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    Press Release – FAA Proposes $530,250 Civil Penalty For Aviation Technical Services

    For Immediate Release
    November 19, 2010

    SEATTLE – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $530,250 civil penalty against Aviation Technical Services, Inc. (ATS), an aviation repair station in Everett, Wash., for allegedly failing to follow approved procedures while maintaining 14 Southwest Airlines Boeing 737s.

    Specifically, the FAA alleges ATS failed to follow Southwest’s Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP) during work to accomplish five Airworthiness Directives to detect fuselage skin cracks. ATS used shortened “cradles” to support the aircraft at two of three specified points while they were off their wheels, a deviation from the Southwest CAMP.

    ATS alsoallegedly failed to install and monitor load-measuring cells to ensure the maximum loads did not exceed limits for the engines, wings and horizontal stabilizer locations while the aircraft were suspended in the cradle. The alleged violations occurred between January 2007 and March 2008.

    “We have the highest standards in place to ensure safety,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, “Maintenance work has to meet those standards wherever it is performed.”

    Aviation Technical Services has 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

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    Akron-Canton Airport Commissions Runway 5/23

    The Largest Capital Improvement Project in Airport History

    REEN, Ohio, Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — What does ten years and $60 million get you? How about a dream runway at the Akron-Canton Airport (CAK). At 11:20 a.m. this morning, we will commission the single largest capital project in airport history, the extension and safety upgrade of runway 5/23. The mammoth project is the centerpiece of the airport’s comprehensive capital improvement program — CAK 2018. More than 120 guests will witness the inaugural departure of an AirTran Airways Boeing 737 jet after a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony on the runway.

    “This is a very special day at the Akron-Canton Airport,” said Rick McQueen, president and CEO. “This runway signifies more than just new pavement, it provides a path forward; to new destinations and new opportunities for decades to come. The improved 5/23 truly is our crown jewel and a vital piece of aviation infrastructure for the region.”

    The improvements to Runway 5/23 include an additional 800 feet of runway length and a vital safety upgrade on the end of Runway 5. The project was born in 2000 as part of a nationwide Runway Safety Area improvement mandate. After careful consideration and a needs justification, the airport and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decided to include the extension; adding to the project’s impact and regional significance. After various federal approvals, construction began in late 2005. The total runway project cost $60 million. Most of the funding to support the Runway 5/23 project came from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program funds. The airport contributed five percent of the total project cost out of operating revenue. No bonds or other financing tools were used to finance the project.

    5/23 Project
    Overview:

    August 2000: FAA determines both ends of 5/23 require runway safety area upgrade.
    April 2004: Runway Safety Area Study that outlined the most effective method to accomplish the upgrade and justify the extension is completed.
    December 2004: Environmental Assessment approved by the FAA.
    October 2005: First grant was received and work began in October.
    March 2006-Oct 2009: Earthwork to extend south end of runway.
    March 2010: FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt delivers our last grant ($16 million).
    November 2010: Runway commissioned and open for business.

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    Press Release – FAA Proposes Requiring Pilot Certificates to Include Photos

    For Immediate Release
    November 18, 2010

    Phone: 202-267-3461

    WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today it is proposing that all pilot certificates include photos of the certificate holder.

    This action follows a requirement that all pilot certificates be made of plastic and contain security features, such as a hologram and an ultraviolet-sensitive layer, to prevent tampering, altering and counterfeiting.

    “The Department of Transportation is committed to keeping the traveling public safe,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This is an important safeguard to help make sure individuals can’t pose as pilots, whatever their intentions.”

    Under the new FAA proposal, pilots would obtain new certificates on which their photograph would appear with a proposed expiration date of eight years. At the end of that time period, pilots would need to update their photo and obtain a new certificate.
    “Our current certificates are plastic and tamper-resistant, but this proposal will make them even more secure,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

    If the proposal is finalized as proposed, all new airman certificates would have to include a photograph. Existing pilots with a current commercial pilot certificate would have four years to comply, while a pilot with an airline transport pilot rating would have three years to obtain a new certificate with a photo. Existing private, recreational or sport pilot certificate holders would have five years to comply with the new requirement.

    If finalized, the resulting final regulation will fulfill a provision of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, which requires the FAA to issue plastic, tamper-resistant pilot certificates with photos.

    Under the proposal, the cost of the new pilot certificate would be $22. That amount is comparable to drivers’ license fees in many states and would have to be renewed every eight years.

    The comment period for the proposed rule ends February 17, 2011. The rule is on display at the Federal Register: http://www.ofr.gov/inspection.aspx#reg_F. It will be published in the Register at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/
    ###

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    Press Release – FAA Works to Ease Delays for Thanksgiving Holiday Travel

    For Immediate Release
    November 18, 2010

    WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration is preparing for a busy Thanksgiving holiday travel week by working with the Department of Defense to clear the way for commercial aircraft to fly in airspace normally reserved for the military.

    “We want to do everything we can to make it easier for people to travel so they can spend Thanksgiving with their loved ones,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We appreciate the military’s help in making this happen.”

    Air traffic controllers may begin routing commercial aircraft through the restricted airspace at 6 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Nov. 23, a day earlier than in previous years. The use of restricted airspace will end at 6 a.m. EST on Monday, Nov. 29. The busiest travel days are expected to be Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.

    Under the agreement, DOD will release airspace off the east coast above 24,000 feet. The added capacity is expected to ease delays during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, saving time and money for passengers and airlines while reducing fuel burn.
    The FAA has developed dedicated routes off the east coast to allow airlines to plan their flights through the normally restricted airspace. Normal inland routes will still be available. Weather permitting, the combination of both sets of routes is expected to ease congestion.

    “The FAA is using all the tools available to try and give airlines the most efficient routes so air travelers can reach their destinations safely and on time,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

    “The nation’s air traffic controllers are committed to upholding the safety of the system while working the most efficient airspace system in the world,” said NATCA President Paul Rinaldi. “Over the past year we’ve experienced a movement toward collaboration at all levels of the agency and we look forward to continuing to work together to improve air travel for the flying public.”

    The DOD is also allowing commercial flights to use restricted airspace in other parts of the country. These include:
    Airspace over the Gulf of Mexico to ease congestion for commercial aircraft flying between Florida and the Louisiana and Texas areas, as well as points beyond.

    Airspace over Twentynine Palms in California to ease congestion for commercial aircraft flying to and from markets in Southern California.

    Airspace over the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to allow for more direct routings for aircraft flying over the Southwest.
    Air travelers interested in flight and airport status should visit www.fly.faa.gov for real-time updates.

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    ICAO STRENGTHENS AIR CARGO SECURITY MEASURES

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    MONTREAL, 17 November 2010 ? The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has adopted more stringent air cargo security standards, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the overall security of air transport operations worldwide.

    The new measures emphasize more extensive screening of cargo, mail and other goods prior to placing them on board aircraft and better protection from unauthorized interference from the point where security controls are applied until departure of the aircraft.

    Also included is the strengthening of provisions related to the deployment of security equipment, the security of air traffic service providers, training programmes and instructor certification systems, and cyber threats.

    The updated security requirements are contained in the 12th revision of Annex 17 (Security) to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, adopted today by the Council of the Organization.

