London Stansted welcomed a record-breaking 2.71 million passengers in September as strong demand for short breaks and late summer sun continued beyond the peak holiday season.

Smiths Detection today announced it has been awarded a seven year contract to support TechFlow’s Integrated Logistics Support Contract with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to service hold baggage X-ray inspection systems at airports across the US, which is the largest service agreement in its history.

CAA International (CAAi) and Rapiscan have announced a strategic collaboration to transform airport security screening and drive the adoption of advanced screener assessment solutions by establishing a global platform to enhance X-ray screening competency within the aviation sector.

Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports), along with SEA Milan, the owner of Milan’s airports and 2i Aeroporti, have announced the formation of VEGA, a joint venture company established to advance the AAM ecosystem across Milan and the wider Lombardy region.

Viasat today unveiled a variety of enhancements to its satellite network and service model for business aviation in-flight connectivity.

Cutting tools and tooling systems specialist, Sandvik Coromant, has launched CoroCut 2 with -RF geometry, designed for secure and high-precision profiling.

Newcastle Airport is celebrating after being recognised as Overall Winner and Best in the World, at the Routes World 2024 event held in Bahrain this week.

The GKN Aerospace led ASCEND programme has been recognised by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) with the Team Award for Successful Collaboration and Partnership, honouring its groundbreaking progress in composite technology and supply chain development.

As Routes World 2024 drew to a close in Bahrain yesterday, it was announced that Routes World is heading to Hong Kong from 24th-26th September in 2025.

British Airways has expanded its fleet of Isuzu D-Max pick-ups with an additional four to assist Heathrow operations.

To mark World Space Week - 4th to 10th October 2024 - Resonate Testing has teamed up with Scouts NI and Scouting Ireland to launch an exciting all-island space challenge.

British Airways has become the first airline to accept the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card as an acceptable form of photographic identification on domestic flights.

Aviation market intelligence and advisory company, IBA, has highlighted a significant global decrease in CO2 per Available Seat Kilometre (ASK) in comparison to pre-pandemic levels.

Edinburgh Airport has launched a £5.8 million project to redesign its check-in hall.

In conjunction with the University of Greenwich, Cranfield University will be running a series of evacuation trials in February 2025, looking at the decisions made by passengers when they are evacuating a large Blended Wing Body (BWB) aeroplane cabin mock-up and the role different aspects of the cabin environment play in those choices.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is improving its tools to help the aviation industry rise to the major challenge of reducing its environmental impact, launching a consultation to further develop the UK Aviation Environmental Review (AER).

Data for August 2024 global air cargo markets from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), show continued strong annual growth in demand.

Gatwick has become the first UK airport to receive Airports Council International’s (ACI) Level 1 Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for August 2024 showing global passenger demand up 8.6%, plus a new record high load factor.

Provider of advanced communications technology, ALL.SPACE, has announced $44 million in funding to fuel the commercial launch of its first-generation terminal.

Britain’s biggest airports are leading the charge in a new campaign to get British production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) off the ground next year.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched IATA Connect, creating a secure community of aviation safety, security, compliance and operations experts at airlines, regulatory agencies and auditors.

Cebu Pacific of the Philippines has placed a firm order with Airbus for 70 A321neo, finalising an MoU announced by the airline in July.

London based Element Materials Technology has acquired ISS Inspection Services, a provider of non-destructive testing (NDT), inspection and other special process services supporting the aerospace, space, energy and defence industries.

Drone operators can now more easily access the airspace around Aberdeen International Airport, thanks to a digital flight approval service unveiled by the air traffic management service, NATS Services.

Drones are being used to enhance water quality monitoring in UK coastal waters and estuaries as part of a collaborative trial involving Northumbrian Water, Makutu, RS Hydro and Skyports Drone Services.

BARA (the British Automation and Robotics Association) has named FANUC UK’s Head of Sales, Oliver Selby, as its new Chair, effective today.

