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Aviation Feature

·November 15, 2021

IATA names new Chief Economist

Owens Thomsen will come from Banque Lombard Odier, where she has served as Head of Global Trends and Sustainability.Owens Thomsen holds a PhD in International Economics from The Graduate Institute in Geneva and an MBA equivalent from the University of Gothenburg in International Economics and Business.Holding US, UK and Swiss nationalities, she has worked in the UK, France and Switzerland and is fluent in Swedish, English and French. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Marie Owens Thomsen will join the Association as its Chief Economist effective 4 January 2022. Owens Thomsen will come from Banque Lombard Odier, where she has served as Head of Global Trends and Sustainability since 2020. Prior to that she was the long-time Global Head of Investment Intelligence (2011-2020) at Indosuez Wealth Management. Additionally, she has served in Chief Economist and related roles for Merrill Lynch, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson and HSBC. Her varied career also includes entrepreneurship and market development activities. “Marie’s work on macro-economic issues with a focus on sustainability will prepare her to address aviation’s top issues—namely recovery from COVID-19 and sustainability. Coming from outside the aviation sector, she will bring valuable new insights and perspectives. And I am confident that she will carry on IATA’s reputation for objective reporting and analysis that is essential for explaining aviation’s contribution to the global economy and advocating for the polices airlines need to be successful,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “I am joining IATA to contribute to the aviation sector which has been a formidable long-term driver of economic growth. I’ll do this with a research approach that identifies causal factors for critical issues and their high-priority solutions. This is important as aviation begins the recovery from COVID-19 and continues the journey to net zero emissions. I look forward to a future where aviation can flourish within a sustainable global economy,” said Owens Thomsen. Owens Thomsen holds a PhD in International Economics from The Graduate Institute in Geneva and an MBA equivalent from the University of Gothenburg in International Economics and Business. Holding US, UK and Swiss nationalities, she has worked in the UK, France and Switzerland and is fluent in Swedish, English and French. Owens Thomsen succeeds Brian Pearce who retired from IATA earlier this year after serving as Chief Economist since 2004.

Juergen T Steinmetz·

Aviation Feature

·November 15, 2021

Your Face is your new ID to Travel: Biometrics are ok!

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the results of its 2021 Global Passenger Survey (GPS), which delivered two main conclusions:Passengers want to use biometric identification if it expedites travel processes.Passengers want to spend less time queuing. “Passengers have spoken and want technology to work harder, so they spend less time ‘being processed’ or standing in queues. And they are willing to use biometric data if it delivers this result. Before traffic ramps up, we have a window of opportunity to ensure a smooth return to travel post-pandemic and deliver long-term efficiency improvements for passengers, airlines, airports, and governments,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety, and Security. Biometric Identification 73% of passengers are willing to share their biometric data to improve airport processes (up from 46% in 2019). 88% will share immigration information prior to departure for expedited processing. Just over a third of passengers (36%) have experienced the use of biometric data when traveling. Of these, 86% were satisfied with the experience. Data protection remains a key issue with 56% indicating concern about data breaches. And passengers want clarity on who their data is being shared with (52%) and how it is used/processed (51%). Queuing 55% of passengers identified queuing at boarding as a top area for improvement. 41% of passengers identified queuing at security screening as a top priority for improvement.38% of passenger identified queuing time at border control / immigration as a top area for improvement. The greatest wait increases are at check-in and border control (emigration and immigration) where travel health credentials are being checked mainly as paper documents. This exceeds the time that passengers want to spend on processes at the airport. The survey found that: 85% of passengers want to spend less than 45 mins on processes at the airport if they are traveling with only hand luggage.90% of passengers want to spend less than one hour on processes at the airport when traveling with a checked bag. Solutions IATA, working with industry stakeholders, has two mature programs which can support a successful ramping-up of aviation post-pandemic and provide travelers with the expedited experience they are demanding. IATA Travel Pass is a solution to manage the complex myriad of travel health credentials that governments require. The app offers a safe and secure way for travelers to check the requirements for their journey, receive test results and scan their vaccine certificates, verify that these meet the destination and transit requirements and share these effortlessly with health officials and airlines prior to departure and using e-gates. This will reduce queuing and congestion for document checks—to the benefit of travelers, airlines, airports and governments. One ID is an initiative that is helping transition industry towards a day when passengers can move from curb to gate using a single biometric travel token such as a face, fingerprint or iris scan. Airlines are strongly behind the initiative. The priority now is ensuring there is regulation in place to support the vision of a paperless travel experience. One ID will not only make processes more efficient for passengers, but also allow governments to utilize valuable resources more effectively. “We cannot just revert to how things were in 2019 and expect our customers to be satisfied. Pre-pandemic we were preparing to take self-service to the next level with One ID. The crisis makes its twin-promises of efficiency and cost-savings even more urgent. And we absolutely need technologies like IATA Travel Pass to re-enable self-service or the recovery will be overwhelmed by paper document checks. The GPS results are yet another proof point that change is needed,” said Careen. About the GPSGPS results are based on 13,579 responses from 186 countries. The survey provides insight into what passengers would like from their air travel experience. Visit this link to access the complete analysis.

