Source: TSA Number of firearm detections comparable to last year's first quarter firearm detections, rate of firearms detected per million passengers decreased Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted 1,503 firearms at airport security checkpoints during the first quarter of 2024, which ended March 31. This total represents an average of 16.5 firearms per day detected at TSA checkpoints, comparable to firearm detections during the same time period in 2023, when TSA officers intercepted 1,508 firearms at airport security checkpoints, an average of 16.8 firearm catches per day. During both time periods, more than 93% of firearms were loaded.   Firearms at checkpoints Firearms per day Rate per million passengers Percentage loaded Total passengers screened Q1 2024 1,503 16.5 7.3 93% >206 [...]

Source: US FAA The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes five civil penalties totaling $2.9 million against Asia Pacific Airlines of Honolulu, Hawaii. The cases are as follows: $2,436,850 for allegedly using unqualified pilots on 163 Boeing 757 flights between Dec. 20, 2022, and Feb. 1, 2023. The FAA notified the company on Dec. 16, 2022, the pilots were unqualified but the company continued to use them. $250,000 for allegedly operating Boeing 757 aircraft on 121 flights without authority from an individual who was authorized to exercise operational control of those flights. The flights occurred between Dec. 20, 2022, and Feb. 1, 2023. $150,000 for allegedly conducting 30 flights with Boeing 757 aircraft that did not comply with conditions and limitations when certain equipment [...]

Source: USDOT Rule will improve inclusion of small, disadvantaged businesses in infrastructure opportunities and in airport concessions. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a final rule that modernizes the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and Airport Concessions DBE (ACDBE) program regulations. These Congressionally mandated programs were created over 40 years ago to address and remedy the continuing effects of past discrimination against small businesses owned and controlled by minorities, women, and other socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and continue today to prevent and address ongoing discrimination. The major objectives of this final rule include modernizing existing principles to: improve provisions for the benefit of program participants, reduce burdens on firms and recipients, grow firm capacity and owner wealth, and [...]

Source: IATA Report advocates for a sectoral approach to managing SUPP in aviation with a clear set of recommendations. Key recommendations were identified for airlines, regulators and the supply chain The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released the Reassessing Single Use Plastics Products in the Airline Sector report  to assist airlines, regulators, and the airline supply chain to mitigate the environmental impacts of single use plastic products (SUPP). This publication is timely as the United National Environmental Program (UNEP) has convened an intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding agreement on SUPP use by the end of 2024. SUPP are widely used in aviation due to their strength, lightness, and ability to meet safety and security regulations. However, the airline [...]

Source: ICAO In response to the increase in incidents of unruly passenger behavior on international flights being reported by regulators and airlines, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) issued an urgent call to its Member States to fast-track the ratification of the 2014 Protocol to Amend the Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft (Montréal Protocol 2014 or MP14). Since its adoption on 4 April 2014, MP14 has sought to remedy jurisdictional gaps that hinder the effective prosecution of offences occurring on international flights. "On the tenth anniversary of MP14, it is crucial that Member States reinforce their commitment to safe air travel by ratifying this essential treaty," urged Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the ICAO Council. [...]

Source: ICAO New aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) adopted at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will enhance safety and accelerate the transformation of the global air navigation system, including the integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). "The sustainable development of aviation worldwide requires a performance-driven and service-oriented advanced global air navigation system. Today we have taken significant steps towards achieving this," stated the President of the ICAO Council, Salvatore Sciacchitano. The Council of ICAO approved amendments to 15 of the 19 Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, and approved a new "Procedure for Air Navigation Services (PANS) on Information Management" during its recently concluded 231st Session. Integrating RPAS  With the Council's adoption of the new [...]

Source: US DOT Contract awarded to provide technical assistance for grantees and potential grantees under the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program  The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced the award of a contract of up to $27 million to Cadmus Group, Inc. to establish and administer the Reconnecting Communities Institute (RCI or Institute). The RCI will be DOT's center for learning on restoring and reconnecting communities that have been harmed, isolated, and cut off from opportunity by past transportation choices. The Institute will assist communities in developing and delivering reconnection projects that better connect people to jobs, education, health care, and economic opportunities being created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, particularly the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program. "The Biden-Harris administration [...]