1 APRIL 2015
The IFALPA e-News Broadcast consists of news stories submitted to us by members from their respective
regions as well as updates on IFALPA’s recent activity. If you have a regional story you would like to share or
important news from your association, we encourage you to submit it to our Communications & Marketing
Coordinator, Mrs. Anna Lou, at annalou@ifalpa.org. The e-News Broadcast will be
distributed twice a month. Please note that the views expressed in the e-News are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect the views of IFALPA.
NORTH AMERICA
Orlando International Airport decides to keep TSA
[ORLANDO, Florida] Officials with the Orlando International Airport have recommended against making it the largest airport to get rid of the Transportation Security Administration.
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/orlando-international-airport-decides-keep-tsa/nkjKX/
Amazon urges faster FAA approval of drones
[WASHINGTON] The Federal Aviation Administration is so slow to approve drone permits that the aircraft become
obsolete while waiting, an Amazon executive told a Senate panel Tuesday.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/03/24/amazon-drones-faa-senate-hearing/70376382/
University of Illinois researchers test aircraft flight control technology
Researchers from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have tested aircraft flight control technology, which is
said to improve commercial aviation safety.
http://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/newsuniversity-illinois-researchers-test-aircraft-flight-control-technology-4537909
CARIBBEAN & SOUTH AMERICA
Aeromexico and Delta file antitrust immunity application
Delta Air Lines and Grupo Aeromexico have filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation seeking
antitrust immunity for a new joint venture on flights between the United States and Mexico.
http://www.aviationtribune.com/airlines/north-america/item/2188-aeromexico-and-delta-file-antitrust-immunity-application
Travel chaos in Buenos Aires as transit staff launch 24-hour strike
Buenos Aires residents faced travel chaos today as transport unions launched a 24-hour strike that brought the
Argentine capital to a halt.
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/world/article/travel-chaos-in-buenos-aires-as-transit-staff-launch-24-hourstrike
Caribbean Airline Warns of Possible Pilots Strike at Easter
Caribbean regional airline LIAT warned on Friday that its pilots may strike over the Easter holiday amid an ongoing
labor dispute.
http://laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2380156&CategoryId=14092
EUROPE
Factsheet on EU security measures in civil airliners
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-15-4724_en.htm
Ryanair plane has part of wing torn off as two aircraft collide while taxiing to runway for take-off
Ryanair passengers travelling to Edinburgh and Zadar, Croatia were delayed for hours after two of the budget airline’s planes clipped wings at Dublin Airport [on April 1st].
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3021054/Part-wing-torn-two-Ryanair-planes-collide-taxiingrunway-Dublin-Airport.html
‘WizzAir Ukraine’ low cost airline to close in blow to budget travel industry
WizzAir announces plans to discontinue 10 international routes by 20 April, 2015
http://uatoday.tv/news/wizzair-ukraine-low-cost-airline-to-close-in-blow-to-budget-travel-industry-417700.html
AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST
Avanti Leads Pan-African Aviation Project Powered by Satellite Technology
Avanti Communications has been appointed by the UK Space Agency to deliver a crucial air navigation project in Africa, SBAS-AFRICA, powered by satellite technology.
http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2015/03/27/avanti-leads-pan-african-aviation-project-powered-satellite-technology#axzz3VrWjnmJO
Ethiopian Airlines Expands Freight Service
Ethiopian Airlines said it is working to expand its freight service to meet the growing demand from Ethiopia and Africa, Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) reported.
http://www.africancargonews.com/?p=3088
ICAO meeting highlights importance of cooperative air transport and tourism approaches in Africa/Indian Ocean
Region
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) wound up an important meeting in Madagascar this week, focusing on the Sustainable Development of Air Transport in Africa, which resulted in the adoption of a new Declaration on
the Sustainable Development of Air Transport in Africa.
http://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/ICAO-Meeting-Highlights-Importance-Of-Cooperative-Air-Transport-And-Tourism-Approaches-In-Africa-Indian-Ocean-Region.aspx
ASIA & PACIFIC
Thailand admits ‘urgent’ need to improve aviation safety
[BANGKOK] Thailand admitted on Monday it “urgently” needs to improve airline safety procedures as several carriers face bans on new international flights after a UN aviation agency raised concerns.
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/transport/thailand-admits-urgent-need-to-improve-aviation-safety
Air India pilots warn of danger from aging aircraft
In a letter to the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), an Indian professional pilot association has
warned of possible risks to passenger safety due to the continuing operation of old decades-old aircraft by flag carrier Air India.
http://atwonline.com/airframes/air-india-pilots-warn-danger-aging-aircraft
US team inspects air safety measures
[INDIA] A team of US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials visited India on Monday for a final review of
safety measures taken after it had downgraded the country’s air security ratings over a year ago, sources said.
http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/us-team-inspects-air-safety-measures-115033100015_1.
html
@ ICAO
Once a month, Carole Couchman, IFALPA Senior Technical Officer, gives a recap of IFALPA’s activities at the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO):
March 2015
ICAO convened its first global Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Symposium from 23-25 March 2015. The theme of
the symposium was remotely piloted or piloted: sharing one aerospace system. The sessions concentrated on the
integration of RPAS with civil airline operations. These include licensing of the remote pilot; airworthiness of the
RPAS; actual RPAS operations; ATM integration; Civil/Military operations; technology covering command & control
and detect & avoid; National Regulations; Safety Management; security and legal liability and responsibility.
The symposium attracted a large number of RPAS manufacturers, significantly those who produce the small “vehicles” that are likely to operate below 500 feet. The number of these being produced and on order far exceeded most
people’s assumptions. It was interesting to note that for many of the 600 attendees it was their first time in ICAO
and they were unfamiliar with aviation provisions that exist. Their products had also mostly been developed and produced outside the aviation environment yet they are now looking to operate within that environment. This has raised
questions concerning airspace below 500 feet and whether there should some form of regulation for this airspace to
protect the existing users such as GA traffic and helicopter operations particularly those engaged in emergency and
medical services.
IFALPA was represented by the member for the RPAS Panel, Captain Thomas Mildenberger who also presented during
the symposium on IFALPA’s position concerning the integration of RPAS. The IFALPA Technical Officers based in Montreal, a representative from ECA and ALPA-I were also present during the symposium. Following the symposium the
RPAS Panel met to discuss the outcomes of the symposium to help focus their working in developing provisions for
the integration of RPAS.
This symposium was preceded by the joint ICAO/ United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Aerospace
Symposium which brought together for the first time both aviation and space communities from around the globe
to explore existing regulations and practices as well as safety management and systems engineering methods with
regard to civil aviation, suborbital flights and developments in space transportation. This was a landmark event which
provided the opportunity for networking, collaboration and coordination between States, industry, and others. As
with the RPAS Symposium the aim was to provide a good overview of existing regulations and practices, as well as
safety management and systems engineering methods used, with a focus on sharing the airspace with civil aviation.
©2015 The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations
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