In an effort to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions imposed in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, the Russian government has outlined a plan to reconfigure the country’s commercial aircraft fleet in favor of domestically produced airliners by 2030. 

The metal is key to aircraft construction, and Russian suppliers accounted for 30-50% of Europe’s needs before the war in Ukraine.

The European Parliament’s Transport Committee has approved legislation that includes a more ambitious sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate than one originally proposed by the European Commission’s “Fit for 55” climate package.  

IATA says SAF production needs to increase from roughly 100 million liters (26.4 million gal.) annually in 2021 to 449 billion liters (119 billion gal.) to meet the industry’s goal of net zero carbon emissions.

The new deal comes on the heels of a recently completed purchase of 37 aircraft, also from lessor Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC).

Wet-lease specialist GetJet Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737-800, which is scheduled to be joined by a further four by year-end.

GE chairman and CEO Larry Culp has taken over GE Aviation as well, a few years in advance of an already planned transition as part of the parent company’s breakup into three segments.

Boeing may still be at least two years away from launching its next all-new commercial airliner, but the manufacturer is on the hunt for thousands of new engineers and machinists.