Source: US DOT The U.S. Department of Transportation and its Federal Aviation Administration are issuing orders blocking Russian aircraft and airlines from entering and using all domestic U.S. airspace.  “The United States stands with our allies and partners across the world in responding to Putin’s unprovoked aggression against the people of Ukraine,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.  The Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and regulatory orders will suspend operations of all aircraft owned, certified, operated, registered, chartered, leased, or controlled by, for, or for the benefit of, a person who is a citizen of Russia. This includes passenger and cargo flights, and scheduled as well as charter flights, effectively closing U.S. air space to all Russian commercial air carriers [...]

Source: US FAA The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is continuing to make progress in reforming its aircraft certification processes. This week, the agency expanded the use of independent groups of internal and external safety experts for certification projects such as commercial aircraft, smaller aircraft and drones. These reviews, called Technical Advisory Boards (TAB), help the FAA have a consistent and thorough approach for all aircraft certification projects. The changes go beyond a key requirement of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act. They will also: Promote establishing the TAB early in the certification process Specify different levels of TABs depending on the project scope and the risks the aircraft could pose when it enters into service. During a TAB review, [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects overall traveler numbers to reach 4.0 billion in 2024 (counting multi-sector connecting trips as one passenger), exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels (103% of the 2019 total). Expectations for the shape of the near-term recovery have shifted slightly, reflecting the evolution of government-imposed travel restrictions in some markets. The overall picture presented in the latest update to IATA’s long-term forecast, however, is unchanged from what was expected in November, prior to the Omicron variant. “The trajectory for the recovery in passenger numbers from COVID-19 was not changed by the Omicron variant. People want to travel. And when travel restrictions are lifted, they return to the skies. There is still a long way to go [...]

Source: ACI World Guidance on airport ground access services first in the series Airports Council International (ACI) World has today launched a new series of guidance material dedicated to helping airports strengthen their non-aeronautical (commercial) revenue to improve the traveller experience and contribute to the recovery of the sector as travel begins to increase. The first set of available guidance focuses on airport ground access and includes the Optimal Integration of Airport Ground Access Services Handbook, and the Sustainable Airport Ground Access Policy Paper. Over the years, airports have become multimodal transportation hubs striving to meet the needs of a diverse group of travellers who may have varying preferences when choosing how to get to and from an airport. Significant trends, such [...]

Source: US Department of Transportation Today's action promotes competition, helps consumers by providing them with lower fares and more choices The U.S. Department of Transportation today issued a notice finalizing its procedures to reassign 16 peak afternoon and evening runway times previously operated by Southwest Airlines at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The Department is requesting applications from U.S. low-cost carriers or ultra-low-cost carriers to help address competition issues at the airport. "This decision to open up access at Newark means lower fares and more choices for the traveling public," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to promoting competition, lowering costs for Americans and protecting consumer choice, which is exactly what this step will help [...]

Source: ICAO The 36 States composing the ICAO Council discussed today the situation unfolding in Ukraine, during a scheduled meeting of the ICAO Governing Body’s 225th Session. A representative of Ukraine also participated in the Council meeting on the basis of the State’s stake in the situation. The topic was considered by the Council on the basis of an oral statement delivered by the President of the Council, Salvatore Sciacchitano, together with a presentation from ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar, which updated Representatives on the operational aviation context. Council States condemned the violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a United Nations Member State, including its airspace, as being inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the [...]

Source: ALTA Executives from the aviation fuel division gathered in Mexico City Executives from 13 airlines and 16 aviation fuel suppliers attended the joint in-person meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) Fuel Committee and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Americas Regional Fuel Working Group on February 22, 23 and 24 in Mexico City. The first day of the meeting took place at the International Training Center of Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (CIIASA) and included a dedicated agenda for airline representatives to discuss about the Mexican market, with presentations by Oscar Arguello, General Director of ASA, and Mauricio Arellano, Director of Fuels of ASA, as well as discussions on campaigns and priorities in the region, [...]

Source: ACI World ACI World calls on governments to ease travel restrictions "On the global front, it has been almost two years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. However, we have now reached a potential turning point," said ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira  Airports Council International (ACI) World has today released the latest data on the impact of COVID-19 on global passenger traffic and the airport business, as the industry embarks on a potential turning point in the recovery of travel. Despite slower than expected recovery and persisting financial challenges, the easing of travel restrictions in key aviation markets brings some renewed optimism and momentum amid the addition of new geopolitical tensions. [...]

Source: ACI-LAC To70, the world’s leading aviation consultancy, joins the ACI-LAC group of commercial partners as an affiliate member. Founded in The Netherlands in 2000, To70 provides the global aviation industry with research and advisory services to help society and industry address current and future aviation challenges. They have as a strength the ability to understand the local context of their client’s challenges and provide global experience to identify effective and pragmatic solutions. “We are pleased to announce To70 as a new member of ACI-LAC. Their vast knowledge and experience in environmental management will support our member airports in developing initiatives that will allow them to optimize energy resources and at the same time contribute to climate change mitigation,” stated [...]

Source: ALTA The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) is pleased to welcome COOPRESA (Cooperativa Dos Prestadores De Serviços Autônomos De Lagoa Santa) as its new affiliate member. COOPRESA was founded in 1997 aiming to provide aircraft and component maintenance services with specialized human talent and constant technological innovation. Among COOPRESA’s services are component overhaul and maintenance, hangar cleaning and maintenance, outsourcing, certification of companies governed by RBAC No. 145 and EASA, PTM management, PCA and PCP services, aircraft cleaning, obtaining station permits, booking and transferring registrations, validation of foreign projects (STC) with ANAC, approval of experimental aircraft with ANAC, among others that solve the technical and maintenance needs of its partners and customers “On behalf of ALTA, [...]