Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the post-COVID recovery momentum continued in June for passenger markets. Total traffic in June 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 31.0% compared to June 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 94.2% of pre-COVID levels. For the first half of 2023, total traffic was up 47.2% compared to the year-ago period. Domestic traffic for June rose 27.2% compared to the same month a year ago and was 5.1% above the June 2019 results. Domestic demand was up 33.3% in the 2023 first half compared to a year ago. International traffic climbed 33.7% versus June 2022 with all markets showing robust growth. International RPKs reached 88.2% of June 2019 [...]

Source: A4A Airlines for America sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting an extension of the slot waiver that was granted in March due to post-pandemic effects of air traffic controller staffing at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility (N90) which remains 54 percent staffed. A4A’s letter requested that the FAA extend the waiver through the end of the full Summer IATA Season, October 28. A4A also requested that the FAA make public the data relating to progress on hiring and certifying air traffic controllers at critical facilities. Download [225.20 KB] 

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for June 2023 global air cargo markets showing the smallest year-over-year contraction in demand since February 2022. Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), fell 3.4% in June compared to June 2022 (-3.7% for international operations). For the half year, demand slid 8.1% compared to the January-June period of 2022 (-8.7% for international operations). However, demand in June was only 2.4% below June 2019 levels (pre-pandemic). Capacity, as measured by available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), rose 9.7% compared to June 2022, which was a slower rate compared to the double-digit growth recorded between March and May. This reflects strategic capacity adjustments airlines are making amid a weakened demand environment. Capacity for [...]

Source: ALPA The world’s largest pilot union, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), today appointed Stacey Bechdolt to serve as director of Engineering and Air Safety. Bechdolt succeeds retiring director Keith Hagy and will oversee ALPA’s esteemed and robust department of professionals specializing in aviation safety, security, pilot health, accident investigation, flight training and operations, pilot and aircraft certification, air traffic control, sustainability and environment, and a variety of other disciplines. “Stacey’s extensive aviation experience and industry-wide reputation as a safety champion will ensure that ALPA continues its leadership role as the world’s largest nongovernmental aviation safety organization. Not only does Stacey have extensive industry experience, from airline operational safety management to advancing issues as a member of several [...]

Source: US DOT The U.S. Department of Transportation today released consumer complaint data about air travel for February 2023. The release of 2023 consumer complaint data has been delayed primarily because of the increase in consumer complaints received this calendar year compared to the prior two years. The Department is examining how best to review and process the increased number of consumer complaints received in 2023 so not to delay its reporting. Complaints About Airline Service In February 2023, DOT received 6,644 airline service complaints from consumers, down 38.6% from the 10,822 complaints received in January 2023, but up from the 3,735 complaints received in February 2022. Of the 6,644 complaints received in February 2023, 4,405 (66.3%) were against U.S. [...]

Source: TSA Roadmap will drive key benefits such as improving the security screening performance, enhancing the customer experience and expanding TSA's engagement with aviation security industry partners The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published its Open Architecture (OA) Roadmap that defines TSA's long-term strategy to enhance screening capabilities. Open Architecture is a technology-design approach for software and hardware that uses widely accepted standards to ensure interoperability across tools and platforms regardless of the technology designer, manufacturer or supplier. This approach increases the number of available partners who can supply improved technology quickly and at a lower cost. "Open architecture directly supports TSA's mission and its workforce, while further protecting the nation's transportation systems," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. "This roadmap outlines [...]

Source: US FAA The Federal Aviation Administration named Kyle A. deCant as senior labor policy advisor. He will oversee strategic planning on labor issues and advise the agency’s acting administrator and deputy administrator. This is the first time the FAA’s front office will have a permanent position focused on these issues. “Kyle brings very strong legislative and policy experience to this position. He will be a great asset as we work with our labor partners daily to achieve our safety mission,” said Deputy FAA Administrator Katie Thomson. Prior to joining the FAA, deCant served as senior labor policy counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor. There he helped draft labor legislation including the Protecting the Right [...]