    “This latest revision to the Security Annex has been in development for some time and reflects our determination to constantly review and adapt ICAO security standards to address a rapidly evolving security situation. It also complements a number of recent initiatives to significantly increase the level of aviation security, in a proactive and concerted manner,” said Mr. Roberto Kobeh González, ICAO Council President.

    The recent 37th Session of the ICAO Assembly unanimously adopted a Declaration which identified a number of areas where States committed to working together, in cooperation with the industry, on security issues. These include air cargo security, screening technologies to detect prohibited articles, strengthening international standards, improving security information-sharing and providing capacity-building assistance to States in need.

    A diplomatic conference, held in Beijing in September 2010 under the auspices of ICAO, adopted two international air law instruments for the suppression of unlawful acts relating to civil aviation.

    The two treaties further criminalize the act of using civil aircraft as a weapon, and of using dangerous materials to attack aircraft or other targets on the ground. They also provide for the unlawful transport of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, and their related material, to be punishable. Making a threat against civil aviation may also trigger criminal liability.

    -END-

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    FAA Finalized Fatigue Damage Rule

    George’s Point of View

    Design approval holders must now set a time- or cycle-based limit after which structural damage inspections must take place. The rule specifically addresses widespread fatigue damage (WFD) with the intent of “providing for the establishment of safe operational limits and the maintenance actions necessary to preclude WFD prior to reaching those limits.

    The FAA Statement is below:

    Press Release – FAA Adopts “Comprehensive Solution” to Widespread Fatigue on Aging Aircraft

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a continuing effort to address aging aircraft issues, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finalized a rule designed to protect most of today’s commercial planes and those designed in the future from structural damage as they age.

    The new rule seeks to prevent “widespread fatigue damage” (WFD) by requiring aircraft manufacturers and certification applicants to establish a number of flight cycles or hours a plane can operate and be free from WFD without additional inspections for fatigue. Manufacturers have between 18 and 60 months to comply depending on the particular aircraft type.

    Once manufacturers establish these limits, operators of affected aircraft must incorporate them into their maintenance programs within 30 to 72 months, depending on the model of aircraft. After the limit is in the maintenance program, operators cannot fly the aircraft beyond that point unless the FAA approves an extension of the limit.

    “Safety is our highest priority. This rule provides a comprehensive approach to the problem of widespread fatigue in aging aircraft,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Requiring carriers to regularly inspect their aircraft for possible fatigue is essential to ensuring the highest levels of safety.”

    “We’ve addressed the problem of aging aircraft with numerous targeted regulations and 100 airworthiness directives over the years,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “This rule is a comprehensive solution to ensure the structural safety of today’s airliners and the airplanes of tomorrow.”

    An airplane’s metallic structures are stressed and can develop cracks when they experience repeated loads such as the pressurization and depressurization that happens on every flight. While airlines regularly inspect aircraft for cracks exceeding a certain size, WFD involves aircraft developing numerous tiny cracks, none of which would have raised concerns individually but which together run the risk of joining up and impairing the structural integrity of the plane.

    The new regulation applies to airliners with a takeoff weight of 75,000 lbs. and heavier. It also applies to all transport designs certificated in the future.

    The affected models, totaling 4,198 U.S.-registered airplanes, are listed in the rule.
    The FAA is working closely with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and other national authorities to harmonize this rule with their regulations as much as possible. EASA is now developing rulemaking to address WFD, and the FAA participates in that process.

    Download the Rule in PDF format here:
    Widespread Fatigue Damage Final Rule.pdf

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    U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Funding Commitment for New O’Hare South Air Traffic Control Tower

    For Immediate Release

    New Facility To Oversee Operations to O’Hare’s New 10R/28L Runway

    CHICAGO – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration will fund the design and construction of a new South Air Traffic Control Tower at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, scheduled to be built as part of the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP).

    The agreement will allow Chicago to complete the construction of the tower in time for the successful commissioning of the new runway 10R/28L, which is scheduled for completion in early 2015.
    “O’Hare is a critical transportation link for our country,” said Secretary LaHood. “This tower project will create jobs, spur economic development and help the airport improve efficiency for passengers.”

    “The historic O’Hare Modernization Project has received more federal funding than any other airport reconstruction project in history, nearly $800 million,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee who fought to increase the funding set aside for airport improvement projects across the nation, including the air traffic control tower at O’Hare. “That remarkable federal investment fuels O’Hare’s position as the economic engine for the region, solidifies Chicago’s role as a global transportation hub and will pay dividends for our state and nation for years to come. The new state-of-the-art air traffic control tower will increase capacity, bringing more travelers to our world-class city, and will boost operations at O’Hare, improving safety while reducing delays. And, just as importantly, it means Illinoisans will have an opportunity to get back to work in good paying jobs that cannot be outsourced.”

    “The building of a South Air Traffic Control tower is essential for the continued modernization of O’Hare which increases our ability to compete in the global economy,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “A modernized O’Hare will generate new jobs and additional economic activity for Chicago, the region and the state. During these challenging economic times, such economic stimulus is greatly needed.”

    The FAA has committed $3.4 million for the design of the new facility, which will build on the O’Hare Modernization Program’s nationally-recognized program for “green” design and construction.

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    ROBERTO KOBEH GONZÁLEZ RE-ELECTED AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT

    November 15, 2010 — oacicomm
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    PIO 15/10

    MONTREAL, 15 November 2010 ? Roberto Kobeh González was re-elected today by acclamation, for a second three-year term, as President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

    “Our priority for the coming triennium is the implementation of the comprehensive and groundbreaking initiatives adopted recently by the 37th Session of the ICAO Assembly, all designed to further improve the safety, the security and the environmental sustainability of international civil aviation,” said Mr. Kobeh González in his acceptance remarks.

    “We will do so as the central institution for global governance in civil aviation, by continuing to exercise our leadership in a spirit of cooperation with all stakeholders, so that safe and secure air transport can continue to play a determining role in the sustainable development of our global society. This is what is expected of us and this is what we will deliver.” he added.

    Mr. Kobeh González first assumed office as President of the Council on 1 August 2006, after having been elected to complete the mandate of Dr. Assad Kotaite, who retired on 31 July of that year. He was elected for a full term following the 36th Session of the ICAO Assembly held in late September 2007.

    Mr. Kobeh González served as Representative of Mexico on the Council of ICAO from January 1998 until his election as President in 2006.

    ROBERTO KOBEH GONZÁLEZ

    Born Huixtla, Chiapas, Mexico, on 18 October 1943

    Nationality: Mexican Marital Status: Single

    Education:Graduate from the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico (1965), Mr. Kobeh González holds an Engineering degree in Communications and Electronics. He was a professor of aeronautical electronics at the Institute from 1972 until 1975. He also studied at the Federal Aviation Administration Academy in Oklahoma and at the National Productivity Centre of Mexico and has taken several management, planning, quality assurance and leadership courses.

    Awards:Mr. Kobeh González received the Award for Extraordinary Service from the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States in 1988. In 1997, he was awarded the Emilio Carranza Medal from the Government of Mexico for his contribution to the development of civil aviation in Mexico for thirty consecutive years. In 2004, he received the award for Contribution to the Development of Aviation in the Central American Region from the Central American Corporation of Air Navigation Services. Most recently, in 2009 he received the degree of Doctor of Engineering honoris causa from the Korea Aerospace University.

