According to the , Emirates was fined $1.8 million after a 鈥渟ignificant number鈥� of its flights between December 2021 and August 2022 failed to stay above 32,000 feet while flying over Iraq.听听

US airlines are prohibited from flying over Iraq below this height. However, due to its codeshare agreement with JetBlue, at the time the rule also applied to Emirates.听听

The DOT said: 鈥淓mirates violated the conditions of its authority to operate and engaged in passenger operations to and from the United States without proper DOT authority by carrying the JetBlue Airways code on flights between the United Arab Emirates and the United States in airspace prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to US operators.鈥� 

Emirates argued that it was requested to fly below 32,000 feet by air traffic controllers and was 鈥渓egally obliged to follow the instructions鈥�.  

The DOT has informed Emirates that it must pay $1.5 million within 60 days. However, the additional $300,000 will only become payable if the rule is violated again during the next year.听

Emirates launches SAF-powered flights from Singapore Changi Airport

• Airlines
• Sustainability

byIan Molyneaux

2024-06-13

The slot will see a new, daily nonstop service run from the Washington airport to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas which is one of five new routes approved as part of the .听

Flights from DCA have traditionally been restricted by a rule that does not permit flights to exceed 1,250 miles, although exceptions to the rule are made.  

It was originally conceived that flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) would operate long-haul flights from the region.  

According to Southwest, the new nonstop service would 鈥減rovide airline consumers with much-needed choices and competition on the DCA to LAS nonstop route that currently has only one flight per day operated by another airline鈥�.听

Southwest says that if awarded the new slot it would 鈥渟ignificantly lower average fares鈥� from DCA to LAS.  

“Southwest has a long history of connecting people across the nation with important moments in their lives through competitive airfares, friendly and flexible policies, and the unmatched Hospitality of our People,” Bob Jordan, President & Chief Executive Officer at Southwest Airlines, said. “We look forward to demonstrating to the DOT that Southwest’s proposal will maximize benefits to the traveling public.” 

Southwest is also applying to provide what would be the only one-stop, same-plane/no change service between DCA and Sacramento International Airport (SMF) via LAS. 

Southwest plans to operate the proposed service between DCA and LAS seven days a week on a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with 175 seats. 

“We believe Southwest’s proposed new DCA-LAS nonstop service will lower fares and increase access for the nation’s capital, Las Vegas, and western states,” Jordan added. “Customers in both markets will benefit from competitive airfares and nonstop, hassle-free transportation aboard the airline that invented friendly, reliable flying.” 

The five new proposed routes faced stiff opposition before being approved as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act. 

Those against the new routes were concerned that DCA passengers would face more delays at the airport, which is already marred by slot constraints.听听

What other US airlines plan

On May 15, 2024, Alaska Airlines confirmed it was applying for the nonstop service between San Diego International Airport (SAN) and DCA.    

American Airlines has expressed interest in a nonstop service between San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and DCA. 

United Airlines, which has a heavy presence at IAD, reportedly opposed the new routes while Delta Air Lines is considering its options.  

The DOT has 60 days to approve applications from airlines.听

Brussels Airlines looking at Airbus A321neo and A350 for fleet expansion plans聽

• Airlines

byLuke Peters

2024-05-21

The US airlines, which include Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, argue that a new rule would confuse potential customers with too many details while buying tickets online. 

Headed by Airlines for America, the group of carriers asked a federal appeals court on May 10, 2024, to overturn the rule, according to .听听

鈥淎irlines go to great lengths to make their customers knowledgeable about these fees,鈥� Airlines for America said in a statement. 鈥淭he ancillary fee rule by the Department of Transportation will greatly confuse consumers who will be inundated with information that will only serve to complicate the buying process.鈥澛�

On April 24, 2024, the DoT announced that it would require airlines to tell consumers upfront what fees they charge for checked bags, a carry-on bag, for changing a reservation, or cancelling a reservation.   

鈥淭his ensures that consumers can avoid surprise fees when they purchase tickets from airlines or ticket agents,鈥� the DoT said.  

Under the rules each fee must be disclosed the first time that fare and schedule information is provided on the airline精东影业 online platform and cannot be displayed through a hyperlink. 

