ICAO Symposium delegates urge international community to act on fostering the deployment of advanced air mobility.
IATA welcomes abolition of Swedish aviation tax.
ICAO high-level air navigation conference charts path for immediate and strategic enhancements for aviation sustainability.
United signs Starlink deal to provide industry-leading connectivity in the sky - for free.
Electronic travel authorization now required for UK.
Lufthansa Group extends wet lease partnership with airBaltic.
Gulfstream announces first G400 sale for dedicated charter operations in Europe.
How Houston Airports navigated a season of growth.
Worldwide incidents and accidents.
Bonus Video - AirVenture 2024 Istanbul Türkiye to Chicago USA
AIRLINES, AIRPORTS & AIRLINERS NEWS
ICAO SYMPOSIUM DELEGATES URGE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ACT ON FOSTERING THE DEPLOYMENT OF ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY
A global Call to Action for the accelerated, safe, and sustainable deployment of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technologies emerged at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), at its first ever event wholly dedicated to the topic.
Themed “Advanced air mobility (AAM) global harmonization and interoperability: Challenges and opportunities," the symposium has brought together 400 high-level government officials from 75 countries and representatives of the United Nations system and international aviation industry associations. World-leading manufacturers, operators and other cutting-edge innovators also participated to inform the development of a global vision and to share best practices and challenges.
AAM comprises electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) including drones, and a wide range of other technologies related to remotely piloted and autonomous aircraft.
“Advanced air mobility will revolutionize the transportation of passengers, goods, and services by reimagining aerial mobility in urban and regional contexts. However, realizing this vision requires careful consideration and planning at a global level, as we navigate the complex interplay of technology, infrastructure, regulation, and societal needs,” remarked ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano.
“The complexity of this undertaking is immense, necessitating insights from both core aviation stakeholders and new entrants,” he added. “This points to an essential role for ICAO in ensuring alignment around safety and sustainability in this rapidly evolving and expanding landscape.”
ICAO's 2024 AAM event was officially opened by Mr. Sciacchitano, joined by His Excellency Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Al Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and His Excellency Prosper Higiro, High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to Canada and Representative to ICAO.
ICAO is encouraging the deployment of these technologies to heighten aviation's ability to act as a catalyst for sustainable development worldwide. AAM is bringing new and innovative capabilities through an increasing array of activities, including health care, agriculture, water supply and monitoring, wildfire control, passenger, mail and cargo transportation.
Furthermore, AAM holds the promise of accelerated development in many emerging economies, potentially allowing them to bypass traditional infrastructure limitations.
It is in this context that a Call to Action has emerged.
“Through our concerted efforts, we will embrace the numerous opportunities that AAM offers, shaping a future of aviation that is more accessible, efficient, and sustainable,” said ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar.
Noting that the Call comprises specific priorities on regulatory interoperability and adaptability, airspace integration, multilevel cooperation and support for innovation, Secretary General Salazar emphasized the far-reaching implications of these initiatives. “AAM has considerable impact across various areas and disciplines throughout the aviation system” he said. “We therefore need to have a holistic approach to AAM and prepare for its convergence with conventional aviation.”
The Call urges cooperation among the wide array of stakeholders involved in AAM, including all levels of public authority; operators, manufacturers and service providers across the entire aviation ecosystem; private, public, and academic innovators; and other UN entities.
IATA WELCOMES ABOLITION OF SWEDISH AVIATION TAX
The International Air Transport Association welcomed the announcement from the Swedish government that it will abolish the country's aviation tax as of 1st of July 2025. The tax, which charges passengers between SEK76-504 (USD7.4-49, EUR6.7-44) depending on destination, is a drag on Swedish economic competitiveness while making no positive environmental impact.
“We congratulate the Swedish government for abolishing the aviation tax. It is excellent news, which recognizes that taxation of air passengers is counterproductive economically and ineffective environmentally. Better air connectivity boosts the productive capacity of the economy, leading to stronger tax revenues in the long term. Sweden's post-pandemic aviation recovery has notably lagged its neighbours, a problem made worse with the tax. And the number of routes had still not rebounded to 2019 levels by the end of 2023. The removal of this tax shows the Swedish government is serious about restoring access to air travel for all its citizens across the whole country, and will give a strong positive economic signal for investors,” said Rafael Schvartzman, IATA's Regional Vice President for Europe.
