Reading Time: 3 minutes Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta announced the implementation of the first operational rules for routine non-hobbyist use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or “drones”). The regulations on June 21, 2016 officially took effects yesterday. “People are captivated by the limitless possibilities unmanned aircraft offer, and they are […]

Reading Time: < 1 minute Southwest Airlines Co. announced that it has reached a tentative agreement (TA) on the terms of a new contract for its Pilots. “We appreciate our Pilots and recognize their role in the Company’s success,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven. “With the support and assistance of the NMB, the […]

Reading Time: 2 minutes Two years after American Airlines launched ads focused on its passenger-friendly improvements — like new airplanes, more Wi-Fi and more business class flatbeds — the carrier is switching course with a new, more sophisticated campaign designed to “humanize” its message. The now-retired ‘Going for Great’ Campaign, “felt like it was a lot about us,” American […]

Reading Time: 5 minutes Given pilot shortage forecasts, a new ab initio hiring program launched by a US airline is going to be watched closely. New York-based JetBlue Airways’ Gateway Select program inducted its first class of cadets late this summer. One of seven dedicated pipelines leading to the JetBlue cockpit, Gateway Select is the first modern example of […]

Reading Time: < 1 minute Two NATO jets will commence air policing over Bulgarian airspace in September. Two US Air Force F-15 fighter jets will begin conducting joint air policing measures over Bulgarian airspace next month at the request of Bulgarian authorities, NATO said in a press release on Wednesday. “The US Air Force and the Bulgarian Air Force will […]

Reading Time: 3 minutes Global passenger traffic grew 4.5% in June 2016 and 5.6% for the first half of the year. Even though airports reported an increase of 4.0% in international passenger traffic and an increase of 5.1% in domestic traffic in June 2016, international passenger traffic grew faster than the domestic component during the first six months of […]

Reading Time: 2 minutes HAECO Americas has announced plans to a build a new $60m MRO facility at Greensboro Piedmont Triad International Airport which will lead to the creation of 500 jobs. “It offers a proposed 500 additional employees, which is really important to us,” said Jim Sokol with HAECO Americas maintenance operations. Those aircraft maintenance employees will work […]

Reading Time: < 1 minute Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced it has been awarded approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), for the Piper M500, clearing the way for the innovative aircraft to enter into service on the European register. “EASA certification is an important milestone allowing us to kick off a major sales campaign to bring the M500 to […]

Reading Time: < 1 minute The company that provides ground handling services for Alaska Airlines at PDX will eliminate nearly 200 jobs in mid-October. Menzies Aviation announced the ramp and cabin cleaner positions will be eliminated October 19, with approximately 186 people losing their jobs that day. The company made the announcement in a WARN Letter to the Oregon Employment […]

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chinese airlines continue to hire foreign pilots at a record pace in an effort to address a shortage of experienced flight crew caused by the rapid expansion of both the local commercial and civil aviation industries. While authorities estimate Chinese airlines will need 2,800 to 3,000 pilots annually over the next five years, the 12 […]