by Elsie Clark | Mar 4, 2026 | AI & ML, Avionics, Connectivity, Flight Ops IT, Innovation, MRO IT, Sustainability
Aerospace Tech Week, the premier international exhibition and conference for the aerospace technology community, is proud to announce a new partnership with ADS Group as the event prepares to launch its inaugural UK edition in London.
The move to the UK marks an exciting new chapter for Aerospace Tech Week, which has established itself as the event for senior executives and technical leaders across the aviation and aerospace sectors. The United Kingdom provides a natural home for the show’s next evolution. World-class engineering, global-leading MRO capability, pioneering sustainability research, and an unmatched supply chain make this industry a cornerstone of British economic and industrial strength. It deserves an event that reflects that ambition.
To mark this milestone, Aerospace Tech Week is delighted to partner with ADS Group, the UK’s leading trade association representing the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors. ADS supports over 1,800 member companies across the UK, championing their interests, enabling business growth, and advocating for the policies and investment that keep British industry globally competitive. The partnership will help ensure that Aerospace Tech Week’s London edition is deeply connected to the UK industry community from day one.
Daniel Boyle, General Manager at Aerospace Tech Week said:
Aerospace Tech Week brings together the leaders shaping the future of aviation technology, so partnering with ADS is a natural fit. As the UK’s leading trade association for aerospace, defence, security and space, ADS represents a powerful network of innovators and industry stakeholders. We are delighted to be working together to strengthen engagement across the ecosystem and ensure Aerospace Tech Week continues to provide real value, meaningful connections and forward-looking insight for the industry.
Balaji Srimoolanathan, Aerospace Director at ADS Group said:
We are pleased to partner with Aerospace Tech Week as it launches its first UK edition, and to have another opportunity to showcase the innovation, ambition and global competitiveness of the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries. Aerospace Tech Week provides an important platform for industrial collaboration across the entire ecosystem. With more than 1,800 member companies spanning the full breadth of the supply chain, we are committed to forming partnerships that connect industry with new opportunities, new technologies and new international relationships. We look forward to supporting a successful inaugural event and ensuring the UK’s world leading expertise is front and centre as the sector continues to innovate, export and grow.
Aerospace Tech Week’s inaugural UK edition will bring together airlines, MROs, ANSPs, OEMs and their partners to explore the latest developments across avionics, connected aircraft, MRO IT, flight operations technology, cybersecurity, sustainability and more.
For further information, to register, or to enquire about exhibition and sponsorship opportunities, click here.
About Aerospace Tech Week | 11 – 12 November 2026, Excel London
Aerospace Tech Week is a conference and exhibition focused on driving innovation and technology advancements in the aerospace sector. Bringing together senior executives and technical leaders, ATW connects the whole value chain of aerospace to discuss, connect, and collaborate on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities.
In 2026, the event will reunite its community of 1,500 industry experts for two inspiring days featuring over 120 speakers. Key topics covered include AI, avionics, MRO, flight ops, and sustainability, while exhibitor and networking programmes spark connections that drive transformations across the industry.
Visit the event website here.
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by Elsie Clark | Oct 22, 2025 | Flight Ops IT, Innovation, Sustainability
According to the latest patent data, innovation in AI for sustainable aviation and aerospace tech has increased by 20% over the past five years.
The Inside Green Innovation: Progress Report from Appleyard Lees found that global patent filings in the sector went up from 254 in 2019 to 307 in 2023. Increasing control of variables such as aircraft altitude, speed, and pressure, as well as advances in onboard systems and digital data processing, are attributed to the growth.
Adam Tindall, UK and European Patent Attorney for Appleyard Lees, said:
Innovations in areas such as aircraft design, propulsion, operational efficiencies and reductions in waste and energy infrastructure – traditionally aimed at achieving business advantage – are now expected also to reduce carbon emissions and meet environmental targets.
As part of this, AI-driven innovation is showing a tangible surge in aviation and aerospace and redefining how organisations are addressing the industries’ challenges.