    For the full CV, see here

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    Press Release – FAA Accepts Final FTI Outage Review Panel Report


    For Immediate Release
    November 12, 2010

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today accepted the second and final report on the November 2009 telecommunications outage prepared by an independent review panel assigned to investigate the incident.

    FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt had asked the panel to examine the cause of the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) outage and to recommend strategies to reduce the potential for similar future outages. He also asked the panel to examine the FTI’s present and future architecture as it relates to emerging technology and future FAA systems.

    The FTI system operates 24 hours a day seven days a week and provides communication support for the National Airspace System. Harris Corporation operates and maintains the FTI for the FAA.

    Last April the FAA began carrying out the panel’s initial recommendations which included:

    • Developing new automated tools for making configuration changes to network devices
    • Increasing FTI workforce staffing during network maintenance
    • Developing an alternate means for the entry of flight plan information to limit the impact of telecommunications network failures on the flight plan entry system.
    • Creating two network enterprise management centers which give the FAA greater situational awareness of network activity and maintenance
    • Installing additional cybersecurity measures throughout the National Airspace System

    The final report on the FTI outage lays out 14 long-term strategic recommendations the FAA should pursue as it transitions to future network systems. The FAA has already begun evaluating and working through the recommendations which revolve around five areas:

    • Governance: the decision making process for FAA systems
    • Situational Awareness: FAA network monitoring and information sharing
    • Interoperability: data sharing between systems and stakeholders
    • Resilience: ability of a network to continue operating under a variety of conditions
    • Cyber Security: the ability to thwart, detect, and respond to any attempts to compromise the system.

    On the morning of Nov. 19, 2009 the FTI experienced an outage that resulted in system-wide delays. During the four-hour event, air traffic controllers managed flight plan data manually and safely according to FAA contingency plans. Air traffic control radar and communication were not affected during that time and critical safety systems remained up and running.

    The panel confirmed the FAA’s preliminary assessment that the November outage was caused by a series of errors in network maintenance and monitoring during a telecommunications upgrade.

    The panel is made up of the following participants: FAA Chief Information Officer David Bowen; Assistant to the President and U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra; Department of Transportation Chief Information Officer Nitin Pradhan; Noblis CEO Amr Elsawy; former Director of Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems Vice Admiral (Ret) Nancy Brown; FAA Air Traffic Organization (ATO) CIO Steve Cooper; and FAA Assistant Chief Counsel for Acquisition and Commercial Law Patricia McNall.

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    Press Release – FAA Adopts “Comprehensive Solution” to Widespread Fatigue on Aging Aircraft


    For Immediate Release
    November 12, 2010

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a continuing effort to address aging aircraft issues, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finalized a rule designed to protect most of today’s commercial planes and those designed in the future from structural damage as they age.

    The new rule seeks to prevent “widespread fatigue damage” (WFD) by requiring aircraft manufacturers and certification applicants to establish a number of flight cycles or hours a plane can operate and be free from WFD without additional inspections for fatigue. Manufacturers have between 18 and 60 months to comply depending on the particular aircraft type.

    Once manufacturers establish these limits, operators of affected aircraft must incorporate them into their maintenance programs within 30 to 72 months, depending on the model of aircraft. After the limit is in the maintenance program, operators cannot fly the aircraft beyond that point unless the FAA approves an extension of the limit.

    “Safety is our highest priority. This rule provides a comprehensive approach to the problem of widespread fatigue in aging aircraft,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Requiring carriers to regularly inspect their aircraft for possible fatigue is essential to ensuring the highest levels of safety.”

    “We’ve addressed the problem of aging aircraft with numerous targeted regulations and 100 airworthiness directives over the years,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “This rule is a comprehensive solution to ensure the structural safety of today’s airliners and the airplanes of tomorrow.”

    An airplane’s metallic structures are stressed and can develop cracks when they experience repeated loads such as the pressurization and depressurization that happens on every flight. While airlines regularly inspect aircraft for cracks exceeding a certain size, WFD involves aircraft developing numerous tiny cracks, none of which would have raised concerns individually but which together run the risk of joining up and impairing the structural integrity of the plane.

    The new regulation applies to airliners with a takeoff weight of 75,000 lbs. and heavier. It also applies to all transport designs certificated in the future.

    The affected models, totaling 4,198 U.S.-registered airplanes, are listed in the rule.

    The FAA is working closely with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and other national authorities to harmonize this rule with their regulations as much as possible. EASA is now developing rulemaking to address WFD, and the FAA participates in that process.
    The final rule is on display today at the Federal Register: http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2010-28363_PI.pdf . It will be published in the Register Monday, November 15 at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.
    ###

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    Rita Report: Long Tarmac Delays in September Down From Last Year

    Tuesday, November 9, 2010 – The
    nation’s largest airlines reported four flights in September with tarmac delays
    of more than three hours, down from six flights in September 2009, with only a
    slight increase in the rate of canceled flights, according to the Air Travel
    Consumer Report released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation
    (DOT).

    Data filed with
    the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) showed the only tarmac delays
    longer than three hours reported in September by the 18 airlines that file
    on-time performance data with DOT involved delays caused by weather in New York
    and Philadelphia on Sept. 22. September was the fifth full month of data
    since the new aviation consumer rule went into effect on April 29. There have
    been only 12 total tarmac delays of more than three hours reported from May
    through September this year, compared to 535 during the same five-month period
    of 2009. BTS is a part of DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology
    Administration (RITA).

    The largest
    carriers canceled 0.9 percent of their scheduled domestic flights in September,
    up from the 0.6 percent cancellation rate of September 2009. They posted
    a 1.0 percent cancellation rate in August 2010.

    The new tarmac
    delay rule prohibits U.S. airlines operating domestic flights from permitting
    an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours without deplaning
    passengers, with exceptions allowed only for safety or security or if air
    traffic control advises the pilot in command that returning to the terminal
    would disrupt airport operations. The Department will investigate tarmac
    delays that exceed this limit.

    The monthly
    report also includes data on on-time performance, chronically delayed flights,
    flight cancellations and the causes of flight delays filed with the Department
    by the reporting carriers. In addition, it has information on airline
    bumping, reports of mishandled baggage filed by consumers with the carriers,
    and consumer service, disability and discrimination complaints received by
    DOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division. This report also includes
    reports of incidents involving pets traveling by air, as required to be filed
    by U.S. carriers.

    On-Time Performance

    The reporting carriers recorded an overall on-time arrival
    rate of 85.1 percent in September, down from the 86.2 percent on-time rate of September
    2009 but up from August 2010’s 81.7 percent.

    Tarmac Delays

    In September, the carriers filing
    on-time performance data reported that .0600 percent of their scheduled flights
    had tarmac delays of two hours or more, up from .0400 percent in August.
    There were four flights with tarmac delays of more than three hours in September.

    Chronically Delayed Flights

    At the end of September, there was only one flight that was
    chronically delayed – more than 30 minutes late more than 50 percent of the
    time – for two consecutive months. There were no chronically delayed
    flights for three consecutive months or more. A list of flights that were
    chronically delayed for a single month is available from BTS (www.bts.gov).

