By José Ricardo Botelho, Ejecutivo Director and CEO of ALTA Welcome to Flying Over Latin America and the Caribbean. In this edition, we embark on a flight with the CEO of Privilege Style, a leading Spanish charter and ACMI company. Set with a clear vision and ambitious goals, Privilege Style is projecting itself into the future with a solid strategic plan. Its main goal is to continue providing a superior quality service, both in the ACMI field (continuous operations with airlines such as Iberojet, Air Europa, World2fly, Surinam or Condor) as well as in Ad Hoc flights. Within this context, Paco will tell us how ad hoc aviation emerges as an adaptable response to the specific needs of each client. [...]

Source: ICAO Briefing the ICAO Council on 21 March 2024, global aviation leaders underscored ICAO’s key role in leading the crosscutting cooperation needed to deliver a sustainable future centered around innovation and resilience. An in-depth look into the industry's post-pandemic resurgence and the strategic moves required to achieve a net zero future was provided by the heads of Airports Council International (ACI), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA). Industry Recovery and the Path to Net Zero The aviation sector has shown remarkable resilience, with ICAO forecasting that 2024 air traffic volumes are expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels. This growth underscores the urgency of [...]

Source: ACI Europe A landmark development for air and sea transport in South-Eastern Europe set to bolster societal cohesion and facilitate travel between Romania, Bulgaria and other Schengen Zone countries. ACI EUROPE and the European Travel Commission celebrate the first stage of Romania and Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area today as controls at air and sea borders are lifted. This momentous first step is set to bolster social cohesion and deepen European integration. Olivier Jankovec, ACI EUROPE Director General said: "Schengen is part of the fundamental fabric of European air travel, allowing a smoother passenger experience and more efficient operations with faster connecting times and streamlined checks. Facilitating  travel for EU citizens in Romania and Bulgaria is an important [...]

Source: FAA Research teams from universities nationwide are working on a variety of aviation environmental topics including sustainable aviation fuels, aircraft emissions, and noise impacts with support from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants. The FAA is awarding $27.2 million to 11 U.S. universities as part of its Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT) program. The awards will be matched in-kind by the Center’s partners under the grants program one-to-one cost sharing agreement. “The work of these teams is a cornerstone of the FAA’s sustainability efforts,” said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. “The entire aviation industry can leverage this research to reduce noise and enable safe and efficient operations while working toward net-zero emissions by 2050.” ASCENT grants will support the work of these universities: The [...]

Source: TSA Eligible passengers can use TSA PreCheck lanes when traveling from the US on nearly 100 airlines Bahamasair and Iberia among the newest additions The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today the expansion of its TSA PreCheck program with the addition of Air Premia, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Transat, Bahamasair, BermudAir, Iberia, La Compagnie and New Pacific Airlines. TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program enabling low-risk travelers to enjoy a secure and efficient screening experience at more than 200 U.S. state and territory airports, including at the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas. TSA PreCheck passengers travel with ease and may keep their shoes, belts and light jackets on and are not required to remove laptops, 3-1-1 [...]

Source: FAA The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding another $110 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to over 70 airports across the U.S. for projects that increase safety and expand capacity. The $110 million includes 74 grants to airports in 32 states to modernize airport and runway infrastructure, improve airfield safety, and create jobs as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. “The Biden-Harris Administration is proud to support projects to increase safety and efficiency on taxiways and runways at over 70 airports across the country,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This is another good step in a multi-billion dollar modernization we're delivering through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make America's aviation systems safer and more efficient.” [...]

Source: US DOT Review will look at airline policies and training to ensure that passengers' sensitive personal information is not improperly monetized or shared with third parties U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced the Department of Transportation (DOT) will undertake a privacy review of the nation's ten largest airlines regarding their collection, handling, maintenance, and use of passengers' personal information. The review will examine airlines' policies and procedures to determine if airlines are properly safeguarding their customers' personal information. In addition, DOT will probe whether airlines are unfairly or deceptively monetizing or sharing that data with third parties. As DOT finds evidence of problematic practices, the Department will take action, which could mean investigations, enforcement actions, guidance, or rulemaking. [...]