Airlines were also required to describe any prohibitions or restrictions on changing or cancelling a flight. 

In response to the legal action taken by the airlines the DoT said: 鈥淲e will vigorously defend our rule protecting people from hidden junk fees and ensuring travelers can see the full price of a flight before they purchase a ticket. Many air travelers will be disappointed to learn that the airline lobby is suing to stop these common-sense protections.鈥� 

Southwest Airlines was not involved in the legal action because its passengers can check two bags for free and changing or cancelling flights is not charged.听

Top-ranking North American airlines discover the key to happy customers聽

• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2024-05-09

On May 9, 2024, the DOT OIG announced that it will 鈥渟pecifically evaluate鈥� the FAA精东影业 actions to address 鈥渕aintenance non-compliances and violations at the air carrier鈥�. 

The audit comes in light of the FAA itself signaling that it will increase oversight of United Airlines and delay certification processes in March 2024, following a spike in safety incidents at the carrier.听听

Incidents earlier this year included a United Boeing 777-200 that lost a tire shortly after takeoff from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on March 7, 2024, and a preliminary report into an incident involving 鈥渟tuck鈥� rudders on a United 737 MAX 8.      

In a statement, the DOT OIG highlighted that the 鈥渓ongstanding safety record鈥� in the US is due in part to the FAA and individual carriers maintaining the highest standards when operating and maintaining their aircraft fleets.  

鈥淗owever, recent safety events with United Airlines鈥攕uch as flight diversions that can be traced to mechanical problems鈥攕erve to remind us that FAA oversight of maintenance programs is paramount,鈥� the DOT OIG statement said.听

Over the past five years, the DOT OIG has issued a series of audit reports and recommendations related to the FAA精东影业 oversight of maintenance at several airlines including Allegiant Air, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. A review of SkyWest Airlines is also currently in process.  

In a message to United customers on March 18, 2024, CEO Scott Kirby said that the incidents 鈥渉ave our attention and have sharpened our focus鈥�.听听聽聽聽

JUST IN: In a new letter to United customers, CEO Scott Kirby says March incidents "have our attention and have sharpened our focus."

Now the airline is adding an extra day of pilot training and retooling training for new mechanics.

— Pete Muntean (@petemuntean)

The DOT OIG confirmed it will begin the audit later this month, conducting its work at FAA headquarters in Washington DC and at the FAA offices responsible for oversight of the carrier.  

The Federal office will also visit United Airlines鈥� maintenance hubs in Chicago.听

FAA increases oversight of United Airlines after spike in safety incidents

• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2024-03-24

The FAA said in a statement that it is proposing Spirit Airlines pays a civil penalty of $146,500聽and has given the carrier 30 days from receiving the notice to respond. 聽

The FAA alleges Spirit employees offered five separate shipments containing compressed oxygen cylinders to FedEx for air transportation from Detroit to New York in August and September 2022.   

According to the FAA精东影业 statement, FedEx employees in Detroit 鈥渞ejected one of the shipments because the box in which the compressed oxygen cylinder was packed was damaged, did not adhere to the Flame Penetration Resistance Test requirements, and was not properly marked or labeled鈥�.    

The FAA also alleges that all five shipments were offered by Spirit Airlines employees who had not completed the required hazardous materials training in the use of United States Special Permit.听

News of the proposed fine comes three weeks after JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines announced they will no longer pursue a merger. 

On March 4, 2024, JetBlue and Spirit confirmed that the two airlines had agreed to terminate their July 2022 merger agreement.   

The two airlines cited 鈥渃urrent regulatory obstacles鈥� that would not allow them to finalize the transaction in a 鈥渢imely fashion under the merger agreement鈥�.   

On January 16, 2024, a federal聽judge blocked JetBlue精东影业 $3.8 billion takeover聽of the ultra-low-cost airline.听听聽 聽

精东影业 has contacted Spirit Airlines for comment on the FAA’s proposed fine.

FAA increases oversight of United Airlines after spike in safety incidents

• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2024-03-24

Though many of the proposals are unlikely to pass through Congress, parts of the $7.3 trillion budget have caused concerns in the aviation sector, particularly those working within business aviation.  

Among the plans announced on March 11, 2024, were funding requests to hire more air traffic controllers and a proposition to increase the costs private jet users pay.  

