The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with the bulk of efforts to focus on sustainable aviation fuel. AAPA director general Subhas Menon unveiled the net zero-emissions target at a media briefing on 13 September, describing it as a "challenging long-term goal" that exceeds the industry's existing target of halving carbon emissions by 2050. The target also builds on previous short- and mid-term goals that the industry has set, such as 1.5% fuel-efficiency improvement and stabilising net CO2 emissions through carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards, through ICAO's CORSIA programme. Of AAPA's 14 member airlines, ANA, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific have already committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Its remaining members include Air Astana, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, China Airlines, Eva Air, Garuda Indonesia, Philippine Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines and Thai Airways. The association is looking into four key areas to achieve the reduction, focusing mainly on commercialisation of SAF. This will require the production of SAF in "significant quantities" and in a cost-effective manner, to be used to cut emissions from flights of over 1,500km, which account for about 80% of the total in Asia-Pacific. “The Asia-Pacific region will constitute some 40% of global SAF demand, but production and supply facilities in the region are lacking," says Menon. "Allocation of sufficient resources to convert feedstock, like municipal or agricultural waste, waste oils from food production and other biomass for the production of SAF will make a critical difference." He estimates that the region will need to increase production facilities to about 2,500 to supply the region's SAF needs. "Support from governments and other stakeholders to commercialise SAF through research and development, subsidies, incentives, as well as the allocation of resources for its development and distribution, will be crucial to ensure adequate and cost-effective supplies to meet the needs of the airline industry," he says. AAPA is also looking to reduce carbon emissions in other areas. Menon expects that technological advancements on hydrogen and electric aircraft will contribute about 15-20% in carbon reductions in the region. These are set to affect flights of less than 1,500km but are unlikely to be ready before 2035. Another 10-12% reduction is set to come from operational and infrastructure initiatives, such as waste and weight management and route navigation economics to reduce carbon emission in operations. The goal also builds on existing global market-based measures, namely ICAO's CORSIA programme as the "agreed global mechanism for offsetting growth in international aviation CO2 emissions since 2020". "AAPA wholly supports ICAO’s efforts on this front, and will continue to encourage states to fully participate in the scheme. In addition, investment in emerging sources of energy such as direct carbon capture and carbon sequestration when these become viable, could complement the industry’s efforts towards achieving net-zero emissions.”

Indian low-cost airline SpiceJet says it has "commercially agreed a settlement" with CDB Aviation, from which it leases Boeing 737 Max jets. "This will add to a previously announced settlement with Avolon and grow SpiceJet's fleet of 737 Max aircraft", the airline says in a filing to the BSE. SpiceJet looks to start operating the aircraft around the end of September, subject to regulatory approvals. Data indicates that SpiceJet leases two 737 Max 8s from CDB Aviation. The aircraft delivered in January 2019. It also leases two 737 Max 8s from Avolon, which were delivered in December 2018 and March 2019. It is not clear whether CDB Aviation and SpiceJet have fully signed their agreement. SpiceJet did not give further details in its announcement.

South African carrier Comair has secured capital inflows of R270 million ($19 million) following the sale of its SLOW Lounge business to FirstRand Bank for R250 million and the receipt of a R20 million payment from South African Airways (SAA). The move is a "significant step" towards the successful conclusion of Comair's business rescue process, according to its administrators. The process was initiated as the carrier battled heavy losses amid Covid-19. Comair, which operates the kulula.com low-cost brand and a British Airways franchise on domestic routes, suspended services between 5 July and 1 September because of pandemic restrictions. "There is still work to be done but these capital inflows, the fact that Comair is back in the skies and again earning revenue coupled with the commitment by the investors to support the viability and sustainability of the business all point to a positive outcome," states Richard Ferguson, one of Comair's business-rescue practitioners. The payment from SAA was part of R1.1 billion that the state-owned business owes Comair under a damages settlement for anti-competitive behaviour. SAA made an initial payment of R289 million in February 2019, with the balance payable in instalments until July 2022. These payments ceased when SAA entered administration in December 2019.