ADS is returning once again to the Advanced Engineering show at the NEC Birmingham on 30th - 31st October, delivering a two-day Meet the Buyer event.

As part of it aim of reducing its environmental footprint throughout the world, dnata has switched its Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) fleet of 70 trucks at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a fossil-free alternative to regular diesel.

Volunteers from London Luton Airport (LLA) have hosted career and skills development workshops for more than 200 local Year Eight and Year Nine students.

Dubai Airports, operator of Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International – Dubai World Central (DWC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Serco to drive the recruitment and development of UAE nationals across key operational areas at both airports.

Skyborne Airline Academy has appointed Jessica Hutchinson as Commercial Director, US, where she will oversee the commercial responsibilities of Skyborne’s training facility in Vero Beach, Florida.

QinetiQ Group plc has signed an agreement for the sale of its 407 acre freehold site at Cody Technology Park (CTP), Farnborough, to a fund managed by Tristan Capital Partners (TCP) for £112 million.

Drayton Aerospace Porto Alegre (POA), a specialist in civil, freight aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), has selected EmpowerMX from IFS to plan, execute and optimise its operations.

Huddersfield based Wayland Additive has announced the full release of its Wayland Connect software to support the optimal running of its Calibur3 metal eBeam additive manufacturing (AM) systems.

The number of commercial aircraft delivered in August 2024 was higher than in any August since 2018 according to ADS, despite lagging orders.

Virgin Atlantic has teamed up with deaf Gladiators star, Jodie Ounsley, who was joined by deaf content creators and British Sign Language (BSL) users, Hermon and Heroda Berhane, onboard the only UK airline to offer BSL trained cabin crew on a flight to Washington DC.

Nova Systems has signed a Teaming Agreement with WholeShip to provide Ship Aircraft Integration and Digital Test and Evaluation support at the National Drone Hub.

The NPAS Annual Report 2023/24 has been published, following September 2024's National Strategic Board, capturing some of the key headlines from the previous year and details operational and financial performance data.

NATS picked up two industry awards last week in recognition of its work with suppliers and customers around the world.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will create the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Matchmaker platform to link airlines and SAF suppliers.

Farsound has opened its new facility in San Antonio, Texas, as part of its commitment to serving a growing customer base across the Americas.

Menzies Aviation has announced the official opening of its new cargo facility at Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Mozambique.

County Armagh based Thompson Aero Seating has officially launched its VantageNOVA seating solution, the latest addition to the Vantage seating family, providing an innovative premium angled seat for twin-aisle aircraft.

British Airways has signed a deal to purchase more than £9 million worth of innovative carbon removals credits in the UK and overseas, as part of a six-year agreement which is part of its drive to accelerate the airline’s climate change efforts between now and 2030.

As temperatures hit the mid-20 oC this week, it may seem odd to hear London Stansted has been preparing for the winter by kicking-off its snow training programme to ensure the airport is ready for any adverse weather in the months ahead.

One of Europe’s largest Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) in its field, will be showcasing its latest innovations for hot and cold forming of metals and composites within the aerospace industry at nect month's Advanced Engineering Exhibition (30th-31st October) at the NEC, Birmingham.

Filtronic, an expert in RF and mm-Wave technology, is moving to a larger, state-of-the-art facility in County Durham, UK.

In a significant move to streamline mechanical testing and enhance material insights, Airbus is collaborating with Plastometrex to support the standardisation of PIP (Profilometry-based Indentation Plastometry) - the innovative mechanical testing technique developed and commercialised by the Cambridge-based technology provider.

Sellafield Ltd’s Engineering Centre of Excellence in Cleator Moor won the STEM Ambassador of the Year at the Engineering and Manufacturing Awards 2024.

Formula 1 has announced its first investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as part of its ultra-efficient logistics strategy and commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2030.

