US Airlines Forced to Cut Capacity, Pilot Leaders Push Against Single Pilot Operations, and More
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Here are the exciting aviation industry updates for today. Let’s get started.
Pilot Leaders Form Global Coalition Against Single Pilot Operations
Leaders of the largest pilot organizations worldwide have formed a global coalition to prevent airlines and manufacturers from removing pilots from the flight deck.
The collective claims that the shift towards single pilot operations poses significant safety risks and is a profit-driven scheme.
Pilot representatives from the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, the European Cockpit Association, and the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l vowed to take collective action to protect the flying public.
Some airlines and manufacturers are currently pressuring international aviation bodies to introduce reduced-crew operations, but the global pilot community argues that two pilots at the controls remain the most important safety features of an aircraft. Read more
US Airlines Forced to Cut Capacity from Spring and Summer Schedules
United Airlines will end flights to Erie, Pennsylvania, in June due to the US pilot shortage affecting regional carriers. American Airlines will remain the sole air carrier for the community.
The move is part of wider cuts across US spring and summer schedules as airlines struggle to recover and grow their schedules in a constrained market.
Aircraft delivery delays from Airbus and Boeing have also hampered schedules, while the Federal Aviation Administration has suspended usage rules for 10% of slots at airports in New York and Washington, D.C., due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. Read more
Austrian Airlines Cancels Over 100 Flights Amidst Union Demands for Wage Hike
Austrian Airlines has canceled more than 100 flights as workers demand higher pay. The company has offered a wage hike of up to 12.3%, but worker representatives argue that the proposal only applies to some employees.
The strikes follow similar disputes over salaries at Deutsche Lufthansa AG in Germany and protests in France and the UK. Austria's state-owned railways operator previously raised wages by 8.9% following a one-day strike. Read more
China Eastern Airlines to Operate 426 International and 186 Regional Flights per Week during Summer Season
China Eastern Airlines will operate 612 international and regional round-trip services this coming summer. The airline has resumed multiple flights to and from airports including Gimpo International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Macao International Airport, and Taipei Songshan Airport.
CEA operates 426 international flights and 186 regional flights per week during the summer season, with a total of 612 flights per week. Read more
FAA Calls for Greater Data Sharing to Improve Aviation Safety
The acting chief of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Billy Nolen, has called for the aviation industry to aim for zero close calls in the US aviation system.
Nolen stressed the need for the industry to share more types of data, in greater amounts and at a faster rate than ever before, to become "predictive, not just preventive."
He also said that there are "new and different stressors affecting the system" and that more people need to be engaged in the effort to improve safety.
The comments follow investigations into recent close call incidents, including those at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, Austin, Texas, and off the coast of Hawaii. Read more
Jekta Signs Deal with Gayo Aviation for Ten Electric Amphibious Aircraft
Swiss-based start-up Jekta has signed a letter of intent with air charter broker Gayo Aviation to purchase 10 PHA-ZE 100 electric amphibious aircraft. The aircraft will be available for lease to charter operators seeking to diversify their fleets and scheduled regional airlines.
Each plane will have a range of around 150km and carry 19 passengers at speeds of up to 135 knots.
The deal includes the provision of ground support equipment for charging and replacing the plane's batteries, tools, and component support for the first year of operation, training for two pilots and two technicians, and a three-year airframe warranty. Read more
U.S. Department of Transportation Releases Air Travel Consumer Report for January 2023
The US Department of Transportation has released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) for January 2023, which compiles data on airline operational performance, including on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. The report is designed to provide consumers with information on the quality of airline services.
The Department is investigating several domestic airlines to ensure they are not engaging in unrealistic flight scheduling.
Additionally, the report shows that reporting marketing carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 76.2% in January 2023, up from 75.2% in January 2022, and a mishandled baggage rate of 0.73%, lower than both December 2022 and January 2022. Read more
Edison Aerospace's Unmanned Electric Aircraft Aims to Upgrade Every Plane in the US Agricultural Fleet Within 15 Years
Edison Aerospace has announced a new innovation that aims to upgrade airplanes used by spray operators, providing them with a better way of doing their job at a low cost.
The company has partnered with Aveo Engineering from Czechia and CubePilot from Australia for aircraft lighting and flight controllers, respectively.
Edison Aerospace's solution is a full-scale electric unmanned fixed-wing aircraft that can be remotely and autonomously piloted by the same pilots who fly spray aircraft today.
The benefits of Edison's innovation include improved safety, increased efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. Edison Aerospace aims to upgrade every plane in the US agricultural fleet to an electric aircraft within 15 years. Read more
Canada Considers Purchase of Boeing Spy Planes Despite Bombardier Objections
Canada is considering the purchase of 16 P-8A surveillance aircraft from Boeing without a competition, despite objections from Bombardier. The P-8A Poseidon is the only available aircraft that meets all operational requirements outlined in the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft project.
Canada has submitted a Letter of Request through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales program outlining the requirements and requesting an offer. However, a final decision will depend on affordability, capability offered, and advantages to the Canadian industry.
Bombardier had planned to offer its own Global 6500 aircraft, arguing that a Canadian-made solution needs to be considered on an equal footing. Read more
A4E CEOs Demand Urgent Action on Airspace Reform in Europe
A4E CEOs demand immediate action on airspace reform in Europe, stating that the time for excuses has ended as traffic levels approach pre-COVID-19 peaks.
They emphasize the urgent need for seamless and digitalized airspace, which would provide benefits such as increased efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions, and improved connectivity for passengers.
Despite innovation in European aviation, airspace reform has lagged, specifically with the Single European Sky (SES) legislation. A4E calls for immediate implementation of the SES2+ legislation. Read more
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