Aviation Daily Roundup: Feb. 1, 2023

A renewable diesel production facility in Texas plans to be upgraded to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and could become one of the largest SAF producers in the world when capacity comes online, expected in 2025.

Industry efforts to gather data on operations with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) continue as work is under way to modify standards for aviation fuels with synthesized hydrocarbons to allow blends beyond the current limit of 50%.

Aero Transporte S.A. (ATSA) will become the first South American operator to opt for De Havilland Canada’s Dash 8-400 freighter conversion program. The OEM announced on Feb. 1 that it had signed a firm agreement with ATSA for a Dash 8-400 freighter conversion with a large cargo door (Dash 8-400 F-LCD).

Uzbekistan Airways has commissioned UK firm ACC Aviation to remarket 16 aircraft—including the last six Ilyushin IL-114-100s owned by a commercial airline—alongside two Boeing 757s, three 767s and five IL-76TDs.

Stéphane Viala has left his role as ATR’s SVP for engineering and head of design organization to join Ascendance Flight Technologies as director of engineering and program.

Air cargo charter startup Fly Meta has announced that it will lease four Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters from lessor AerCap. 

Hawaiian Airlines is facing some unique circumstances in returning to profitability, including a lack of Airbus A321neo engine availability and sluggish demand from its important Japanese market.