    Causes of Flight Delays

    In September, the carriers filing
    on-time performance data reported that 4.81 percent of their flights were
    delayed by aviation system delays, compared to 5.07 percent in August; 4.60
    percent by late-arriving aircraft, compared to 6.42 percent in August, 3.99 percent
    by factors within the airline’s control, such as maintenance or crew problems, compared
    to 5.16 percent in August; 0.41 percent by extreme weather, compared to 0.46 percent
    in August; and 0.02 percent for security reasons, compared to 0.04 percent in August. Weather is a factor in both the
    extreme-weather category and the aviation-system category. This includes delays
    due to the re-routing of flights by DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration in
    consultation with the carriers involved. Weather is also a factor in delays attributed to late-arriving aircraft,
    although airlines do not report specific causes in that category.

    Data collected by BTS also show the
    percentage of late flights delayed by weather, including those reported in
    either the category of extreme weather or included in National Aviation System
    delays. In September, 34.53 percent of late flights were delayed by weather,
    down 0.17 percent from September 2009, when 34.59 percent of late flights were
    delayed by weather, and down 1.54 percent from August when 35.07 percent of
    late flights were delayed by weather.

    Detailed information on flight
    delays and their causes is available on the BTS site on the World Wide Web at http://www.bts.gov.

    Mishandled Baggage

    The U.S.
    carriers reporting flight delays and mishandled baggage data posted a
    mishandled baggage rate of 2.89 reports per 1,000 passengers in September, an
    improvement over both September 2009’s rate of 3.06 and August 2010’s 3.50 rate. For the first nine months of this year, the
    carriers posted a mishandled baggage rate of 3.59 reports per 1,000 passengers,
    down from the 4.02 rate recorded during the first nine months of 2009.

    Bumping

    The
    report also includes reports of involuntary denied boarding, or bumping, for
    the third quarter and first nine months of this year from
    U.S. carriers
    who also report flight delay information. These carriers posted a bumping
    rate of 0.87 per 10,000 passengers for the quarter, down from the 1.01 rate for
    the third quarter of 2009. For the first
    nine months of this year, the carriers had a bumping rate of 1.19 per 10,000
    passengers, down from the rate of 1.26 rate posted during the first nine months
    of 2009.

    Incidents Involving Pets

    In September, carriers reported four incidents
    involving the loss, death or injury of pets while traveling by air, equal to
    the four reports filed in September 2009, but up from the one in August 2010. September’s incidents involved the death of
    three pets and the injury of one pet.

    Complaints
    About Airline Service

    In September, the Department received 755
    complaints about airline service from consumers, up 25.2 percent from the 603
    complaints filed in September 2009 but down 37.1 percent from the 1,200 received
    in August 2010. For the first
    nine months of this year, the Department received 8,811 consumer complaints, up
    32.0 percent from the total of 6,676 filed during the first nine months of
    2009.

    Complaints About Treatment of Disabled
    Passengers

    The report also
    contains a tabulation of complaints filed with DOT in September against airlines
    regarding the treatment of passengers with disabilities. The Department received a total of 41
    disability-related complaints in September, up from the total of 28 filed in September
    2009 but down from the 71 complaints received in August 2010. For the first nine months of this year, the
    Department received 440 disability-related complaints, up 13.7 percent from the
    total of 387 filed during the first nine months of 2009.

    Complaints
    About Discrimination

    In
    September, the Department received 10 complaints alleging discrimination by
    airlines due to factors other than disability – such as race, religion,
    national origin or sex – down from both the total of 11 recorded in September 2009
    and 17 recorded in August 2010. For the
    first nine months of this year, the Department received 111 complaints about
    discrimination, up 12.1 percent from the total of 99 filed during the first
    nine months of 2009.

    Consumers may
    file their complaints in writing with the Aviation Consumer Protection
    Division, U.S. Department of Transportation, C-75, W96-432, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590;
    by voice mail at (202) 366-2220 or by TTY at (202) 366-0511; or on the web at http://airconsumer.dot.gov.

    Consumers who
    want on-time performance data for specific flights should call their airline’s reservation
    number or their travel agent. This
    information is available on the computerized reservation systems used by these
    agents. The information is also
    available on the appropriate carrier’s website.

    The Air Travel
    Consumer Report can be found on DOT’s World Wide Web site at http://airconsumer.dot.gov. It is available in “pdf” and Microsoft Word format.

    Air Travel Consumer Report September 2010
    Key On-Time Performance and Flight Cancellation Statistics

    Based on Data Filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics by the 18 Reporting Carriers

    Overall

    85.1 percent on-time arrivals

    Highest On-Time Arrival Rates

    1. Hawaiian Airlines – 95.8 percent

    2. AirTran Airways – 90.7 percent

    3. Alaska Airlines – 90.5 percent

    Lowest On-Time
    Arrival Rates

    1. Comair – 78.2 percent

    2. JetBlue
    Airways – 78.8 percent

    3. Delta Air Lines – 81.5 percent

    Flights with Longest Tarmac
    Delays

    1. Southwest
    Airlines flight 337 from Philadelphia to St. Louis, 9/22/10 – delayed on
    tarmac 199 minutes

    2. US
    Airways flight 373 from New York JFK to Charlotte, 9/22/10 – delayed on
    tarmac 197 minutes

    3. Pinnacle
    Airlines flight 3968 from New York JFK to Chicago O’Hare, 9/22/10 –
    delayed on tarmac 185 minutes

    4. Delta
    Air Lines flight 2189 from Philadelphia to Detroit, 9/22/10 – delayed on
    tarmac 183 minutes

    (There were only four flights with tarmac delays of more
    than three hours in September)

    Highest Rates of
    Canceled Flights

    1. Comair – 2.0 percent

    2. Pinnacle Airlines – 2.0 percent

    3. American Eagle Airlines – 1.7 percent

    Lowest Rates of Canceled Flights

    1. Hawaiian Airlines – 0.0 percent*

    2. Frontier Airlines – 0.2 percent

    3. AirTran Airways – 0.2 percent

    *Hawaiian Airlines had two canceled flights in September.

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    Department of Transportation Report Substantiates Whistleblower’s Safety Concerns at American Airlines Certificate Management Office


    U.S. Office of Special Counsel
    1730 M Street, N.W.,Suite 218
    Washington, D.C. 20036?4505

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    WASHINGTON, DC/November 4, 2010—Today the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) transmitted to the President and Congress reports of the Department of Transportation (DOT) responding to a whistleblower’s allegations that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) failed to provide effective oversight of American Airlines and to address the air carrier’s non? compliance with inspection and maintenance requirements.

    The whistleblower, Mr. Andrew G. Blosser, an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector assigned to the American Airlines Certificate Management Office (CMO), in Fort Worth, Texas, alleged that CMO officials were unwilling or unable to obtain positive corrective actions from the air carrier and that the failure to enforce inspection and maintenance requirements has resulted in a poorly maintained fleet that represents a safety concern for the flying public. Mr. Blosser identified six areas of concern regarding American Airlines’ non?compliance: (1) maintenance procedures; (2) minimum equipment list (MEL) deferrals; (3) required inspection items (RII); (4) the repair station training needs assessment (TNA); (5) the Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System (CASS); and (6) the fuel tank system (FTS) maintenance program.

