Source: UNWTO International tourism continued to show strong signs of recovery, with arrivals reaching 57% of pre-pandemic levels in the first seven months of 2022. According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals almost tripled in January to July 2022 (+172%) compared to the same period of 2021. This means the sector recovered almost 60% of pre-pandemic levels. The steady recovery reflects strong pent-up demand for international travel as well as the easing or lifting of travel restrictions to date (86 countries had no COVID-19 related restrictions as of 19 September 2022). UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism continues to recover steadily, yet several challenges remain, from geopolitical to economic. The sector is bringing back hope and opportunity [...]

Source: ACI World Airports Council International (ACI) World will be promoting key airport priorities at the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) 41st Triennial Assembly, from 27 September to 7 October 2022, as it focuses on strengthening the sustainability of the entire aviation ecosystem. Occurring every three years, ICAO's Assembly establishes worldwide policy and guides governments' continuing and future work in civil aviation. This event is expected to attract more than 2,500 delegates, including ministers, directors general of civil aviation, and senior policy and decision makers. States and international organizations, including ACI World, have submitted Working Papers that will be presented during the Assembly and that represent the perspectives of their constituencies. The discussion and their conclusions direct the work of ICAO for the [...]

Source: US DOT New Rulemaking Would Require Airlines and Airline Search Sites to Disclose Fees Upfront Today, at a meeting of the White House Competition Council, President Biden will announce the release of a new proposed rule that would significantly strengthen protections for consumers by ensuring that they have access to certain fee information before they purchase their airline tickets. Under the proposed rule, airlines and travel search websites would have to disclose upfront—the first time an airfare is displayed—any fees charged to sit with your child, for changing or cancelling your flight, and for checked or carry-on baggage. The proposal seeks to provide customers the information they need to choose the best deal. Otherwise, surprise fees can add up [...]

Source: ACI World On the eve of the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) 41st Triennial Assembly, Airports Council International (ACI), representing nearly 2,000 of the world's airports, calls on States to adopt an ambitious environmental agreement. ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said: "The adoption of an ambitious environmental agreement at the ICAO 41st Triennial Assembly fully aligned with the Paris Agreement and the aviation industry's own commitments would demonstrate the leadership and commitment of ICAO and governments in taking bold measures to combat climate change." The entire aviation industry had agreed in October 2021, through the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), to a common goal of Net Zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This goal is ambitious and achievable, but requires [...]

Source: US DOT Outlines steps to reduce aviation emissions and meet 100% of domestic aviation fuel demand by 2050 The U.S. Department of Transportation's Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Annie Petsonk joined U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm to release the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge Roadmap. The comprehensive plan outlines the government-wide strategy for scaling sustainable aviation fuels production across the U.S. The roadmap outlines actions that will spur technological innovation to produce SAF, reduce emissions, enable the United States to meet its domestic climate goals, and position the country as a global leader in the emerging SAF market. "Transportation contributes more carbon emissions than any other sector, which means it must also be a [...]

Source: SEC The Securities and Exchange Commission charged The Boeing Company and its former CEO, Dennis A. Muilenburg, with making materially misleading public statements following crashes of Boeing airplanes in 2018 and 2019. The crashes involved Boeing’s 737 MAX airplane and a flight control function called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). According to the SEC’s orders, after the first crash, Boeing and Muilenburg knew that MCAS posed an ongoing airplane safety issue, but nevertheless assured the public that the 737 MAX airplane was “as safe as any airplane that has ever flown the skies.” Later, following the second crash, Boeing and Muilenburg assured the public that there were no slips or gaps in the certification process with respect to [...]

Source: US DOT Flight Cancellations Drop From 3.1% in June to 1.8% in July The U.S. Department of Transportation today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of July for on-time performance, consumer complaints received, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. There was a 16.5% increase in air travel service complaints from June to July, and complaints are more than 260% above pre-pandemic levels. The previous report from June showed a 34.9% increase from May to June, and complaints were nearly 270% above pre-pandemic levels. The ATCR is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines. DOT remains committed to ensuring airline passengers are treated [...]

Source: TIACA The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) announces the pioneering launch customers for the air cargo industry’s first multi-sector sustainability verification program. Following the announcement of the launch of the BlueSky Program at the March Executive Summit, a successful pilot program was run with airline and ground handling companies. The TIACA BlueSky program, open to the entire industry, not just TIACA members, is now ready to launch live operations with the first wave of participants representing organizations from the airline, airport, freight forwarder, ground handler and GSSA sectors. The TIACA BlueSky launch participants: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Astral Aviation Brussels Airport CHI (Cargo Handling International) Edmonton International Airport Etihad Cargo Flexport HACTL (Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited) Strike Aviation [...]

Source: ICAO Hundreds of Ministers and other high-level officials from 193 countries, including local government dignitaries, will be hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at its 41st triennial Assembly taking place as a hybrid event from 27 September to 7 October 2022. Given that the negotiations will be of critical importance to governments’ abilities to charter a sustainable and resilient recovery of the global aviation sector from the effects of the pandemic, the 2022 ICAO Assembly has attracted a tremendous amount of interest from aviation regulators, operators, and non-governmental organizations. It will be preceded by the ICAO Innovation Fair, where world leading manufacturers and operators will be showcasing tomorrow’s aviation technologies. The Innovation Fair runs from 24 to 26 September. The Fair [...]