Source: US DOT The U.S. Department of Transportation today released its May 2021 Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of March 2021.  The ATCR is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines.  The ATCR and other aviation consumer matters of interest to the public can be found at http://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in significant changes to airline schedules and operations in March 2021, although airlines scheduled and operated the most flights in March 2021 than any month since March 2020. March 2021 saw a decrease in flight cancellations compared to the prior month and an overall increase in flights operated.  The [...]

Source: ICAO Speaking yesterday to a World Economic Forum (WEF) Ministerial meeting on sustainable aviation fuels, ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu underscored that as a worldwide connector of peoples and businesses, and one heavily relied upon to promote economic growth at scales which permit meaningful sustainability investments by global societies, the international civil aviation sector has a key role to play in the world’s post-pandemic green transition. The government officials participating included the meeting’s Chair, UK Aviation Minister Mr. Robert Courts, the Principal Secretary for Kenya’s State Department of Transport, Mr. Solomon Kitungu, and His Excellency Engineer Suhail Mohammed Al Mazrouie, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, United Arab Emirates. “ICAO is leading the way today in helping countries explore [...]

Source: US DOT U.S. airlines carried 9% more cargo by weight in March 2021 (preliminary) than in March 2020. The rise was fueled by gains of nearly 4% in domestic cargo and 24% in international cargo, according to data filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by 12 of the leading U.S. cargo airlines. March 2020 was the first month in which the pandemic started affecting air cargo totals. The 12 airlines carry 95% of the total cargo by weight transported on U.S. airlines. Cargo data consists of freight and mail carried within the U.S. and between the U.S. and foreign points. March 2021 (preliminary) air cargo numbers for 12 U.S. cargo carriers: Total: 1,582 thousand tons, up 8.7% [...]

Source: ICAO While participating in the high-level opening panel discussion at the International Transport Forum’s Summit 2021 event earlier today, ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu responded to questions on whether pandemic effects on air transport were likely to persist, on the role of governments in building back better in terms of innovation and sustainability, and on what ICAO has been learning from its emissions reduction Stocktaking Seminars in terms of near-term solutions – especially in the area of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). Following introductory remarks by Irish Minister of Transport, Eamon Ryan, German Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Andreas Scheuer, and ITF Secretary General, Young Tae Kim, the panel’s attention focused on the theme of Innovation in [...]

Source: ITF Latest projections presented at global summit of transport ministers Global transport activity will more than double by 2050, and traffic emissions will rise by 16% compared to 2015 - even if existing commitments to decarbonise transport are fully implemented. Any currently expected emissions reductions will be more than offset by the increased demand for transport. However, transport CO2 emissions can be cut by almost 70% over the 2015-50 period with the right policies. A reduction of this magnitude will bring the goal of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5˚C into reach. It requires to: put in place ambitious low-carbon policies now; reinforce positive behavioural changes caused by the pandemic gear stimulus packages towards decarbonisation. These [...]