    The report and a supplemental report submitted to OSC by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood substantiated Mr. Blosser’s allegations that the CMO failed to ensure that American Airlines complied with requirements in four of the six areas identified above; specifically, maintenance procedures, MEL deferrals, RII requirements, and CASS requirements. The investigation found that at the time of Mr. Blosser’s disclosures, CMO Actions to ensure compliance were not effective. In addition, the investigation found that inaccurate and untimely FAA guidance for the review and approval of the air carrier’s FTS maintenance program most likely contributed to inspector confusion and uncertainty as to whether the program met federal regulations and airworthiness directive (AD) requirements. ADs are rules that FAA issues to address an unsafe condition that exists in an aircraft product or is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

    In response to the findings, FAA Administrator J. Randolph Babbitt pledged to take corrective action, including improving policies and procedures within the CMO. In addition, FAA removed or reassigned managers and noted that American Airlines replaced several senior level personnel. FAA further indicated that it plans to have an outside office provide oversight of the CMO to ensure corrective actions are taken. By March 2011, inspectors from outside the region will conduct an independent audit to assess the effectiveness of the corrective actions, and in July 2011, the FAA’s Flight Standards Quality Assurance Division will conduct an independent Flight Standards Evaluation Program evaluation of the CMO.

    OSC determined that the agency’s report contains all of the information required by statute and the findings appear reasonable.

    The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is an independent investigative and prosecutorial agency and operates as a secure channel for disclosures of whistleblower complaints. Its primary mission is to safeguard the merit system in federal employment by protecting federal employees and applicants from prohibited personnel practices, especially retaliation for whistleblowing. OSC also has jurisdiction over the Hatch Act. For more information please visit our web site at www.osc.gov or call 1 (800) 872-9855.

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    AAR to Relocate Airlift Group to Melbourne, Florida

    Named as one of ‘The Most Trustworthy Companies’ by Forbes Magazine, AAR Reaches Major Milestones with the Transformation of New Airlift and Modifications Businesses.

    WOOD DALE, Ill., Nov. 8, 2010 — AAR announced today that it has selected Melbourne, Fla. as the new location for its airlift services and specialized aircraft modifications businesses, which the Company acquired in April 2010. Since completing the acquisition, AAR has installed a new leadership team and is rebranding the businesses as part of its overall integration strategy.

    “When we acquired Aviation Worldwide Services and its subsidiaries earlier this year, we shared our plans to relocate the operations, transform the leadership team with our people to instill AAR values and rebrand the business,” said David P. Storch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AAR CORP. “I’m very pleased with the progress our team has made toward these goals and I look forward to being an important part of Melbourne’s business community and economy. I want to thank the State of Florida for their support and for working diligently to help make this move happen.”

    The business will move to hangars, facilities and offices at and near Melbourne International Airport. The relocation will be conducted in phases and is expected to be completed by spring 2011. AAR will establish an on-site management team and begin hiring select positions immediately. The business is expected to create as many as 225 jobs by the end of 2012.

    The business will operate as AAR Airlift Group, with airlift services provided by AAR Airlift and specialized aircraft modifications performed by AAR Aircraft Services – Melbourne. AAR Airlift Group is led by Jeffrey Schloesser, a former U.S. Army major general with more than 20 years of senior-level leadership and operations experience, which includes leading the Army’s modernization and transformation plan for a fleet of 4,000 aircraft and 76,000 personnel.

    AAR collaborated with elected officials from the State, economic development groups and the city of Melbourne to identify locations that would support AAR’s requirement for world-class flight operations, warehousing and administrative facilities and to develop a partnership to ensure the future growth of the business.

    “Aviation and aerospace is one of Florida’s targeted industries for stimulating economic growth and diversification; therefore, AAR’s entry is in line with our expansion strategy for this key sector,” said John Adams Jr., president & CEO of Enterprise Florida, the state’s principal economic development organization. “This project has exemplified Florida’s competitiveness; our ability to attract progressive and innovative businesses as we compete in the global economy.”

    Senate President–designate, Mike Haridopolos said, “We are pleased to welcome a company of AAR’s recognized quality and expertise to the Space Coast. Its relocation to Florida will create high-quality jobs, provide an instant economic boost, and solidify the leadership of the Space Coast in the defense and aerospace sectors.”

    “This is fantastic news for the Space Coast,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who urged the company to relocate its airlift operations to Melbourne. “This move will bring much needed jobs to the area and provide a boost to the local economy. I applaud AAR’s decision to select Melbourne as the home for their airlift group.”

    “Companies like AAR will create the types of jobs we need in Florida during this critical time of transition in the aerospace industry,” noted State Senator Thad Altman, who represents East Central Florida. “In addition, the technological expertise and capabilities of AAR could lead to a terrific partnership with the state of Florida in areas such as emergency management preparation and civil defense.”

    “AAR is a highly respected, very successful company and we knew that this project would be extremely competitive,” said Lynda Weatherman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. “We developed a creative package that showcased the Space Coast’s core capabilities, including the tax advantage benefits of a Florida location. We are delighted that AAR recognized our competitive advantages and look forward to the company’s success here at the Space Coast.”

    “AAR is a great example of the type of company that will help Florida diversify its aerospace economy to position for success in the coming months and years,” noted Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “This company is well-established in the defense industry and will bring continued innovation to Florida’s aerospace industry. We are extremely pleased to welcome them to the Space Coast.”

    AAR currently has facilities in Clearwater, Jacksonville, Medley and Miami, employing 1,200 highly-skilled workers and contributing approximately $150 million annually in economic impact to the state of Florida. At full employment, the new Melbourne location is projected to add an additional $42.3 million to the state’s economy.
    “All over the country communities are working hard to land companies of AAR’s caliber. We’re fortunate Melbourne International Airport was chosen as the site for this significant expansion. It’s good for Melbourne. It’s good for the region,” said Harry Goode, Mayor of Melbourne and Chairman, Melbourne Airport Authority.

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    Release: Pilots: How to Handle Abnormal Situations

    http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/
    Now available online, the November/December 2010 issue of FAA Safety Briefing focuses on a subject fundamental to pilot safety: how to handle abnormal and emergency situations. The issue stresses the delicate art of planning for the unplanned and outlines several tools and resources pilots can draw upon to handle emergencies.
    Articles provide tips on unusual attitude recovery, partial-power takeoffs, and knowing what to do when your aircraft’s electrical system fails. Also, this issue’s Hot Spots article highlights the work FAA has been doing to identify the leading causes of GA fatal accidents and lists the top 10 causes. The Vertically Speaking column lists the top 10 causes of helicopter accidents and highlights the regional safety seminars the FAA Safety Team is conducting with Helicopter Association International.

    For Aviation Maintenance Technicians, the Nuts, Bolts, and Electrons article explains the Service Difficulty Reporting System and encourages AMTs to use it.

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    FAA Sets Crew’s Alert Parameters

    Alerts should be designed so that the pilot can acknowledge the problem and suppress the alarm. According to the FAA, the system should automatically remove the alert when the conditions no longer exist, preventing a “nuisance.”

    The FAA recommends manufactures use six or fewer colors.

