Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reminded stakeholders of the critical role that aviation plays at times of natural disasters and humanitarian crises. "When crises strike, aviation is there. Connectivity is essential to get aid and first responders to where they are needed. The response to the recent earthquake in Southern Türkiye and Syria was no exception. Airlines helped save lives in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. And airlines continue to help accelerate the recovery with vital cargo shipments," said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, as the airline industry met in Istanbul for the IATA World Cargo Symposium. While there is no comprehensive tabulation of the support that aviation provided, a limited review of 29 key carriers [...]

Source: TSA The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the award of an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, with a value of up to $128 million, to Idemia Identity and Security USA, LLC for the second generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) systems and support services at TSA security checkpoints. These systems substantially improve identity verification, validate the authenticity of a passenger's identification credential, confirm pre-screening status and validate flight reservations. The second generation CAT-2 systems allow for automated identity verification with an integrated camera for biometric and self-service capabilities. This new contract with Idemia will enable TSA to test, manufacture, procure and deploy over 1,500 new CAT-2 systems to airport security checkpoints nationwide. TSA continues to partner with industry, airlines and airports [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted three priorities to enable the air cargo industry to maintain momentum against the backdrop of a challenging operating environment. The priorities, outlined at the 16th World Cargo Symposium (WCS), which opened in Istanbul today are: Sustainability Digitalization Safety "Air cargo is a different industry than the one that entered the pandemic. Revenues are greater than they were pre-pandemic. Yields are higher. The world learned how critical supply chains are. And the contribution of air cargo to the bottom line of airlines is more evident than ever. Yet, we are still linked to the business cycle and global events. So, the war in Ukraine, uncertainty over where critical economic factors like interest rates, [...]

Source: ICAO At a closed briefing to the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar underscored the important progress being achieved to address terrorist threats to international civil aviation. He emphasized the improved coordination established between ICAO, the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and the continued importance of their combined efforts. “Terrorism is still one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, civil aviation is still seen as an attractive target, and the COVID-19 pandemic has clearly highlighted both the critical importance and persisting vulnerabilities of the global aviation system,” he underscored in his introduction. High priority aviation security risks are identified [...]

Source: ICAO Cuba’s recognition of the crucial role aviation plays as a catalyst for sustainable development was reflected in new commitments between its government and ICAO that emerged from a series of ministerial meetings between ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar (left) and the Prime Minister of Cuba, Manuel Marrero; Vice Prime Minister, Ricardo Cabrisas; Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez (pictured right); and Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García. These discussions were formalized through a new agreement between the Ministry of Transport and ICAO on activities that will enhance the implementation of ICAO technical and strategic guidance, strengthening and fostering the sustainable development of Cuba’s air transport sector. Projects pursuant to this agreement, which was signed by the Minister of [...]

Source: FAA The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected a sustainable design for new air traffic control towers that will be used primarily at municipal and smaller airports. The design by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) of New York meets key sustainability requirements and can adjust the tower height to meet each airport’s traffic and sightline requirements, while also reducing construction and operational costs. The design incorporates key sustainability elements, including: All-electric building systems Materials and products free from chemicals known to pose health risks Thermally efficient façade High-recycled steel and metal products Renewable mass timber when usable Ground-source heating and cooling in some environments. “These new air traffic control towers will mean that smaller airports can handle more [...]

Source: TSA Firearm detections increased by 10.3%, while rate of firearms detected per million passengers is down Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted 1,508 firearms at airport security checkpoints during the first quarter of 2023, which ended March 31, averaging 16.8 firearms caught per day. More than 93% of the firearms were loaded. The number of firearm catches during the first quarter represents a 10.3% increase over the same period in 2022; however, the number of passengers from 2022 to 2023 has also increased. In the first quarter of 2022, TSA officers stopped 1,367 firearms at airport security checkpoints, which averaged 15.2 firearm catches per day. More than 86% of those firearms were loaded. During the first quarter of 2023, [...]

Source: EASA The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has increased its transparency to citizens by making the EASA Light area of its website available in all 24 EU languages, ensuring information about EASA’s activities can be more easily understood by millions of non-English speaking citizens in Europe and beyond. EASA Light, launched in mid-2020, is an area of the EASA website specifically designed for the general public, rather than the specialist aviation audience addressed by the more extensive EASA Pro area of the site. Its feature-style articles do not assume any detailed knowledge of aviation concepts. “Passengers would not dream of boarding a plane unless they had a high level of confidence that air travel is safe,” said EASA Executive Director Patrick [...]

Source: ICAO The safety, security, and sustainability of air transport regionally and globally were carried forward during a recent mission by ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar to Chile, at the occasion of the (pictured) Seventeenth Meeting of Civil Aviation Authorities (RAAC/17), which took place in Santiago from 11 to 14 April 2023. The RAAC/17 meeting addressed themes around the governance of civil aviation authorities (CAA), competitiveness, human resources, environmental sustainability, innovation, and the effectiveness of the aviation plans. It resulted in the RAAC/17 Civil Aviation Declaration for South American Region, whereby the participants committed themselves to working collaboratively on these topics, "with all stakeholders to achieve our shared goals of a safe, secure, efficient, sustainable, and thriving aviation industry in [...]