The threat of increased conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the resulting fall-out leaves the civil aerospace industry acutely vulnerable to everything from astronomical jet fuel prices and disrupted airspace to the potential for full-scale derailment of commercial aircraft production.
MC-21-310 first flight with PD-14 engines accelerates Russia's aerospace industry uncoupling with the west. Pratt & Whitney's involvement is "on life support" as U.S.-Russia relations continue to deteriorate.
The first approved COVID-19 vaccine is fanning out across the world, kicking off what is possibly the largest humanitarian airlift in the history of aviation. The global effort requires a highly-coordinated logistical and operational dance. The second big wave of COVID-19 cases is causing an expected decline in air travel, but the overall recovery is ahead of forecast.