A Spitfire cockpit simulator, designed and developed by engineers from the University of Nottingham, has been officially unveiled at The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent.

BIKAR has expanded production capacity for aerospace aluminium with new plants in Bristol, UK and Belagavi, India.

The Air League, one of the UK’s oldest and foremost aviation charities, has appointed Janine Hornsby as its new Chief Executive, marking a key moment in its mission to inspire and develop the next generation of aviation and aerospace talent.

Shining a spotlight on the key challenges facing UK manufacturers and the ways in which automation can address them, FANUC UK’s annual Open House returns this autumn.

Made Smarter is calling for aerospace manufacturers to open their factories to the schools, colleges and the local community for National Manufacturing Day on Thursday 26th September 2024.

Satellite communications provider SD Government (SDG), has been named by NL EASP Air, the Dutch service provider for aerial maritime surveillance, coast guard, search and rescue (SAR) and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, as its preferred provider of satcom connectivity solutions.

The 1851 Trust, in partnership with the British Women’s and Youth Americas Cup team’s major partner UK engineering and technology companies Cobham and Ultra Electronics (Ultra), has launched a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) roadshow initiative.

NATS safely handled 240,672 flights in August, an increase of almost 5% on the same month last year.

GKN Aerospace is planning to increase the capacity and efficiency of its advanced manufacturing facility in Trollhättan, Sweden.

British cargo airline, One Air, has entered its second year of flight operations by adding a third Boeing 747 freighter to its fleet to meet strong demand for cargo capacity in Asia and Europe.

London Luton Airport (LLA) and Cranfield University have strengthened their long-standing association with a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

A new international advisory business, +impact, which brings together expert advice and proven delivery experience, has been launched today by Serco.

ZeroAvia today announced that it has extended its Series C financing to a total of $150 million, with a £20 million investment from Scottish National Investment Bank, complementing recent investments from American Airlines, International Airlines Group (IAG) and ITOCHU Corporation.

Smiths Detection today announced the launch of the SDX 6040 Enhanced Image Quality (EIQ), an advanced screening solution designed to meet the dynamic demands of modern security environments.

Japanese regional carrier Fuji Dream Airlines and IBS Software, have collaborated to transform and seamlessly migrate airline operations to a cloud-native platform.

As Alex Cresswell has expressed his wish to step back from his executive role as Chairman and CEO of Thales in the UK, Phil Siveter has been appointed CEO of Thales in the UK, effective 1st November 2024.

A new additive manufacturing (AM) strategy and roadmap sets out the actions needed by 2028 for UK aerospace to capitalise on the AM market which is expected to reach £10 billion by 2033.

Britten-Norman is taking the next step on its journey towards sustainable aviation with the introduction of the Unleaded Fuel Modification for its BN2B-26 piston engine (Lycoming O-540-E4C5) Islander aircraft.

Speedlink International Logistics is showcasing its specialist Free Running Explosive Detection Dogs (FREDDs) service as part of the upcoming ITV series, ‘Dogs with Jobs’, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the air cargo screening process that is being utilised by companies across the island of Ireland.

Passengers at Inverness Airport have been given the opportunity to ride in Aurrigo’s autonomous Auto-Pod from the new rail station to the airport terminal.

Cornwall Airport Newquay was been rated 'Very Good' for accessibility in the UK Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) in its annual Airport Accessibility Report for the period from April 2023 to March 2024.

Bournemouth Airport has seen a 25% growth in passenger numbers and surpassed 2019 pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

Coventry based Aurrigo International plc is marking US ‘Labor Day’ with the launch of a new office at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

Gatwick has partnered with AccessAble to launch a series of bespoke Detailed Access Guides, helping passengers navigate more easily, safely and confidently through the airport.

Mike Kane MP, UK Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security, spoke about the potential for a modernised airspace system to ease delays and support decarbonisation, at easyJet’s Net Zero technology showcase held at Cranfield University yesterday.