The report found that Boeing remains the leader in sustainable aerospace development, filing the most patents over the past ten years. Other leaders include Honeywell, GE Aerospace, Airbus, Thales, and the Chinese company SZ DJI Technology. French company Safran was also highlighted as a key developer in fuel efficiency and hybrid propulsion.
The use cases for AI in sustainable aviation development are only increasing. From flight ops to SAF production, the potential for optimisation is extensive. However, the aviation industry must remember that strong data foundations are required for AI insights to be useful and actionable. And while the patent activity is promising, as net-zero emissions targets loom nearer, successful implementation will be just as important as innovation.
Join us at Aerospace Tech Week 2026 to discuss the future of AI, flight optimisation, and sustainability.
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by Elsie Clark | Oct 22, 2025 | AI & ML, Innovation, MRO IT
Back in April, our Aerospace Tech Review Awards 2025 honoured a range of cutting-edge startups, speakers, and collaborations across the aerospace industry. Most Disruptive Startup went to AIXI, an innovative data and analytics company that is giving aviation MRO data a much-need upgrade.
To learn more, we sat down on video call with AIXI’s CEO, Cameron Byrd. With aviation continuing to depend on legacy systems, AIXI’s data-cleaning AI represents a significant advancement. Information that might previously have been buried in spreadsheets or hidden behind reference numbers can be brought to the fore through AIXI’s industry-specific large-language model (ILM).
It’s impossible to extract reliable information from maintenance data without cleaning it first. That’s where everyone’s failing, and where AIXI focuses.
Byrd believes airlines’ extensive maintenance data backlogs airlines represent an untapped ‘gold mine’ that could be leveraged far more effectively. AIXI’s ILM extracts, cleans, and standardises this data, while additional tools can identify repeat defects by aircraft or by fleet. The startup’s ultimate goal is to provide the aviation industry with strong data foundations, which they can build upon for true prescriptive and predictive maintenance.
With an accuracy rate of over 95%, the AIXI model can review 3,000 records a day and save 15,000 hours of labour. Real-world use cases have demonstrated these high-performance capabilities: AIXI have been working with Southwest Airlines since 2022, and upon installation immediately freed up five full-time employees.
Southwest also tried to have humans verify the results of the autocoder. And what happened was the autocoder would beat the humans.
AIXI is currently tailored to manage Boeing 737s, but in the future Byrd hopes to refine the ILM so it can be applied to more aircraft records. He also hopes to build an industry-specific chatbot tool, where engineers can input questions on maintenance procedures or the number of delays due to certain causes, and receive accurate answers based on the airline’s data.
When it comes to MRO, AI is a transformative tool that will become essential to the running of the aviation industry. Byrd concludes:
AI is the way to unlock the power of data, because if you know the history of your fleet, you can predict the future of your fleet.
🎥 Watch the full interview to get the full lowdown on AIXI’s game-changing technology, and why they won Most Disruptive Startup at the ATR Awards 2025.
Questions asked include:
- Aviation is known for being dependent on legacy tools and methods. What systems have traditionally been used to aggregate MRO data? What are the challenges that come with using these?
- How is AIXI disrupting this field? Tell me more about your AI-powered solutions and how they are a game-changer for MRO.
- What are your plans for the future? How would you like to grow your business/develop the product?
- How do you see use of AI changing aerospace and aviation over the next decade?
Join us at Aerospace Tech Week 2026, where our Startup World Cup will gather the most innovative new businesses from across the industry.
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by Elsie Clark | Oct 21, 2025 | Innovation
British low cost carrier (LCC) easyJet has launched a fresh apprenticeship recruitment drive, as research shows that an ageing workforce threatens to create significant staff shortages across aviation and aerospace.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority found that over a quarter (27%) of British aircraft maintenance personnel will retire in the next decade. With over 22 billion air passengers expected by 2053, the industry must fill these gaps if it is to maintain safety standards, manage new aircraft, and unlock the full potential of maintenance tech, including AI.
easyJet’s apprenticeship programme will give students hands-on training and pay them to learn. Applications for 2026 are now open, with the scheme to launch at easyJet’s Gatwick and Luton hubs, and plans in place to expand to Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Brendan McConnellogue, director of engineering and maintenance at easyJet, said:
Today’s young people are motivated by purpose – they want to solve problems, travel, innovate and play their part in building a more sustainable future.