Juergen T Steinmetz·

Aviation Feature

·November 14, 2021

Emirates and Gulf Air: No more competition?

Emirates and Gulf Air have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a deeper commercial cooperation between both carriers.The MoU will set the framework between both carriers to establish a potential codeshare cooperation across the networks of each airline, extending reciprocal loyalty benefits on Emirates’ Skywards and Gulf Air’s Falconflyer. Discussions are also underway to initiate cargo cooperation. Signed on the first day of the Dubai Airshow, the MoU will mark the beginning of closer ties between the two airlines. The MoU was signed by Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline and Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi. The signing ceremony was also attended by members of each airline’s executive management teams. Customers traveling on Emirates and Gulf Air’s operated flights can book single-ticket travel with competitive fares, and one-stop baggage check-in to their final destinations. Emirates will initially place its “EK” marketed code on Gulf Air operated flights between Bahrain and Dubai, and reciprocally, Gulf Air will add its “GF” marketed code to Emirates routes. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline said: “We are pleased to partner with Gulf Air on developing this codeshare agreement, which will give customers significantly enhanced choices, convenient schedules, and flexibility to connect between Dubai and Bahrain, and beyond to cities in our extensive long-haul network. We believe that our new partnership will bring real benefits to our customers and business, and today’s agreement is a positive step in our cooperation, and we are on the way to further strengthen our relationship in the future.” During the event, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer said: “This will be a remarkable partnership between one of the first airlines in the Gulf region and one of the biggest carriers in the world. We’re proud to explore opportunities with Emirates to expand our reach and at the same time extend our boutique services to Emirates’ passengers when flying on our network. Gulf Air and Emirates operate multiple flights between Bahrain and Dubai and this agreement will provide passengers with more choices beyond our hubs.”Once the codeshare is activated, customers will be able to book their travel with both airlines on emirates.com and gulfair.com, through online travel agencies as well as with local travel agents.