The UK air traffic management service, NATS, has released the seventh edition of its annual Aviation Index survey of the UK public.

Swedish hybrid-electric airplane maker Heart Aerospace and UK-based regional airline Loganair, have announced a new and exclusive partnership aimed at decarbonising regional air travel in the UK.

Cardiff Airport’s journey to reduce CO2 emissions continues as six new electric powered vehicles are added to its operational fleet.

New life-saving search and rescue (SAR) capabilities – developed by Nova Systems supporting Bristow Group – have begun operating in service as part of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.

London City Airport has completed a major upgrade to its departure lounge following a significant investment to improve its passenger experience.

Gatwick's recovery has continued with a successful start to the year, as 19.9 million passengers travelled through the airport, an increase of 7.7% compared to the same period in 2023.

Aerospace composites specialist Velocity Composites has passed the global industry accreditation - National Aerospace and Defence Contractors’ Accreditation Programme (NADCAP) - at its US site, for those suppliers serving the industry and related sectors.

Edinburgh Airport has been recognised for the work done to reduce absolute emissions after becoming the first in Scotland to achieve a global carbon accreditation.

The Government has approved London City Airport’s plans to increase its annual passenger cap from six and a half million to nine million passengers and to fly three extra flights in the first half hour of operations during the week.

EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic have partnered in a pilot exchange programme that will see a cohort of easyJet pilots join Virgin Atlantic to experience a wide-body flying secondment.

LCI has delivered two new Leonardo AW139 helicopters to Babcock Australasia (Babcock) for emergency medical services (EMS) operations across the Torres Strait and the Northern Peninsula of Queensland, Australia.

Onex Corporation today announced that the Onex Partners Opportunities Fund has agreed to acquire Brentwood based Farsound, a global supply chain solutions provider for the aerospace engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market.

Birmingham Airport has played a pivotal role in the training of the UK’s first civilian Air Traffic Control Apprentice.

The Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) has revealed some of the aerospace sector’s biggest names will be speaking at its annual conference, being held at the Brooklands Museum on Thursday 12th September (9am to 3pm).

Marshall and Tech Mahindra have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to identify and develop opportunities to work together across the aerospace and defence domains.

Seven aircraft in Azul’s new Airbus A330-900neo fleet are to be equipped with Viasat’s Ka-band in-flight connectivity solution, with the first aircraft scheduled to enter service next year.

Airframe Designs has invested in next-generation technology - and young talent to advance the application of this technology - as part of its drive to develop innovative solutions in the vanguard of aerospace engineering.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) data for July 2024 showed that global passenger demand was up 8%, with air cargo up by 13.6%, when compared to July 2023.

Skyports Drone Services and Royal Mail have celebrated the one-year anniversary of their pioneering drone delivery service in Orkney by announcing it has been extended until at least February 2026.

Dutch national carrier KLM has taken delivery of its first A321neo as part of the airline's fleet modernisation.

A £175 million communications network connecting 163 remote radio sites across 11,000 miles of UK coastline is now operational ensuring His Majesty’s (HM) Coastguard’s effective frontline emergency response continues for thousands of distress calls from the UK’s waters.

Spaceport Cornwall, alongside Cornwall Airport Newquay, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Wholeship Ltd, which operates the National Drone Hub at Predannack, near Helston.

A pioneering project using drones to deliver medical supplies across Scotland has been heralded as a 'technological revolution' today by the Minister for Aviation and Maritime Mike Kane in his first official visit to the region.

Aircraft deliveries in July 2024 represent the best month year to date, with 120 aircraft delivered by manufacturers.

The National Police Air Service (NPAS), in partnership with the National Air Traffic Control Service (NATS) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), is embarking on the UK’s most ambitious trial of uncrewed aircraft in support of policing.

ZeroAvia has been awarded $4.2 million in US federal funding through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition discretionary grant programme for Low-Emission Aviation Technology (FAST Tech).