31 JUL 2010

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that Mexico is not in compliance with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), following an assessment of the country’s civil aviation authority. As a result, the United States is downgrading Mexico from a Category 1 to Category 2 rating.

As part of the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that operate or have applied to fly to the United States and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations. With the IASA Category 2 rating, Mexican air carriers cannot establish new service to the United States, although they are allowed to maintain existing service.

While Mexico has been responsive to the FAA’s findings and has made significant improvements in recent months, it was unable to fully comply with all of the international safety standards.  However, under the leadership of Director General Hector Gonzalez Weeks, Mexico continues to make progress. The FAA is committed to working closely with the Mexican government and providing technical assistance to help Mexico regain its Category 1 rating.

A Category 1 rating means the country’s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards.  A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with international standards, or that its civil aviation authority – equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping or inspection procedures.

Countries with air carriers that fly to the United States must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations’ technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.

Tagged: FAA, IASA, Mexico ()

This is the 15th extension for the FAA since the last full authorization expired in 2007.

The rating change means Mexican carriers cannot establish new service, although existing flights will not be affected.

The OEM plans to reach 40 narrowbodies a month by early 2012, with aircraf rolling off production lines at three facilities.

30 JUL 2010

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a civil penalty of $230,000 against Continental Airlines for allegedly operating a Boeing 767 on 22 revenue flights when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

The FAA alleges that on Aug. 12, 2008, Continental replaced the nose landing gear wheel and tire assembly on a B-767, but failed to install the required axle washer despite warnings in the maintenance manual and on the tire assembly itself. The warning said failing to install the washer could lead to failure of the wheel bearing.

FAA inspectors discovered the violation during a records check and noted three identical earlier violations.

Continental has 30 days from receipt of the civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.

Tagged: Continental Airllines, FAA, penalty ()

Global passenger demand was up 11.9% year-on-year in June, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Southwest is seeing strengthening demand, a higher average fare, and increased revenue from some of its new optional services.

Yet another one-month extension is likely to be voted on today as debate continues.

Second quarter revenues at Boeing Commercial Airplanes declined 12% from a year earlier, to $7.4 billion.

CFO Kathryn Mikells and President John Tague will leave the merged company as part of the integration plan.

Air Berlin CEO Joachim Hunold says the aim is to have agreements with the pair in place by next summer.

The aircraft was destroyed when it crashed on landing, but the pilots survived.

Transportation Department alleges multiple violations of rules on bumping passengers from flights.

Addition of German carrier will give oneworld a significant presence in central Europe.

The carrier also is asking for less debt forgiveness from its banks in a restructuring plan that it hopes they will endorse to the court supervising the JAL bankruptcy.

24 JUL 2010

The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has suspended the air operator’s certificates of Skymaster Air Services and Avtex Air Services. These two charter operators, which share the same ownership, are based at Sydney’s Bankstown airport.

CASA believes allowing Skymaster Air Services and Avtex Air Services to continue to operate while CASA completes further safety investigations poses a serious and imminent risk to air safety.

There have been three serious accidents and a number of incidents involving Skymaster aircraft in the last three months. On 15 June 2010 an aircraft operated by Skymaster crashed at Canley Vale in Sydney, with the pilot and a flight nurse killed. Other accidents include a wheels-up landing and a collapsed nose gear on landing. Incidents include a loss of engine power, fuel flow problems and landing gear malfunctions.

CASA’s decision to suspend Skymaster Air Services and Avtex Air Services is also based on issues relating to the safety culture of the operations, aircraft maintenance control and pilot training.

The suspension of Skymaster and Avtex will end in five business days from Friday 23 July 2010, unless CASA applies to the Federal Court for an order to continue the suspension for up to 40 days. During that time CASA will complete its investigation and determine what further action may need to be taken.

CASA’s actions are separate from the continuing investigation into the Canley Vale accident by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the independent Commonwealth transport accident investigator.

Tagged: AOC, Australia, Avtex, CASA, Skymaster ()

Ancillary revenues in 2009 jumped more than 40% year-over-year, and are expected to continue to rise.

An engine choice for the new aircraft will be announced when the order is finalized.

Op-Ed: Association of Professional Flight Attendants President Laura Glading makes a case for re-regulation.

Christopher Franz will be CEO of Lufthansa, and Carsten Spohr will lead the passenger division.