Qatar Airways made an operating profit of QR10.8 billion ($3 billion) during the fiscal year ended 31 March, reversing a loss of QR1.05 billion the previous year. Revenue increased 78% to QR52.1 billion, a figure 2% higher than that for the pre-Covid financial year 2019-20, the Middle Eastern carrier notes. Net profit reached QR5.6 billion, rebounding from a loss of QR15 billion a year earlier. "These record earnings are the result of decisions made during the pandemic to expand the Qatar Airways' passenger and cargo networks, with a more accurate forecast of the global market recovery, building further customer and trade loyalty and product excellence combined with strong cost control," says the Oneworld member. It carried 18.5 million passengers during the 12-month period, a year-on-year increase of 218%. The airline's network grew to more than 140 destinations, opening new routes including Abidjan in Ivory Coast, Lusaka in Zambia, Harare in Zimbabwe, Almaty in Kazakhstan, and Kano and Port Harcourt in Nigeria. Additionally, Qatar Airways resumed flights to key markets across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. At 31 March, the group's cash and cash equivalents stood at QR39.9 billion. It ended the year with 257 aircraft in its fleet, comprising of 205 passenger aircraft, 30 freighters and 22 executive jets. "This year Qatar Airways Group celebrates a quarter of a century of history since its relaunch, whilst maintaining strong performance and growing profitability," states chief executive Akbar Al Baker. "Our strategic investments in a varied fleet of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft has helped us overcome the significant challenges related to capacity constraints while balancing commercial needs as swiftly as possible."

The US Federal Aviation Administration on 15 June proposed a rule that would require greater fuel efficiency for most large aircraft that would be manufactured after 1 January 2028 or that have not yet been certificated by the agency. The proposed rule that would affect "new subsonic jet aircraft and large turboprop and propeller aircraft" is aimed at meeting the goal set by ICAO of reaching net-zero emissions from aviation by 2050 and would also follow a law enacted in 2021 by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Public comments on the proposed rule must sent to FAA by 15 August. Aircraft already in operation would not be impacted by the proposed rule, FAA states, while noting that aircraft not yet certificated that would be impacted include Boeing 777X aircraft; future 787 models; and Airbus A330neo jets. "Civil aircraft such as these were responsible for 10% of domestic transportation emissions and 3% of total US greenhouse gas emissions prior to the pandemic," FAA says. "The emission standard in the proposed rule uses a metric that equates fuel efficiency and consumption with reductions in carbon dioxide. The proposed rule also accommodates a wide variety of fuel-efficient measures when manufacturing planes, including improvements to aerodynamics, engine propulsion efficiency and reductions in an aircraft’s empty mass before loading." A push by environmental activists and government officials during recent years to reduce emissions with the aim of minimising the damage of climate change has spurred companies including United Airlines and Boeing to invest in sustainable aviation fuel and other technologies to reduce emissions. Airlines during the Covid-19 pandemic also accelerated the retirement of older aircraft in favor of leasing or purchasing more fuel-efficient jets. Rising fuel prices are already increasing pressure on the aviation industry to increase fuel efficiency.

Sustainable aviation fuel has been delivered from a Texas refinery to New York LaGuardia airport via the Colonial and Buckeye pipeline systems, which according to Finnish renewable fuels producer Neste marks the first time existing petroleum pipelines have been used for SAF distribution to a New York airport. Delta Air Lines will use the SAF to power a flight from LaGuardia. The Atlanta-based carrier is a partner in the demonstration programme, along with Neste, Colonial and Buckeye. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey provided governmental and regulatory support. "These efforts show how existing infrastructure can be used to transport SAF to East Coast airports and drive down emissions – a critical step as we move toward a more sustainable future for air travel," Delta's chief sustainability officer Pamela Fletcher states. Neste says the partners have shown "that SAF can go anywhere there is an existing pipeline currently carrying fossil jet fuel". Chris Cooper, Neste's vice-president of renewable aviation in Americas, adds: "The US East Coast is home to some of the USA's busiest airports, and the vast majority of them get their fuel from the Colonial Pipeline system and, in New York, the Buckeye Pipeline system. What we're doing here is showing that just around the corner is a future where passengers at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson up to LaGuardia, JFK and EWR can board a plane flying on SAF." United Airlines in May agreed a deal with Neste to buy up to 52.5 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel over the next three years. The SAF will be used for United flights at Amsterdam Schiphol and "potentially other airports as well", the Chicago-based carrier stated on 10 May. Neste in August 2020 began supplying Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and JetBlue Airways with SAF for flights departing San Francisco International.