Source: Flight Attendants-CWA International Following the CDC updated recommended isolation and quarantine period, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA International President Sara Nelson released the following statement: "We said we wanted to hear from medical professionals on the best guidance for quarantine, not from corporate America advocating for a shortened period due to staffing shortages. The CDC gave a medical explanation about why the agency has decided to reduce the quarantine requirements from 10 to five days, but the fact that it aligns with the number of days pushed by corporate America is less than reassuring. "There are two significant caveats in the guidance that recognize concerns raised by our union. CDC recommends reducing quarantine to five days only if asymptomatic and with continued mask [...]

Source: UNWTO This has been another challenging year for our societies, our economies and tourism. Many millions of jobs and businesses remain in peril, at the mercy of an evolving crisis and of the actions of governments. However, we are by no means in the same place we were when the pandemic was declared in March 2020. In fact, we have succeeded in laying the foundations to restart tourism around the pillars of sustainability, innovation, people and investing for a resilient future. Working together Over the past year, much progress has been made in rolling out vaccinations and in both detecting and treating COVID-19. We have also seen significant progress made in finding the right balance between keeping people safe [...]

Source: US FAA The FAA is working with the aviation and wireless industries to find a solution that allows 5G C-band and aviation to safely coexist. While that work is underway, the FAA alerted operators that Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) may be issued to restrict operations in areas where 5G interference is possible. It also provides additional information about aircraft systems that could be affected. These recently published documents provide further information to operators about steps that will be required in areas potentially affected by 5G C-band interference. SAIB: AIR-21-18R1 SAFO 21007

Source: CANSO Simon Hocquard, CANSO’s Director General, has been named Executive Director of the Year in the annual Association of Association Executives’ International and European Association Awards. Simon was recognised for his leadership of CANSO through the COVID-19 crisis and the role the organisation played in advocating for air traffic management. He was also commended for his work in forging CANSO’s new direction and brand, and his role in creating the Complete Air Traffic System’s Global Council and its vision for the skies of 2045. The judges said: “He managed to keep the lights on in an organisation badly affected by the pandemic. He pivoted a new course during this period which should allow the organisation to flourish in the [...]

Source: FAA In an open letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Santa Claus revealed who made it on his FAA Safety Naughty and Nice Lists. “I have the utmost gratitude and respect for everyone who makes it their job to keep air travel safe,” writes Santa. “For those people whose bad behavior puts air travel safety in jeopardy, remember: I’m watching!” On Santa’s Nice List are air traffic controllers and technicians, pilots and flight attendants, ground crews, gate agents, airport personnel, security staff, airlines, commercial space operators, government safety oversight agencies and air travelers wearing masks. On Santa’s Naughty List are unruly passengers on flights, people pointing lasers at aircraft on purpose, and pilots or aircraft owners operating illegal [...]

Source: ALPA The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued the following statement in response to the robust discussion on pilot supply that took place during the most recent Senate Commerce Committee hearing on airline industry oversight: “The suggestion by network carriers that a lack of available pilots is the reason for leaving smaller markets is absurd and simply incorrect. The major ALPA carriers have approximately the same number of pilots currently as they did pre-pandemic. “Year over year, the United States is producing more pilots than can be hired by the airlines, with more than 1.5 certificated pilots relative to demand. With demand for air travel increasing and the end of the Payroll Support Program requirement that airlines maintain [...]

Source: FSF Flight Safety Foundation strongly encourages the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to work together to develop a plan that enables the safe and efficient implementation of 5G mobile communications services in the C-Band. It is critical to fully understand and mitigate potential 5G signal interference with radio altimeters that are integral to aircraft safety systems. Activation of these services currently is scheduled for Jan. 5. The FAA’s recent airworthiness directives (ADs) would restrict the use of approach and landing procedures during low visibility conditions. Other safety-critical features such as aircraft and obstacle collision avoidance systems also depend on reliable radio altimeter performance. The Foundation is concerned about the possible unintended consequences of [...]