Source: IATA Key points: Industry-wide air passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger-kilometers (RPKs), continued its steady recovery in December 2022 and for the full year. Passenger traffic recovered from 41.7% of 2019 volumes in 2021 to 68.5% in 2022. Meanwhile, global air cargo demand, measured by cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), continued to decline year-on-year (YoY) in the fourth quarter of 2022, falling 15.3% YoY in December. By December 2022, IATA's Global Air Connectivity Index, which measures connectivity as scheduled passenger capacity weighed by the relative economic scale of destinations served, had recovered to 74% of pre-pandemic levels for international connectivity and 87% for domestic connectivity. Airline financial performance continues to recover from the massive losses recorded in 2020 and our latest [...]

Source: TSA 6.316 discoveries in 761 million passengers screened in 2022 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) detected 50 firearms in travelers’ carry-on luggage in 2022. Every one of these firearms was discovered during the routine X-ray screening of carry-on property. Nationwide last year, TSA officers found 6,542 firearms at 262 different airports. “TSA officers at SMF in 2022 broke a record for the number of firearms discovered in travelers’ carry-on luggage at the security checkpoint, exceeding 2021 levels by a one firearm. This is not a record we wanted to break,” said TSA Federal Security Director for in Sacramento Sid Hanna. “Today, we are asking firearm owners to be more cautious and follow the simple [...]

Source: ERA European Regions Airline Association (ERA) publishes its annual Yearbook, a detailed directory of its diverse membership, as well as a summary of the association’s activities in 2022 and insight into its main areas of focus for 2023 The ERA Yearbook is an important and valuable reference guide to the role of ERA in the European aviation sector and its members as key players. In the context of global economic challenges, it focusses on the need to build back better and the importance of developing strong and sustainable regional connectivity in Europe. In addition to sharing the association’s current and future priorities for the year ahead, the Yearbook features the extensive advocacy work being undertaken by ERA and highlights its high-profile [...]

Source: ACI World Airports Council International (ACI) World has published its latest quarterly airport traffic outlook showing an upsurge in air travel demand across many markets amidst heightened macroeconomic risks. The quarterly update is released in tandem with the annual ACI World Airport Traffic Forecasts, revealing expected air traffic to 2041. Airport traffic recovery: 2022 and short-term outlook Here are the highlights from the 12th Advisory Bulletin on the impact of COVID-19 on the airport business—and the path to recovery. With the removal of travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers in 2022, there has been an upsurge in demand across many markets. Global passenger traffic finished the year at 72% of 2019 levels, or a total of 6.5 billion passengers. [...]

Source: ICAO In observance of 20 February as the International Day Commemorating Air Crash Victims and their Families, ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano has issued the following statement: "Mindful of the importance of public and private stakeholders assuring compassionate and effective assistance to aircraft accident victims and their loved ones, ICAO has formalized an obligation under the Chicago Convention for countries to establish effective legislation, regulations, and policies in this area. ICAO has furthermore developed new training to assist national officials in designing and setting out appropriate family assistance legislation and plans, and it also continues to promote the widespread ratification and implementation of the Montreal Convention – which provides for fairer compensation and greater protection for victims. Respect for civil [...]

Source: ALTA Airport College International's membership reinforces ALTA's Educational Hub 30+ eLearning programs are offered by Airport College International Ltd, a training company that offers online eLearning courses to airlines, airport ground handling agents and logistics' companies. All this training potential is now available to members of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), as Airport College International joins the association as an educational partner. Through ALTA's Educational Hub, members of the regional aviation industry will be able to benefit from all the courses offered by this Finland-based company, whose programs are used in just over 140 countries throughout the world. "We are convinced that thanks to these partnerships we will support aviation companies and professionals in Latin [...]

Source: FAA A new rule from the Federal Aviation Administration will help airports detect and mitigate safety problems before they result in accidents or incidents. The final rule requires certain airports to develop and implement a safety management system (SMS). "The safe operation of our nation's airports is paramount during these historic times in aviation as we work to repair and construct necessary airport infrastructure," said Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E."This rule promotes safety and allows airports to work collaboratively with partners to mitigate risks and  avert accidents." The use of SMS programs by commercial airlines and many manufacturers helped foster the safest era in commercial aviation history. Fundamental to the program is identifying risks and then taking steps to [...]

Source: TSA The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for spring break travelers and offers a few travel tips for the most efficient checkpoint experience. The spring break travel season begins around Feb. 17 and continues through April 21. TSA anticipates that its Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) will screen increasing numbers of passengers at airport checkpoints as travel volumes may exceed pre-pandemic levels. "In January, we experienced our first full month where travel volumes exceeded the same month in 2019. We fully expect to see an upward trend in travel volumes throughout 2023, including during the spring break period," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. "We coordinate closely with airports and air carriers to prepare for the projected increase in travel [...]