Source: ATCEUC ATCEUC has been informed about the decision of Kingdom of Spain’s Secretary of State for Transport on the privatisation of the Air Traffic Control Towers of seven major Spanish Airports. This decision is based on E/CNMC/002/2018 ESTUDIO DE LOS SERVICIOS DE TRÁNSITO AÉREO EN ESPAÑA, a faulty report full of theoretical assumptions about an utopian ATC market that is too far from reality. Also, it is ignoring the fact that the current simultaneous provision of Tower and Approach Control Services by the same ATC Unit (ENAIRE) is more efficient than the proposed separation of these two infrastructural services. In fact, every ANSP that has segregated TWR and Approach Control units, has experienced at some point the need to [...]

Source: Canso Entitled Women in Aviation, a 50 minute session will see panellists explore why inclusion and diversity matter The opening day of Airspace World, the world’s largest gathering of the air traffic management industry, on March 8 is also International Women’s Day. To mark that occasion, a number of activities are taking place to showcase women’s contributions to aviation. Primary among these is a special panel discussion in the Boeing Theatre. Entitled Women in Aviation, the 50 minute session will see panellists explore why inclusion and diversity matter, and share some examples of good practice and success. They will also discuss why it’s so important to find, promote and include the best women and break through the glass ceiling. [...]

Source: ALPA Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (ATSG), parent company of Air Transport International (ATI), reported record profits once again. After nearly 1,000 days in negotiations, ATI pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), called on management to invest these profits in the professional pilots who make their success possible. “ATI pilots have earned the position as the largest Amazon carrier in the world by delivering superior reliability and service, often despite the lack of support by the Company. Through our efforts and professionalism, ATI and ATSG continue to record revenue and growth. It is imperative that we secure a new contract that reflects the contributions pilots make to the success of our company each day,” commented [...]

Source: FAA Larger security checkpoints, more reliable and faster baggage systems, better roadways and multimodal connections are just some of the improvements passengers will see Funding going to small, medium and large communities across the country With air traffic poised to reach or beat pre-pandemic levels this year, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding nearly $1 billion from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to 99 airports of all shapes and sizes across the country. The funding helps meet the growing demand for air travel and invests in key areas to help get travelers in and out of airports more quickly and improve the passenger experience by investing in new baggage systems, larger security checkpoints and improved ground transportation. Other [...]

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 [...]