The removal of the tax also confirms that aviation taxation is not a solution for air travel's sustainability challenge. Revenues from the tax were not being used for investment in vital environmental solutions such as sustainable aviation fuel. And using taxation as a tool to reduce demand is an inefficient method.
“Aviation must get to net-zero CO2 by 2050. That is non-negotiable. But that will not be achieved by pricing people off planes. The solution is to invest in sustainable aviation fuels and other technologies. Sweden is in a prime position to make itself a leader in these fields, with its proud domestic aviation industry and its abundant resources to create SAF. We look forward to working with the Swedish government and energy industry to help focus delivery of this,” said Schvartzman.
The Swedish government was unequivocal in giving its reasons for the abolition. Andreas Carlson, Minister of Infrastructure and Housing said the decision “will enable investments in Swedish aviation and make Sweden more competitive… (and ensure) …good accessibility throughout our long country.”
ICAO HIGH-LEVEL AIR NAVIGATION CONFERENCE CHARTS PATH FOR IMMEDIATE AND STRATEGIC ENHANCEMENTS FOR AVIATION SUSTAINABILITY.
Representatives of the world's governments have endorsed a suite of urgent actions to accelerate the aviation sector's transition to sustainability, while enhancing air safety and boosting operational efficiency.
The commitments emerged from the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) 14th Air Navigation Conference after nine days of intensive discussions in Montréal involving nearly 900 delegates from 110 ICAO Member States and 28 international organizations.
Their decisions are set to reshape the future of international air travel and transport.
"This conference has resulted in concrete and actionable outcomes in critical areas," said ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar. "From enhancing the resilience of satellite navigation to facilitating the introduction of electric aircraft, we have laid the groundwork for a safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible aviation sector. These agreements reflect our sector's commitment to innovation and adaptability in the face of unprecedented and evolving challenges."
Delegates strongly emphasized embracing technological advancements, with agreement on the need for harmonized regulatory frameworks to manage emerging technologies, including electric and hybrid propulsion.
In this context, the conference recommended implementing regulatory sandboxes, in other words, controlled testing environments for new aviation technologies. These sandboxes would allow for the collection of real-world data on emerging technologies like electric aircraft, while also providing opportunities to increase public awareness and acceptance of these innovations.
Another significant outcome of the conference was the call for enhanced mitigation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference, encompassing both deliberate actions like jamming or spoofing, and unintentional disruptions. This growing threat to civil aviation can compromise the accuracy and reliability of aircraft positioning and navigation systems. Recommendations included improved guidance for pilots, better information sharing, and the development of more resilient aircraft systems. There was also broad agreement on the need for a global contingency plan to manage GNSS outages and ensure continued safe navigation.
The conference established frameworks for the near-term implementation of new procedures on a wider and more consistent scale. These include a specific project on longitudinal aircraft separation which will safely reduce the distance between aircraft on the same flight path, and free route airspace - a concept allowing more flexible, efficient flight paths between destinations. These initiatives are set to enhance air traffic management worldwide, offering significant performance improvements and operational efficiencies.
Additionally, delegates addressed the phasing out of legacy systems, particularly in favor of a more advanced flight planning mechanism, with a targeted global transition by 2034.
Clear direction for necessary steps for trajectory-based operations and the hyper-connected air navigation system was another key outcome of the event. These efforts collectively demonstrate the global aviation community's proactive approach to embracing change and driving progress.
The focus on aviation cybersecurity at the event underscored the importance of safeguarding aviation infrastructure against emerging threats and risks, ensuring a secure and trustworthy environment for all.
Crucially, delegates made commitments to support ICAO's programmatic business planning approach. They also endorsed enhanced strategic alignment of the Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) and Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP). These commitments ensure that collective efforts in all these areas and beyond are strategically focused and effectively coordinated.
"The outcomes of this conference reflect our collective vision for a future where aviation continues to connect the world safely, efficiently, and sustainably,” remarked ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano. “The commitments made here will drive our work programme and set the stage for further progress at the next session of the ICAO Assembly in 2025."
In addition to the ICAO Assembly, the results of this conference will directly inform the organization's first-ever symposium on advanced air mobility, which officially opened on 9 September at ICAO's Montréal headquarters.
UNITED SIGNS STARLINK DEAL TO PROVIDE INDUSTRY-LEADING CONNECTIVITY IN THE SKY - FOR FREE.
