Mexicana's Investment, Aeroméxico's Green Goals: Aerospace Week

IATA announced the SAF Registry to boost Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) use, launching in Q1 2025. Meanwhile, airlines are adopting turbulence prediction technology following recent incidents. On the national front, Volaris and Iberia are enhancing Europe-Mexico connectivity with a new codeshare agreement. Additionally, Mexicana de Aviación has received a US$750 million investment for expansion.

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IATA Unveils SAF Registry to Boost Sustainable Aviation Fuel Use

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the creation of the SAF Registry, aimed at expediting the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) by authoritatively accounting for and reporting emissions reductions. This initiative is supported by 17 airlines, one airline group, six national authorities, three Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and one fuel producer. The Registry's launch is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.

Airlines Turn to Turbulence Prediction Tech After Recent Incident

In response to recent high-profile turbulence incidents, airlines are showing greater interest in turbulence prediction technology, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Volaris, Iberia Partner to Improve Europe-Mexico Connectivity

Volaris, a Mexican low-cost airline, and Iberia, a Spanish airline owned by the IAG group, have signed a codeshare agreement to enhance connectivity between Europe and Mexico via Mexico City. The agreement, subject to regulatory approval from both countries, is expected to be operational by July.

Mexicana de Aviación to Receive US$750 Million for Expansion

The Mexican government has announced an investment of US$750 million (MX$13.8 billion) in the modernization and expansion of Mexicana de Aviación, earmarked for the purchase of 20 new Embraer E2 aircraft as announced on June 6.

Claudia Sheinbaum's Aerospace Agenda

Claudia Sheinbaum Prado, Mexico’s president-elect, has outlined several proposals for the aerospace industry during her campaign, focusing on expanding airport infrastructure, strengthening national security via satellite technology, and enhancing the performance of the state-owned airline, Mexicana de Aviación, as well as other state-owned enterprises related to airport operations. The key initiatives presented by Sheinbaum are as follows:

FAA Directive Impacts Gulfstream G500/G600 Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) affecting specific Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 aircraft. This directive follows a concerning incident where a rear engine mount failure was discovered during a routine pre-flight inspection, revealing a noticeable misalignment of the engine.

AEM Announces EMIDSS-6 Testing Mission with NASA

The Mexican Space Agency (AEM) has announced that the EMIDSS-6 (Experimental Module for Iterative Design for Satellite Subsystems) space module will undergo testing in a mission conducted by NASA, scheduled for December.

Aeroméxico Targets 25% Sustainable Aviation Fuel by 2030

Aeroméxico aims for 25% of its aviation fuel to be sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030. This target includes achieving 20% of this SAF from domestic production within Mexico.

Pentagon to Use SpaceX's Starshield for Military Communications

In a shift towards low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, the US Department of Defense (DoD) plans to integrate more than 100 of SpaceX’s Starshield satellites into its future satellite communications (satcom) architecture. This initiative marks a transition from using SpaceX's commercial Starlink service to a government-owned Starshield constellation designed for enhanced security.