Source: US DOT   The 24 U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 407,965 full-time equivalents (FTEs) in August 2021, a 1.3% increase from July 2021 (402,561). August’s total number of FTEs was up 5,404 from July but still down 40,295 FTEs, or 10.8%, from the March 2020 (457,260) onset of the pandemic. The August FTE total was also down 9.2% from the most recent corresponding pre-pandemic month, August 2019 (449,461). August 2021 had the lowest FTE total for the month of August since 2015 (397,007). The employment rise between July and August resulted largely from the four network airlines, which added 4,704 FTEs. This increase was led by Delta Air Lines, which added 2,342 FTEs for a month-over-month increase of 3.3%. [...]

Source: European Commission Today, the Commission adopted a report on the EU Digital COVID Certificate  and its implementation across the EU. The report shows that the EU certificate has been a crucial element in Europe's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 591 million certificates generated. The certificate, which covers COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery, facilitates safe travel for citizens, and it has also been key to support Europe's hard-hit tourism industry. The EU Digital COVID Certificate is a success worldwide: it has set a global standard and is currently the only system already in operation at international level. 43 countries across four continents are plugged into the system, and more will follow over the coming weeks and months. [...]

Source: European Commission The European Union and the State of Qatar today signed a comprehensive air transport agreement, upgrading rules and standards for flights between Qatar and the EU. The agreement sets a new global benchmark by committing both sides to fair competition, and by including social and environmental protection. The signing means new opportunities for consumers, airlines and airports in Qatar and the EU. Qatar is an increasingly important aviation partner for the EU. It was the 15th largest extra-EU market in 2019 with 6.3 million passengers travelling between the EU and Qatar. Ensuring open and fair competition for air services between both is therefore crucial, also for routes between the EU and Asia. Adina Vălean, Commissioner for mobility [...]

Source: Chair of the House Committee on Transportation Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released the following statement: “Senior leaders throughout Boeing are responsible for the culture of concealment that ultimately led to the 737 MAX crashes and the death of 346 innocent people—Mark Forkner’s indictment should not be the end of the accountability for this colossal and tragic failure,” Chair DeFazio said. “The FAA must work urgently to implement the bipartisan legislation we designed to prevent this type of systemic failure from ever happening again.”

Source: US DOT U.S. airlines carried 66 million passengers in August 2021 (preliminary) according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 20 airlines that carry more than 90% of passengers. That is an increase of 162% scheduled service passengers from August 2020 (25.2 million) but remains 20.8% below the number of passengers carried in the most recent corresponding pre-pandemic month, August 2019 (83.4 million).   Preliminary August 2021 passenger numbers (20 carriers reporting): Total: 66 million passengers, up 162% from August 2020 (25.2M), down 20.8% from August 2019 (83.4M) Domestic: 59.7 million passengers, up 151% from August 2020 (23.8M), down 17.5% from August 2019 (72.4M) International: 6.3 million passengers, up 358% from August 2020 (1.4M), down [...]