by Elsie Clark | Feb 4, 2026 | Avionics, Innovation
The Cathay Group has selected Thales to provide advanced avionics for its latest fleet expansion. The agreement covers 30 Airbus A330neo aircraft for Cathay Pacific and 18 A321neo/A320neo jets for its budget carrier, HK Express.
A central feature of the deal is the PureFlyt Flight Management System (FMS). Renowned for its trajectory precision, this FMS uses an intuitive interface to streamline pilot tasks. By optimising flight paths, the system significantly reduces fuel consumption and eases airspace congestion.
Safety is further bolstered by the inclusion of 5G-immune Radio Altimeters, which prevent interference from mobile networks. The aircraft will also be fitted with the T3CAS collision avoidance system and Head-Up Displays (HUD), allowing pilots to monitor critical data while keeping their eyes on the horizon.
Thomas Mouveaux, General Manager APAC for Aviation Global Services, Thales, said:
Thales is committed to providing airlines around the world with innovative products and services and a premium customer experience. We look forward to supporting Cathay Pacific and HK Express with our integrated, next-generation technologies that enhance flight safety, operational efficiency, and cockpit connectivity.
Cathay Pacific’s A330neo fleet will receive an additional boost with the AVIATOR S satellite communications system, providing high-speed, secure data links for improved operational flexibility. These technologies combine to deliver superior fuel efficiency and lower emissions through more accurate flight pathing. Furthermore, the integration of advanced collision technology and HUDs provides flight crews with much higher levels of situational awareness. By adopting 5G-resilient hardware and reliable connectivity, the group ensures its fleet is fully prepared for the complexities of modern airspace..
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by Elsie Clark | Feb 3, 2026 | AI & ML, Connectivity, Innovation
Two of Elon Musk’s key businesses, SpaceX and xAI, are to merge as the tech mogul consolidates his business interests. Experts suggest the merger will create the world’s most valuable private company.
Operating across space and satellites, SpaceX has become one of the most well-known aerospace businesses. Its Starlink constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites is becoming increasingly valuable as a global connectivity provider, with multiple airlines signing deals for inflight WiFi through Starlink. xAI, meanwhile, is best known as the operator of the AI chatbot Grok, which has hit the headlines for generating explicit material and incorrect statements.
Estimates currently value xAI at US$125 billion, and SpaceX at US$1 trillion. A statement signed by Musk and shared on the SpaceX website said:
SpaceX has acquired xAI to form the most ambitious, vertically-integrated innovation engine on (and off) Earth, with AI, rockets, space-based internet, direct-to-mobile device communications and the world’s foremost real-time information and free speech platform.
The post adds that ‘space-based AI’ and ‘orbital data centres’ will be the focus of the merger. Musk explains:
My estimate is that within 2 to 3 years, the lowest cost way to generate AI compute [sic] will be in space. This cost-efficiency alone will enable innovative companies to forge ahead in training their AI models and processing data at unprecedented speeds and scales, accelerating breakthroughs in our understanding of physics and invention of technologies to benefit humanity.
He notes that the project will eventually involve factories on the Moon and expansion throughout the Universe, a cherished personal goal for Musk who has long nurtured the idea of establishing human civilisation on Mars.
SpaceX has proven to be an incredibly disruptive force in the aerospace world. Its dominance has forced its rivals Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales, to merge their aerospace operations in a bid to establish a credible European alternative to the Texas-based giant. While Elon Musk loves to make big promises, it can’t be denied that SpaceX, as well as his other companies including xAI and Tesla, have been incredibly impactful on their respective industries. What comes from merging his AI and aerospace businesses, whether it’s data centres in space or the promised factories on the Moon, will be eagerly anticipated across the industry.
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by Elsie Clark | Jan 29, 2026 | Innovation
This interview is taken from our sister site, World Aviation Festival.
Handling 87 million passengers every year, Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) is the third-busiest airport in the world. At the same time, for three consecutive years, Airports Council International (ACI) has recognised DFW as one of the best large airports in North America. So how does the Texan airport achieve its high customer service scores while processing such huge traveller numbers?
