Source: CANSO The early results from four End-to-End Route Optimisation trials in Latin America and Caribbean are showing significant savings in time, fuel, and carbon emissions. Carried out by the CANSO ATFM Data Exchange Network for the Americas, CADENA, as a Planned Airway System Alternative (PASA) initiative, the trials were run for 90 days in the second half of 2021 and involved one aircraft from one airline on each of the selected routes. Over the course of the trials, each aircraft produced significant savings and showed how those savings could be projected, per aircraft, over the course of a year. Here’s how each performed. Atlanta – Lima – Atlanta 9 July – 7 October 2021 Savings 90-Day One Year Flight [...]

Source: ALPA Denounces Carrier for Taking Handout, Leaving Small Communities Stranded In a letter sent to Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA) commended the Department of Transportation (DOT) for ensuring that SkyWest Airlines deliver on its pledge to provide air service for America's small and rural communities, while highlighting that the airline has received nearly $2 billion in taxpayer subsidies over the past several years. Earlier this month, the nation's largest regional airline notified DOT of its intent to discontinue Essential Air Service (EAS) to 29 cities, citing pilot staffing challenges. DOT rejected SkyWest's plan and is requiring the airline to continue service to each city until a replacement is found. "We urge the DOT to remain vigilant [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the launch of the IATA Recommended Practice Per-Passenger CO2 Calculation Methodology. IATA’s Methodology, using verified airline operational data, provides the most accurate calculation methodology for the industry to quantify CO2 emissions per passenger for a specific flight. As travelers, corporate travel managers, and travel agents are increasingly demanding precise flight CO2 emission information, an accurate and standardized calculation methodology is critical. This is particularly true in the corporate sector where such calculations are needed to underpin voluntary emissions reductions targets. “Airlines have worked together through IATA to develop an accurate and transparent methodology using verified airline operational data. This provides the most accurate CO2 calculation for organizations and individuals to make [...]

Source: FAA The Women in Aviation Advisory Board held its final meeting today and voted unanimously to submit its report to the FAA Administrator at the meeting. The FAA will post the report on its website later this week after the board transmits it to the agency. The FAA will review the report and consider the strategies and recommendations outlined to support its efforts in encouraging women to apply their specialized skills in the aviation field. The recommendations are also expected to be used to help the agency encourage students to consider careers in aviation. "I want to thank all of you for your service over these long months. We so appreciate your leadership," said Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg. "I am [...]

Source: US Department of Transportation The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it is publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would improve the accessibility of lavatories for people with disabilities traveling on new single-aisle aircraft. "Far too often, travelers with disabilities don't have the opportunity to fly to their destinations because they can't access the lavatories on most airplanes," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "This rule would make airplane lavatories more accessible for passengers with disabilities, and bring us one step closer to the day when air travel is possible for everyone." Currently, there is no federal requirement that lavatories on single-aisle aircraft be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The inability to use the lavatory on [...]

Sources: ACI-LAC and ALTA As part of the celebration of Aviation Day in Ecuador, organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, ACI-LAC, ALTA, and ARLAE, the airline industry signed a joint statement reaffirming its commitment to fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. Additionally, it called on the National Government to redouble its efforts to enforce the law and for greater public order control to prevent these crimes, which cause an invaluable loss to the country’s biodiversity. Airline and airport representatives pledged to continue working proactively with government agencies and conservation organizations to adopt protocols and procedures to control and prevent this illegal trade. The airline industry also reiterated its commitment to comply with the Buckingham Palace and Buenos Aires declarations against illegal wildlife [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the increasing momentum towards re-opening of borders and relaxation of travel restrictions, as COVID-19 moves into the endemic phase. An IATA survey of travel restrictions for the world’s top 50 air travel markets (comprising 88% of international demand in 2019 as measured by revenue passenger kilometers) revealed the growing access available to vaccinated travelers: 25 markets representing 38% of 2019 international demand are open to vaccinated travelers without quarantine measures or testing requirements—up from 18 markets (28% of 2019 international demand) in mid-February. 38 markets representing 65% of 2019 international demand are open to vaccinated travelers with no quarantine requirements—up from 28 markets (50% of 2019 international demand) in mid-February. Repeated [...]

Source: ICAO Data collection and the promotion of the sustainable development benefits provided by aviation professions, particularly for women, are the focus of a new agreement signed by ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder. Under the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ICAO and the ILO will work to leverage off their complementary efforts and policy coherence within their respective mandates for global aviation and labour, with the ultimate objective being more effective support to States now seeking to achieve the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Effective immediately, the MoU will assure improved ICAO/ILO progress on gender equality and sustainable development through a wide variety of joint activities, encompassing research, technical [...]