Airlines, Airports and Airliners 10 August 2023


Compiled by Willie Bodenstein



This Week in Airlines, Airports and Airliners

Peruvian female drug smuggler fired shots at officers Charles de Gaule Airport.

FySafair Expands Network with Four New Regional routes.

Government Accountability Office (GAO) - FAA Should Better Address Pilot Mental Issues.

ICOA - Boosting States' aerodrome certification capacity.

Nav Canada provides 90-Day ADS-B transition period.

In-flight smoke enhanced vision display gets FAA nod.

Wizz Air orders a further 75 A321neo Family aircraft.

Worldwide incidents and accidents.

Bonus Video - Boeing B17 Flight - Unforgettable





PERUVIAN FEMALE DRUG SMUGGLER FIRED SHOTS AT OFFICERS CHARLES DE GAULE AIRPORT.


The female when confronted by two agents to take possession one of the officer's firearm and shot at the officer's waist. The quick action of the second officer prevented the situation from being more deadly. When eventually searched the suspect was found with three kilograms of cocaine in her luggage.


The situation happened at Terminal 2E at CDG on 27 July when the woman was approached by two agents and detained. French prosecutors said the suspect aged in her twenties was ordered to undergo a search. While in customs detention and being escorted to the bathroom by two customs officers, the woman took possession of the one of the officer's firearm and shot the officer in the waist. The other officer managed to get hold on the weapon and was slightly founded in the struggle.

According the French Authorities the suspect is being investigated for attempted intentional homicide of a person holding public authority and violation of the legislation on narcotics.

France's customs authority, the Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes, prohibits drugs of any kind, including cannabis, and travellers caught possessing or carrying them risk criminal sanctions such as imprisonment or fines.

In a more serious case, six people were arrested after police at Charles de Gaul Airport in 2013 found 1.3 tonnes of pure cocaine packed inside 30 suitcases from an Air France flight from Venezuela in 2013, according to the BBC. Officials believed the drugs were meant for sale and were worth about $270 million.





FYSAFAIR EXPANDS NETWORK WITH FOUR NEW REGIONAL ROUTES



Award winning low-cost airline FlySafair is continuing to grow its network with the announcement of four additional regional routes. The airline's growing list of regional routes will help bring Africa closer together, giving travellers low-cost options when visiting South Africa's neighbours. The newest additions include Harare, Livingstone, Victoria Falls, and Maputo.


"Plans for these routes have been in the pipeline for several months now," says Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair. "We are so pleased to finally be able to announce the addition of these routes and more importantly begin operations just in time for the festive season."

The first batch of new routes will be launched on the 2nd of October 2023 and are between Johannesburg and Harare and Johannesburg and Livingstone. The Harare flights will operate daily with prices starting at R1,000*. Flights between Johannesburg and Livingstone are scheduled for four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday with tickets starting at R2,000*.

The next batch of routes will take off on the 3rd and 5th of October 2023. Respectively, these include Johannesburg to Victoria Falls which will operate three times per week with tickets starting at R1,400*, and Johannesburg to Maputo which will operate four times per week with tickets from R1,400*.

Bookings for all new routes opened on the 3rd of August 2023.

"The introduction of new routes to our schedule is always exciting," says Gordon. "We are happy to offer customers our low fares and on-time services on these additional routes. Tourism in Africa is definitely on the road to recovery. We hope to help play our part in growing the tourism industry both at home and abroad by connecting people through our passion for aviation."

FlySafair has undergone a period of rapid growth, increasing the number of flights they operate by 47% between 2019 and 2022. This number is set to increase even further as the airline continues to add new aircraft, routes, and frequencies throughout 2023. To accommodate this growth, FlySafair has also increased hiring, adding new staff to help maintain the airline's award-winning customer service in the face of increased operations.

"Despite our rapid growth we have managed to maintain our customer focus with hassle-free travel and on-time performance remaining a priority. This is something our entire team are determined to continue as we navigate the new challenges that come with new routes," concludes Gordon.



GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO) - FAA SHOULD BETTER ADDRESS PILOT MENTAL ISSUES


A recently released Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of the FAA's program to evaluate pilots with mental health challenges over the last eight years concluded that "opportunities exist to further mitigate safety risks." The FAA's ability to lessen risks is "limited by pilots' reluctance to disclose mental health conditions," said the review, which focused primarily on airline pilots.


According to the FAA and aviation industry officials, the primary factors that discourage pilots from reporting mental health conditions are the stigma associated with these issues, the potential impact on their careers, and fear of financial hardship. "Addressing these barriers is critical for FAA to mitigate potential aviation safety risks," the review said.

As such, the FAA concurred with two recommendations: "to work with airlines, airline pilot unions, and the aerospace medical community to conduct an assessment to identify ways to address barriers that discourage pilots from disclosing and seeking treatment for mental health conditions, and to develop and implement policy and protocol revisions recommended in the assessment."

The review was undertaken at the behest of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) in April 2015, one month after the Germanwings fatal crash that was determined to have been deliberately caused by a copilot with a long history of depression and other mental issues.



BOOSTING STATES' AERODROME CERTIFICATION CAPACITY

A new agreement between ICAO and Airports Council International (ACI) will enhance support for Governments' certification of aerodromes to international standards.

The agreement, which launched the Aerodrome Certification Implementation Package (iPack) of materials for regulators and airport operators, was signed in Montréal by ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar and the Director General of ACI World Luis Felipe de Oliveira.

ICAO has developed this iPack in partnership with Airports Council International to aid State Civil Aviation Authorities and airport operators in addressing the technical challenges related to the development and implementation of an aerodrome certification programme," remarked Secretary General Salazar. "Certification of aerodromes by Governments in accordance with ICAO standards is key to assuring the safe development of international air services, and accordingly to States ability to access the sustainable development benefits of connectivity to the global flight network."

"This agreement builds on the strong and long-lasting collaboration between both organizations," remarked ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira. "The Aerodrome Certification Implementation Package (iPack) will help our member airports in the aerodrome certification process through access to training and technical assistance-including the perennial ACI-ICAO APEX programme. We are proud to be one of the first external organizations to partner with ICAO to deliver an iPack. The benefits of the resource will extend beyond airports to aid States and the wider aviation ecosystem in their sustainable growth as we continue to serve air travellers and communities the world over."

The iPack includes documentation, tools, and an online training course to facilitate each recipient's aerodrome certification goals. A dedicated subject matter expert will also work with civil aviation authorities and airport operators to provide guidance.

Additionally, airport operators will receive a peer review of its facilities under the auspices of the ACI Airport Excellence (APEX) Programme. Based on ICAO standards, national regulations, and ACI best practices, the APEX Programme combines the mandate for regulatory compliance with day-to-day operational needs to maximize operational efficiency and implementation of safety and security standards.

The aerodrome's physical environment, visual aids, and other infrastructure, its operational procedures and safety management system, its manual and related documentation, and the aerodrome's compliance with the regulatory requirements for the issuance of the certificate are among the priorities encompassed by this initiative.




NAV CANADA PROVIDES 90-DAY ADS-B TRANSITION PERIOD


Nav Canada Provides 90-Day ADS-B Transition Period
While implementation of the Canadian ADS-B mandate in Class A airspace remains set for August 10, continued supply-chain issues have prompted Nav Canada to provide a 90-day transition period until November 8.

In a recent letter to stakeholders, Nav Canada acknowledged that operators who are equipping their aircraft to meet the Canadian ADS-B mandate are facing continuing supply-chain challenges. "Aviation occurrence reports will not be filed during this transition period in the event that an aircraft not equipped in accordance with the Canadian ADS-B mandate or has not received an ADS-B accommodation agreement enters airspace where ADS-B is mandatory."

Subsequent to this period, Nav Canada "will continue to assess accommodation requests through ADS-B accommodation agreements and strive to accommodate aircraft unable to transmit ADS-B in accordance with Canada's ADS-B Out requirements, similar to circumstances where aircraft without functioning transponders request entry into transponder mandatory airspace."