Paul Puopolo, DFW’s Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, believes tech investment has been instrumental to improving airport processes and enhancing the traveller experience.
We began our innovation journey about six years ago, and one of the things that we did was we looked at customer needs. On the innovation side, our team really tries to take a human-centric approach.
Among the security measures Puopolo has overseen are streamlined security, a private 5G network, biometrics, and artificial intelligence (AI) systems. DFW’s new Terminal F, currently in construction, also represents an opportunity to rethink airport design. When complete, the US$1.6 billion project will boast self-service bag drops, e-gates, and sensors for managing passenger flow.
When we build new infrastructure, we want to make sure it’s a little bit more flexible. So as customer needs change, we can change. We don’t want to end up being like a mall that nobody goes to anymore.
Advanced air mobility (AAM) is one such consideration. A ‘when, not if’ evolution for the industry, Puopolo is watching sandbox initiatives in the Middle East to see how eVTOLs and air taxis could be incorporated at DFW once they receive FAA certification. He currently forecasts that AAM services could go live in 2028, but for this to be possible DFW needs to prepare now.
We believe air taxis are coming to the airport, and being a feeder route is important to us. But for that to happen, we have to make our infrastructure investments two to three years ahead.
🎥 Watch the interview to hear Paul Puopolo’s full thoughts on AAM integration, tech, and innovation.
Questions asked include:
- What role do you think innovation has played in boosting your customer service rating?
- What are your plans for Terminal F from a tech perspective?
- How can airports implement designs that are tech-forward but also sustainable and long-lasting?
- How do you see air taxis being integrated at DFW in the future?
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by Elsie Clark | Jan 28, 2026 | Innovation, Sustainability
EcoCeres has launched its first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in Johor, Malaysia. Growing from Hong Kong, the company’s original facility in Zhangjiagang, China, has made it one of the world’s leading SAF suppliers. The Johor plant will also produce hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and renewable naphtha, and can ultimately operate at a production capacity of 420,000 tonnes a year.
Matti Lievonen, CEO of EcoCeres, said:
The Johor plant is a major step forward for EcoCeres’ regional platform and for Malaysia’s renewable fuel industry.
It also demonstrates our commitment to reliable supply capability and high product quality as customers’ demand for renewable fuel solutions accelerates. This facility supports Malaysia’s transition towards net-zero while strengthening Hong Kong’s strategic position as a regional hub for financing and scaling sustainable energy projects, enabling the supply of sustainable fuels to global industries. Our waste-to-fuel technology proves that economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand.
A 2025 report from IATA found that SAF production potential is 100 million tonnes (Mt) short of what is required by 2050. However, additional research from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) found that multiple countries in the region could become net SAF exporters. As well as Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand have abundant feedstock for supplying the entire Asia-Pacific region, but production needs to scale quickly to meet the demands of airlines and the climate.
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by Elsie Clark | Jan 27, 2026 | Innovation
American aircraft manufacturer Boeing have reported their first full-year profit since 2018, following years of supply chain issues.
The company profited by US$2.24 billion in 2025, a significant step forward after net losses of US$11.83 billion the previous year. Q4 profits received a notable boost from the US$9.6 billion sale of its Digital Aviation Solutions business to US-based private equity firm Thoma Bravo.
These figures were supported by Boeing’s highest number of annual deliveries since 2018. 600 commercial aircraft rolled off the production lines, led by the 737 MAX. Nevertheless, a backlog of over 6,000 deliveries remains, worth US$682 billion. Delivery continues to be obstructed by issues across the supply chain, as well as pending regulatory approval of the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Kelly Ortberg, Boeing President and CEO, said:
We made significant progress on our recovery in 2025 and have set the foundation to keep our momentum going in the year ahead. We completed the acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems and the sale of portions of the Digital Aviation Solutions business and remain focused on promoting stable operations, completing our development programs, rebuilding trust with our stakeholders, and fully restoring Boeing to the iconic company we all know it can be.
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