Flight Safety Information - June 25, 2021 No. 127 In This Issue : Incident: Ikar B739 near Novosibirsk on Jun 24th 2021, cargo smoke indication : Incident: Western Global MD11 at San Juan on Jun 22nd 2021, burst tyre on landing : Incident: British Airways B772 at London on Jun 11th 2021, rejected takeoff due to unreliable speeds : Incident: SkyUp B739 at Kiev on Jun 24th 2021, cabin did not pressurize, burning odour on board : Cessna 208B Supervan 900 - Off Field landing (Netherlands) : Decision on flight prohibition over conflict zones needed sooner : Canadian Report Blames Iranian 'Recklessness' For Downing Ukrainian Passenger Jet : NTSB: Pilots failed to keep proper spacing to prevent crash : Passenger allegedly bit 2 TSA agents at Denver International Airport : LAX: Driver in custody after smashing through fence, leading airport police on chase along taxiway : ICAO likely to conduct India’s aviation safety audit around end of 2021 : The FAA wants the airline industry to fight decades of sexism on airplanes by removing words like 'Cockpit,' 'Airman,' and 'Unmanned' : TSA self-defense course for flight attendants, paused during covid, relaunches amid reports of unruly behavior : Fiji Airways Granted Approval for Return of 737 MAX to New Zealand : Airlines say new UK travel rules cause vacation uncertainty : How Lightning Detection Networks Increase the Safety and Efficiency of Airport Operations : San Diego International Airport to Run on 100% Renewable Energy : Who is the mystery buyer of Airbus C295 aircraft? : Jet Airways’ Restart Faces Headwinds : Virgin Galactic gets the green light from the FAA to fly passengers to space : China wants to up the ante on the space race with a 'sky ladder' to Mars that can beam humans and cargo up in a capsule Incident: Ikar B739 near Novosibirsk on Jun 24th 2021, cargo smoke indication An Ikar Boeing 737-900, registration VP-BZV performing flight IK-657 from Krasnojarsk to Sochi (Russia) with 178 passengers and 7 crew, was enroute at FL340 about 100nm northwest of Novosibirsk (Russia) when the crew received a forward cargo smoke indication and decided to divert to Novosibirsk. The aircraft descended to FL070 and entered a hold after the indication ceased. The aircraft subsequently landed safely on runway 16 about 60 minutes after leaving FL340. Emergency services did not find any trace of fire, heat or smoke. West Siberia's Transport investigation office reported they are looking into the occurrence, a replacement aircraft will take the passengers to Sochi. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4e95bc01&opt=0 Incident: Western Global MD11 at San Juan on Jun 22nd 2021, burst tyre on landing A Western Global Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-11 on behalf of Fedex Federal Express, registration N513SN performing flight FX-251 from Memphis,TN (USA) to San Juan (Puerto Rico), landed on San Juan's runway 08 but blew a main tyre on roll out. The aircraft briefly stopped on the runway, the crew advised they were able to vacate the runway, they did have an anti-skid fail. The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT LANDED AND MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE BLEW DAMAGING GEAR DOORS, SAN JUAN, PR.", the aircraft sustained minor damage, the occurrence was rated an incident. The FAA however provided a wrong tail number N542KD which had landed in San Juan 2 days earlier as flight FX-51 and 2 days later was enroute over the Pacific Ocean towards Honolulu at the time of the occurrence. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4e95aa97&opt=0 Incident: British Airways B772 at London on Jun 11th 2021, rejected takeoff due to unreliable speeds A British Airways Boeing 777-200, registration G-YMMR performing flight BA-81 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Accra (Ghana), was accelerating for takeoff from Heathrow's runway 27L when the crew rejected takeoff at about 80 KIAS due to unreliable air speed indications on all three pitot systems. The aircraft slowed safely and returned to the apron. A replacement Boeing 777-200 registration G-YMMA reached Accra with a delay of about 5:15 hours. The AAIB reported the occurrence was rated a serious incident and is being investigated, all three pitot systems provided unreliable air speed indications. In addition, British Airways had two more unreliable air speed events involving an A320-200 with 2 blocked pitot tubes and an A320-200N with one blocked pitot tube in about the same time frame. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4e95a5d9&opt=0 Incident: SkyUp B739 at Kiev on Jun 24th 2021, cabin did not pressurize, burning odour on board A SkyUp Airlines Boeing 737-900, registration UR-SQI performing flight PQ-421 from Kiev (Ukraine) to Batumi (Georgia), was climbing out of Kiev when the crew stopped the climb at about 15,000 feet and descended back to 4000 feet. The aircraft entered a hold at 4000 feet for about 25 minutes, then returned to Kiev for a safe landing on runway 36R about 45 minutes after departure. The airline reported an abnormal situation occurred on board prompting the experienced crew to return to the nearest airport. Passengers reported they were advised the air conditioning systems had failed, the cabin did not pressurize, and stated they noticed a burning odour on board. A replacement Boeing 737-900 registration UR-SQL is estimated to reach Batumi with a delay of about 6:45 hours. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4e95bde2&opt=0 Cessna 208B Supervan 900 - Off Field landing (Netherlands) Status: Preliminary Date: Friday 25 June 2021 Time: 09:30 Type: Cessna 208B Supervan 900 Operator: Skydive Teuge Registration: PH-FST MSN: 208B0823 First flight: 2000 Engines: 1 Honeywell TPE331-12JR Crew: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Passengers: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Total: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 18 Aircraft damage: Substantial Location: 2 km (1.3 mls) W of Teuge Airport (Netherlands) Phase: Unknown (UNK) Nature: Parachuting Departure airport: Teuge Airport (EHTE), Netherlands Destination airport: Teuge Airport (EHTE), Netherlands Narrative: A Cessna 208B Supervan 900 skydiving plane came down in a field 2 km west of Teuge Airport, the Netherlands, next to the A50 motorway. All 18 on board are safe. https://www.aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20210625-0 Decision on flight prohibition over conflict zones needed sooner In a newly released report, the Dutch Safety Board concludes that it is taking too long to reach a decision to restrict or avoid the airspace above a rapidly escalating armed conflict. Twice in the past decade, a passenger plane has crashed after it was hit by a surface-to-air missile while flying over a conflict zone. On 17 July 2014, flight MH17 crashed in Ukraine. Flight PS752 crashed in Iran on 8 January 2020. The shoot down of PS752 led the Dutch Safety Board to conduct a review into the implementation of the recommendations in the MH17 Crash report and the conclusions in the report Flying over Conflict Zones. Airspace management The protection of civil aviation against the risks of flying over a conflict zone is primarily in the hands of the country where the conflict is taking place. This country may decide to restrict its airspace partially or completely. However, the Board concludes that this rarely happens. Even when the conflict between Iran and the United States escalated rapidly in January 2020, Iran’s airspace remained open. To improve this situation, the Board recommends developing international criteria for when a country should restrict its airspace. Better risk assessments In addition to the country of conflict, the airlines have an important responsibility of their own. When tensions rose in Iran in January 2020, this did not prompt airlines to avoid the country’s airspace and aircraft continued to fly over this high-risk area. The airlines did not refrain from flying over Iran because they concluded that the risk of being hit by a surface-to-air missile was unlikely, even while the consequences could have been catastrophic. Nor did any countries advise their own airlines to avoid flying over Iran. The Board recommends that all possible scenarios with catastrophic consequences should be given more weight in the risk assessments of both airlines and governments. In addition, when a conflict rapidly escalates, countries are still taking too long to collect and share new information, carry out a risk assessment and publish an advice. The Board recommends accelerating this process at the European level. Advising and regulating the Dutch airlines The provision of information to the Dutch airlines by the Dutch government has improved significantly in the years since the MH17 crash, but the Dutch government still only provides information, and does not issue an advice or a flight ban. Moreover, there is currently no legal basis for the minister to impose a flight prohibition over a certain area. However, other countries do have a legal basis. The Board advises the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Minster of Justice and Security to consider the possibility of imposing a flight prohibition in the law. https://news.aviation-safety.net/2021/06/24/decision-on-flight-prohibition-over-conflict-zones-needed-sooner/ Canadian Report Blames Iranian 'Recklessness' For Downing Ukrainian Passenger Jet An official report by Canadian experts says it has found no evidence that the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane shot down after takeoff from Tehran early last year was "premeditated," but said Iran was "fully responsible." Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flight PS752 crashed on January 8, 2020, while en route to Kyiv, killing all 176 people on board. More than 130 of them had ties to Canada. Citizens or residents of Afghanistan, Britain, Iran, Ukraine, and Sweden were also killed. Days after official denials, Iran admitted that a unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) had inadvertently shot down the plane when it fired two missiles amid heightened tensions with the United States. Tehran, which has come under international criticism for misleading statements and hampering independent inquiries, has said it had mistaken the aircraft for a U.S. missile. A special Canadian forensic team charged with examining all available evidence about the tragedy said in a June 24 report that the blame lied with Iran's "civilian and military authorities." However, the eight-month investigation "found no evidence that Iranian officials ordered the shoot-down or that it was premeditated." The probe concluded that an air-defense-unit operator "likely acted on his own in making the decision to launch the missiles," but it added that the incident would not have occurred if not for the "incompetence, recklessness, and wanton disregard for human life" of Iranian officials. According to the report, Iranian antiaircraft missiles were on high alert, yet the authorities did not close its airspace or notify airlines in operation at the time. The report also acknowledged a lack of access to the evidence, crash site, and witnesses. Iranian authorities initially denied responsibility and allowed the crash site to be bulldozed. They have also provided little public information about the 10 people indicted for their role in the incident. In May, Human Rights Watch accused Iranian security agencies of harassing and abusing families of the victims of the Ukrainian passenger jet in order to "squash any hope for justice." The IRGC's Aerospace Force said an air-defense unit had mistaken the Boeing 737-800 for a U.S. missile, and a final report from Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization in March concluded that an operator "misidentified" the plane and fired the missiles without authorization from a commander. The Iranian government in December 2020 allocated $150,000 to compensate the family of each passenger, but