Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced passenger data for March 2022 demonstrating that the recovery of air travel continues. Impacts from the conflict in Ukraine on air travel demand were quite limited overall while Omicron-related effects continued to be confined largely to Asian domestic markets. 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 March 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was up 76.0% compared to March 2021. Although that [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released March 2022 data for global air cargo markets showing a drop in demand. The effects of Omicron in Asia, the Russia – Ukraine war and a challenging operating backdrop contributed to the decline. Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), fell 5.2% compared to March 2021 (-5.4% for international operations). Capacity was 1.2% above March 2021 (+2.6% for international operations). While this is in positive territory, it is a significant decline from the 11.2% year-on-year increase in February. Asia and Europe experienced the largest falls in capacity. Several factors in the operating environment should be noted: The war in Ukraine led to a fall in cargo capacity used to serve Europe [...]

Source: US Department of Transportation U.S. scheduled passenger airlines reported a 2021 after-tax net loss of $2.8 billion, declining for the second straight year after seven consecutive annual after-tax profits and a pre-tax operating loss of $17.3 billion, declining for the second straight year after 11 consecutive annual pre-tax profit. U.S. airline financial reports are filed quarterly with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). See the tables that accompany this release on the BTS website for additional 2020 annual (Tables 1-6) and fourth-quarter (Tables 7-12) financial results. 2021 Annual Results for All 25 Scheduled Passenger Airlines After-tax net income $2.8 billion loss in 2021 Compared to $35.0 billion loss in 2020 Pre-tax operating profit/loss $17.3 billion loss in 2021 Compared [...]

Source: CANSO CANSO has announced the shortlisted candidates for the CANSO Global Safety Achievement Award 2021. The award recognises those individuals, teams, or companies that have made a significant contribution to aviation safety in the past 12 months. Four nominations have been shortlisted this year from To70, ENAIRE, and two from NAV CANADA. The winner will be announced at the World ATM Congress in Madrid, Spain, in June. Osman Saafan, DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH Director of Corporate Safety & Security / CSO and Civil-Military Affairs, and Chair of the CANSO Safety Standing Committee, said: “Our industry is seeing a rapid return to pre-COVID-19 levels of flying around the world. In fact, in some areas, we are now even exceeding pre-pandemic levels. “As flying [...]

Source: TIACA The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) announced that the fourth edition of the Air Cargo Sustainability Awards is now open for applications. The competition aims to recognize outstanding businesses and industry initiatives leading the way to a more sustainable air cargo industry. CHAMP Cargosystems, a leading industry IT solution provider, has generously committed to continue sponsoring these awards. “We are proud to continue supporting TIACA by exclusively sponsoring the Global Sustainability Awards for the Air Cargo sector. Now in their 4th year, they have been successful in pioneering Sustainability, raising awareness, and placing it high on the industry’s agenda.  Past winners can inspire us to do even more, so that with continued commitment and hard work, Sustainability is no [...]

Source: UNWTO The Russian Federation has been suspended from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), losing with immediate effect its rights and privileges as part of the United Nations specialized agency. Meeting for a first extraordinary UNWTO General Assembly, Members debated the suspension of Russia from the Organization, as decided by the UNWTO Executive Council at its emergency meeting last month. The Russian delegation declined to step up and defend its position, and instead announced its withdrawal from UNWTO before the debate took place. The Assembly voted in favor of suspension, far exceeding the two-third majority required. The decision is effective immediately, while voluntary withdrawal is only effective one year after a Member submits an official communication through the appropriate channels. Tourism is [...]

Source: House Committee on Transportation The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure advanced three important aviation bills at today’s markup, H.R. 3482, the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act of 2021, H.R. 5315, the Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act and H.R. 6270, the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization (AAIM) Act. “I am pleased to see this bipartisan aviation legislation advance through committee today,” Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR) said. “It has been clear for some time that more must be done to build and sustain our workforce if we want to remain world leaders in aviation and creating the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation will help us do just that. Additionally, the committee took action to promote the use of [...]

Source: Transport Canada The safety and security of travellers and transportation workers is paramount to Transport Canada. Following Transport Canada's investigation into the Montréal-Cancun flight of December 30, 2021, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, announced today that the majority of non-compliant passengers have received penalties. Transport Canada has issued a total of 42 penalties to 37 of the 154 passengers, including 18 penalties for non-compliance of vaccination status, and 24 penalties for not respecting instructions to wear a mask. The total value of these penalties, which could reach a maximum of $5,000 each, is $59,500. Since January 4, 2022, Transport Canada has been conducting an investigation to determine whether the Aeronautics Act, regulations or requirements pertaining to aviation safety [...]

Source: FAA The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is inviting the drone community to be part of its 2022 Drone Safety Day campaign on Saturday, June 18. This year's campaign will be a one-day national event, to encourage drone pilots and recreational flyers to "Fly RIGHT." This year's safety messages will focus on: Register your drone Interact with others Gain knowledge Have a safety plan TRUST and Train Since 2019, the FAA has hosted the annual campaign dedicated to drone safety and best practices. Safety is a shared responsibility that requires the community and the FAA to work together. For additional information and to find virtual and in-person events near you, visit faa.gov. Follow the FAA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest Drone Safety Day news.

Source: US Department of Transportation The U.S. Department of Transportation today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of February 2022 for on-time performance, mishandled baggage, mishandled wheelchairs and scooters, complaints received, and oversales. The ATCR is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines. It also contains information on complaints involving passenger and baggage security screening received by the Transportation Security Administration. The ATCR and other aviation consumer matters of interest to the public can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer. In February, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to result in significant changes to airline schedules and operations. The 496,531 flights operated in February 2022 were 87.9% of the [...]