Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced passenger data for July 2022 showing that the recovery in air travel continues to be strong. Note: We have returned to year-on-year traffic comparisons, instead of comparisons with the 2019 period, unless otherwise noted. Owing to the low traffic base in 2021, some markets will show very high year-on-year growth rates, even if the size of these markets is still significantly smaller than they were in 2019. Total traffic in July 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was up 58.8% compared to July 2021. Globally, traffic is now at 74.6% of pre-crisis levels. Domestic traffic for July 2022 was up 4.1% compared to the year-ago period and is now driving the [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for July 2022 global air cargo markets showing that demand continued to track at near pre-pandemic levels in July (-3.5%), but below July 2021 performance (-9.7%). Note: We have returned to year-on-year traffic comparisons, instead of comparisons with the 2019 period, unless otherwise noted. Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), fell 9.7% compared to July 2021 (-10.2% for international operations). Demand stood at -3.5% compared to July 2019. Capacity was 3.6% above July 2021 (+6.8% for international operations) but still 7.8% below July 2019 levels. Several factors in the operating environment should be noted: New export orders, a leading indicator of cargo demand, decreased in all markets, except China [...]

Source: US DOT After Secretary Buttigieg wrote letter to airline CEOs, airlines made significant improvements to customer service plans Throughout 2022, Americans have experienced an unacceptable level of flight delays and cancellations. When these disruptions occur, airlines are required to support passengers based on commitments made in their customer service plans, but too often passengers find those plans are difficult to understand and do not guarantee services – such as meals or hotel accommodations when they must wait overnight at an airport – even for flights that are delayed or canceled because of the carrier. To ensure the traveling public has easy access to this information, the U.S. Department of Transportation today rolled out a new airline customer service dashboard, [...]

Source: FAA The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded $231,000 in grants to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) outreach. "If kids can dream it, they can do it. It's up to us to light the path for them," said FAA Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims. Three grants are for universities to facilitate STEM outreach to students, especially those who are under-represented in STEM and aviation fields. The schools will design and conduct drone-centered immersion programs, summer camps, after-school programs and community outreach efforts that will educate and inspire youth from elementary, middle, and high schools. The STEM outreach grants are awarded to the following universities: North Carolina State University $125,000 Kansas State University $100,000 Sinclair Community College in Ohio $6,000 [...]

Source: ALTA Brazil will host a new edition of the ALTA/IATA Joint Fuel Committee. The city chosen was Rio de Janeiro, where representatives of airlines, fuel suppliers, service providers and governments will meet between September 15 and 16 to discuss the future of aviation fuels in our region, with a strong focus on the production, distribution, and use of SAF, in line with the commitment to work for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation. Created in 2004, the Committee is responsible for identifying and developing synergies between airport operators, fuel suppliers, governments, and airlines. It also promotes dialogue and best practices to ensure greater transparency, open access, consistency, and predictability in jet fuel prices in the region; adequate, safe, [...]

Source: US DOT The U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of June and for the second quarter of 2022 for on-time performance, consumer complaints received, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. There was a 34.9% increase in air travel service complaints from May to June, and complaints are nearly 270 percent 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 fairly and is concerned about recent flight cancellations and flight disruptions. The Department's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) is monitoring airlines' operations to [...]

Source: TSA The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that Eebbers, an 11-year-old explosive detection canine who works at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in St. Paul, Minnesota, was voted the winner of TSA's 2022 Cutest Canine Contest. Last week, TSA held a nationwide social media contest on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and encouraged members of the public to vote for the agency's "cutest canine." Once all the votes were tallied, Eebbers emerged the winner. The contest was held in recognition of National Dog Day to acknowledge the important role TSA's hardworking canines play in protecting the nation's transportation system. Preliminary voting among TSA employees narrowed the field of 92 contenders to the final four canines. This year's winner was one of four TSA canine [...]

Source: ACI-LAC ACI-LAC invites all its members to its webinar "Preparing for a natural disaster." Latin America and the Caribbean is not only the most unequal region in the world, as indicated by the UNDP, but it is also the second most prone to natural disasters, according to the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs, an incidence that could increase due to climate change and environmental degradation, for this reason it is very important that as airports we are prepared to deal with emergencies of this type. Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2022 Time: 10:00 AM (Panama / Quito / Bogota) Speakers:  María Elena Sandoval - ACI-LAC Advisor Fabio Salvatierra - AGA Regional Officer, ICAO South American Office Erick Gracia - Emergency Response Director, Governor [...]

Source: ALTA The event was participated by ALTA's Head of Safety, Virginio Corrieri The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), participated last Tuesday (17) in the Symposium "New vision of safety: Human Factor and communication in crisis management", promoted by Abrapavaa (Aviation Accident Victims' Families and Friends' Brazilian Association). The event was held to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Association. Aiming to share experiences in critical situations through professionals working in the sector, ALTA's Head of Safety, Virginio Corrieri, participated in the symposium and highlighted the activities developed by ALTA to enable the development of a safer, more efficient and environmentally responsible air transport in the region. According to ALTA's Head of Safety, the event provided an [...]