#Sustainability20: LanzaJet announces $47 million in new capital, first close of equity round & more
Weekly Round-up - 27/02/26
Each Friday, we publish a round-up of the 20 most important stories on sustainable aviation. You can see previous editions of #Sustainability20 here.
Industry Updates
Joby Aviation and Uber have unveiled the app interface for their upcoming air taxi service, with plans to launch in Dubai this year as certification progresses in the US.
California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office has recommended lawmakers reject Governor Newsom’s proposed SAF tax credit, citing concerns over the diesel excise incentive tied to carbon intensity scores.
Archer has filed a patent infringement complaint against Vertical Aerospace, alleging the UK company’s Valo eVTOL copies key design features of its Midnight aircraft.
CLIMATE WATCH: Bird losses are accelerating, new study finds - The New York Times
Bird populations across the United States have declined faster in warm areas, with steep losses in southern states and an accelerating rate of decrease since 1987.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
Three new electric trams have joined Honolulu’s Wiki Wiki shuttle service under an “as-a-service” model, delivering quieter, emission-free transport between terminals.
South Korea has unveiled the “Black Veil,” a hydrogen-powered unmanned ground vehicle designed for stealthy, long-endurance missions in high-threat military environments.
Jet2.com has completed a two-year programme to install Split Scimitar Winglets on 74 Boeing 737-800s, cutting annual carbon emissions by over 28,000 tonnes.
Birmingham Airport has set out a net-zero roadmap covering Scope 1 and 2 emissions, with on-site solar, fleet electrification and renewable electricity supplies.
JFK’s Terminal 4 has been re-certified at LEED Platinum level following a $1.5 billion transformation that introduced electric buses, rainwater harvesting and SAF purchases.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Developers have begun engaging investors for a large-scale power-to-liquid SAF project in Patagonia, targeting 100,000 tonnes annually using wind energy and seawater.
LanzaJet has closed the first part of a $135 million funding round co-led by IAG and Shell, supporting commercial deployment of its ethanol-to-jet technology.
Honeywell’s eFining methanol-to-jet technology will be used across seven planned Verso Energy sites in Europe and the US, producing an estimated 200 million gallons of eSAF annually.
Air bp has signed a multi-year contract to supply conventional jet fuel and SAF to Airbus operations across Germany and Spain.
Petrobras has selected Topsoe’s HydroFlex technology for a potential renewable diesel and SAF project at its Boaventura Energy Complex in Brazil.
Siemens has partnered with CAPHENIA to scale SAF production, providing digitalisation and automation for plasma technology that converts bio-methane into synthesis gas.
Carbon Neutral Fuels has selected Johnson Matthey and Honeywell UOP technologies for its UK e-fuels facility, targeting 25,000 tonnes of SAF annually from 2031.
Swedavia has expanded its annual SAF procurement to include Luleå Municipality and Aviator Airport Alliance, reducing business travel emissions through joint purchasing.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
Vertical Aerospace has displayed its Valo eVTOL mock-up in Miami, proposing air taxi routes between the city, Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale with 2028 certification targeted.
ATR, Pratt & Whitney and Safran have launched four projects under the EU Clean Aviation initiative, aiming for a 30% CO2 reduction through hybrid-electric regional aircraft.
Skyports Infrastructure and Korean Air have signed an MoU to develop an integrated technology platform managing vertiport automation and low-altitude air traffic for eVTOLs.
Beta Technologies is planning to double its Vermont workforce and expand its manufacturing facility as it ramps up production of its electric aircraft.