Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed new guidance from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) removing its recommendation that masks should be required in-flight. EASA’s updated Aviation Health Safety Protocol, published 11 May, calls for the mandatory mask rule to be relaxed where rules have been relaxed for other transport modes. This important shift reflects the high levels of vaccination, natural immunity levels, and the removal of domestic restrictions in many European nations. The updated guidance also acknowledges the need to move from an emergency situation to a more sustainable mode of managing COVID-19. “We welcome EASA’s recommendation to relax the mask mandate, which is another important step along the road back to normality for air passengers. [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the 2022 Cabin Ops Safety Conference (COSC) will take place as an in-person event in Lisbon, Portugal, 14-16 June with TAP Air Portugal as the Host Airline. In the face of numerous operational challenges, the airline industry improved its safety performance in several key areas in 2021, compared both to 2020 and to the average of the five years 2017-2021, including reductions in the accident rate and the number of passenger fatalities. These strong results were achieved as the industry ramped-up operations from the low point of April 2020, while addressing numerous issues, including crew shortages and a sharp rise in unruly passenger events. “Airlines and their employees have done a superb [...]

Source: ALTA The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) is pleased to welcome L3Harris Technologies, Inc. as a new affiliate member: an American company with more than a century of history and presence in 100 countries and 47 thousand employees. L3Harris provides solutions for the defense, commercial and civil industries in space, air, land, sea, cyber and multidomain. The L3Harris commercial aviation business offers end-to-end solutions through a broad range of next-generation avionics, flight data analysis services, full-flight simulators, and pilot training and maintenance services for commercial and military customers around the globe. “We value and continually strive to become part of key organizations actively collaborating in the industry to move our technology and services forward,” said Alan [...]

Source: A4A We congratulate David Pekoske on his nomination by President Biden to serve as TSA Administrator for a second term. For the past five years, Administrator Pekoske has done a tremendous job of leading TSA through the most challenging period in aviation while continuing to create a safe environment for the traveling public as well as passenger and cargo carriers. He is an extraordinary leader who knows how to anticipate challenges, collaborate with stakeholders and work through problems before they occur. Over the past five years, he has identified opportunities to strengthen the agency and maximize its operations, making it an even more effective agency for the future. A4A and our members are grateful for his keen vision, tireless [...]

Source: ACI Awards showcase industry-leading technology initiatives and leadership by airports Airports Council International (ACI) World and Amadeus have today opened submissions for the second edition of the Technology Innovation Awards, celebrating the important role of technology innovations in shaping the evolution of airports and passenger experience. ACI airport members are encouraged to submit their candidacy to the Amadeus and ACI World Technology Innovation Awards, which will see winners in three categories: Best innovation(s) in airport passenger related processes Best innovation(s) in airport operations and installations management Best airport innovation leader (individual) The Technology Innovation Awards will showcase industry-leading technology initiatives and leadership by airports that solve or address real issues in a fast-changing environment with continuously evolving passenger expectations. A [...]

Source: ICAO During its recent 225th Session the Council of ICAO adopted Amendment 18 to Annex 17 to the International Standards and Recommended Practices, Aviation Security (Annex 17 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation). Amendment 18 arises from the proposals of the Thirty-second Meeting of the Aviation Security Panel (AVSECP/32), held virtually from 31 May to 4 June 2021, in order to ensure that the measures in Annex 17 – Aviation Security are commensurate with the level of threat to civil aviation. When adopting Amendment 18, the Council prescribed 18 July 2022 as the date on which it would become effective, except for any part concerning which the majority of Member States have registered their disapproval before that date. [...]

Source: ALTA Aiming to “keep the opportunity to fly alive, generating connectivity and development,” Viva, the ‘Super Low Cost’ carrier, joins the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) as new member. Honoring its name, transforming and adapting itself, Viva has set growth goals, among which it is to open 30 new international routes in the coming years, as well as committing to offer the lowest unit cost per passenger in the world, in an effort to always offer low prices that echo its winning Low Cost model. Just this month, Viva celebrates 10 years of operation in Colombia and 5 years in Peru, where through its ‘Super Low Cost’ model it has managed to consolidate 46 domestic routes [...]

Source: TIACA The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) announced the launch of the Regional Symposium series. The series is aimed at engaging and bringing the air cargo community together to discuss issues that we are facing at a regional level. The kick-off event will be held in Amsterdam and will be hosted by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The Regional Symposiums are designed to identify specific issues on a regional level that TIACA can incorporate into our overall work on behalf of the industry. The program will include important discussions on sustainability, market challenges, people issues and the economic outlook.  Digitalization, safety and security issues will also feature highly on the program.  Each Symposium will develop a Regional Action plan that will [...]