Source: US DOT New partnership with 18 state attorneys general creates fast-track system to prioritize misconduct cases referred to DOT by state attorneys general Secretary Buttigieg made the announcement at the Denver International Airport alongside Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser  U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the launch of the bipartisan Airline Passenger Protection Partnership with 18 state attorneys general to investigate airlines and ticket agents and hold them accountable when they violate aviation consumer protection laws. The partnership significantly expands the Department's oversight capacity by establishing a new fast-track system prioritizing misconduct cases from state attorneys general who uncover unfair or deceptive airline practices. Through the partnership, DOT will provide state attorneys general with access to the federal complaint [...]

Source: ALTA Air traffic in Latin America and the Caribbean saw a 13.4% increase vs. 2023 Panama, April 12, 2024 - In February, 38.5 million passengers were mobilized to, from and within Latin America and the Caribbean, 13.4% higher vs. the same period in 2023. Growth was evident in all segments: Domestic market experienced an 8.6% increase, reaching 19.7 million passengers carried. International market grew by 19%, amounting to 18.8 million passengers. "February 2024 set a milestone as the best February ever in air passenger traffic for Brazil, Colombia and Mexico," highlights José Ricardo Botelho, ALTA's Executive Director & CEO, in the Traffic Report developed by the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA). Colombia recorded a 37% growth [...]

Source: CANSO And alongside those two meetings, our hosts, AZANS, are planning a wide range of side events that truly capture the beauty of Azerbaijan. These start on Monday 10 June when attendees are invited to a full day excursion to one of the country’s top vineyards, outside the city. There they will enjoy a wine tasting and tour of the vineyard, followed by lunch in the top Abgora Restaurant. This will be followed by a programme of entertainment, culminating (weather permitting) in a balloon show. The Summit’s Welcome Reception will be held on Tuesday 11 June in the middle of the old city of Baku. Following the reception, guests will also have the option of transferring to one of [...]

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 January 2024 for 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. DOT expects that airlines will operate flights as scheduled and that when they do not, airlines will provide consumers the services consumers have been promised when a flight is canceled or delayed because of an airline issue. After a two-year DOT push to improve the passenger experience, the 10 largest airlines now guarantee meals and free rebooking on the same airline and nine guarantee hotel [...]

Source: Airlines 4 America Airlines for America (A4A), The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and Allied Pilots Association (APA) sent the following letter to Secretary Blinken and Secretary Buttigieg on additional flights between the U.S. and China. Coaition-China-LetterDownload

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) successfully brought together more than 400 representatives of the aviation community from across the Americas at its 14th edition of the Wings of Change Americas Conference (WOCA). Under the theme "Advancing Aviation for a Competitive and Sustainable Future", the two-day event held in Santiago, Chile on 10 and 11 April provided a platform for meaningful discussions and collaboration to shape the future of air transport in the region. For the first time, 16 ministers of tourism from across the Americas attended the event, underlining the important interdependency between tourism and aviation. In his opening remarks, Peter Cerdá, IATA’s Regional Vice President for the Americas, drew attention to the fact that over 90% [...]

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 [...]