The European Union Aviation Safety Agency is commissioning research into the fire risk posed by lithium batteries in personal electronic devices (PEDs) of passengers and crew in aircraft cabins. EASA says the objective of the study, a tender for which has been issued, is to develop new emergency procedures and improve existing ones. Noting the constantly growing number of lithium metal and ion batteries on aircraft, the EU regulator states: "Lithium batteries, regardless of whether they are contained in equipment or not, are one of the main causes of incidents reported in the cabin. The main risks are fire and smoke, which can lead to catastrophic events." There are currently no limits on the number of lithium batteries that can be brought on board. Meanwhile, EASA says, battery power limits "are not based on any scientific data". Fire tests will be conducted as part of the project to provide "evidence for the establishment of limits (power output and quantity)" and to assess what effects battery number and energy have on fire risk. A key objective is to better understand causes, consequences and patterns of lithium-battery thermal runaways, EASA says. As lithium batteries can be both an ignition source and fuel for existing fires, the regulator also wants to determine fume toxicity and the risk of smoke penetration in the cockpit. EASA says it will separately assess fumes coming from batteries and materials in which batteries may be embedded. While tests will be focused on items that comply with current regulations, the study should additionally consider "risks posed by potentially undeclared items and predictions for future developments", EASA adds. With the EU-financed project, the regulator wants to support operators in assessing fire risks associated with lithium batteries and "identify the need for safety promotion for passengers", it says.

Embraer predicts that Malaysian airlines will require 60 new commercial aircraft in the Brazilian airframer's segment over the next 10 years. "Driving this demand is the opportunity for aircraft under 150 seats to complement larger aircraft prevalent in the country and enhance the viability of establishing new routes or increasing the frequency of existing routes… within Peninsula Malaysia and to East Malaysia," the manufacturer says. Embraer Commercial Aviation chief executive Arjan Meijer notes a "potential for domestic and regional connectivity to multiply in Malaysia". He states: "Airlines can deploy these regional jets with the assurance of its low operating costs and superior aircraft performance, coupled with its green credentials." The manufacturer is showcasing its E195-E2 at the Selangor Aviation Show. Earlier this month, Embraer indicated in its 20-year market outlook that the global airlines will require 10,900 aircraft of up to 150 seats through 2040, with a total value of $650 billion. The forecast consists of 8,640 jets and 2,260 turboprops, of which 25% and nearly 40% will be taken up by Asia-Pacific airlines, respectively. Embraer predicts global revenue passenger-kilometres to annually grow 3.3% annually through to 2040, and 4.2% in Asia-Pacific.

European air traffic capacity has pulled back after increases in October and early November, according to air traffic manager Eurocontrol, with data showing deterioration in the sector's performance relative to 2019. Figures presented as part of Eurocontrol's latest Comprehensive Assessment shows that whereas on 10 November there were 18% fewer flights compared with two years prior, by 24 November this had widened to a 23% decline. In late October, the decline against two years prior was only around 16%, highlighting how gains made through the autumn have reversed over the past month. A resurgence in Covid-19 cases across several countries has led to renewed restrictions including a lockdown in Austria, raising fears that air traffic could begin to pull back. However, it is notable that most of the deterioration visible in Eurocontrol's data happened from late October to mid November, since when it has been roughly stable. In absolute terms, the number of flights decreased from a peak of around 26,700 on 27 August to circa 20,000 on 24 November, although as traffic usually declines through the autumn this masks a sharp improvement in relative performance through the second half of October. Intercontinental flows to and from Europe were down 30% on 24 November, compared with 2019, while legacy carriers were operating at a 32% decline and low-costs ones of 27%. Cargo traffic was 8% above 2019 levels, while there were larger gains in business aviation (+21%) and charter (+23%). The busiest aircraft operator on 24 November was Ryanair, which operated 1,822 flights over the period, an increase of 18% on two years previously. This makes it the only top 10 airline to increase its flying activity versus the two-years-prior reference point. Ryanair operated more than twice as many flights as the second-largest carrier, Turkish Airlines, which flew 969, a decrease of 17% on 2019. Lufthansa was third with 932 flights, followed by Air France and KLM, on 765 and 593 flights, respectively – all notable decreases on 2019. For airports, Eurocontrol's data shows that London Gatwick had the greatest decline in flights on 24 November compared with two years earlier: one of 67%. The UK airport was followed by Dusseldorf and Rome Fiumicino, with falls of 48% and 45% respectively.