Boeing 777X will be on display at the Dubai Airshow starting November 14, 2021.Building on the best of the industry-leading 777 and 787 Dreamliner families, the 777-9 will be the world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet.The 777X family has a total of 351 orders and commitments from eight leading customers around the globe. The new Boeing 777X arrived at Dubai World Central at 14:02 p.m. (GST) today, ahead of the upcoming Dubai Airshow. The airplane will be on static display and featured in the show’s flying program starting November 14. The 777-9 flight test airplane made a nearly 15-hour nonstop flight from Seattle’s Boeing Field to Dubai, the first international flight and longest flight to date for the 777X as it continues to undergo a rigorous test program. Building on the best of the industry-leading 777 and 787 Dreamliner families, the 777-9 will be the world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, delivering 10% better fuel use, emissions and operating costs than the competition and an exceptional passenger experience. The 777X family has a total of 351 orders and commitments from eight leading customers around the globe. First delivery of the airplane is expected in late 2023. Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Just one in three Americans plans to travel for Christmas, and even fewer plan to travel for Thanksgiving.68% of Thanksgiving travelers plan to stay with family or friends, while 22% plan to stay in a hotel.66% of Christmas travelers plan to stay with family or friends, while 23% plan to stay in a hotel. While rising vaccination rates against COVID-19 have increased travelers’ comfort levels, most Americans are still opting to stay home this holiday season, according to a new national survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). The survey found that 29% of Americans are likely to travel for Thanksgiving and 33% are likely to travel for Christmas—an increase from 21% and 24%, respectively, compared to 2020. Those who do plan to travel over the holidays expect to drive, but rising gas prices may dampen those plans. The survey of 2,200 adults was conducted October 30 – November 1, 2021, by Morning Consult on behalf of AHLA. Key findings include the following: Just one in three Americans plans to travel for Christmas (33% likely to travel, 59% unlikely), and even fewer plan to travel for Thanksgiving (29% likely, 61% unlikely). 68% of Thanksgiving travelers plan to stay with family or friends, while 22% plan to stay in a hotel. 66% of Christmas travelers plan to stay with family or friends, while 23% plan to stay in a hotel. 52% of Americans say they plan to take fewer trips and 53% plan to take shorter trips due to rising gas prices. Leisure travelers are making several adjustments to their travel plans based on the current state of the pandemic, including only traveling within driving distance (58%), taking fewer trips (48%), and taking shorter trips (46%). Among parents with children under the age of 12, 41% say the availability of vaccines for kids ages 5-11 will make them more likely to travel. 68% of Thanksgiving travelers and 64% of Christmas travelers plan to drive, compared to 11% and 14%, respectively, who plan to fly. While vaccines have helped travelers feel more comfortable, rising gas prices and continued concerns about the pandemic are making many Americans hesitant to travel during the holidays. Despite a slight expected uptick in holiday travel this year, hotels will continue to face economic fallout from the pandemic, underscoring the need for targeted federal relief, such as the Save Hotel Jobs Act, to support the industry and its workforce until travel fully returns. Despite being among the hardest hit, hotels are the only segment of the hospitality and leisure industry yet to receive direct pandemic relief from Congress.

Porter Airlines’ seasonal service begins December 17 and will be running until March 28, 2022.Connecting flights are also available from various Porter Airlines’ Canadian locations.All passengers over the age of 12 years and four months departing from a Canadian airport must provide proof of vaccination before boarding, effective November30. Porter Airlines is reintroducing its seasonal service to Mont-Tremblant, Que., in time for the holidays. Seasonal service begins December 17, running until March 28, 2022. “We’re ready to return to our first seasonal destination since restarting operations in September,” said Michael Deluce, president and CEO, Porter Airlines. “Mont-Tremblant was among Porter’s first destinations when the airline was founded, and our passengers enjoy the variety of winter activities it has to offer.” In as little as 70 minutes, passengers can fly from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Mont-Tremblant International Airport. Connecting flights are also available from various Porter locations. The winter schedule includes up to four weekly flights. Following the Government of Canada’s vaccination mandate for air passengers, all passengers over the age of 12 years and four months departing from a Canadian airport must provide proof of vaccination before boarding, effective November 30. Porter Airlines is a regional airline headquartered at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on the Toronto Islands in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Owned by Porter Aviation Holdings, formerly known as REGCO Holdings Inc., Porter operates regularly scheduled flights between Toronto and locations in Canada and the United States using Canadian-built Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft.