    Alert colours on the flight deck for future aircraft will have red warnings, amber or yellow cautions and any colour but red, amber, yellow or green for advisory alerts. Attention cues can not rely solely on color but must alert two senses.

    Weather, terrain or traffic displays may still use the four colours, but “must not adversely affect flightcrew alerting.”

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    FAA Proposes Safety Management Systems for Airlines

    For Immediate Release
    November 4, 2010

    WASHINGTON – In a continuing effort to take the U.S. aviation system to the next level of safety, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed to require Safety Management Systems (SMS) for most commercial airlines.
    Safety management systems give operators a set of business processes and management tools to examine data from everyday operations, isolate trends that may be precursors to incidents or accidents, and develop and carry out appropriate risk mitigation strategies. They are a formal approach to managing an organization’s safety through four key components – safety policy, safety risk management, safety assurance, and safety promotion.

    “Safety is our top priority,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This program can help airlines identify possible safety problems and correct them before they lead to accidents.”

    “We need a holistic approach to safety that allows us to spot trends in aviation and make necessary changes to help avoid incidents and accidents,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “Safety Management Systems are a critical piece of a successful safety culture.”

    The requirements of the SMS proposal would define “what” is expected rather than “how” the requirement is to be met. This allows for development and implementation of an SMS that matches the size, complexity and business models of diverse organizations in ways appropriate to their unique systems and operating environments.

    Under the proposed rule, scheduled air carriers and a few others operating under Part 121 of federal aviation regulations would be required to implement an SMS within three years. The carriers would have to submit their SMS implementation plans to the FAA within six months of the final rule’s effective date. The plan would be required to show how the airline intends to comply with the rule within the three-year implementation period. An SMS would not take the place of regular FAA oversight, inspection and audits to ensure compliance with existing regulations

    The FAA began exploring system safety-based oversight concepts in the mid- to late- 1990s. During that time, the agency concluded system safety has to be practiced by operators, repair stations, flight schools, other aviation service providers and the agency itself. In 2006, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) required that all member countries implement SMS standards for operators and approved maintenance organizations.

    The FAA’s own Air Traffic Organization has already begun implementing an SMS, and the agency recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would require FAA-certified airports to establish SMS for all airfield and ramp areas.

    The estimated cost of this proposed rule for U.S. air carriers is $390 million, with estimated benefits of $470 million. The proposal conforms to ICAO SMS provisions.

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    Press Release – FAA Awards $18 Million Environmental Grant to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

    WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the award of its largest Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) grant for an $18.3 million project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) to improve air quality and to reduce the use of conventional fuels at the airport.

    With the VALE grant, Sea-Tac will be able to install a centralized preconditioned air plant that will allow aircraft arriving at the gates to shut off their auxiliary power units and connect to a cleaner central heating and cooling system. This project will greatly reduce aircraft emissions on the ground.

    “This program is helping airports around the country make needed technological investments so they can be more environmentally friendly,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

    Since the first VALE grant award in 2005, the FAA has funded 40 projects totaling $83 million dollars.

    FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt announced the grant during a press conference in Seattle where he highlighted environmental efforts under way at Sea-Tac and by the Alaska Air Group (AAG) as examples of the kind of innovative work being done in the aviation community.

    “The FAA is encouraging airlines and airports to find creative ways to reduce aviation’s impact on the environment,” said Administrator Babbitt. “NextGen technology will also help aviation go even greener by significantly reducing the amount of fuel burned during air travel.”

    Administrator Babbitt discussed an innovative program under way in the Sea-Tac area known as the Greener Skies over Seattle project. The project began in early 2009 with the Alaska Air Group (AAG), which includes Alaska Airlines and Horizon Airlines, the Port of Seattle and the Boeing Co. The AAG is seeking to improve efficiency at Sea-Tac through expanded use of NextGen satellite-based technologies to provide more direct and optimized descent paths to landing.

    The program has the potential to provide environmental benefits to the region through reducing fuel burn, emissions, and the number of people impacted by aircraft noise. In addition, lessons and benefits gained from this effort may be transferred to other airports around the nation. In mid-2010 Greener Skies over Seattle became a FAA project and the first phase of Performance Based Navigation instrument flight procedure development is now under way.

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    Press Release – FAA Dedicates New Reno Air Traffic Control

    RENO, Nev. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today dedicated a new, modernized 195 foot-tall air traffic control tower at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

    “Upgrading our aviation infrastructure is one of our highest priorities, and this new tower will provide Reno-Tahoe International Airport with one of the nation’s most modern air traffic control facilities,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

    “This is a great day for aviation in Nevada,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “The new tower will improve safety and efficiency by providing controllers with better airfield views and more modern equipment.”

    The new tower was built with FAA facilities and equipment dollars, which are used to modernize the air traffic control system.

    Reno’s new control tower is almost three times the height of the old tower, which was built in 1957. The airport’s runways are considerably longer than they were when the old tower was built, which made it challenging for controllers to see aircraft on certain taxiways and runways. The old tower also experienced glare from lights on the cargo areas.

    Renocontrollers also now will have state-of-the-art equipment that includes multicolor radar displays, touch-screen voice communications, and touch-screen work stations that provide instant information on everything from weather conditions to air traffic manuals. Double-thick sun shades will help prevent glare inside the 610-square-foot controller work area. Additionally, the new tower will have two backup power systems to help ensure uninterrupted operations.

    Tower controllers direct aircraft within about five miles of the airport up to an altitude of 3,000 feet. The new tower and a 10,000 square-foot base building cost $29.4 million to build and equip. Construction began in January 2008. Reno-Tahoe International Airport served about 100,000 flights in 2009.

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    Press Release – USDA/FAA Alternative Fuels Agreement

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is pleased to be working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop alternatives to jet fuel. Working with USDA, the FAA will assess the availability of different kinds of feedstocks that could be processed by bio-refineries to produce jet fuels. The development and deployment of alternative fuels is critical to achieving carbon neutral aviation growth by 2020. This agreement leverages the expertise and resources of the USDA, enabling aviation to play a key role in expanding renewable fuel while improving the environment.

    Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Renewable Energy Initiatives to Spur Rural Revitalization Throughout the Country
    Biomass Crop Assistance Program Will Help Create National Biofuels Industry; New Agreement with the FAA Will Promote Production and Demand for Biofuels; USDA Report Shows Domestic Biofuel Production Benefits the Economy

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2010 – As part of the Obama Administration’s effort to promote production of fuel from renewable sources, create jobs and mitigate the effects of climate change, Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a series of measures during a speech to the National Press Club in Washington.

    “Domestic production of renewable energy, including biofuels, is a national imperative and that’s why USDA is working to assist in developing a biofuels industry in every corner of the nation,” said Vilsack. “By producing more biofuels in America, we will create jobs, combat global warming, replace our dependence on foreign oil and build a stronger foundation for the 21st century economy.”

    The Secretary announced several measures, including the publication of a final rule to implement the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). Under the BCAP final rule, USDA will resume making payments to eligible producers. The program had operated as a pilot, pending publication of the final rule. Authorized in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, BCAP is designed to ensure that a sufficiently large base of new, non-food, non-feed biomass crops is established in anticipation of future demand for renewable energy consumption.

