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.”

The Federal Court of Malaysia has dismissed an application by the Malaysia Competitions Commission (MyCC) over a MYR10 million ($2.4 million) fine on AirAsia, which was imposed in 2014. “AirAsia Berhad welcomes the decision of the Federal Court on 9 February in dismissing the application by the Malaysia Competitions Commission for leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision in holding that the MyCC cannot seek judicial review against the decision of the Competition Appeal Tribunal,” Capital A, previously known as AirAsia Group, says in a 10 February filing to Bursa Malaysia. Malaysia's competition regulator had decided to impose fines of MYR10 million each on AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines for infringing competition laws under their aborted share swap deal agreed in 2011. The deal also violated laws that ban market sharing on domestic services. In 2016, Malaysia’s Competition Appeal Tribunal overturned fines levied on AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines for alleged collusion. The short-lived collaboration between the two carriers was called off in May 2012 following opposition from Malaysia Airlines unions. The court concluded that “the case is not an appropriate case for the apex court to answer the questions of law posed by MyCC and further awarded cost of MYR30,000 to AirAsia.” With the dismissal of the application, Malaysia Competitions Commission’s decision which carried a MYR10 million fine against AirAsia remains overturned.

Singapore Airlines (SIA), with support from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and investment company Temasek, has entered into an agreement to purchase blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from US energy company ExxonMobil for a one-year pilot in Singapore. This product will comprise 1.25 million litres (330,000 USgal) of neat SAF, which will be supplied by Finnish energy company Neste and blended with refined jet fuel at ExxonMobil’s facilities in Singapore, SIA and CAAS sayin a joint statement. SIA has agreed to take delivery of this blended fuel at its Changi airport base by the end of July. The fuel will be used to power all Singapore Airlines and low-cost subsidiary Scoot flights as part of the pilot project in Singapore. ExxonMobil was selected as the vendor to supply and deliver SAF following a request for proposal on 10 November 2021 to invite select producers and fuel suppliers to develop and execute plans to deliver blended SAF to Singapore Changi airport. It is a follow-up to an earlier study conducted by the Singapore government and industry players on the operational and commercial viability of using SAF at Changi airport. SIA’s senior vice-president, corporate planning Lee Wen Fen states: “Sustainable aviation fuels are a key decarbonisation lever and a critical pathway for the success of the SIA Group’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This pilot reinforces our commitment towards decarbonisation and sustainability across our operations. By collaborating with our partners, we can accelerate and scale up the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels in Singapore.”