Harry Johnson·

Aviation Feature

·November 4, 2021

WTTC: Travel & Tourism sector in France set to recover more than a third this year

France is expected to recover Travel and Tourism sector ahead of the UK and Europe.If vital measures are followed, Travel & Tourism sector could see employment numbers surpass pre-pandemic levels by 2022.In 2019, France’s Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP represented €211 billion (8.5% of the national economy). New research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals the France’s Travel & Tourism sector’s recovery could achieve a growth of 34.9% this year. The news comes on the day WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism sector, its Members, and business leaders from around the world, head to Paris for the Destination France summit. Organized by President Emmanuel Macron and with an opening speech from WTTC Chairman and President & CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, Arnold W. Donald, the event will focus on driving travelers back to the destination which before the pandemic, was the world’s most popular destination. WTTC says the sector’s growth this year is set to soar ahead of Europe’s overall recovery at 23.9%, and the global recovery at 30.7%. In 2019, France’s Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP represented €211 billion (8.5% of the national economy). In 2020, when the pandemic brought international travel to a grinding halt, the contribution of the Travel & Tourism sector fell to just €108 billion (4.7% of the national economy). However, according to the latest research, at the current rate of recovery, France’s Travel & Tourism sector can expect a year on year growth of almost 35%, representing an increase of €38 billion. The data also reveals that the country could see a year on year increase of 21.8% in 2022, contributing a further boost to the economy of €32 billion. The global tourism body says that whilst a rise in domestic travel has provided some relief to the nation, it is not enough to achieve the full recovery needed to salvage its economy and the millions of jobs lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dmytro Makarov·

Aviation Feature

·November 4, 2021

Tel Aviv to Dubai: a new flight by Emirates

Tel Aviv and Dubai will be connected by a new non-stop daily flight by Emirates Airlines.New flights will connect Tel Aviv with 30 Emirates gateways around the World.Emirates SkyCargo will offer 20 tonnes of cargo capacity each way between Tel Aviv and Dubai. The move comes as the UAE and Israel continue to develop greater economic cooperation to drive growth across a range of sectors, in addition to boosting trade flows between both nations. With the new daily flights, Israeli travellers will be able to connect safely, seamlessly and efficiently to Dubai, and through Dubai to Emirates’ global route network of over 120 destinations. The flight timings to/from Tel Aviv will offer travellers convenient access to major leisure destinations beyond Dubai like Thailand, the Indian Ocean Islands and South Africa, among others. Furthermore, the new flights introduce convenient inbound connections to Tel Aviv from close to 30 Emirates gateways across Australia, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, India and South Africa, all home to some of the largest Jewish communities in the world. Travellers from the United States looking to stop in Dubai before embarking on their onwards journey to Tel Aviv can avail the Dubai Stop Over package, which includes stays at world-class hotels, sightseeing, and other activities. Dubai also continues to attract leisure travellers from Israel with its ever-expanding list of experiences, including hosting Expo 2020 Dubai which has drawn in more than 2 million visits in its first month. Israel is participating at Expo 2020 Dubai with its own country pavilion under the theme ‘connecting thoughts – creating the future’. Emirates’ new flights will also boost connections for business communities in both countries, creating new channels to network and forge investment opportunities across industries. With the opening of visa-free travel between both countries and the easing of restrictions across the Emirates network, the new services will meet future travel demand in and out of Tel Aviv. The airline will deploy its modern Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three class configuration, offering private suites in First Class, lie flat seats in Business Class and spacious seats in Economy Class to serve customers on the route between Dubai and Tel Aviv. Daily flights are scheduled to depart Dubai as EK931 at 14:50hrs, arriving at Ben Gurion Airport at 16:25hrs local time. The return flight EK 932 will depart Tel Aviv at 18:25hrs, arriving in Dubai at 23:25hrs local time. Emirates’ customers will also benefit from the airline’s codeshare partnership with flydubai. The codeshare provides travellers with short and seamless connectivity from Dubai to points across the combined networks of both carriers, which today consists of 210 destinations in 100 countries. The airline will deploy its modern Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three class configuration, offering private suites in First Class, lie flat seats in Business Class and spacious seats in Economy Class. Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline said: “Emirates is excited to announce Tel Aviv, one of the region’s key gateways, as its newest destination. With the start of services in just a few weeks, Emirates will provide more options for travellers to fly better to and from Tel Aviv via Dubai. We also look forward to welcoming more business and leisure travellers from Israel to Dubai, and onwards to other destinations on Emirates’ network. He added: “We would like to thank the UAE and Israeli authorities for their support, and we await the opportunity to serve Israel and open up more prospects for both countries to continue to build a strong relationship while growing business and expanding tourism in the near future.” In addition to passenger operations, Emirates SkyCargo will offer 20 tonnes of cargo capacity each way between Dubai and Tel Aviv on the Boeing 777-300ER to support exports of pharmaceuticals, high-tech goods, vegetables and other perishables from Tel Aviv. The flights are also expected to transport manufacturing raw materials and components, semiconductors and e-commerce parcels into Israel. Travellers to and from Israel can look forward to experiencing Emirates’ award-winning service and industry leading products in the air and on the ground across all classes, with regionally inspired dishes and complimentary beverages, as well as the option of kosher meals onboard. The airline’s ice inflight entertainment system offers more than 4,500 channels of on-demand entertainment in over 40 languages, including movies, TV shows, and an extensive musical library along with games, audio books and podcasts. Emirates has fully restored its Middle East network and currently flies to 12 cities across the region. Tel Aviv is Israel’s largest and most populous city, and is the economic and technological hub for the country. The city attracted more than 4.5 million visitors in 2019, according to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Tel Aviv is known for its pristine beaches, thriving culinary scene, cultural sights, and the world’s largest collection of 4,000 signature white Bauhaus style buildings, which have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also an advanced centre of science and pioneering technology, with a strong entrepreneurial and start-up ecosystem that has produced innovations and products adopted around the globe and across a gamut of sectors. Customers traveling to and from Israel are advised to check the latest travel requirements here

