Asia-Pacific (APAC) News

eVTOL Insights

EHang and Malaysia’s aviation authority to assess eVTOL requirements

EHang will work with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to assess the regulatory, technical and safety requirements for introducing its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft in the country. The cooperation establishes a joint evaluation process, but the announcement does not specify a timeline or authorization to begin operations.

eVTOL Insights

EHang and Malaysian Aviation Authority Begin eVTOL Regulatory Sandbox Cooperation

AeroTime

High activity

Airbus sees dedicated freighter fleet growing 46% to 3,460 aircraft by 2045

Airbus’ 2026 Cargo Global Market Forecast projects the worldwide dedicated freighter fleet will rise from 2,360 aircraft in 2026 to 3,460 in 2045. Of the 2,670 freighters it says the market will need, 1,700 are expected to come from passenger-aircraft conversions and 970 to be factory-built.

Bloomberg

Commentary challenges Musk’s view of India’s space-sector power brokers

Space.com

High activity

India launches its first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, in 2008

India’s space agency, ISRO, launched Chandrayaan-1 on Oct. 21, 2008, marking the country’s first mission to the moon. The anniversary highlights a milestone in India’s space program and its move into lunar exploration.

Via Satellite

OXG Space raises ₹17 crore for orbital connectivity network; Atombeam secures $18.3 million for satellite and defense networking

Bengaluru-based OXG Space raised ₹17 crore in a round led by Aum Ventures’ India Innovation Fund II to build a satellite connectivity network in orbit. Separately, U.S. startup Atombeam raised $18.3 million to accelerate adoption of networking software for satellite, defense and commercial links, taking its total funding to $55 million.

ch-aviation

VietJetAir faces worldwide asset freeze over $250 million debt

VietJetAir has been hit with a worldwide asset freeze tied to $250 million in debt, according to a report in Commercial Aviation News. The available article summary provides no further detail on the parties seeking the freeze, its scope or its effect on the airline’s operations.

CAPA

High activity

Qatar Airways to launch Western Sydney flights in December 2027, adding a seventh Australian gateway

Qatar Airways plans to begin service to Western Sydney International on Dec. 15, 2027, with three weekly Boeing 777-300ER flights linking the airport to Doha. The airport will be the carrier’s seventh Australian gateway; Qatar Airways says it intends to increase the route to daily service over time.