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

Embraer’s latest market forecast for China predicts that the country will need 1,445 aircraft that seat up to 150 passengers through 2040, reflecting the importance the Chinese government has placed on developing infrastructure to serve secondary markets. The forecast, released Tuesday at the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, notes that 77 percent of those aircraft will fulfill market growth while the rest will replace&nbsp;aging equipment.

 


“During the pandemic, small and medium-sized aircraft and regional flights were instrumental in the quick recovery of connectivity in China,” said Embraer China managing director Guo Qing. “Our E-Jets were among the first aircraft types to restore flight frequencies across airline networks. In the post-epidemic era, building a more efficient air transport system is of vital importance. The market calls for a more balanced fleet profile and route network structure to serve more secondary markets.”

 


The Chinese government recently announced a series of infrastructure developments that includes around 200 new airports to encourage and promote industrial relocation. The importance of regional aircraft continues to increase after Covid-19, according to Embraer, playing a key role in launching new services to these airports and developing demand. Ninety-one E-Jets now operate in China, flying some 20 million passengers annually on 550 routes and connecting 150 cities at home and abroad.

 


“China civil aviation passenger revenue kilometers (RPKs) will enjoy a 4.7 percent CAGR growth through the decade, signaling China’s lead in the aviation recovery,” said Embraer Commercial Aviation CEO Arjan Meijer. “We believe the Chinese aviation market will become the world’s largest in the future. Embraer has already built a strong and positive presence on the market providing a solid foundation for our most advanced jet, the E2.”

 


Meanwhile, as China pledges to speed emissions reductions to reach carbon neutrality by 2060, a series of policy initiatives proposed by the country’s civil aviation authority includes the deployment of new-generation aircraft to improve efficiency. According to Embraer, its latest generation E-Jets, the E2s, can deliver 25.4 percent better fuel efficiency per seat and up to 10 percent better fuel burn than its competitors. Embraer recently announced a target to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040 and to support the aviation industry’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

 


“Sustainability is a top priority at Embraer across the board, and especially when it comes to new product design," added Guo Qing. The E2 emits 30 percent less carbon than Embraer’s first-generation E-Jets, equating to 3,700 fewer kilograms of CO2 per flight and a reduction of 1 million tons of CO2 in 10 years for a fleet of 10 aircraft, according to the company’s calculations.

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.

Embraer Sees Sees Surge in Demand for E2s in China

A new market forecast for China from Brazilian airframer Embraer projects a need for 1,445 aircraft in the E-Jet’s seating category through 2040.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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.

Public flight took place on November 2 against the backdrop of Mount Fuji

Joby and Toyota Demonstrate eVTOL Aircraft in Japan

Jessica Reed

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.

People in Aviation

People In Aviation

Kerry Lynch

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.

Next delivery for BACN program slated for 2025

Bombardier's USAF BACN Global Jet Deliveries Reach Eight

Milestone reached two years after the latest version entered service

Bombardier's Challenger 3500 Reaches 100th Delivery

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Garmin's Autoland feature could save lives if a pilot becomes incapacitated 

Textron Cessna Citation CJ4, CJ3, and M2 Jets Updated to Gen3 with Garmin Autoland

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.

Hybrid-electric aircraft will operate in VTOL or STOL modes with range of up to around 544 nm

Manta Turns to China's Shenyang Aviation To Advance VTOL/STOL Aircraft

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Fastest single-engine aircraft in Piper’s history gets nods from EASA and other agencies

M700 Fury Racks Up Foreign Certifications

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.

More In Aircraft