Apple's own repair manual for the iPhone Air was out on day one.
This directive applies EU-wide for all devices sold after 31st of July 2026. Some countries have earlier deadlines, e.g. devices sold in Germany after 20th of June 2025.
I'm glad that they didn't try to delay it for the better part of a decade like they did with USB charging ports.
Almost every time they do this stuff, it's because the EU is forcing them.
(Which is technically in line with you saying “17 series”, since there’s no number in the Air’s name. But your comment makes no sense unless you thought the Air was included in that, and so…)
See: https://www.telegraphindia.com/gallery/at-5-6mm-ultra-slim-i...
This is the only time I've considered sim tray removal acceptable, because there's physically no where for it to go.