Source: US DOT Sean Duffy was officially sworn in as the 20th Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). Secretary Duffy was administered the oath of office by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the U.S. Supreme Court and was joined by his family. Upon arrival at USDOT headquarters, Secretary Duffy's first act was signing a memorandum directing staff to start the process of resetting Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which will ultimately lower the price of a car for American consumers and eliminate the electric vehicle mandate. "I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me by President Trump to lead this important Department and for the Senate in swiftly confirming my nomination," said [...]

Source: ALTA ALTA launches the unprecedented report 'Route to Sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean', which highlights progress, challenges, and essential strategies for understanding how this region, with its unique characteristics, can achieve its sustainability goals and become a global environmental benchmark On World Carbon Emissions Reduction Day, celebrated on January 28, the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) reinforces the aviation sector’s commitment to sustainability and building a greener future. In this context, ALTA launches the unprecedented report "Route to Sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean", which highlights progress, challenges, and essential strategies for understanding how this region, with its unique characteristics, can achieve its sustainability goals and become a global environmental benchmark. The report emphasizes [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced its intention to hold regular procurement events in 2025 for airlines to purchase Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs). This followed the successful conclusion of IATA’s first procurement event with the following highlights: 32 airlines participated 11 airlines purchased CORSIA Phase 1 EEUs from the Government of Guyana This was the first large-scale purchase of CORSIA Phase 1 EEUs by airlines. The CORSIA EEUs purchased were Jurisdictional REDD+ ART Trees Guyana credits, which remain the only CORSIA EEUs available, and sold for $21.70 /tonne as part of the fixed-price auction/offering. These will be useable by airlines in fulfilling their CORSIA Phase 1 offsetting obligations [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the 2025 edition of the World Legal Symposium (WLS) will examine the legal implications of evolving forces shaping aviation, many of which were not envisioned in the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) signed in 1944. These include the use of artificial intelligence (AI), alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, cybersecurity, and the proliferation of privacy and consumer protection regulations. ‘’Having just marked the 80th anniversary of aviation’s foundational document, the Chicago Convention, it’s appropriate for the aviation legal community to review how it has withstood the test of time. Over that time, aviation has evolved into a safe, global mass transportation system on which over five billion passengers will rely [...]

Source: UNWTO With 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals recorded globally, 2024 marked the recovery of international tourism from the worst crisis in the sector’s history. A majority of destinations welcomed more international tourists in 2024 than they did before the pandemic, while visitor spending also continued to grow strongly. According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, an estimated 1.4 billion tourists travelled internationally in 2024, indicating a virtual recovery (99%) of pre-pandemic levels. This represents an increase of 11% over 2023, or 140 million more international tourist arrivals, with results driven by strong post-pandemic demand, robust performance from large source markets and the ongoing recovery of destinations in Asia and the Pacific. The Middle East, Europe and [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will launch the inaugural IATA World Data Symposium (WDS) in Dublin, Ireland on 26-27 February. Hosted by Aer Lingus and held under the theme of “Digital skies, unleashing the power of Data in Aviation”, the event will gather experts to discuss topics around data, technology, and cybersecurity. Within these dedicated tracks, the symposium will explore the role of industry leaders in benefitting from cutting-edge data analytics and insights to support decision making; and the impact on aviation of the powerful capabilities that AI is enabling. “By convening aviation’s leading experts to explore the impact and potential of data, technology, and cybersecurity in aviation, the IATA World Data Symposium is establishing itself as [...]