Policy & Regulation News

FlightGlobal

High activity

UK-backed consortium to test airspace-scale contrail avoidance over North Atlantic

Operation Blue Skies will begin operational evaluations this northern-hemisphere winter in Shanwick oceanic airspace, testing whether AI-guided rerouting can reduce aviation’s climate impact from contrails. The 30-month, £5 million project will assess small flightpath changes across commercial traffic while measuring operational effects, including potential additional rerouting.

European Spaceflight

SpaceX reverses Starlink roaming restrictions for Polish customers after payment dispute

SpaceX has reversed its decision to restrict Starlink roaming for customers in Poland, resolving a dispute that included an official threatening to reconsider $50 million in annual payments. The reversal underscores the commercial and policy sensitivities surrounding satellite broadband service access in national markets.

SpaceNews.com

EU sanctions Roscosmos subsidiary chief developing radar satellites for Russia’s military

The European Union has sanctioned the head of a Roscosmos subsidiary involved in developing a synthetic aperture radar satellite system for the Russian military. The action expands pressure on Russia’s space industry and targets leadership linked to military space capabilities.

ch-aviation

Peru clears Abra Group’s acquisition of SKY Airline with competition conditions

Peru’s competition watchdog has approved Abra Group’s acquisition of control of SKY Airline following a second-phase review, subject to limits on exclusivity. The transaction brings the Chilean low-cost carrier into the group that includes Avianca, expanding Abra’s position in Latin American aviation.

Leeham News

Merlin clears AI certification hurdle for autonomous flight in New Zealand

Merlin has cleared a certification hurdle in New Zealand for using artificial intelligence in autonomous flight, addressing one of the most persistent regulatory challenges facing safety-critical aviation systems. The development signals progress toward regulatory acceptance of AI in aircraft operations, though the article provides no further details on scope or timing.

AINonline

FAA Administrator Bedford and U.S. Senators Oppose Cleveland’s Push to Close Burke Lakefront Airport

The FAA and members of Congress do not appear willing to help Cleveland expedite the closure of Burke Lakefront Airport, putting the city’s plans at odds with federal aviation authorities and its congressional delegation. The dispute could determine the future of a key piece of Cleveland aviation infrastructure.

Skift

Judge Keeps Delta Carbon-Neutrality Lawsuit Alive, Intensifying Scrutiny of Airline Offset Claims

A judge rejected Delta Air Lines’ bid to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the airline’s previous carbon-neutrality advertising claims. The ruling keeps attention on how airlines disclose emissions reductions and use carbon offsets as they promote progress toward net-zero goals.

FlightGlobal

Russia to tighten financial and compliance checks for airlines seeking international routes

Russian authorities are proposing stricter criteria for approving international services, including closer scrutiny of carriers’ compliance with mandatory requirements and financial condition. Airlines with unresolved regulatory violations or financial weaknesses could be blocked from opening new international routes under the proposed rules.