Virgin Group has formed a strategic partnership with chemical conversion technology company Agilyx, with the aim of turning plastic waste into lower-carbon jet fuel that could potentially be used by Virgin Atlantic. The two sides say they plan to use discarded plastics that would otherwise have gone to landfill to produce synthetic crude oil, which would then be refined into fuel. Virgin Atlantic and other Virgin Group companies could become "early adopters" of the fuel, as part of efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Virgin Group says it will work with Agilyx to develop waste-to-fuel production facilities, initially in the USA but with plans to later roll out plants in other countries, including the UK. Virgin Group tells Cirium that the new fuel is "on a pathway for certification, but it's too early in the process to have achieved this already". It adds that this is why it has labelled it a lower-carbon fuel, rather than a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) – for which a number of certified pathways already exist. The group says it will confirm "in due course" how much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse-gas emissions will be saved by using the new fuel, in comparison with kerosene, but notes: "We are already confident that over the life cycle of this fuel compared with fossil fuel, it will lead to far fewer emissions." Virgin says it hopes to see the first fuel produced "in around three years". It declines to disclose how much of an investment the new partnership represents for Virgin. Agilyx, in which Virgin Group has been an investor for several years, uses a pyrolysis process to break down plastic waste and convert it into crude oil. Cyclyx, a feedstock company that is majority-owned by Agilyx, will source the plastic waste. "This platform is unique as it will be used for lower-carbon fuels and has the future opportunity for the production of circular plastics," says Agilyx chief executive Tim Stedman. Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss adds: "In this decade, sustainable aviation fuel is the key solution for decarbonisation of the aviation sector, but we have a long way to go. Clearing the skies for tomorrow requires radical collaboration across innovators, producers, investors and airlines." The partnership is the second alternative fuels announcement from Virgin in as many weeks. Earlier this month, Virgin Atlantic signed its first agreement for the commercial supply of SAF, as part of its commitment to meet a 10% sustainable aviation fuel target by 2030. The UK long-haul carrier agreed to take delivery of 2.5 million litres of SAF from Finnish energy company Neste at its London Heathrow base in the first half of this year.

Vietnam will lift Covid-19-related restrictions on regular international flights from 15 February, allowing flight frequency to return pre-pandemic levels. “As of 17:00 (UTC) on February 14, 2022, Vietnam lifted restrictions on passenger transport on scheduled and non-routine flights,” according to a 13 February statement by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam. The authority has requested the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation to issue a NOTAM to reopen regular international routes following directives from Vietnam’s prime minister and transport ministry to resume regular international routes with countries and territories as per normal before the Covid-19 pandemic. Passengers entering Vietnam must comply with current regulations on immigration and medical control, it adds. Vietnam announced a gradual recommencement of international services early this year.

Collins Aerospace is investing in new aircraft interior products that will minimise the spread of pathogens and promote a hygienic inflight environment, as part of a program to reassure passengers following the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking at the Singapore air show, Talel Kamel, vice president for international business development, customer and account management, explains that the equipment manufacturer has accelerated its development of interior technology such as touchless bathroom doors and surfaces and lighting that inhibit pathogens. A heightened need for onboard hygiene is "there to stay", he notes, explaining that: "It has been there before, but the pandemic has accelerated the focus on this." The investment is part of Collins' Redefining Air Travel program, designed to provide reassurance to customers about the safety of air travel. "[Passenger] requirements have evolved," Kamel explains. "It's still about comfort, but also about hygiene and cleanliness." He lists such products alongside MRO and sustainability as areas that will be a key driver of growth for Collins in the coming years. As the pandemic appears to be coming under control in several regions, the company believes that leading indicators of demand are “indicative of a resilient recovery”, supported by the prospect of increase manufacturing rates at OEM's. Regarding controversy about production rates with Airbus A320-family aircraft, Kamel declines to indicate whether the higher levels that have been muted – 70-75 per month has been mentioned by the airframer – but did say that transparency and long range forecasting for 12-18 months ahead “will help us.” He adds: “Coming out of pandemic need to work together to ensure people, process and source materials are there for the ramp-up.”