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Aircraft

Before the big freeze: Nordic Dino CEO offers tips on how to prepare for de-icing season by robo-washing aircraft

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While de-icing is essential for winter flight safety, there’s a preventive strategy that can reduce both its frequency and intensity: keeping aircraft exteriors clean.

Here, Veronika Andrianovaite, CEO of Nordic Dino, a provider of robotic cleaning services for aircraft, explains how regular aircraft washing creates surfaces that resist ice adhesion and require less aggressive de-icing procedures. [Read more…] about Before the big freeze: Nordic Dino CEO offers tips on how to prepare for de-icing season by robo-washing aircraft

Abu Dhabi launches region’s first vertiport network for air taxis

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Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT); and Abu Dhabi Airports (ADA), has launched the first vertiport network to support the launch of advanced air mobility across the emirate.

The initiative marks a major milestone in Abu Dhabi’s global leadership in smart and sustainable mobility. [Read more…] about Abu Dhabi launches region’s first vertiport network for air taxis

Japanese air taxi company SoratobuTaxi completes investment in Plana US

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Japanese air mobility company Soratobu Taxi (also known as SkyTaxi) has completed an investment in Plana US, a California-based developer of hybrid-electric eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft.

The investment amount was not disclosed, but both companies said the partnership will enable closer technical collaboration and faster information sharing, supporting Soratobu Taxi’s plan to launch eVTOL operations across Japan.

Founded in Osaka and led by CEO Takuto Hojo, Soratobu Taxi aims to make air travel “as easy to use as ground taxis”, reflecting its broader vision of bringing air travel to everyday life. [Read more…] about Japanese air taxi company SoratobuTaxi completes investment in Plana US

RAKTA, Joby, and Skyports partner to launch air taxi service in Ras Al Khaimah by 2027

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The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority, Joby Aviation, a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, and Skyports Infrastructure have announced a long-term collaboration to launch a passenger air taxi service network in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah by 2027.

RAK is one of the seven emirates – or city states – that make up the United Arab Emirates. The others include Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The announcement followed the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, marking a significant milestone in advancing innovative and sustainable mobility solutions in the UAE.

The partnership will bring together the direct support of RAKTA, Skyports’ leadership in developing vertiport infrastructure, and Joby’s all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, to design, develop and operate the first air taxi service in RAK. [Read more…] about RAKTA, Joby, and Skyports partner to launch air taxi service in Ras Al Khaimah by 2027

Vonaer to purchase 20 hybrid eVTOL aircraft from Plana

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Advanced air mobility company Plana has signed a letter of intent to sell 20 hybrid eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft to Vonaer, a Korea-based air mobility service provider.

Under the agreement, Plana will supply Vonaer with five certified aircraft by 2033 and an additional 15 by 2040.

Throughout this contract, Plana has secured pre-orders for a total of 127 aircraft, amounting to a supply agreement of $664 million. [Read more…] about Vonaer to purchase 20 hybrid eVTOL aircraft from Plana

Korean Air partners with Swissport on handling air cargo at JFK airport

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Korean Air is partnering with Swissport to operate its air cargo’s long-standing freight facility, Cargo Building 9, at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

The five-year cargo handling contract comes into effect on 1st September 2025 and accords Swissport full management and sublease responsibilities for the terminal.

Well established at JFK since 1969, Swissport plans a significant investment in eco-tech infrastructure and digital innovation to ensure maximum operational excellence. [Read more…] about Korean Air partners with Swissport on handling air cargo at JFK airport

Wet vs. dry aircraft washing: All you need to know about aircraft cleaning types

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The aviation industry has evolved significantly in how it approaches aircraft cleaning, moving away from manual methods toward automated solutions that are more efficient. Today, understanding the differences between wet and dry washing methods is crucial for making decisions about aircraft cleaning services.

What makes these two cleaning techniques different, and when should you use each one? Veronika Andrianovaite, chief commercial officer of Nordic Dino Robotics, explains the key differences between the two methods as well as their best uses. [Read more…] about Wet vs. dry aircraft washing: All you need to know about aircraft cleaning types

Nordic Dino robot helps airlines deal with insect season

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Nordic Dino robot helps ‘reduce aircraft exterior cleaning times by up to 80 percent’

Aircraft performance during insect season faces a costly challenge that many airlines underestimate.

Research shows that insect accumulation on an aircraft’s laminar flow area and increase fuel consumption by 1.1 percent to 4.4 percent, with contamination levels as low as 400 insects creating measurable drag penalties.

In other words, insect season can cost airlines millions annually. [Read more…] about Nordic Dino robot helps airlines deal with insect season

Skyryse advances towards FAA certification

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Skyryse, an aviation hardware and software company and the creator of SkyOS, which the company says is “the world’s first universal operating system for flight”, has been approved to enter for-credit flight testing with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

As the first production helicopter to feature a single control stick and two touch screens, Skyryse One replaces conventional, complex mechanical flight controls with its SkyOS operating system, creating a streamlined, intuitive interface and fly-by-wire system that enhances safety in all flying conditions.

Built on a Rolls Royce-powered Robinson R66 platform, Skyryse One is a landmark advancement in aviation safety and pilot control. [Read more…] about Skyryse advances towards FAA certification

Robotic airport ground handling operations: High-tech robots ‘redefine safety and performance’

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High-tech robots are ‘redefining safety and performance in ground handling operations’, according to Nordic Dino Robotics, a provider of robots for automatic aircraft washing and aircraft cleaning services

Each year the aviation industry develops new solutions to improve ground handling operations efficiency and increase worker safety.

More and more companies are adopting enhanced ground support equipment (GSE) that can benefit both by advancing operational performance and helping to avoid incidents at work.

A good example of such useful GSE is automated aircraft-cleaning robots. These modern cleaning systems can optimise productivity and protect workers from significant risks associated with manual cleaning operations. [Read more…] about Robotic airport ground handling operations: High-tech robots ‘redefine safety and performance’