United set a new standard of inflight connectivity by signing the industry's largest agreement of its kind with SpaceX to bring Starlink's fast, reliable Wi-Fi service to the airline's mainline and regional aircraft fleet, for free.
United customers will soon enjoy the same high-speed, low-latency internet service in the air that they enjoy on the ground. The new, gate-to-gate connectivity will unlock game-changing experiences in the sky at scale that no other major U.S. airline provides like access to live TV and streaming services, social media, shopping, gaming and more, on seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously.
United expects to have Starlink on all United aircraft - more than 1,000 planes - over the next several years. Testing begins in early 2025 with the first passenger flights expected later that year.
Starlink service on United aircraft will be free.
Leveraging advanced satellites with its deep experience in both spacecraft and on-orbit operations, Starlink is engineered by SpaceX and delivers internet access around the world, including over oceans, polar regions and other remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals. United is the largest airline across both the Atlantic and Pacific and will be the first carrier in the world to commit to offering Starlink service at this scale.
"Everything you can do on the ground, you'll soon be able to do onboard a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world," said United CEO Scott Kirby. "This connectivity opens the door for an even better inflight entertainment experience, in every seatback - more content, that's more personalized. United's culture of innovation is, once again, delivering big for our customers."
"We're excited to team up with United Airlines to transform the inflight experience," said Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer at SpaceX. "With Starlink onboard your United flight, you'll have access to the world's most advanced high-speed internet from gate to gate, and all the miles in between."
ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION NOW REQUIRED FOR UK
The UK is expanding its list of countries whose citizens must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before visiting, including those from the U.S. An ETA is required for individuals with passports from countries that do not need a visa to enter the UK. It grants permission to travel to or through the UK and is electronically linked to the passport of the applicant.
This change is being rolled out in phases, with different countries being added to the requirement at various times. Since February, travellers from several Middle Eastern countries have been required to obtain an ETA. On Tuesday, the UK expanded the list of countries subject to the ETA. Travelers from these nations can begin applying online in November. By April 2, 2025, most international visitors who are exempt from needing a visa will require an ETA to enter the UK.
An ETA allows a traveller to stay in the UK for up to six months for “tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study.” It does not allow visitors to engage in “paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person; claim public funds; or live in the UK through frequent or successive visits.”
GULFSTREAM ANNOUNCES FIRST G400 SALE FOR DEDICATED CHARTER OPERATIONS IN EUROPE
We appreciate DC Aviation's commitment to and confidence in the G400, bringing this category-leading aircraft to European charter customers,” said Scott Neal, senior vice president, worldwide sales, Gulfstream. “The compelling combination of speed, efficiency and cabin size of the G400 fills a much-needed void in its category. We are seeing strong demand for this aircraft in Europe and around the world.”
The all-new G400 made its first flight on August 15, officially launching the aircraft's flight test program, and boasts class-leading performance and efficiency thanks to the combination of Gulfstream's aerodynamic clean-wing design and advanced Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812GA engines. The aircraft also features Gulfstream's next-generation avionics and technology, including the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck with the industry's first active control sidesticks, most extensive use of touch-screen technology and the award-winning Predictive Landing Performance System. The G400 can connect important business hubs like Munich to Mumbai; Zurich to New York; or Geneva to Dubai; among other nonstop flights, all at speeds faster than any aircraft in its market segment.
In the cabin, G400 customers will benefit from the Gulfstream Cabin Experience with 100% fresh, never recirculated air; a plasma ionization clean air system; the lowest cabin altitude in its class; and abundant natural light from 10 Gulfstream Panoramic Oval Windows. With a choice of three floorplan options with seating for up to nine, 11 or 12 passengers, the G400 offers a spacious and flexible interior.
“We are extremely proud to be pioneering this new aircraft model in Europe,” said Marc Ambrosius, managing director of DC Aviation Group. “The introduction of the G400 demonstrates DC Aviation's constant commitment to providing a premier travel experience for our clients.”
“This G400 aircraft model exemplifies our dedication to offering the highest standards of safety, cabin convenience and reliability to our customers,” added Svenja Wortmann, also managing director of DC Aviation.
HOW HOUSTON AIRPORTS NAVIGATED A SEASON OF GROWTH
This summer, Houston Airports navigated an unprecedented surge in passenger traffic while embarking on a series of transformative initiatives aimed at enhancing the travel experience at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
The summer of 2024 was one for the history books, with Houston Airports welcoming a record 19 million passengers from Memorial Day to Labor Day, a 7% increase over 2023. This surge reflects the city's growing appeal as a business and leisure destination, coupled with new airlines and flight options at Bush and Hobby airports.
