Aviation Daily Roundup: Nov. 03, 2022

Pilots at American Airlines voted to reject a tentative contract agreement, marking the latest setback in fraught negotiations at major U.S. airlines. 

GE Aerospace has made no secret of its desires for closer links with Airbus, particularly on widebodies, but for now its future investments are largely tied up with CFM International partner Safran Aircraft Engines on European-based technology demonstrators targeting advanced propulsion for next-gen single aisles.

Joby Aviation has confirmed that launch of its aerial ridesharing service has been delayed to 2025, citing the FAA’s change of direction on certification and internal challenges related to the startup’s vertical integration.

Emirates Airline has begun its major two-year fleet retrofit program, with work starting on the first of 120 aircraft earmarked for a full cabin interior upgrade. 

SriLankan Airlines is nearing government sign-off to approach the leasing market for another 10 aircraft, which would address its short-term fleet needs.

As an estimated 20% of the pre-pandemic air transport workforce is expected not to return, the sector should set aside more capital to invest in new technologies to plug the gap, Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh said.

Finnish sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer Neste is working with Japan-based trading company Itochu and Fuji Oil Company on a pilot project aimed at validating the blending of SAF with conventional jet fuel in Japan, as the country prepares to ramp up its usage of the fuel.

Ferrovial Vertiports CEO Kevin Cox expects the growth of the urban air mobility industry to be “exponential” once the first electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft enter service around 2024 or 2025. 

Heathrow Airport CFO Javier Echave has reiterated calls for the UK government to set escalating mandates for the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Airports must rethink their recruitment and employee engagement strategies if they are to attract and retain talent, delegates at the GAD World conference in Amsterdam have been told.

Young Italian carrier Aeroitalia is planning to take three Boeing 737-8s from Air Lease Corporation (ALC) on long-term lease placements. 

Lufthansa and its flight attendants’ union Unabhängige Flugbegleiter Organisation e.V. (UFO) have reached a new collective pay and terms-of-employment agreement, together with a new collective part-time employment agreement, for Lufthansa’s 19,000 cabin crew.