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2008-04-21
NORTH/SOUTH AMERICA NEWS
New Alternative Routes for U.S Carriers Approved (April 18th)
Ottawa Approves 'Escape Routes' For U.S. Aircraft
National Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=452965
Included in the new measures aimed at alleviating airspace congestion and reducing delays, is a plan for new alternative routes through Canadian airspace. These new routes will enable U.S. carriers to fly around airspace affected by inclement weather. The Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) is hoping that Ottawa’s goodwill gesture to allow use of Canadian airspace as an escape route will prompt U.S. officials to reconsider Canadian carriers’ inclusion in the U.S. Secure Flight Program.
U.S. DOT Proposes Auctioning Runway Slots at LaGuardia (April 17th)
U.S. Proposes Auctioning Runway Slots to Curb Delays at La Guardia
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/nyregion/17airport.html
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s proposal to auction runway slots at LaGuardia Airport drew immediate and sharp criticism. Governor David A. Paterson, Senator Charles E. Schumer, the Port Authority and the Air Transport Association have all criticized the recent proposal to reduce delays at the airport. “In a conference call with reporters Wednesday, D.J. Gribbin, general counsel for the Department of Transportation, said that his agency had not "run a model yet on whether delay reduction will occur" as a result of auctioning some slots.”
FAA Orders Inspections of Boeing Jetliners (April 14th)
U.S. Orders 3,130 Boeing Inspections
CNNMoney.com
http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/14/news/companies/FAA_inspections.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008041414
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently issued airworthiness directives that will affect 3,130 planes worldwide, including 1,380 in the U.S. The inspections were ordered because of potential problems with systems for wing de-icing, certain models’ main landing gear, and passengers’ oxygen masks. A separate order from the FAA covers fuselage reinforcement of some Airbus planes but carries no mandatory date; this order affects 160 U.S. planes. Cargo carriers such as United Parcel Service (UPS) and FedEx, as well as passenger operators, are impacted by these orders.
Senator Proposes FAA Task Force (April 12th)
Schumer Proposes FAA Task Force To Work With Air Carriers On Backup Plans In Case Of More Groundings
TradingMarkets.com
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1355028/
In order to minimize public disruptions while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues its stringent inspections, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) has suggested that an FAA industry task force be established. This task force would be comprised of FAA officials and representatives from the airline industry. The goals of the task force would be to clarify FAA safety directives, develop contingency plans in the event that aircraft need to be grounded and design a notification system to alert passengers of potential service disruptions. The senator would like to see the task force formed as soon as possible.
EUROPE NEWS
Airlines Threaten to Withhold Landing Fees from BAA (April 15th)
Ryanair And Easyjet Threaten To Break Law Over BAA Fees
Guardian.co.uk
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/15/easyjetbusiness.ryanair
Ryanair and easyJet are both threatening to withhold payments to BAA in response to increased landing fees at Gatwick and Stansted airports. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has stated that refusing to pay the landing fees would be against the law. “EasyJet said it would seek a judicial review of the CAA's decision to raise fees at Gatwick to £6.97 a passenger this year, with annual increases capped at 2% above inflation.”
EU-US Joint Committee Holds First Official Meeting (April 15th)
EU/US Committee On Open Skies Implementation To Meet In Washington
ATW Daily News
http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=12398
The first official meeting of the EU-US Joint Committee will take place in Washington this week. The charge of the Joint Committee is to “manage and monitor” the implementation of the first stage of the transatlantic open skies agreement. This meeting will not cover the second-stage negotiations set to commence next month. Issues, such as, market access, regulatory cooperation, security, safety and environment, are scheduled to be discussed.
ASIA/PACIFIC NEWS
India, Mexico Sign Air Services Agreement (April 18th)
India, Mexico Ink Pacts In Civil Aviation, Energy
Rediff
http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/apr/18mexico.htm
In an effort to strengthen bilateral ties, India and Mexico have recently signed two agreements in Mexico City. The first agreement calls for cooperation in air services between the two countries, while the second pertains to the energy sector. Mexican President Felipe Calderon considers India “an ‘important’ partner for his country in the Asia-Pacific region.”
AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST NEWS
IATA Commits to Improved Aviation Safety in Africa (April 13th)
Improving African Air Safety
4Hoteliers
http://www.4hoteliers.com/4hots_nshw.php?mwi=4317
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has recently announced its latest addition to African safety initiatives. The Implementation Plan for Safe Operations in Africa (IPSOA) is a US$3.7 million program that will give 30 African airlines access to IATA’s Flight Data Analysis (FDA) tool over a three-year period. IATA will also address three other key areas, such as auditing, infrastructure and skills shortage, to improve African aviation safety.
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