Source: US DOT The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of October 2024 on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. The ATCR is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines. For October 2024, 1.0% of flights were cancelled, higher than the 0.3% cancellation rate for October 2023. DOT expects that airlines will operate flights as scheduled. DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) routinely monitors airlines' operations to ensure that airlines are not engaging in unrealistic scheduling of flights. This week, the Department sued Southwest Airlines for illegally operating multiple chronically delayed flights and disrupting passengers' [...]

Source: TSA Agency experiencing lowest attrition and highest retention rates in its entire history, touts largest screening workforce since the agency's inception The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) marked another successful year, making significant strides to improve security and safeguard transportation systems, accelerate action and commit to our people. TSA and its partners remain ahead of threats to transportation security through a vigilant workforce, continuing to deploy technology, and new processes that increase security effectiveness, efficiency and the customer experience. The agency has also seen vast improvement in employee morale, retention and recruitment. "Last year, we reached a historic milestone with the highest passenger volumes and the largest screening workforce in the agency's history – an achievement that reflects the dedication, [...]

Source: TSA During 2024, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted a total of 6,678 firearms at airport security checkpoints, preventing them from getting into the secure areas of the airport and onboard aircraft. Approximately 94% of these firearms were loaded. This total is a minor decrease from the  6,737 firearms stopped in 2023. Throughout 2024, TSA managed its "Prepare, Pack, Declare" public awareness campaign to explain the steps for safely traveling with a firearm. "One firearm at a checkpoint is too many," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. "Firearms present a safety risk for our employees and everyone else at the checkpoint. It's also costly and slows down operations. If individuals who carry a firearm intend to travel, we remind them [...]

Source: TSA Rule does not extend REAL ID deadline The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today published a final rule providing a framework for federal agency phased enforcement of REAL ID requirements. Federal agencies, including TSA, will begin REAL ID enforcement on the deadline—May 7, 2025. Starting on May 7, only state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards that meet the security requirements established by the REAL ID Act will be allowed for official purposes, including boarding commercial aircraft. The final rule provides necessary flexibility for federal agencies to begin enforcement in a manner that takes into account security, operational risk and public impact. Federal agencies that use a phased enforcement approach must also coordinate their enforcement plans with TSA and make [...]

Source: CANSO CANSO recently announced the recipients of the CANSO Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Award for Excellence, an esteemed recognition that highlights outstanding contributions to air navigation services in the region last year. The Award celebrates Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) for their advancements in delivering safe and efficient air navigation services, active participation in CANSO’s regional and global initiatives, adoption of best practices, and exemplary leadership in the aviation industry. Following the criteria established by the Latin America and Caribbean CEO Committee (LAC3), the 2024 award acknowledges joint efforts in supporting the CANSO ATFM Data Exchange Network for the Americas – CADENA (CANSO’s collaborative decision-making initiative) and other impactful programmes in the Latin America and Caribbean region. This [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for November 2024 global passenger demand with the following highlights: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 8.1% compared to November 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 5.7% year-on-year. The November load factor was 83.4% (+1.9 ppt compared to November 2023), an all-time high for November. International demand rose 11.6% compared to November 2023. Capacity was up 8.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.4% (+2.3 ppt compared to November 2023). Strong performance by carriers in Europe and Asia-Pacific drove this double-digit expansion in demand. Domestic demand rose 3.1% compared to November 2023. Capacity was up 1.5% year-on-year and the load factor was 83.5% (+1.2 [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for November 2024 global air cargo markets showing: Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 8.2% compared to November 2023 levels (9.5% for international operations) for a 16th consecutive month of growth. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 4.6% compared to November 2023 (6.5% for international operations). "It was a good November for air cargo with 8.2% demand growth nearly doubling the 4.6% growth in cargo capacity. Fuel costs tracked at 22% below previous-year levels and tight market conditions supported yield growth at 7.8%. All things considered we are looking to close out 2024 air cargo performance on a profitable note. While this strong performance [...]

Source: FAA The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced more than $332 million for 171 grants across 32 states to modernize airports through the Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG)program. In total, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $25 billion over five years for airport and air traffic control infrastructure improvements. The AIG funds can be used for airport planning, development, sustainability, terminal expansions, baggage system upgrades, runway safety enhancements, and noise compatibility projects. “We are using funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make historic investments in our nation’s airports to address a backlog of needs and accommodate growing air travel demand,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These investments—some already completed and many more still underway—ensure the traveling [...]