In the letter, Nav Canada also reminded operators about entering the following ADS-B equipage codes in Item 10 of the ICAO flight plan: B1 (ADS-B Out capability) or B2 (ADS-B Out/In capability). In addition, aircraft properly equipped need to include the following entry in Item 18 of the flight plan: SUR/CANMANDATE.



IN-FLIGHT SMOKE ENHANCED VISION DISPLAY GETS FAA NOD

In-flight Smoke Enhanced Vision Display Gets FAA Nod
Pilots at cargo airline FedEx now have another tool to combat in-flight smoke and fire events: a recently certified smoke assured vision enhanced display (Saved) system. Saved is integrated within pilots' oxygen masks and goggles to help them navigate smoke-filled flight decks.


FedEx and Klatt Works teamed up to jointly develop the Saved system over two years. During a smoke-in-the-cockpit event, the system employs augmented-reality technology to display critical flight information directly on the goggles, using head-up display symbology and exterior views of the aircraft from a camera mounted on its nose.

According to Saved, the company, the system is integrated into the one-piece oxygen mask/goggles and is viewable in all lighting conditions. The system is turned off and stowed out of the normal field of view in the absence of smoke.

"We are excited to team up with FedEx to deliver the Saved product, enhancing the safety of the souls aboard the aircraft," said Klatt Works CEO Nate Klatt.

The FAA recently awarded a supplemental type certificate for Saved on Boeing 777s. FedEx intends to equip its 777F fleet with Saved and has plans for future STCs on the Boeing 757/767.



WIZZ AIR ORDERS A FURTHER 75 A321NEO FAMILY AIRCRAFT
Wizz Air, the fastest growing European ultra-low-cost airline, has signed a firm contract for an additional 75 A321neo Family aircraft, taking its total order for the largest member of the Airbus single aisle to 434, and for Wizz's A320 Family overall to 565 aircraft.
József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air said; "With today's announcement, Wizz Air further reinforces its position as the largest A321neo Family operator in Europe and the Middle East. More than half our fleet has already been converted to cutting-edge neo technology. The A321neo's unparalleled economic efficiency and remarkably low carbon footprint underpin our commitment to provide affordable and sustainable travel options for our customers. We have enjoyed a longstanding strategic partnership with Airbus and are steadfast in our commitment to this exceptional technology with one of the largest outstanding order books in the world of more than 350 neo aircraft."
Wizz Air is an all Airbus operator with a fleet of over 180 A320 Family aircraft currently in operation.
"Thanks to József's stewardship, Wizz Air has steadily grown to become a formidable airline in the European skies and a great partner to Airbus. The investment in the A321neo is a solid foundation in Wizz Air's continued expansion strategy. We thank József and everyone at Wizz Air for their unwavering confidence in our partnership and our products," salutes Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.
The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus' A320neo Family, offering unparalleled range and performance. By incorporating new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo brings a 50 percent noise reduction and more than 20 percent fuel savings and CO2 reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximizing passenger comfort in the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky. To date nearly 5,200 A321neos have been ordered by customers across the globe.






Algeria, Tlemcen Zenata Airport: Air Algérie flight AH1087, a Boeing 737-8D6 aircraft (7T-VKJ) hit a light pole, severing the right winglet at Tlemcen Zenata Airport, (TLM/DAON), Algeria.

Senegal, Dakar; Air Senegal flight HC407, an Airbus A330-223, aborted the take-off from Dakar Airport after the flight crew noted an anomaly in the airspeed indications.

USA, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, GA: Delta Air Lines flight DL1437, a Boeing 757-232, was evacuated on the runway after landing at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, GA (ATL). Apparently, several tires on the left main landing gear had burst/deflated during landing on runway 09L, followed by an overheated landing gear which was contained by ARFF.

Serbia, Belgrade: Air Serbia flight JU380, an Airbus A319-132, suffered engine problems, forcing a return to Belgrade Airport (BEG). The flight departed BEG at 08:57 UTC and climbed to the cruising altitude of FL360. About 10:38 UTC, shortly after passing Mulhouse, France, the aircraft turned around and landed back at BEG at 12:06 UTC.






Boeing B17 Flight - Unforgettable








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