Star Alliance chief executive Jeffrey Goh will be leaving his post at the end of 2022, six years after assuming leadership of the airline network. Goh is stepping down "to pursue other interests", says the alliance, which is beginning an international search for a successor. "On behalf of my colleagues across Star Alliance, I thank Jeffrey for his leadership and important contributions to Star Alliance and wish him well in his next endeavours," states United Airlines' Scott Kirby, who chairs the alliance's chief executive board. Goh joined Star Alliance in 2007 from IATA, having previously taught and practised law. He was chief operating officer and general counsel of Star Alliance before being promoted to chief executive in January 2017. The alliance says Goh was responsible for implementing among the airline partners "a biometrics solution, improved ability of customers selecting seats on a multi-airline itinerary and the automation of mileage accrual and redemption".

Regulators in Saudi Arabia have opened the country's airspace to all commercial carriers worldwide, ending an exclusion of those based in Israel. The kingdom's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) disclosed in a 15 July Twitter post that it had opened the country's airspace "for all air carriers that meet the requirements of the authority for overflying" as well as those stipulated in the Chicago Convention of 1944. GACA adds that the decision is "aimed at consolidating the kingdom's position as a global hub connecting three continents, and to enhance international air connectivity". Israeli carriers' international traffic within the Middle East in July is limited to El Al's 24 flights connecting Tel Aviv and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Israeli carriers El Al and Israir began flights to Dubai in December 2020 following the Israeli government's signing of a diplomatic normalisation agreement with its UAE counterparts in September 2020.

UK-based electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer Vertical Aerospace has confirmed delivery slots for the first 50 of its pre-existing order for VX4 aircraft from American Airlines, and has secured from the US major a commitment of associated pre-delivery payments. American in June 2021 agreed a pre-order commitment for up to 250 VX4 eVTOL aircraft from Vertical Aerospace. The carrier at the time said it would invest $1 billion in Vertical as part of the deal, which includes an option to order an additional 100 aircraft and a further $25 million investment in the manufacturer through a private investment in public equity. "The commitment to pay pre-delivery payments and confirmation of slot reservations for the first 50 aircraft is believed to be the first of its kind for a major airline in the eVTOL industry, and it marks a significant milestone in the partnership between American and Vertical," the UK manufacturer states. American’s chief financial officer Derek Kerr adds: "Our partnership with Vertical is a great example of progress in our commitment to reducing carbon emissions throughout our airline and the industry." Separately, Vertical disclosed on 15 July that European business jet operator FlyingGroup has "conditionally" pre-ordered up to 50 VX4 aircraft.