    “The Obama Administration is aggressively supporting our nation’s farmers, ranchers and producers of biofuels as they work to bring greater energy independence to America,” Vilsack said. “BCAP will help the nation’s power, biobased product, and advanced biofuel industries produce energy from sustainable rural resources and create jobs that will stimulate rural economies across the nation.”

    The BCAP final regulation reflects policies developed as a result of more than 24,000 comments received on previous Federal Register notices and a proposed rule, and knowledge gained by implementing a portion of the program in 2009.

    BCAP uses a dual approach to support the production of renewable energy. First, BCAP provides assistance for the establishment and production of eligible renewable biomass crops within specified project areas. Producers who enter into BCAP contracts may receive payments of up to 75 percent of the cost of establishing eligible perennial crops. Further, they can receive payments for up to five years for annual or non-woody perennial crops and up to 15 years for woody perennial crops. FSA is accepting project area proposals and, after project area proposals have been approved, eligible producers may participate by enrolling at their FSA county office.

    In addition, BCAP also assists agricultural and forest landowners and operators by providing matching payments for the transportation of certain eligible materials that are sold to qualified biomass conversion facilities. The facilities convert the materials into heat, power, biobased products or advanced biofuels.

    The Secretary also announced jointly with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) a five year agreement to develop aviation fuel from forest and crop residues and other “green” feedstocks in order to decrease dependence on foreign oil and stabilize aviation fuel costs. Under the partnership, the agencies will bring together their experience in research, policy analysis and air transportation sector dynamics to assess the availability of different kinds of feedstocks that could be processed by bio-refineries to produce jet fuels.

    The participants will develop a tool to evaluate the status of different components of a feedstock supply chain, such as availability of biomass from farms and forests, the potential of that biomass for production of jet fuel, and the length of time it will take to ramp up to full-scale production. The agencies already have existing programs and collaborative agreements with private and public partners and resources to help biorefiners develop cost-effective production plans for jet aircraft biofuels.

    This cooperative agreement supports a larger research plan led by USDA through its five Regional Biomass Research Centers, which will help accelerate the development of a commercial advanced biofuels industry across the United States. Just as important, the plan sets out to include as many U.S. rural areas as possible to maximize the economic benefits of biofuel production across the country. The Centers will provide the critical mass needed to develop high-performance teams that will guide biomass research to address needs in both the public and private sector, including commercial aviation, military transportation, and other activities.

    The Secretary also discussed a biofuels report prepared by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS)that says replacing more petroleum with cost-competitive domestic biofuels reduces crude oil imports, thereby lowering prices for energy and benefiting the U.S. economy. The report also includes these findings:

    • The biofuels industry becomes more productive as cost-reducing technology is applied, which results in higher wages for workers.
    • Gains in Gross Domestic Product and real income are driven largely from the contribution from technological progress in biofuels, which increases the productivity of the economy.
    • Next generation biofuels are considered to be a decreasing cost industry. This means that the cost of producing ethanol will decline as output increases.
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    Press Release: The MENA Challenge: Coping with Growth

    Date: 20 October 2010

    Cairo – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for coordinated efforts to deal with the challenges of growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). “Over the last decade, the carriers of the Middle East and North African region have grown from 5% of global traffic to 11%. Planned aircraft purchases of $200 billion over the next decade will support this growth into the foreseeable future. This expanding global presence brings with it the challenge of playing a larger role in the global aviation community,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

    The financial situation of the MENA carriers is improving. For 2010, IATA is forecasting a bottom line improvement of $1 billion on the $600 million that the region’s carriers lost in 2009. “We are expecting the region to make $400 million profits this year. A more cautious approach to capacity is helping to drive this improvement. While demand is in line for a 21% increase over last year, the capacity increase has been limited to 15.9%,” said Bisignani in a keynote address to the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) Annual General Meeting in Cairo, Egypt.

    For 2011, IATA expects a fall in global profitability to $5.3 billion from the $8.9 billion that airlines are expected to make in 2010. IATA expects MENA carriers to follow the trend with a reduced 2011 regional profit of $300 million. The small profit will be partially driven by an expected capacity expansion of 10.6% outstripping demand growth of 10.4%.

    Bisignani highlighted four challenges of growth for the region:

    Safety: The region’s hull loss rate for Western built aircraft slipped from zero accidents in 2006 to 3.32 accidents per million flights in 2009. “At 4.6 times the global average of 0.71, that is a concern. The region’s rapid growth must be accompanied with a strong safety record,” said Bisignani who challenged MENA’s governments to adopt IATA’s two safety audits—the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO)—as part of national requirements. Egypt was the first government in the world to mandate IOSA, joined later by Lebanon, Syria and Bahrain, and soon Jordan. Today, 35 MENA carriers are on the IOSA registry, including all 26 IATA members. MENA has also taken a leadership role on ISAGO. Lebanon will make it mandatory for ground handlers from June 2011 and 13 ground handlers in the region are already on the registry.

    Infrastructure: The MENA region is planning airport construction totaling $100 billion, which includes at least eight new runways in the Gulf region. “The industry and governments are investing in infrastructure to support the economic benefits of aviation’s growth. But what is being built and planned on the ground is not being matched in the air. Military airspace covers 60% of the region, limiting capacity and forcing inefficient routings. We must cooperate to open more of the region’s skies,” said Bisignani. IATA is also working on projects to redesign airspace in the Gulf area, facilitate more traffic for East-West traffic across North Africa, support ultra-long haul operations with more efficient routings, and complete the implementation of reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM) across MENA by bringing Iraq on board.

    Technology for Simplifying the Business: MENA is on target to meet the December deadline for 100% implementation of bar coded boarding passes which promises global savings of $1.5 billion. Airlines are 92% complete while airports are at 90%. The region is home to seven airports that are already operating 100%: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Muscat, Doha, Kuwait and Sharjah. Two countries in MENA are participating in IATA e-freight—the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt. The UAE is a global top performer as the originating country for 21% of all e-freight shipments. “Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have all passed the high-level assessment and are expected to launch in 2011. The only hurdle is for governments to adapt their local regulations to facilitate modern business practices. E-freight is a great competitive advantage with the capability to save the industry $4.9 billion,” said Bisignani.

    Government Involvement: Bisignani urged governments in the region to keep costs in check and create the regulatory framework to balance burgeoning long-haul opportunities with short-haul regional liberalization. Bisignani praised Tunisia’s decision, following an IATA intervention, to eliminate its 10% import tax on jet fuel which conflicted with the Chicago Convention. Bisignani urged the region to set correct precedents with privatized infrastructure. “We are now working with Jordan to curb unilateral increases in taxes and charges that followed privatization of its airports. To keep competitive, governments much ensure meaningful consultation and agreed investments plans,” said Bisignani, who also encouraged the region to take a more proactive approach to liberalization. “I see cutting-edge examples of liberalization as key markets such as Morocco, Jordan and Tunisia build open-sky agreements with Europe. The Damascus Convention of 2004 provides a framework for regional liberalization, but the number of countries ratifying it is disappointing.”

    Environment: Bisignani noted the important outcomes of the 37th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that placed aviation ahead of all other industries in dealing with climate change. “Governments confirmed ICAO’s leadership role in managing aviation’s emissions and agreed on a collective aspirational goal to improve fuel efficiency by 2% to 2050, while capping emissions from 2020 with carbon-neutral growth. They also agreed to develop a framework for economic measures that minimize market distortions, treat air transport in line with other sectors, ensure that emissions are accounted for only once and recognize past and future efforts,” said Bisignani.

