Source: UNWTO The global vaccination rollout and increased adoption of digital solutions for safe travel should lead to a rise in international mobility over the weeks and months ahead, the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) indicates. According to the newest edition of the Travel Restrictions Report from the United Nations specialized agency for tourism, as of 1 June, 29% of all destinations worldwide have their borders completely closed to international tourism. Of these, more than half have been completely closed to tourists for since May 2020 or longer, with the majority of these belonging to the Small Island Development States of Asia and the Pacific. In comparison, just three destinations (Albania, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic) are completely [...]

Source: ACI Airports Council International (ACI) World and ACI EUROPE have today announced that Istanbul Airport is the first airport in the world to be reaccredited through the Airport Health Accreditation programme. Accreditation is granted for 12 months. Istanbul Airport was first in the world to be accredited in 2020 and now the airport is the first in the world to be reaccredited for another 12 months since ACI opened the programme reaccreditation in June. The programme is supported by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It has been updated this year and remains aligned with the latest ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) Recommendations and with the ACI EUROPE Guidelines for a Healthy Passenger Experience which are, in [...]

Source: European Commission The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Air Europa by IAG, under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission is concerned that the proposed transaction may reduce competition in the markets for passenger air transport services on Spanish domestic routes and on international routes to and from Spain. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, responsible for competition policy, said: “IAG, which flies with Iberia and Vueling among others, and Air Europa are leading airlines in Spain. They are also key providers of connectivity between Spain, the rest of Europe and Latin America. We will carefully assess whether the proposed transaction would negatively affect competition on domestic, short-haul and long-haul routes to and from Spain, possibly leading to [...]

Source: ALPA The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) today issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the INVEST in America Act: “We applaud the House passage of the INVEST in America Act, which will provide unprecedented investment in our nation’s transportation infrastructure and includes strong labor protections and Buy America rules. Passage of this bill means we are one step closer to creating and sustaining good union jobs, improving the quality of life for workers and their families, and ensuring America will remain economically competitive for years to come. “We also thank the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for its work on this legislation, including addressing the significant hazards associated with the transport of lithium [...]

Source: House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR), House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Chair Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Chair Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change Chairman Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce Chair Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) applauded full House passage of the INVEST in America Act by a bipartisan vote of 221-201. The INVEST in America Act is a $715 billion surface transportation reauthorization and water infrastructure bill, with more than $44 billion added during the amendment process to make even greater investments in [...]

Source: European Commission As of today, the EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation enters into application. This means that EU citizens and residents will now be able to have their Digital COVID Certificates issued and verified across the EU. 21 Member States as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein had already started to issue certificates ahead of today's deadline, and five EU countries are starting today. The Commission's work on the EU Digital COVID Certificates was led by Commissioner Didier Reynders in close cooperation with Vice-Presidents Vera Jourová and Margaritis Schinas and Commissioners Thierry Breton, Stella Kyriakides, and Ylva Johansson. Welcoming the entry into application of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The European Union is delivering for [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Rolls-Royce plc have signed a joint statement that clarifies the engine manufacturer’s ongoing commitment to an open and competitive approach to its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. The document was finalized after several months of productive and collaborative dialogue on industry best practice for engine MRO services. Both organizations are aligned on four key principles that underpin the Rolls-Royce approach to the MRO ecosystem and are included in the official statement: Rolls-Royce does not prevent the development of legitimate non-OEM parts or non-OEM repairs by MRO providers and independent parts manufacturers, as long as they are approved by the appropriate airworthiness regulator; Rolls-Royce’s policy is to grant airlines, lessors and [...]

Source: US FAA The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE)affirmed their commitment to increasing aviation safety and building a more sustainable industry during a virtual meeting today with senior officials from both continents. “We’ve proven we can accomplish more, with better results, when we work together,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “President Biden made this clear on his trip to Europe earlier this month. He reaffirmed the primacy of the U.S.-European alliance. The bonds we have forged through NATO and countless other areas continue to serve the interests of both sides. And nowhere is that more true than our relationship in aviation safety and sustainability.” “The EU-U.S. [...]

Source: ALTA