Bipartisan Legislation to Preclude New Foreign Airlines from Avoiding Regulations
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved a slate of measures during a committee markup on July 28. Keep Reading
ICAO Urges Africa’s Aviation Leaders to Seize Opportunities for Safety and Security Performance Improvements
Over recent years, overall safety confidence and performance in the region has improved in tandem with a dramatic decrease in the number Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs), from seven in 2015 to just one in 2021. Keep Reading
New Report Details Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Threat to National Security
The Office of Director of National Intelligence released a document in late June that details reports on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). While in almost every instance the UAP can’t be explained, the report suggests that UAP can present a threat to national security. Keep Reading
GAO Checks DOT’s Progress on Cybersecurity, Safety and Pandemic Preparedness
As far back as December 2015, during the Ebola epidemic, GAO recommended that the Secretary of Transportation work with relevant stakeholders to develop a national aviation-preparedness plan for communicable disease outbreaks. This plan remains elusive. Keep Reading
FAA Awards $845 Million in Latest Round of Airport Improvement Grants
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded more than $845 million in grants for projects that will increase safety and accessibility, expand capacity, and mitigate environmental impacts at airports across the United States. Keep Reading
Unruly Passengers Assault Cabin Crew, Fellow Passengers and Strike Aircraft
The FAA continues to see a rise in unruly behavior from passengers who cannot accept mask wearing requirements or even poor weather conditions. Keep Reading
FAA Launches New Safety Reporting Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an additional way for its engineers, safety inspectors, systems safety specialists and other aviation safety employees to report safety-related issues and concerns. Keep Reading
IATA: Aircraft Operations Must Not Suffer From Political Interference
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to maintain the critical separation between politics and aviation safety issues. Keep Reading
European Aviation Safety Agency Proposes Use of New Technologies to Support All-Weather Operations
The concept of all-weather operations refers to the ability of aircraft to take off and land in an airport under low visibility conditions. In such circumstances, technological support can ensure safe operations in situations that would otherwise pose safety challenges. Keep Reading
FAA Establishes Pilot Records Database to Increase Safety
A new rule from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will enable the sharing of pilot records among employers in an electronic database maintained by the agency. Keep Reading
Mexican Carriers Receive Safety Downgrade Following FAA Assessment
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that the Government of Mexico does not meet International Civil Aviation Organization safety standards. Keep Reading
FAA and Airlines Note an Increase in Unruly and Violent Behavior
Airlines and the FAA have reported an increasing number of unruly passengers, and some of these turn into physical altercations. Many of these are tied to mask compliance. Keep Reading
Chairs DeFazio and Larsen Seek Records From Boeing and FAA Regarding Continued Production Issues
The Chairs are concerned about continued issues with the manufacture and production of Boeing commercial aircraft at facilities in both Washington state and South Carolina. Keep Reading
GAO: Better Assessing Employees’ Skill Gaps Could Help FAA Prepare for Changes in Technology
The Federal Aviation Administration may not know whether its workforce has the critical skills needed to respond to technology changes including unmanned aerial systems, commercial space transportation, artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing. Keep Reading
U.S. and Canada Announce New Funding for Airports to Include Security and Safety Improvements
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the award of more than $898.9 million in infrastructure and safety projects. Keep Reading
TSA Tests Drone Detection Technology at Miami International Airport
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has selected Miami International Airport for its initial test of technologies that will detect, track, and identify drones entering into restricted airspace. Keep Reading
National Supply Chain Integrity Month
OIG Initiates Audit of DOT’s Tracking of Imported Aviation Parts and Components
The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of developing and maintaining resilient supply chains in industries that are essential to economic vitality, national security, and public health. Keep Reading
FAA Proposes Civil Penalties Against Three Passengers for Allegedly Interfering with Flight Attendants
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes civil penalties of $31,750, $16,750 and $14,500 against three passengers for allegedly interfering with and, in two cases, assaulting flight attendants who instructed them to obey cabin crew instruction and various federal regulations. Keep Reading
Boeing Recommends Temporary Removal of Some 737 Max Airplanes
The 737 MAX has not that long returned to the skies following a global grounding after two fatal crashes that killed 346 people. Keep Reading
National Transportation Safety Board Finalizes 2021–2022 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements
The board voted to include 10 items in the 2021-2022 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements, including a requirement for crash-resistant recorders in all passenger-carrying operations. Keep Reading