Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

International Airlines Group (IAG) marked Earth Day on Thursday by committing to powering 10 percent of its flights with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030. The group said it would buy 1 million tonnes of SAF per year, resulting in a reduction in annual emissions by 2 million tonnes within nine years. That equates to removing a million cars from Europe’s roads each year, British Airways’ parent company noted.

 


IAG also lays claim as the first airline group to extend its net-zero commitment to its supply chain. The group said it will work with its suppliers to allow them to commit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 for the products and services they provide to IAG.

 


“For more than a decade, IAG has led the airline industry’s actions to reduce its carbon footprint,” said IAG chief executive Luis Gallego. “It’s clearly challenging to transition to a low carbon business model but, despite the current pandemic, we remain resolute in our climate commitments.”

 


Gallego stressed the importance of government support in attracting investment to build enough SAF plants to sufficiently supply the airline industry.

 


“Just this week we’ve set the world’s most ambitious climate change target, and IAG’s agenda-setting commitment is clear evidence of the progress we are making,” said UK transport secretary Grant Shapps. “These kinds of initiatives, along with our work through the Jet Zero Council, will help us rapidly accelerate towards our net-zero targets as we build back better out of the pandemic.”

 


IAG asserts that with the “right policy in place,” the UK could see the construction of as many as 14 plants across the country, creating 6,500 jobs and saving 3.6 million tonnes of CO2 per annum over the next decade.

 


IAG has committed to investing $400 million in SAF development in the next 20 years. The group’s partnership with SAF developers LanzaJet and Velocys includes Europe’s first household waste-to-jet fuel plant in the UK, scheduled to start operations in 2025. British Airways also plans to purchase SAF from LanzaJet’s U.S. plant to power some of its flights from late 2022.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

IAG Sets Goal To Power 10 percent of Flights with SAF by 2030

British Airways’ parent company commits to buying 1 million tonnes of SAF each year.

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

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Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

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Deal to close this year

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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