1. AEGEAN Opens Pilot Scholarship Applications AEGEAN Airlines has invited applications for its pilot scholarship programme, part of a broader push to widen access to commercial pilot training in Greece. 🔗 https://greekcitytimes.com/2026/07/01/aegean-invites-applications-for-pilot-scholarship-programme/ 2. Joby and Toyota Form Air Taxi Manufacturing Joint Venture Toyota, which has backed Joby since 2017, has formalised a joint venture with the eVTOL maker to scale commercial production of its air taxi aircraft. 🔗 https://www.manufacturingdive.com/news/joby-toyota-electric-air-taxi-joint-venture-s4-series-evtol-aircraft/824115/ 3. UAE's Lodd Begins Certification for Cargo eVTOL Lodd Autonomous has launched certification for Hili, a hybrid-electric cargo eVTOL and the first such aircraft developed locally in the UAE. 🔗 https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/advanced-air-mobility/uaes-lodd-launches-certification-hili-cargo-evtol 4. FAA Breaks Ground on Oklahoma Vertiport Test Range The FAA has begun construction on an $8.3 million advanced air mobility test range in Oklahoma City, which will include a vertiport, hangar and control centre for VTOL integration research. 🔗 https://airportindustry-news.com/faa-breaks-ground-on-new-aam-facility-in-oklahoma-city/ 5. Orange County Weighs Vertiport Sites Near UCF Florida officials are reviewing consultant recommendations for future vertiport locations near the University of Central Florida and Research Park. 🔗 https://floridapolitics.com/archives/805059-orange-county-officials-discuss-possible-sites-for-vertiports/

A busy week for aviation careers and industry news. Here's what caught my eye. · Europe's pilot shortage is making headlines again. Lufthansa has now joined Air France-KLM, British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet in warning of serious pressure from a lack of pilots, with analysts noting the problem won't ease quickly given how long training takes. If you're considering a flying career in Europe, the demand is very real. https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/c69m5qyvbs9b/ · Alaska Airlines is hiring more than 3,500 employees this year across a range of roles. Details at careers.alaskaair.com. https://www.travelwires.com/alaska-airlines-is-hiring-more-than-3-500-employees-this-year/ · Aviation is also being flagged as one of the most AI-resistant career choices going, with commercial pilots listed at median US pay of around $198,100. The sector also has nearly half its workforce approaching retirement, which means demand for new entrants is only heading one way over the next decade. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/looking-for-an-ai-proof-career-these-industries-have-jobs-paying-100k-salaries-and-one-has-almost-half-of-its-workers-approaching-retirement/ar-AA25Y3Gv · ALPA published a piece on a former military helicopter pilot who transitioned to the airlines and now helps other servicemembers do the same. Military aviators are consistently described by airlines as among their most sought-after candidates, and this article explains why. https://www.alpa.org/articles/2026/06/former-helicopter-pilot-helps-others-transition-from-military-to-airline-flying

1. ARCHER AVIATION CLEARS FAA PHASE 3, ENTERS UAE TYPE PROGRAMME Archer has become the first eVTOL developer to clear Phase 3 of the FAA Type Certification process and has entered the UAE's Restricted Type Certificate programme for limited Abu Dhabi operations, putting commercial launch within sight. 🔗 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/archer-aviation-clears-faa-phase-3-in-certification-push/ss-AA23Yj1M 2. JOBY FLIES MANHATTAN DEMOS AS FAA TESTS ADVANCE Joby Aviation completed FAA-conforming eVTOL test flights and high-profile demonstration flights over Manhattan, including a seven-minute trip, sending its stock up 5.4% and signalling real progress toward New York air taxi service. 🔗 https://simplywall.st/stocks/us/transportation/nyse-joby/joby-aviation/news/why-joby-aviation-joby-is-up-54-after-manhattan-evtol-demo-f 3. DUBAI UNVEILS WORLD'S FIRST PURPOSE-BUILT COMMERCIAL VERTIPORT The world's first purpose-built commercial vertiport for air taxis has been unveiled beside Dubai International Airport, designed and built by Skyports. It's a concrete milestone in a sector long accused of being all renderings and no concrete. 🔗 https://www.thetimes.com/business/entrepreneurs/article/urban-air-mobility-vertiports-skyports-dd7dt85pt 4. KAZAKHSTAN PLANS NATIONWIDE VERTIPORT NETWORK BY 2028 Kazakhstan is preparing regulations for air taxis and urban air mobility, with eVTOL test flights underway and plans to build six vertiports by 2028. It's a notable sign that UAM ambition is now stretching well beyond the usual Gulf, US, and EU markets. 🔗 https://tvbrics.com/en/news/kazakhstan-accelerates-launch-of-air-taxis-with-evtol-trials-and-nationwide-vertiport-network/