Neste has begun producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its refinery in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, as part of its plan to significantly expand SAF supply in Europe. The Finland-based renewable fuels specialist has modified its Rotterdam facility to produce up to 500,000 tonnes of SAF each year, which it says will increase its global SAF production capability to 1.5 million tonnes annually. Neste aims to produce 2.7 million tonnes of SAF and renewable diesel each year at the Rotterdam refinery from 2027. It envisages that its total annual SAF production capability by this point will be 2.2 million tonnes. The company also has refineries in Singapore and in Porvoo, Finland. "Our SAF production capability, now also in Rotterdam, enables us to significantly contribute to the implementation of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation and similar SAF mandates," states Neste chief executive Heikki Malinen. "Policies like these are crucial to ramping up SAF production and usage, and we need to keep our ambitions and targets high."

Intelsat's multi-orbit satellite-based in-flight connectivity solution will be available as a line-fit option on Embraer E-Jet E2 aircraft, following a final agreement announced by the two companies during the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. The solution uses Intelsat's geostationary (GEO) satellite network and Eutelsat OneWeb's low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide what the company says is high-speed, low-latency in-flight connectivity. It incorporates an electronically steered array (ESA) antenna, which switches between GEO and LEO satellites to provide the best coverage at any given time. The Intelsat ESA will be available as a line-fit option by the end of this year. "Passengers on Embraer E2 aircraft will soon enjoy the same high-speed internet access from the clouds that they enjoy at home, thanks to our wide coverage and low latency," states Intelsat director of OEM programmes Rob Baird. Martyn Holmes, chief commercial officer at Embraer Commercial Aviation, adds: "Factory-installation of the Intelsat ESA is a good example of how we're making it easier for our customers to offer an improved passenger experience as soon as the aircraft is delivered. "Reliable, high-speed connectivity is a key opportunity to significantly improve passengers' onboard experience – helping to keep airlines competitive and their passengers productive and entertained in flight."

Tim Arel, chief operating officer of the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) air traffic organisation, is retiring from his role earlier than planned and a new management team has been brought in at Ronald Reagan Washington National airport. A spokesperson for the FAA confirms that Arel “is choosing to retire” as part of the US Department of Transportation’s voluntary deferred resignation programme. Arel had been planning to retire at the end of 2025 after 40 years of federal service. The FAA spokesperson says he will stay on “for the next few months to ensure a smooth transition”. The FAA has also confirmed that a new management team has been installed at Washington National (DCA) airport, “to ensure strong support for the workforce”. Their priorities, says the agency, will include “reviewing safety data trends while preventing/correcting drift, performance management, and ensuring facility training is robust and consistently meets national standards”. The changes come as the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues its investigation into the 29 January mid-air collision near DCA of an MHIRJ CRJ700 being operated for American Airlines by PSA Airlines and a US Army Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter. There were no survivors among the 64 people on the regional jet or the three on the helicopter. Last month, the FAA said it was permanently restricting non-essential helicopter operations around Washington National and eliminating mixed fixed-wing and helicopter traffic. The move came after the NTSB asked the agency to prohibit helicopter operations near the airport when runways 15 and 33 are in use, and to designate an alternative helicopter route.