Source: ATAG Representatives of the world’s governments meeting in Montreal are being urged to adopt a long-term climate goal of net-zero carbon by 2050 for the aviation sector. Over 150 countries are expected at the 41st International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly where one of the most important topics of discussion will be climate change. Executive Director of the Air Transport Action Group, Haldane Dodd says the climate emergency needs action from all actors: “last October, the aviation industry set net-zero carbon by 2050 as a challenging, but achievable, goal for aviation. This cannot rely on industry action alone – we will need support from the energy sector and governments to make net-zero aviation a reality. “Governments meeting at the ICAO [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted four priorities to build resilience and strengthen air cargo’s post-pandemic prospects. The priorities, outlined at the 15th World Cargo Symposium (WCS), which opened in London today are: 1. Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050; 2. Continuing to modernize processes; 3. Finding better solutions to safely carry lithium batteries; 4. Making air cargo attractive to new talent “Air cargo had a stellar year in 2021 achieving $204 billion in revenues. At present, however, social and economic challenges are mounting. The war in Ukraine has disrupted supply chains, jet fuel prices are high and economic volatility has slowed GDP growth. Despite this, there are positive developments. E-commerce continues to grow, COVID restrictions [...]

Source: FAA Part of agency's work to usher in new era of aviation safely The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today released new design guidelines for vertiports, infrastructure that will support Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft. The design standards will serve as the initial step to provide key information for airport owners, operators and infrastructure developers to begin development of facilities that will support operations of AAM aircraft that are electrically powered and take-off and land vertically. "Our country is stepping into a new era of aviation. These vertiport design standards provide the foundation needed to begin safely building infrastructure in this new era." said Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta Griffin, P.E.  These Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) operations will transport passengers [...]

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 [...]