Our engineering apprenticeships give candidates the chance to gain valuable experience working on our state-of-the-art fleet while helping to deliver on aviation’s commitment to decarbonisation.
easyJet survey reveals depth of aviation recruitment problem
As well as expanding their apprenticeships, easyJet conducted a survey of 2,000 16-24 year olds to understand further the challenges of replacing the ageing aviation workforce.
65% of respondents said that they had never considered a career in engineering, with many holding misconceptions around cost, qualifications, and accessibility. A significant gender gap also emerged: 52% of young men said they had considered engineering as a career, compared with only 36% of women
However, the survey also highlighted how young people’s career preferences align well with the world of aviation engineering. 44% of respondents wanted to help tackle climate change, and 43% of that group saw engineering as a good career for helping develop low-emission technologies.
The UK government’s aviation minister, Keir Mather, commented:
[easyJet’s] engineering apprenticeship scheme marks an important step in continuing to build a highly skilled aviation workforce fit for the future.
Initiatives like easyJet’s unlock exciting, flexible routes into aviation, backing an expanding sector whilst offering young people valuable opportunities and long-term careers.
Join us at Aerospace Tech Week 2026 to discuss the future of aircraft engineering and maintenance.
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by Elsie Clark | Oct 16, 2025 | Innovation, Sustainability
Wagner Sustainable Fuels has launched its new operations facility in Toowoomba, Australia.
Developed in partnership with Boeing and FlyORO, the dedicated terminal will blend sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). As Australia’s first Roundtable of Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)-certified company, Wagner Sustainable Fuels customers are guaranteed chain of custody and SAF authenticity.
Matt Doyle, CEO of Wagner Sustainable Fuels, commented:
This is a defining moment for sustainable aviation in Australia and underscores Wagner Sustainable Fuels’ commitment to provide solutions today for the challenges of tomorrow.
The launch of our Toowoomba Terminal is the start of our plans to deliver decarbonisation benefits and meet the aviation sector’s growing demand through flexible, efficient and scalable SAF blending. With the support from Boeing, we’re focused on bringing large scale SAF and renewable diesel production to Australia and integrating it into the global supply chain through the Brisbane Recycling and SAF Facility, which is currently under planning and development.
SAF blending is a critical to aviation’s sustainable development journey. During the process, ‘pure’ SAF is mixed with standard fossil jet fuel to create a fuel that is compatible with existing infrastructure.
Dr. Kimberly Camrass, Boeing’s Head of Asia Pacific Sustainability, added:
Current global regulations permit commercial aircraft to use up to a 50/50 blend of SAF and fossil jet fuel. This will continue to rise as additional production pathways are certified,
Wagner’s commercial blending terminal is a powerful step forward in aviation decarbonisation, boosting regional employment and opening new export markets. It will also provide important learnings to support the development of robust and scalable SAF supply chains within Australia.
According to the Boeing CSIRO SAF Roadmap, demand for jet fuel in Australia is set to grow by 75% by 2050. The Wagner facility’s partnership with FlyORO will help consolidate SAF’s position as a viable alternative fuel and create more opportunities for sustainable development across APAC.
Jonathan Yeo, FlyORO’s CEO, said:
FlyORO’s modular SAF blending system, AlphaLite, doesn’t just help reduce emissions – it creates a scalable platform for collaboration, co-investment, and transparency across the fuel value chain.
his integrated model complements FlyORO’s broader deployment strategy, including standalone facilities such as the one operating in Singapore. This is how we unlock speed and scale. We’re excited to partner with the leadership of Wagner Sustainable Fuels and Boeing to pioneer a more sustainable flying ecosystem in Australia.
Join us at Aerospace Tech Week 2026 to discuss the scalability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
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