Dmytro Makarov·

Aviation Feature

·November 3, 2021

Orlando to Nassau. New Frontier Airlines Flight

Frontier Airlines will connect Orlando International Airport and Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau with a new flight.The new nonstop flight will connect Orlando and Nassau once daily every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.Nassau is a gateway to 16 islands with unique vacation offerings for tourists with different needs, budgets and goals. Live Junkanoo performances and a ribbon cutting ceremony this afternoon at the Orlando International Airport celebrated Frontier Airlines inaugural flight from Orlando to Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau. The four-times weekly service brings passengers directly to the nation’s vibrant capital with fares as low as $69. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony during the Frontier Inaugural event at Orlando airport for service to Nassau Bahamas. From left to right is; Ken Wood, Assistant Station Manager-Orlando Frontier Airlines; Frontier’s Mascot, Pablo the bear; Brenda March, Manager for Parks & Recreation, City of Orlando; Betty Bethel-Moss, Director Sales & Marketing Florida, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; Vicki Jaramillo, Sr. Director Marketing & Air Service Development & Stephen Howell, Sr. Director Inflight Experience, Frontier Airlines. Flights into Nassau serve as a gateway to 16 islands with unique vacation offerings to suit each traveller’s individual needs, spanning varied budgets and experiences. The Islands of The Bahamas welcome Floridian travellers with open arms, turquoise water and plenty of sunshine. Betty Bethel-Moss, Director Sales &Marketing Florida, Florida Bahamas Ministry of Tourism presents Stephen Howell, Sr. Director Inflight Experience, Frontier Airlines with a gift from The Islands of The Bahamas, a painting from world renowned Bahamian Artist Jamaal Rolle . “The inaugural Frontier Airlines flight from Orlando to Nassau is absolutely worth celebrating,” said Deputy Prime Minister the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. “The newly added flight options allow Orlando residents who seek a short-haul vacation the opportunity to tap into an easier, more affordable way to travel to The Bahamas. Before booking their flight, I encourage visitors to learn about the many ways they can customize a vacation itinerary and get ready to see just why we say it’s better here.” The Passengers of the Inaugural flight of Frontier Airlines Orlando to Nassau service were entertained by a live Junkanoo performance. There are a host of new developments, hotel reopenings and experiences happening throughout Nassau and Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island and the beloved Out Islands, making The Bahamas one of the Caribbean’s top must-visit destinations: Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts recently opened an all-new 300-room Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau, complete with 11 distinct dining options and an on-site waterpark. Six-time James Beard Award-winning chef Marcus Samuelsson debuted his new restaurant, Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, at Baha Mar, sourcing the freshest local ingredients and Bahamian seafood, complete with a vibrant dining room and rooftop cocktail bar. Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach, an all-inclusive resort located in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, reopened, boasting an oceanfront pool, watersports and 4,000 feet of beautiful white-sand beaches. Passengers of Frontier Airline’s Inaugural flight from Orlando to Nassau Bahamas were treated to gifts from The Islands of The Bahamas. Tina Lee-Anderson. District Sales Manager, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Florida (left) is shown. The new nonstop route will operate once daily every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. To learn more about The Bahamas, head to Bahamas.com, while travellers ready to pack their bags can book their roundtrip flights today by visiting flyfrontier.com. The Bahamas is committed to the safety of its residents and visitors and continues to update on-island and arrival policies as necessary. To stay up-to-date on the latest protocols and entry requirements, please visit Bahamas.com/travelupdates.

