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Inflight Online • Satu Dahl

SHD Composites, Safran-backed EcoSuite consortium develop lightweight sustainable materials for aircraft interiors

SHD Composites has developed lightweight, sustainable materials and processes for EcoSuite, a UK consortium led by Safran Seats GB and including government, research and industry partners. The programme pairs UK innovation with Safran Group’s global engineering capability to reduce weight and lifecycle emissions of aircraft interiors.

2026-04-09T02:57:14.713349-07:00

AINonline

Vaeridion raises funds to build Microliner prototype as Oberpfaffenhofen industrialisation accelerates

2026-04-09T02:06:39.344533-07:00

FlightGlobal

France commits €12.2m to Ascendance to launch Sterna hybrid-electric powertrain series production

2026-04-09T01:37:46.786220-07:00

SpaceWatch Global

Harnessing space technology for flood resilience in Lagos at GLOC 2026

2026-04-09T00:39:05.749017-07:00

News Timeline

Inflight Online

SHD Composites, Safran-backed EcoSuite consortium develop lightweight sustainable materials for aircraft interiors SHD Composites has developed lightweight, sustainable materials and processes for EcoSuite, a UK consortium led by Safran Seats GB and including government, research and industry partners. The programme pairs UK innovation with Safran Group’s global engineering capability to reduce weight and lifecycle emissions of aircraft interiors.

2026-04-09T02:57:14.713349-07:00

SHD Composites, Safran-backed EcoSuite consortium develop lightweight sustainable materials for aircraft interiors

AINonline

Vaeridion raises funds to build Microliner prototype as Oberpfaffenhofen industrialisation accelerates German startup Vaeridion is fundraising to build a prototype of its Microliner regional electric aircraft while accelerating industrialisation at Oberpfaffenhofen after acquiring the former Lilium battery centre. The move pairs prototype development with on‑site battery production capacity for its electric aircraft programme.

2026-04-09T02:06:39.344533-07:00

Vaeridion raises funds to build Microliner prototype as Oberpfaffenhofen industrialisation accelerates

FlightGlobal

France commits €12.2m to Ascendance to launch Sterna hybrid-electric powertrain series production Ascendance has secured €12.2m ($14.2m) from the French government over four years via the France 2030 – Première Usine programme to begin series production of its Sterna hybrid-electric powertrain. The funding will accelerate establishment of production capacity and move the powertrain from demonstrator to industrialised manufacturing.

2026-04-09T01:37:46.786220-07:00

France commits €12.2m to Ascendance to launch Sterna hybrid-electric powertrain series production

SpaceWatch Global

Harnessing space technology for flood resilience in Lagos at GLOC 2026 At GLOC 2026, Lagos will push for satellite-enabled partnerships and practical cross-border data‑sharing agreements to strengthen flood resilience, prioritizing operational early‑warning systems, satellite mapping and regional capacity‑building to improve urban planning and emergency response.

2026-04-09T00:39:05.749017-07:00

Harnessing space technology for flood resilience in Lagos at GLOC 2026

Aviation Week

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Aura Aero raises €340m to accelerate 19‑seat hybrid ERA, scale production and fund twin factories in France and Florida Aura Aero closed a fresh €50m tranche that brings total funding to €340m to advance its 19‑seat hybrid‑electric ERA, ramp Integral trainer production, scale drone programmes, and back twin factory build‑outs in Toulouse and Florida while unlocking prior French/European and state aid.

2026-04-08T11:32:37.479703-07:00

Aura Aero raises €340m to accelerate 19‑seat hybrid ERA, scale production and fund twin factories in France and Florida

Reuters

Satellite data: global nighttime lights are brightening as Africa and Southeast Asia surge while Europe dims Daily satellite observations show global nighttime illumination is increasing from artificial lighting, with pronounced regional shifts: a marked surge across sub‑Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, and deliberate dimming across many European areas tied to energy‑saving measures and light‑pollution abatement over recent years.

2026-04-08T09:11:50.872211-07:00

Satellite data: global nighttime lights are brightening as Africa and Southeast Asia surge while Europe dims

FlightGlobal

Leonardo-led HERFUSE to test composite fuselage and empennage for lighter regional turboprop Leonardo's aerostructures unit will begin tests later this year on HERFUSE demonstrators—composite fuselage and empennage components aimed at delivering significant weight savings for a future regional turboprop. The EU-backed Clean Aviation-funded project combines physical demonstrators with continued analysis to validate manufacturing approaches and structural performance for lighter, lower‑emission regional aircraft.

2026-04-08T08:51:13.698174-07:00

Leonardo-led HERFUSE to test composite fuselage and empennage for lighter regional turboprop

AINonline

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Airbus RACER prototype widens flight‑test envelope; 'eco‑mode' trials next Airbus's RACER prototype has widened its flight‑test envelope as the initial test‑campaign phase wraps up, with 'eco‑mode' operational trials scheduled next. The expanded envelope will inform planning for the eco‑mode trials and marks a clear step forward in the demonstrator programme.

2026-04-07T14:12:36.877566-07:00

Airbus RACER prototype widens flight‑test envelope; 'eco‑mode' trials next

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Sustainability & Climate Initiatives News

SHD Composites, Safran-backed EcoSuite consortium develop lightweight sustainable materials for aircraft interiors

Vaeridion raises funds to build Microliner prototype as Oberpfaffenhofen industrialisation accelerates

France commits €12.2m to Ascendance to launch Sterna hybrid-electric powertrain series production

Harnessing space technology for flood resilience in Lagos at GLOC 2026

News Timeline