Addressing the President精东影业 aims for aviation the Department of Transportation (DOT) said that the sector has been 鈥渄isproportionately funded by commercial air passengers鈥�.听

According to a statement by the DOT, 鈥渃ommercial passengers pay a 7.5% tax on the prices of their tickets plus a passenger facility charge up to $4.50鈥� while 鈥減rivate jets users only pay fuel surcharge taxes 鈥� roughly $0.22 per gallon of jet fuel鈥�. 

鈥淧rivate jets are 7% of flights handled by the FAA but contribute just 0.6% of the taxes that make up the Airport and Airway Trust Fund,鈥� the DOT said. 

Under President Biden精东影业 plans there would be a phased-in fuel fee increase to $1.06 per gallon for private jets. 

鈥淭his increase would phase in over five years, the first update in decades,鈥� the DOT added. 

In response to the announcement the (NBAA), which represents private jet users and those working in the industry, said the proposals would 鈥渉urt business aviation鈥�.听

鈥淭he Biden administration精东影业 sweeping plan would hurt business aviation and the jobs and communities that depend on it and make it harder for U.S. companies to compete in a global economy,鈥� NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said. 鈥淎mong the proposals that single out business aviation for onerous treatment is a five-fold fuel tax increase, even though current fuel taxes already cover the incremental cost imposed on the aviation system. We urge Congress to tell the president that his gambit won鈥檛 fly with the citizens, companies and communities that rely on business aviation.鈥�  

Bolen noted that 鈥渂usiness aviation supports 1.2 million jobs and contributes $250 billion to GDP鈥� and that despite perceptions most private jets are used by small and mid-sized companies. 

The proposed budget also included $21.8 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to in part fund the continuing effort to recruit 2,000 air traffic controllers and increase training capacity. 

鈥淥ur number one priority is safety. This budget will provide the FAA with the necessary resources to continue our essential safety work,鈥� FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said. 鈥淚t supports our efforts to increase air traffic controller hiring, modernize aging air traffic facilities, and enhance our safety oversight.鈥�    

The budget also included an $8 billion commitment over five years to invest in aviation safety, efficiency, and facilities, including facility replacement and radar modernization, plus $1.8 billion for the Office of Aviation Safety to support production oversight and continued operational safety.   

鈥淭he FAA took decisive actions after the January 5 Boeing 737-9 incident to bolster its oversight activities and the proposed FY25 budget boosts the FAA精东影业 resources for continuous safety improvement,鈥� the agency said.听

FAA awards 114 US airports share of nearly $1 billion to modernize terminals

• Airport

byIan Molyneaux

2024-02-15

According to the , news of the development was supported by documents and people familiar with the situation.听听

Furthermore, the newspaper said that federal investigators have already begun contacting passengers, pilots and cabin crew members that were on the Alaska Airlines flight on January 5, 2024. 

Alaska Airlines appeared to confirm the criminal investigation commencing in a statement provided to the .听听

鈥淚n an event like this, it精东影业 normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation. We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation,鈥� a spokesperson for Alaska Airlines said on March 10, 2024.  

The criminal investigation will aid the DoJ精东影业 review into whether the Alaska Airlines incident violated its 2021 deferred prosecution agreement with Boeing following the 737 MAX fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.   

Under the agreement, Boeing was forced to pay a $2.5 billion settlement and agree to abide by several conditions in the future. 

Separately US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Fox News Sunday that the Federal Aviation Administration will 鈥渞igorously鈥� assess Boeing following the door plug incident.  

To ensure airline safety, 鈥渢hat means an enormous amount of rigor in dealing with Boeing, in dealing with any regulatory issue. And that精东影业 exactly what the FAA is doing,鈥� Buttigieg said. 

On March 7, 2024, The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair Jennifer Homendy informed lawmakers at the US Senate Commerce Committee, that documentation which recorded the removal and reinstallation of the door plug during repair work to the 737-9 at the Boeing factory on September 19, 2023, was not provided.听

Following the hearing Boeing released a statement indicating that key documents the NTSB asked for may not exist.    