Linda S. Hohnholz·

Aviation Feature

·November 3, 2021

Crash Victims Demand End of Boeing’s Power To Certify Aircrafts

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, convened a full committee hearing.It was titled “Implementation of Aviation Safety Reform.”It examined the urgency of implementing aviation safety, certification and oversight reforms mandated by the Aircraft, Certification, Safety and Accountability Act (ACSAA) of 2020. Senators discussed the approach of the FAA to effectuating ACSAA and its work to implement provisions of the legislation in accordance with congressionally mandated timelines. For three hours, Dickson discussed topics such as the FAA’s delegation and certification processes, safety culture and systems oversight practices since the passage of ACSAA as well as the impact of COVID on current aviation schedules. Several family members were able to attend the Senate hearing today either in person or via the internet. Michael Stumo of Massachusetts, who lost his daughter Samya Rose Stumo, 24, in the crash, applauded Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) for asking when the FAA will stop trusting Boeing with regulating themselves. Dickson said the FAA is now retaining some regulatory functions, but Stumo pointed out that means the manufacturer continues to regulate itself on many levels. Stumo added, “The manufacturer will not change until its self-regulation authority is pulled. Boeing must then re-prove it is competent and trustworthy.” Nadia Milleron of Massachusetts, who lost her daughter Samya Rose Stumo, age 24, in the crash, approached Dickson after the hearing and said, “Don’t let Boeing sell planes unless required pilot training is in place for that particular plane.” His response was that he would look into it. One of the major issues regarding the crashes of the Boeing 737 MAX was that initially Boeing executives blamed the pilots; however, the planes were allowed to be certified with a new software system on which pilots were not initially trained nor was the new software system included in the plane’s manual. Stumo and Milleron personally attended today’s hearing. Ike Riffel who lost both of his sons in the Boeing crash in Ethiopia said, “Boeing did not only defraud the FAA, they defrauded the flying public and the entire world and their actions resulted in the deaths of 346 people. Our FAA will never be the ‘gold standard” of aviation safety as long as fraud and deceit are allowed to go unpunished.” Chris Moore of Toronto, Canada, father of 24-year-old Danielle Moore who was killed in the Boeing crash in Ethiopia, has been very vocal on aviation safety issues. Hewas upset that over half of today’s hearing was related to non-Boeing 737Max issues and said, “The Senate should have called this hearing, ‘Hey Dickson, What Up?’ Senators need to take this aspect of safety seriously – they can have a separate discussion about other matters at another hearing.” Families and friends who lost loved ones in the crash of a Boeing 737 MAX jet in 2019 continue to ask Congress and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to terminate the aircraft maker’s ability to certify its own airplanes, a provision allowed in a program called the Organization Designation Authority (ODA) that allows third parties to perform functions of the FAA. Hundreds of family and friends who lost loved ones on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft petitioned DOT officials, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Dickson to withdraw Boeing’s ability to certify its aircraft because “it has become clear that Boeing is not a company that can be trusted with the public safety responsibilities conferred by the ODA,” according to their petition to the DOT dated Oct. 19, 2021. The petition cites 15 reasons why Boeing misconduct requires the FAA to terminate Boeing’s ODA including the company’s “deceiving the FAA” about the methods the MAX aircraft operated “by way of misleading statements, half-truths and omissions,” creating “an ODA culture that applies undue pressure to engineering personnel so they are not able to exercise independent judgment free from organizational conflicts of interest,” and “failing to insulate the ODA from Boeing’s profit motives.” On another front, Mark Forkner, former chief pilot of the new Boeing aircraft, is set to stand trial in Forth Worth, Texas federal district court on a six-count indictment for his actions involving the 737 MAX, including lying during the certification process of the new aircraft. He pled not guilty in federal court in Texas Oct. 15, 2021. His trial is set for Dec. 15 in Forth Worth federal court. Tomra Vocere of Massachusetts who lost her brother Matt in the crash, said, “Mr. Forkner did not act alone in the engineering snafu that killed 346 people and should not be the only indictment in this mass casualty. The offering of a mid-level employee is an insult to anyone who lost a family member on Boeing’s planes. The unfolding of the investigations, litigation, congressional hearings, and panels produces nothing: no transparency, no accountability, no admission of guilt or systemic culture change at Boeing or the FAA. Mr. Forkner is a sorry scapegoat as there is no atonement in Boeing’s offering: no executives, no board members, no justice.”

