Source: US DOT   U.S. airlines carried 607% more scheduled service passengers in May 2021 than in May 2020 (preliminary), according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 18 airlines that carry more than 90% of the passengers.   The large airlines carried 56.6 million passengers in May 2021 (preliminary), compared to 8.0 million passengers in May 2020 and up from 3.0 million in April 2020, which was the lowest monthly total in BTS records dating back to 1974.  The previous low was 14.6 million passengers in February 1975.   In May 2021, the large airlines carried 30% fewer total passengers, 27% fewer domestic passengers and 51% fewer international passengers than in pre-pandemic May 2019 when [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched an environmental sustainability training program together with the University of Geneva (UNIGE). While sustainability has played an important role in the industry for many years, it is a key priority as the sector rebuilds from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent survey of more than 800 industry training professionals, sustainability was identified as a top training need, in order to ensure that employees can obtain the necessary fundamental technical and operational skills, but also the required soft skills. The IATA - UNIGE Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Environmental Sustainability in Aviation consists of six modules covering the following topics: Design a Sustainability Strategy Environmental Management Systems [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) branded the European Commission’s (EC) decision to set the winter slot use threshold at 50% as “out of touch with reality,” and argued that the EC had ignored the advice and evidence presented by EU member states and the airline industry, which had made the case for a much lower threshold. The EC’s announcement means that, from November to April, airlines operating at slot-regulated airports must use at least half of every single series of slots they hold. There is no alleviation to hand back slots at the start of the season allowing airlines to match their schedule to realistic demand or enable other carriers to operate. Additionally, the rule on ‘force [...]

Source: EASA EASA updated Safety Information Bulletin SIB 2020-14 which is addressed to continuing airworthiness management organisations (CAMOs), maintenance organisations (MOs), and competent national airworthiness authorities (NAAs) in relation to aircraft that have been stored due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The SIB provides recommendations for cleaning and inspecting the pitot static system during the return back to service of aircraft, along with recommendations for oversight. It should be read in conjunction with the EASA Guidance on ‘Return to service of aircraft from storage in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic’. For more information, please review Safety Information Bulletin SIB 2020-14.

Source: ACI-LAC ACI-LAC invites all members  to the third ACI-LAC & Munich Airport International webinar on "Does your airport have what it takes to create a unique customer experience?". It is well known that improving customer experience makes business sense. However, in the evolving world of aviation with constantly rising passenger expectations that is easier said than done. There are a number of areas that have to be considered – airport environment, processes, products, services and communication being the most important ones. Underpinned by people, all these pillars individually and in combination play a vital role in creating a unique customer experience. ACI-LAC World Business Partner Munich Airport International (MAI) will give insight into the work, dedication and motivation it [...]

Source: US DOT   The 24 U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 0.7% more full-time equivalents (FTEs) in May 2021 than in April 2021: May’s total number of FTEs (392,984) was up 1,483 from April (391,501) and down 68,613, a 14.9% drop from the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 (461,597). May 2021 was the lowest FTE total for the month of May since 2015 (395,621). The increase from April resulted primarily from Delta Air Lines increase of 2,185 FTEs. Other passenger airlines reported a combined decrease in FTEs from April to May. Regulations require U.S. airlines to report employment numbers for employees who worked or received pay for any part of the pay period(s) ending nearest the 15th day [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on governments to take action to address the high cost of COVID-19 tests in many jurisdictions and urged flexibility in permitting the use of cost-effective antigen tests as an alternative to more expensive PCR tests. IATA also recommended governments adopt recent World Health Organization (WHO) guidance to consider exempting vaccinated travelers from testing requirements. According to IATA’s most recent traveler survey, 86% of respondents are willing to get tested. But 70% also believe that the cost of testing is a significant barrier to travel, while 78% believe governments should bear the cost of mandatory testing. “IATA supports COVID-19 testing as a pathway to reopen borders to international travel. But our support [...]

Source: UNWTO The biggest crisis in the history of tourism continues into a second year. Between January and May, international tourist arrivals were 85% below 2019 levels (or a 65% drop on 2020), UNWTO data shows. Despite a small uptick in May, the emergence of COVID-19 variants and the continued imposition of restrictions are weighing on the recovery of international travel. Meanwhile, domestic tourism continues to rebound in many parts of the world. The latest UNWTO data shows that over the first five months of the year, world destinations recorded 147 million fewer international arrivals (overnight visitors) compared to the same period of 2020, or 460 million less than pre-pandemic year of 2019. However, the data does point to a [...]