Source: USDOT Rule will improve inclusion of small, disadvantaged businesses in infrastructure opportunities and in airport concessions. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a final rule that modernizes the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and Airport Concessions DBE (ACDBE) program regulations. These Congressionally mandated programs were created over 40 years ago to address and remedy the continuing effects of past discrimination against small businesses owned and controlled by minorities, women, and other socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and continue today to prevent and address ongoing discrimination. The major objectives of this final rule include modernizing existing principles to: improve provisions for the benefit of program participants, reduce burdens on firms and recipients, grow firm capacity and owner wealth, and [...]

Source: IATA Report advocates for a sectoral approach to managing SUPP in aviation with a clear set of recommendations. Key recommendations were identified for airlines, regulators and the supply chain The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released the Reassessing Single Use Plastics Products in the Airline Sector report  to assist airlines, regulators, and the airline supply chain to mitigate the environmental impacts of single use plastic products (SUPP). This publication is timely as the United National Environmental Program (UNEP) has convened an intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding agreement on SUPP use by the end of 2024. SUPP are widely used in aviation due to their strength, lightness, and ability to meet safety and security regulations. However, the airline [...]

Source: ICAO In response to the increase in incidents of unruly passenger behavior on international flights being reported by regulators and airlines, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) issued an urgent call to its Member States to fast-track the ratification of the 2014 Protocol to Amend the Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft (Montréal Protocol 2014 or MP14). Since its adoption on 4 April 2014, MP14 has sought to remedy jurisdictional gaps that hinder the effective prosecution of offences occurring on international flights. "On the tenth anniversary of MP14, it is crucial that Member States reinforce their commitment to safe air travel by ratifying this essential treaty," urged Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the ICAO Council. [...]

Source: ICAO New aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) adopted at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will enhance safety and accelerate the transformation of the global air navigation system, including the integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). "The sustainable development of aviation worldwide requires a performance-driven and service-oriented advanced global air navigation system. Today we have taken significant steps towards achieving this," stated the President of the ICAO Council, Salvatore Sciacchitano. The Council of ICAO approved amendments to 15 of the 19 Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, and approved a new "Procedure for Air Navigation Services (PANS) on Information Management" during its recently concluded 231st Session. Integrating RPAS  With the Council's adoption of the new [...]