Source: IATA   The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a revised Emergency Response Best Practices Handbook which, for the first time, includes detailed guidance on family assistance. Family assistance has long been an IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) requirement. Since 2022, the requirements for family assistance are included as a standard in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO’s) Annex 9 (Facilitation) while ICAO’s Document 9973 provides clear responsibilities for airlines, airports and ground handlers, turning international standards into care for affected families. The family assistance chapter in the revised manual provides guidance and practical tools to help operators meet both the IOSA and ICAO requirements. Putting Families First “Accidents are rare. But when they happen people are affected—not [...]

Source: US DOT   U.S. airlines carried 92.2 million systemwide (domestic and international) scheduled service passengers in July 2025, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). When adjusted for seasonality, July enplanements are up 0.5% from June and down 1.7% from the all-time high reached in June 2024. BTS reported 78.9 million domestic passengers and 13.3 million international passengers on U.S. airlines flights in July, not adjusting for seasonality. U.S. airline traffic reports are filed monthly with BTS. See the tables that accompany this release on the BTS website for summary data since 2016 (Tables 1-24) and complete data since 2000. Trends (not seasonally adjusted) in U.S. airlines passenger enplanements July unadjusted  Systemwide enplanements (92.2M) reached a new all-time [...]

Source: IATA   The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched ‘Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries’, a global safety campaign that gives travelers seven simple rules for carrying mobile phones, laptops, power banks, and other lithium-powered devices safely when they fly. The campaign will run on IATA’s website and social channels and is available as white-label assets for airlines, airports, and other partners across the travel ecosystem. “Lithium-powered devices are safe when handled properly, but they can pose a risk if damaged or packed incorrectly. As more travelers fly with these devices, our Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries campaign will help airlines educate their passengers on the simple rules they must keep in mind when traveling with the electronic devices [...]

Source: IATA   The International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted three critical priorities for aviation safety and operations as the World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) opened today in Xiamen, China. These are: defending and evolving global standards, fostering a strong safety culture through leadership, and using data to enhance performance amid growing operational challenges. “The environment in which airlines operate has grown even more complex as conflicts and regulatory fragmentation have proliferated.  As a result, we have seen airspace closures, drone incursions and rising global navigation satellite system (GNNS) interference disrupt connectivity, undermine confidence, and threaten safety. Ensuring aviation remains the safest mode of transport requires strong leadership, robust adherence to global standards, and smarter use of data. By [...]

Source: ACI-LAC Awards were presented during the leading airport industry event in Latin America and the Caribbean, held this year in Trinidad and Tobago. The Airports Council International – Latin America and Caribbean (ACI-LAC) celebrated, this Monday afternoon (October 6), during the ACI-LAC 2025 Annual Assembly, Conference & Exhibition in Trinidad and Tobago, the commitment of regional airports to developing and implementing innovative projects in two key areas of the airport industry: decarbonization and the use of technology to enhance the passenger experience. Young Professional Award Highlights the Importance of Cybersecurity in the Airport Environment In 2025, the Young Professional Award was presented to Rafael Cotelo, internal auditor and cybersecurity specialist at Aeropuertos Uruguay, for his outstanding project promoting a [...]

Source: ACI-LAC Rafael Echevarne, Director General of ACI-LAC ACI-LAC projects 4% growth in regional air traffic for 2025 and reinforces the importance of balanced airport charges to ensure sector sustainability Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to close 2025 with 789 million air passengers, marking a 4% increase compared to 2024. The top-performing countries are projected to be Colombia (+5.6%), Mexico (+4.5%), and Brazil (+2.1%). Preliminary data also forecasts that regional air traffic will reach 821 million passengers in 2026. These data was presented on Monday during the Annual Assembly and Conference of the Airports Council International – Latin America and Caribbean (ACI-LAC), held in Trinidad and Tobago through October 7. In his opening remarks, Rafael Echevarne, Director General of [...]