Source: US DOT Newly finalized rules will mandate automatic, cash refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed flights and save consumers over half a billion dollars every year in airline fees Building on a historic record of expanding consumer protections and standing up for airline passengers, the Biden-Harris Administration announced final rules that require airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed and protect consumers from costly surprise airline fees. These rules will significantly expand consumer protections in air travel, provide passengers an easier pathway to refunds when owed, and save consumers over half a billion dollars every year in hidden and surprise junk fees. "Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their [...]

Source: ICAO On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) charged two former employees of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with criminal conspiracy following a thorough investigation. ICAO is fully cooperating with the RCMP investigation of the individuals involved in the complaint, who left the Organization a number of years ago. ICAO strongly condemns any actions of individuals that are inconsistent with the Organization's values. ICAO is committed to upholding Canada's laws and regulations, the UN Standards of Conduct, and its own stringent code of ethics. As the investigation and judicial proceedings are ongoing, ICAO is unable to provide further comments at this time.

Source: ALTA Unprecedented partnership wraps the symbol of the largest maintenance and technical procurement event in Latin America and the Caribbean in the tail of an aircraft With 60 years of history under its belt, the ALTA CCMA & MRO Conference will land in Rio de Janeiro from June 3 to 5, 2024. It is the largest and oldest gathering of executives from the technical, maintenance and purchasing areas of airlines and aviation suppliers in the region. At this historic event, ALTA (Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association) and Voepass, one of Brazil's leading regional airlines, are announcing an unprecedented partnership: a promotional sticker for the conference will be displayed on the tail of one of Voepass' ATR/600 aircraft. [...]

Source: ALTA ALTA especially highlights the efforts resulting in an annual 2.7% fuel efficiency since 2011, thus managing to prevent the 20.33 million tons of CO2 emissions in this period On the occasion of Earth Day, the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) recognizes the work of Latin American and Caribbean airlines in steadily advancing their sustainability goals. ALTA especially highlights the efforts resulting in an annual 2.7% fuel efficiency since 2011, thus managing to prevent the 20.33 million tons of CO2 emissions in this period. Airlines went from fuel consumption per thousand passenger kilometers (gallons/1,000 RPK) of 12.61 gallons in 2011 to 9.1 gallons in 2023. This is equivalent to Taking 4.6 million cars off the road [...]

Source: ALTA ALTA shows its support to the International Tourism Acceleration Program in Brazil Brasilia, April 16, 2024 - The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) announces its support for Brazil's International Tourism Acceleration Program (PATI) and its commitment to collaborate with its expertise, network and knowledge to further strengthen the program. The initiative is led by the Brazilian Company for the Promotion of International Tourism (Embratur), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports and Airports and the Ministry of Tourism, with the support of resources from the National Civil Aviation Fund (FNAC). José Ricardo Botelho, CEO of ALTA, reinforces the importance of the initiative for the development of tourism in Brazil, but warns against issues related to [...]

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 [...]