Juergen T Steinmetz·

Aviation Feature

·November 3, 2021

A first-ever multi-country, multi-stakeholder Tourism Coalition is the new star at COP26 in Glasgow

COP 26 in Glasgow is not only getting a message to the world, that tourism needs to be part of the climate change solution, but it’s the first action by the First ever multi-country multi-stakeholders coalition in tourism .It’s time for action, not declarations.A profitable and climate friendly future for World Tourism just became a lot brighter. The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference ongoing at this time in Glasgow, UK may very well be the start of a new form of global cooperation with both the public and private sector involvement. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is seen by many as ineffective, underfunded, and mismanaged may just be in for an awakening. It started with a vision by the Saudi Minister of Tourism, HE Ahmed Aqeel AlKhateeb, and his counterpart in Spain HE Reyes Maroto to share this vision. Finally, countries and stakeholders are stepping up while the UNWTO due to a lack of leadership is sleeping. This is an indication of a long-needed transformation of the global travel and tourism industry, and perhaps a chance for a new UNWTO in the making.Saudi Arabia has been known to invest billions into the development of global tourism. This is not only attractive for an industry, that has been beaten by COVID-19 for almost two years, but it motivates and encourages. While the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) signs declarations, the first-ever multi-country multi-stakeholders coalition is all about action. It’s needless to say, the funding is real. Former president of Mexico and chair of new climate economy Saudi Arabia demonstrated to be a bridge between the developed and the developing world. Today the three tourism ministers from Kenya, Jamaica, and Saudi Arabia attending a panel in Glasgow on Climate change said: The Tourism Industry Wants to be Part of the solution to dangerous climate change Establishing this new coalition is a 3 phase project. Today’s event was attended by Governments from the United States, the UK, Kenya, Jamaica and Saudi Arabia.In Phase 1, 10 countries in total were invited to the coalition: UKUSAJAMAICAFranceJapanGermanyKenyaSpainSaudíMorocco International Organizations that participated today: UNFCCUNEPWRIWTTCICCSystemiq In addition, the World Bank and Harvard were invited to join the coalition. ICC represents 45 million SME’s. 65% are in the developing world. When asked when smaller organizations like the African Tourism Board and the World Tourism Network would be invited to join, Gloria Guevara indicated this could be discussed for step 2 or 3. Noticeable UNWTO is not yet invited. Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism Ahmed Alkhateeb