鈥淲ith respect to documentation, if the door plug removal was undocumented there would be no documentation to share. We will continue to cooperate fully and transparently with the NTSB精东影业 investigation,鈥� Boeing said in a statement following the hearing.    

In February 2024, the NTSB published a preliminary report into the Alaska Airlines incident that confirmed that four key bolts designed to hold the door plug in place were missing.听听聽聽聽

The preliminary NTSB report with photographic proof of missing bolts….has so much interest its crashed the NTSB website.

— Paul Breed (@unrocket)

The four bolts were removed, and the door plug taken out at the Boeing factory on September 19, 2023, to allow repair work to be carried out by Spirit AeroSystems staff on five rivets inside the 737-9.   

A photo of the door plug reinstalled by Boeing employees later that day showed that there were no bolts present in three of the visible locations, while the fourth was covered with insulation.听听聽聽

Boeing responds after NTSB says 737 door plug documents and staff names withheld

• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2024-03-07

Spanning 44 states, the new funding will equip airports with faster baggage systems, increased gate capacity and larger security checkpoints as demand for air travel in the US continues to grow.听听

The grants were announced on February 15, 2024, by the Department of Transportation (DoT) with the funding coming from President Joe Biden精东影业 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which was passed in part to address the aging infrastructure of the nation精东影业 airports. 

According to the DoT, the $970 million funding will 鈥渋mprove passenger experience, accessibility, and sustainability while creating good-paying jobs鈥�.  

鈥淯nder this administration, we are doing more to improve the travel experience than ever before, from expanding consumer protections to modernizing the physical infrastructure,鈥� US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, said. 鈥淭hese investments we鈥檙e announcing today, made possible by President Biden精东影业 historic infrastructure package, will make it easier for passengers to get to and through airports, create jobs, and increase safety for all.鈥澛�

Airport projects

Airports that will see new or expanded terminals include Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia, which will receive $35 million to contribute to the construction of a 14-gate, 400,000 sq. ft. terminal building with connections to the Aerotrain and Metrorail. 

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Illinois was awarded $40 million to increase the central passenger corridor width, reconfigure the TSA checkpoint, build a new hold room and update the baggage system at Terminal 3.  

And $10 million was granted to Duluth International Airport (DLH) in Minnesota to fund the relocation of the airport control tower that has been in place since 1963. 

鈥淭oday精东影业 funding not only helps modernize airports to meet the needs of travelers today and for years to come but also creates good-paying job opportunities in communities both large and small,鈥� FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, said.听听

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The new funding announced comes on top of nearly $2 billion for airport terminals announced over the past two years by the Biden-Harris administration.

The latest funding is from the Airport Terminal Program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

In total, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has provided $25 billion to modernize airport infrastructure in the US. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was first announced with the aim to rebuild roads, bridges and rails, upgrade and expand public transit, and modernize the nation精东影业 ports and airports. 

A complete receiving funding can be found online.听

FAA announce new airfield lights for 82 airports following spike of near-misses

• Airport
• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2023-09-27

The legislation, which was passed on February 8, 2024, aims to significantly strengthen safety standards in the country and respond to safety concerns over recent aviation accidents and near-misses. 

In recent years, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been urging the FAA to increase the cockpit voice recording time from two hours to 25 hours to match safety rules in Europe.听

The NTSB精东影业 investigation into the Alaska Airlines plug door blow out on January 5, 2024, has been hampered because investigators were unable to access important data due to the limited recording time.      

As well as 25-hour cockpit voice recorders, the bill also addressed the shortage of air traffic controllers in the US that has been partly blamed for a spate of near-misses over the last 18 months. 

鈥淭he bill mandates that the FAA implement new staffing models to close the current gap of 3,000 controllers and requires the FAA to beef up staffing to close the 20 percent shortage of FAA safety inspectors responsible for certification and production oversight,鈥� the Senate Committee said.听听

鉁呪湀锔廋leared for Takeoff

The Senate FAA bill passed committee!

馃СProtects consumers with new refund standards, more accessibility & eliminates family seating fees
馃Strengthens aircraft & runway safety
馃洬Modernizes airports
馃懇鈥嶁湀锔廍xpands the workforce & hires air traffic controllers

— Senate Commerce, Science, Transportation Committee (@commercedems)

At the same time, the Senators also rejected the suggestion that the pilot retirement age should rise from 65 to 67 years of age.  