May 23 welcomed the start of the summer flight schedule at Bush Airport with more than 60 new daily flights in and out of Houston added to the schedule.
This surge in travellers was met with proactive measures, such as the opening of 600 new parking spaces at IAH's Terminal C/D/E Garage, providing much-needed capacity during peak periods. Yet, it wasn't just about managing numbers; it was about improving the passenger experience every step of the way.
This summer, Houston Airports announced $30 million in major restroom renovations coming soon to Bush and Hobby airports. CLEAR, an official TSA PreCheck enrolment provider, expanded enrolment options to Bush and Hobby airports as a convenient option for passengers looking to enrol of renew TSA PreCheck.
The airport system also began rolling out its cashless parking system. The technology is now in service at Hobby Airport's Red and Blue Garages and ecopark 2 at Bush Airport. The new system utilizes License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology, which expedites entry and exit for vehicles with parking reservations. Additionally, near-Field Communication (NFC) capabilities enable contactless payment through digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, further streamlining the payment process. The project will continue throughout 2024 and 2025, with all parking facilities transitioned to cashless payment by the end of May 2025.
"We knew that with more people, more flights and ongoing construction, this summer would test our systems and our ability to adapt," said Kelly Woodward, Chief Operating Officer for Houston Airports. "Our focus was on finding practical, empathetic solutions that would keep our passengers moving smoothly through our airports."
One of the key initiatives was the implementation of the Active Loading policy at IAH, which streamlined traffic flow and reduced congestion at the airport's curbsides. This policy was critical during the July 4th holiday, when over 1.9 million passengers passed through Houston's airports. Despite the surge, traffic backups were minimized, thanks to the deployment of additional Landside Agents and law enforcement officers.
“We have greatly improved traffic backups during off-peak hours,” said Bobby Miller, Senior Division Manager, Airport Operations for Houston Airports. “This policy shift allows us to deliver a world-class experience by prohibiting traffic from building up simply because vehicles are parked and waiting for passengers along the curb. While the policy may seem rigid, the policy's efficiency and consideration for other passengers allows us to deliver 'Houston Friendly' hospitality, but quickly moving vehicles along so others may pull up to the curb.”
The summer was not without its challenges. In July, Hurricane Beryl forced Houston Airports to pause operations for several hours as airport workers assessed damages and initiated emergency repairs after the Category 1 storm whipped across Houston. Houston Airports is responsible for 190,000 jobs at Bush, Hobby and Ellington airports. Many of those employees were impacted by the hurricane.
Aviation Director Jim Szczesniak asked passengers to extend patience and understanding as the airports experienced extended TSA and ticketing lines, limited concessions, amenities and essential services in the immediate days after Hurricane Beryl.
USA, Nashville International Airport, TN (KBNA): Alaska Airlines flight AS382, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 (N919AK) and Southwest Airlines flight WN2029, a Boeing 737-7H4 (N225WN), were involved in a runway incursion incident at Nashville International Airport, TN (KBNA). AS382 was cleared for take-off from runway 13. While on the take-off roll, WN2029 was reportedly cleared to cross runway 13 at taxiway T5 as it was taxiing to runway 20C for departure. AS382 then aborted the take-off, reaching a maximum ground speed of at least 130 knots, according to ADS-B data. As a result, several tires reportedly deflated. The Boeing 737 MAX 9 then taxied back to the apron, while WN2029 was able to depart normally.
USA, O'Hare International Airport (ORD/KORD), Chicago, IL: Envoy flight ENY3724, an Embraer 170-100SU, was taxiing to the gate when its left wing clipped the right wing of American Airlines flight AAL2616, an Airbus A319-132, that was waiting for a gate. There were no injuries:
USA, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (KATL): Delta Air Lines flight DL295, an Airbus A350-941 (N503DN) and Delta Connection flight DL5526, a Bombardier CRJ-900LR (N302PQ) were involved in a ground collision accident at Atlanta International Airport, GA (ATL). Both aircraft were taxiing for departure with the CRJ-900 holding short of runway 08R at taxiway H. At that time the A350 taxied along taxiway E. The right-hand wing tip of the A350 knocked over the vertical and horizontal stabilizer of the CRJ-900.
