for decades to come", Rolls-Royce foresees. "Seeing the UltraFan demonstrator come together and getting ready for test in Testbed 80 is a great way to end the year," Rolls-Royce civil aerospace president Chris Cholerton states. "We have all been waiting for this moment, which is such an important milestone for the programme and for the team who have worked on it." Rolls-Royce says the demonstrator will be tested with 100% sustainable aviation fuel. The manufacturer has a target that all its Trent and business aviation engines be compatible with full SAF use by 2023.

Kenya Airways has suspended ticket sales in Malawi due to the challenge of repatriation of funds from the country and to mitigate against further losses. The suspension will only affect reservations made in Malawi, and travellers can still book and buy tickets online, the airline says. Kenya Airways has been operating in Malawi since 1977 and failure to collect the funds will see the carrier suspending its operations in Malawi, it adds.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has criticised Wizz Air as being "clearly the worst airline" when it comes to escalated complaints and delays in paying passengers for what they are owed. The latest quarterly data from the regulator gives a figure of 811 per million passengers for complaints about the airline that were escalated to the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme or handled by the CAA's in-house team. With the exception of Royal Brunei Airlines, with a figure of 555, other airlines had less than half as many complaints, and many far less. The CAA also highlights the time Wizz is taking to process claims from passengers, plus the large number of unpaid County Court Judgements (CCJs) against the airline. "The UK Civil Aviation Authority has been clear with Wizz Air that this is an unacceptable way to treat passengers and that it is imperative for the issues to be tackled urgently," it says. The regulator has given the carrier a Christmas deadline to resolve overdue complaints and claims. Issues with CCJs may continue into January, but the CAA is urging Wizz to priorities these payments also. "We will continue to monitor the situation. Where we have evidence that an airline is letting passengers down, we won't hesitate to take further action where required," states Anna Bowles, head of consumer policy and enforcement at the CAA. Wizz Air responds that it is "deeply sorry" for the inconvenience caused to its customers and is "working hard to put things right and resolve all outstanding claims as quickly as possible". It attributes the delays to the disruption seen in the summer, which resulted in an unprecedented number of claims. "We have recently doubled the size of our customer services team and are working continuously to process all outstanding customer claims, Alternative Dispute Resolution claims and settle all County Court Judgements," adds the airline.