Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for governments to apply the lessons learned from the dismantling of global connectivity in response to COVID-19 to ensure that future global health threats can be effectively managed without closing borders. The World Health Organization (WHO) long advised that border closures are not an effective means of managing a global pandemic. Evidence observed during the pandemic proved the point. Most governments ignored this advice, acted in isolation from the industry and other governments, and put in place measures to restrict travel. This collapsed global air connectivity with massive negative economic and human consequences. Moreover, the restart of global connectivity has been made more challenging because governments continue to favor local solutions [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched IATA CO2 Connect, an online tool which provides the most accurate CO2 emission calculations for any given commercial passenger flight. IATA CO2 Connect responds to the growing demand for CO2 data transparency linked to airline specific and actual fuel burn information and load factors. This sets it apart from theoretical data models that already exist on the market today. IATA CO2 Connect is available to companies within and outside the travel-value-chain, such as travel management companies (TMCs), travel agencies, airlines or multinational corporations. They can access the relevant CO2 emissions data and integrate it in a customized manner into their existing flight booking tools. Travel managers or travelers can easily see [...]

Source: ACI-LAC ACI-LAC is pleased to announce that Palmerola International Airport, Honduras has received the Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) program certification Airports Council International - Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC) is pleased to announce that Palmerola International Airport, Honduras has received the Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) program certification, granted to ACI member airports that are aligned and compliant with the health protocols proposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) recommendations and the ACI Business Restart and Recover guidelines. The Palmerola International Airport, together with the airport authorities, implemented modern biosecurity equipment, such as thermographic cameras, among others, from the beginning of its operations. In addition to the installation of sanitizers and educational signage on the [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA), announced that leaders of the global aviation industry are gathering in Doha, Qatar, for the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS), with Qatar Airways as the host airline. The event (19-21 June) attracts the industry's most senior leaders from among IATA's 290 member airlines, as well as leading government officials, strategic partners, equipment suppliers, and media. "In a few days, Doha will become the aviation capital of the world. The last time we met in Doha, in 2014, we were celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first airline flight. This year's AGM is another momentous occasion: Airlines are simultaneously recovering from the COVID-19 crisis, setting the [...]

Source: ALTA A greener partnership for the aviation industry in Latin America and Caribbean has just taken off The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) celebrates the joining of BSBIOS, a Brazilian company founded in 2005 and the country’s largest biodiesel producer, as its new member. In 2021, the company produced 895,463 m³ of biodiesel, a figure that, according to the company’s 2021 Sustainability Report, represents an 18.5% increase over 2020 and a 13.2% market share in Brazil, with four consecutive years as the leader in biodiesel production. BSBIOS and the aviation industry share the common goal of decarbonizing the planet. Focusing on the operations of the Agribusiness and Renewable Energy divisions, the company’s strategic planning has defined [...]

Source: FAA The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a proposed rule today aimed at reducing greenhouse gasses emitted by most large aircraft flying in U.S. airspace. The rule would require more fuel efficiency for new subsonic jet aircraft and large turboprop and propeller aircraft that are not yet certified and for new planes manufactured after January 1, 2028. "Today is an important step forward in reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released by our nation's airplanes and ultimately reaching President Biden's ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Examples of commercial aircraft that will be required to meet the proposed standards include the upcoming Boeing 777-X and future versions of [...]

Source: ALTA Last week, at our 11 ALTA Pan American Aviation Safety Summit in Sao Paulo, I had the pleasure to talk with Billy Nolen, Acting Administrator of the FAA, and learn more about the main projects being developed in the region, especially in Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, markets that are achieving an outstanding recovery compared to the other regions of the world. For this reason, today I am delighted to share with you this edition of Flying Over Latin America and the Caribbean so that everyone can know more about the partnership we have with the FAA and the efforts they are developing to continue raising safety standards. I would like to highlight a statement that [...]

Source: US Department of Transportation Scheduled passenger airlines add 5,137 full-time equivalents for 12th consecutive month of job growth  U.S. Airline Employees Headcount (Full-time and Part-time Employees) U.S. airline industry (passenger and cargo airlines combined) employment increased to 751,165 workers in April 2022, 4,752 (0.64%) more workers than in March 2022 (746,413) and 16,178 (2.20%) more than in pre-pandemic April 2019 (734,987). U.S. scheduled-service passenger airlines employed 470,317 workers in April or 63% of the industry-wide total. Passenger airlines added 5,448 employees in April for a twelfth consecutive month of job growth dating back to May 2021. Southwest led scheduled passenger carriers, adding 1,457 employees; Delta Airlines added 1,380 employees, and United Airlines added 1,404. U.S. cargo airlines employed 277,575 workers [...]

Source: Government of Canada Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport; Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health; Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, and Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, issued this statement today to provide an update on actions the Government of Canada and industry partners are taking to reduce wait times at Canadian airports: “The Government of Canada recognizes the impact that significant wait times at some Canadian airports are having on travellers. We are working with airports, air carriers, baggage handlers, and other partners to implement solutions to reduce delays as we approach the summer peak season. The goal is to streamline services for inbound and outbound passengers, so Canadians can travel smoothly and safely as [...]

Source: A4A The statement below is attributable to Airlines for America (A4A) President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio: We are pleased that the pre-departure testing requirement has been eliminated for international air travelers who are eager to visit or return home to the United States. The airline industry appreciates the Administration’s decision to lift the pre-departure testing requirement in accordance with the current epidemiological environment. Lifting this policy will help encourage and restore air travel to the United States, benefiting communities across the country that rely heavily on travel and tourism to support their local economies. We are eager to welcome the millions of travelers who are ready to come to the U.S. for vacation, business and reunions with loved [...]