According to Reuters, the US House of Representatives voted in July 2023 to increase the age pilots can retire to 67. However, on February 9, 2024, the Commerce Committee voted 14-13 to reject the hike.  

Elsewhere in the newly passed Act, the FAA will be required to raise the safety bar for foreign repair stations to meet US standards. It requires more deployment of surface detection technology at more large and medium-sized hub airports to prevent near-misses. 

The new legislation strengthens consumer protections, setting the first-ever refund standards for passengers with non-refundable tickets when domestic flights are cancelled or delayed starting at three hours. 

Henceforth, airline vouchers will need to be valid for up to five years and parents will no longer be charged extra to sit next to their children, while fines against airlines for aviation consumer protection violations will be tripled. 

The Act also requires the FAA to create new standards for drones and electric air taxis so that the United States is leading the pack on new technology and creates a dedicated Office of Advanced Aviation Technology at the Department of Transportation (DOT). 

“This bipartisan bill delivers improvements to aviation safety and consumer protections that Americans have been demanding,鈥� said Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee. 鈥淭he bill will put more FAA safety inspectors on factory floors and more air traffic controllers in towers.  It forces airlines to improve customer service鈥攅stablishing mandatory refunds for flight disruptions and barring carriers from charging extra for families to sit together. Aviation is a key sector of the U.S. economy and supports millions of U.S. jobs. We need to make the right investments, hire the best-skilled workers and make our aviation safety system the gold standard of the world.鈥� 

Commenting on the new legislation, Senator Ted Cruz, Ranking Member of the Committee said: 鈥淭his bipartisan bill will help ensure the FAA can improve at its core mission of keeping the flying public safe. With the aviation industry facing serious challenges, this legislation charts a course to address many of them while also modernizing and transforming the FAA’s operations. The legislation will also nurture innovation and nascent technology like air taxis, hypersonic planes, and unmanned aircraft.鈥澛犅犅�

FAA looks to extend cockpit voice-recording to 25 hours for all future aircraft

• Airlines
• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2023-12-01

The fiasco became known as the 鈥渉oliday meltdown鈥� due to over two million passengers becoming stranded in the peak of Christmas holiday season and into the New Year.   

The said the civil penalty was given for 鈥渘umerous violations of consumer protection laws during and after the operational failures鈥� of Christmas and New Year 2022.听听

According to the DOT, the penalty is 30 times bigger than any given for consumer protection violations before and is a warning to other airlines of the consequences if they fail to protect consumers during disruptions.  

鈥淭he majority of the penalty will go towards compensating future Southwest passengers affected by cancellations or significant delays caused by the airline,鈥� the DOT said. 

Southwest Airlines has already paid more than $600 million in refunds and reimbursements.听

鈥淸This] action sets a new precedent and sends a clear message: if airlines fail their passengers, we will use the full extent of our authority to hold them accountable,鈥� Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, said. 鈥淭aking care of passengers is not just the right thing to do 鈥� it’s required, and this penalty should put all airlines on notice to take every step possible to ensure that a meltdown like this never happens again.鈥� 

The DOT found that Southwest failed to provide adequate customer service assistance, failed to provide prompt flight status notification and failed to provide refunds in a prompt and proper manner. 

In response Southwest said it was 鈥済rateful to have reached a consumer-friendly settlement鈥�. 

Southwest will also be required to establish a $90 million compensation system so future passengers affected by significant delays and cancellations can be given a transferable $75 voucher for future use on the airline. 

“We have spent the past year acutely focused on efforts to enhance the Customer Experience with significant investments and initiatives that accelerate operational resiliency, enhance cross-team collaboration and bolster overall preparedness for winter operations,” Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines President & Chief Executive Officer said. “Our commitment to Customers has been central to our success across our 52-year history and has helped us become one of the world’s most admired and trusted airlines.” 

Flight cancellations in 2002 were driven by a meltdown of Southwest精东影业 operations between Christmas and New Year following a storm that resulted in record cold temperatures across the majority of the US.听

Exploring the use of robotics and automation to enhance airport ground handling

• Aviation Technology and Innovation

byJean Carmela Lim

2024-07-06