Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the 2025 edition of the World Legal Symposium (WLS) will examine the legal implications of evolving forces shaping aviation, many of which were not envisioned in the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) signed in 1944. These include the use of artificial intelligence (AI), alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, cybersecurity, and the proliferation of privacy and consumer protection regulations. ‘’Having just marked the 80th anniversary of aviation’s foundational document, the Chicago Convention, it’s appropriate for the aviation legal community to review how it has withstood the test of time. Over that time, aviation has evolved into a safe, global mass transportation system on which over five billion passengers will rely [...]

Source: UNWTO With 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals recorded globally, 2024 marked the recovery of international tourism from the worst crisis in the sector’s history. A majority of destinations welcomed more international tourists in 2024 than they did before the pandemic, while visitor spending also continued to grow strongly. According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, an estimated 1.4 billion tourists travelled internationally in 2024, indicating a virtual recovery (99%) of pre-pandemic levels. This represents an increase of 11% over 2023, or 140 million more international tourist arrivals, with results driven by strong post-pandemic demand, robust performance from large source markets and the ongoing recovery of destinations in Asia and the Pacific. The Middle East, Europe and [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will launch the inaugural IATA World Data Symposium (WDS) in Dublin, Ireland on 26-27 February. Hosted by Aer Lingus and held under the theme of “Digital skies, unleashing the power of Data in Aviation”, the event will gather experts to discuss topics around data, technology, and cybersecurity. Within these dedicated tracks, the symposium will explore the role of industry leaders in benefitting from cutting-edge data analytics and insights to support decision making; and the impact on aviation of the powerful capabilities that AI is enabling. “By convening aviation’s leading experts to explore the impact and potential of data, technology, and cybersecurity in aviation, the IATA World Data Symposium is establishing itself as [...]

Source: US DOT The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of October 2024 on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. The ATCR is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines. For October 2024, 1.0% of flights were cancelled, higher than the 0.3% cancellation rate for October 2023. DOT expects that airlines will operate flights as scheduled. DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) routinely monitors airlines' operations to ensure that airlines are not engaging in unrealistic scheduling of flights. This week, the Department sued Southwest Airlines for illegally operating multiple chronically delayed flights and disrupting passengers' [...]

Source: TSA Agency experiencing lowest attrition and highest retention rates in its entire history, touts largest screening workforce since the agency's inception The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) marked another successful year, making significant strides to improve security and safeguard transportation systems, accelerate action and commit to our people. TSA and its partners remain ahead of threats to transportation security through a vigilant workforce, continuing to deploy technology, and new processes that increase security effectiveness, efficiency and the customer experience. The agency has also seen vast improvement in employee morale, retention and recruitment. "Last year, we reached a historic milestone with the highest passenger volumes and the largest screening workforce in the agency's history – an achievement that reflects the dedication, [...]

Source: TSA During 2024, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted a total of 6,678 firearms at airport security checkpoints, preventing them from getting into the secure areas of the airport and onboard aircraft. Approximately 94% of these firearms were loaded. This total is a minor decrease from the  6,737 firearms stopped in 2023. Throughout 2024, TSA managed its "Prepare, Pack, Declare" public awareness campaign to explain the steps for safely traveling with a firearm. "One firearm at a checkpoint is too many," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. "Firearms present a safety risk for our employees and everyone else at the checkpoint. It's also costly and slows down operations. If individuals who carry a firearm intend to travel, we remind them [...]

Source: TSA Rule does not extend REAL ID deadline The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today published a final rule providing a framework for federal agency phased enforcement of REAL ID requirements. Federal agencies, including TSA, will begin REAL ID enforcement on the deadline—May 7, 2025. Starting on May 7, only state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards that meet the security requirements established by the REAL ID Act will be allowed for official purposes, including boarding commercial aircraft. The final rule provides necessary flexibility for federal agencies to begin enforcement in a manner that takes into account security, operational risk and public impact. Federal agencies that use a phased enforcement approach must also coordinate their enforcement plans with TSA and make [...]