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    August 2010 Passenger Airline Employment Down 1.7 Percent from August 2009

    Tuesday, October 19, 2010 – U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 1.7 percent fewer workers in August 2010 than in August 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. This is the 26th consecutive decrease in full-time equivalent employee (FTE) levels for the scheduled passenger carriers from the same month of the previous year (Tables 1, 2). FTE calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee

    BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the August FTE total of 377,835 for the scheduled passenger carriers was 6,469 below that of August 2009

    Download .pdf

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    Boeing Recognized as NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Large Business Prime Contractor of the Year

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Oct. 19, 2010 — Boeing announced today that it has been named the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Large Business Prime Contractor of the Year by NASA for outstanding contributions to the agency’s small-business program on the Checkout, Assembly and Payload Processing Services (CAPPS) contract at KSC. The honor is one of NASA’s Small Business Industry Awards for 2010.

    “Boeing’s partnership with NASA at KSC helps to enable the continued success of the space program,” said Mark Jager, Boeing CAPPS program manager. “Boeing is committed to helping its small-business partners succeed and grow, and we work closely with them to provide quality services to the customer and to the KSC community.”

    “We appreciate the efforts of companies such as Boeing that work with NASA and make significant contributions to the agency’s small-business program,” said Glenn Delgado, associate administrator, NASA Office of Small Business Programs.

    As the prime contractor for NASA’s CAPPS contract, Boeing provides payload processing services for the International Space Station (ISS), space shuttle and expendable launch vehicles. Boeing employees and teammates have successfully processed every major payload flown on the space shuttle. CAPPS also works with NASA’s international partners to ensure the continued construction and maintenance of the ISS. Approximately 450 Boeing employees and 300 teammates work on the CAPPS contract. Boeing continues to meet and exceed performance goals for subcontracting requirements under CAPPS.

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    FAA Breaks Ground on Air Traffic Control Tower in Frederick, Md. Paid For with Recovery Act Dollars

    For Immediate Release
    October 18, 2010

    WASHINGTON–The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced over $5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars will be used to build a new air traffic control tower at Frederick Municipal Airport in Frederick, Md.

    "General aviation plays such an important role at all levels of our nation’s economy," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Recovery Act projects are helping upgrade our aviation infrastructure so the system can continue to run safely and efficiently."

    "These Recovery Act dollars will improve the safety and efficiency of Frederick’s airport while providing a boost to Maryland’s economy," said Michael Huerta, deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, at a ground breaking ceremony.

    The $5.3 million Recovery Act project will pay for the construction of an air traffic control tower, access road and other infrastructure at one of Maryland’s largest airports. The Frederick Municipal Airport currently does not have an air traffic control tower.

    Approximately 200 aircraft are based at Frederick Municipal Airport, a reliever airport for Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The airport handles more than 135,000 aircraft operations annually.

    The Recovery Act has provided an additional $35 million in upgrades at airport runways and aircraft parking aprons in and around the Washington Metropolitan Area.

    Nationwide, $1.3 billion in Recovery Act money has been made available for both airport improvement projects and air traffic control facility and system upgrades. Because of low construction bids for projects, more Recovery Act dollars were available for additional facilities and equipment and airport projects. These Recovery Act grants have been distributed to airports that serve commercial passengers, cargo and general aviation.

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    Press Release – FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt Breaks Ground on Recovery Act Funded Oakland Control Tower

    For Immediate Release
    October 15, 2010

    OAKLAND, Calif. – Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Randy Babbitt helped break ground today for a new air traffic control tower at Oakland International Airport funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Oakland International Airport ARRA grant, totaling $33.2 million, is the FAA’s largest, single Recovery Act award.

    “This Recovery Act project will make a difference for the Oakland area economy,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “People will be put to work building an environmentally friendly tower that will better serve the airport and the community.”

    The Recovery Act grant will pay for construction of the 236-foot-tall tower and a 13,000 square-foot base building, as well as some equipment for the facility.

    “This brand new, modernized tower will give air traffic controllers a better view of the airfield and help improve airport efficiency,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “The Recovery Act is allowing us to make needed investments at airports around the country.”

    Two air traffic control towers currently serve Oakland International Airport. A 158-foot-tall tower on the southern portion of the airfield was built in 1962 as a part of a terminal expansion project. In 1972, construction of a large hangar blocked some views from the south tower, requiring the Port of Oakland to build a second tower to handle traffic on the north runways.

    Replacing both towers with a single one will improve air traffic operations and reduce operating costs. The FAA expects to start using the new tower in 2013.

    The new tower will feature a number of environmental benefits, including a covered parking structure with solar panels on the roof of the base building, which will provide power for the tower and its electrical systems. The tower also will have a geothermal heating system and a rainwater storage system.

    In addition to the Oakland tower funding, the FAA provided a total of $37 million in Recovery Act grants to Bay Area airports.

    Oakland International Airport received a $14.9 million ARRA grant to rebuild a large apron area used by airlines and cargo carriers and to reconfigure a taxiway. By replacing old apron pavement, the project will improve efficiency and allow larger aircraft to use the taxiway.

    San Francisco International Airport received ARRA grants totaling $14.5 million to resurface two runways. The projects leveled out the runways, which tend to settle over time because of ground conditions. The new asphalt concrete resurface also will prevent unexpected runway shutdowns due to pavement breakdown, and will guard against crumbling pavement debris that can damage aircraft.

    In San Jose, a $5.2 million Recovery Act grant is funding the extension of a taxiway at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. This project will improve safety by eliminating the need for private planes to cross a runway while taxiing to an engine run-up area.

    An additional $2.4 million in Recovery Act funds is modernizing and making safety upgrades at area facilities and airports.

    Nationwide, $1.3 billion in Recovery Act money has been made available for both airport improvement projects and air traffic control facility and system upgrades. These Recovery Act grants have been distributed to airports that serve commercial passengers, cargo and general aviation.

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    Press Release – FAA Proposes $455,175 Civil Penalty Against Corporate Air

    For Immediate Release

    October 12, 2010

    SEATTLE – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $455,175 civil penalty against Corporate Air of Billings, Mont., for allegedly operating a Beech 1900C airliner when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

    “Our aviation safety rules are designed to protect the flying public,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We expect airlines to comply with these rules and will take enforcement action when they do not.”

    The FAA alleges Corporate Air failed to maintain the aircraft under the company’s general maintenance manual, which includes the Pratt & Whitney Canada maintenance manual for the aircraft’s turboprop engines.

    Specifically, the FAA alleges that Corporate Air operated the aircraft on at least 80 flights in spite of continued evidence of excessive oil consumption by the right engine. The FAA-approved aircraft and engine manuals call for post-flight inspection and repair of an engine experiencing excessive oil consumption. Corporate Air did not correct the oil consumption problem despite repeated inspections in which oil had to be added.

    Corporate Air operates charter and air taxi service under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

    “The safety of the passengers and crew must be the top priority for any operator,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “All operators must comply with maintenance requirements.”

    Corporate Air has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.