Aviation Daily Roundup: April. 13, 2023

New Wisk CEO Bryan Yutko is doubling down on his company’s bet that it can safely certify an autonomous, passenger-carrying electric air taxi this decade, bucking the trend of startups that believe building piloted versions now, and adding autonomy later, is the more realistic path to commercialization.

A New York court has ordered Russia’s AirBridgeCargo to pay BOC Aviation $406.2 million for defaulting on three leases for Boeing 747-8 freighters in 2022 and failing to return two of the aircraft and two engines.

Delta Air Lines is 75% booked for international travel in summer 2023 and plans to grow overall capacity by 17% year-over-year to meet the strong demand. 

Dutch startup Maeve Aerospace has partnered with advanced battery manufacturer Amprius Technologies to power its planned Maeve 01 electric regional airliner. 

In future propulsion fuel cells, the air supply system’s compressors are an example of components that need to be designed for much higher power levels, compared to current applications.

Hawaiian Airlines is making plans for the deployment of its first Boeing 787-9 delivery later in 2023, although in the short term the carrier’s fleet size is constrained due to continuing engine availability issues with its Airbus A321neos.

The China-brokered diplomatic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran provides opportunities for significant increases in air services between the two nations, as well as opening up new routes beyond the Gulf.

Rhode Island-based electric seaplane startup Regent has named two veterans of commercial aviation–former Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg and serial airline entrepreneur David Neeleman–to its advisory board.

China has readjusted its plans to impose a three-day no-fly zone north of Taiwan, reducing it to just 27 min. on April 16.