some families have refused the money. Iran's air defenses were on high alert at the time because the country had just fired ballistic missiles at two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. troops in retaliation for the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad five days earlier. "Iran does not get off the hook in any way whatsoever," Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau told a news conference. "It is totally responsible for what happened," Garneau said, adding that a missile operator made "a series of extremely flawed decisions that could have and should have been avoided." He also said that Iran's military command and control had been too slow both in addressing the failures and taking measures to prevent future tragedy. Garneau said the Iranian report had "gaping holes" and "places all of the blame on people lower down in the structure," but he admitted that his government's forensic team relied upon the report and was unable to draw conclusions that differed from Iran's formal "human error" explanation. "Iran's official account of events is disingenuous, misleading, and superficial, and intentionally ignores key factors," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement. "Senior regime officials made the decisions that led to this tragedy, and the world must not allow them to hide with impunity behind a handful of low-ranking scapegoats," he said.. He said Canada would "vigorously pursue full reparations for the downing and the harm that Iran has caused to the victims and their families," which he said will include "seeking a full accounting of the events that took place, complete transparency regarding the ongoing criminal prosecutions, and concrete guarantees by Iran that measures have been taken to ensure such a tragedy never happens again." Canada will also demand accountability from Iran in international forums, he added. Trudeau's administration has indicated interest in pursuing sanctions or going before the International Criminal Court over the incident. https://www.rferl.org/a/31325461.html NTSB: Pilots failed to keep proper spacing to prevent crash GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) — The pilots in a fatal 2019 midair collision near a Florida airpark failed to keep adequate space between the planes while they were doing maneuvers near each other, a federal investigation has found. The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday in a final report on the crash that pilots need to methodically scan the sky for other aircraft, and they must minimize distractions in the cockpit to prevent similar crashes. One pilot was killed in the May 29, 2019, crash over Green Cove Springs, Florida, and the other landed safely but was seriously injured. The pilots took off from Haller Airpark about 10:30 a.m. so one could check the accuracy of his airspeed indicator. Both were flying Vans RV4 amateur-built airplanes, and they flew alongside each other, the report said. After finishing the check, they began chasing each other heading south. One pilot called off the “tail chase,” and made a gradual left turn, some banked turns to the northeast and then gradually descended heading east. The surviving pilot told investigators he suddenly saw the other plane in front of him, nose-to-nose, and the airplanes collided. “He said that before either pilot could react, the airplanes collided, with the red airplane slightly lower than his airplane,” the report said. One plane landed in a pasture, while the other split into two pieces and crashed, the report said. Toxicology tests on the pilot who died found some cough and cold medications, but the NTSB could not determine if the pilot was impaired by them. The surviving pilot was not tested, the report said. An examination of the flight controls and engines of both airplanes did not find any anomalies that would have prevented normal flight, the NTSB reported. https://apnews.com/article/fl-state-wire-7f96571ad7d17f4e48827fc3cc84e8e0 Passenger allegedly bit 2 TSA agents at Denver International Airport As travel rates begin to increase, the Transportation Security Administration is reporting a rise in unruly passengers — including one in Denver who allegedly bit two TSA agents this month. In a release Thursday, TSA said a passenger allegedly bit the agents at Denver International Airport earlier in June. The agency did not release any information about what led to the incident but said it remains under investigation. The passenger faces a potential civil fine of up to $13,910 for each violation of airport security requirements, the agency said. This incident, and another in Louisville, Kentucky, this month triggered law enforcement involvement. In Louisville, a passenger alleged assaulted two TSA agents while trying to leave the exit lane, the agency said. Peña Boulevard to DIA fully reopened after year of construction That passenger is facing the civil fine, in addition to state charges for criminal trespass, fleeing and evading police, misdemeanor assault and resisting arrest. No charges have been announced against the Denver passenger as of Thursday. “Passengers do not arrive at an airport or board a plane with the intent of becoming unruly or violent,” said Darby LaJoye with TSA. “However, what is an exciting return to travel for some may be a more difficult experience for others, which can lead to unexpected, and unacceptable, behaviors.” There have been at least 69 incidents in which TSA employees have been assaulted since March 1, 2020, according to TSA. The Federal Aviation Administration has also reported more than 3,000 incidents involving unruly passengers in 2021, with 487 investigations launched. In 2020, there were only 183 investigations launched and, in 2019, there were 146. LaJoye said these kinds of incidents needlessly interrupt travel, delay flights and other transportation operations across the country. TSA is urging travelers to be patient when they travel. TSA is also taking steps to deter assaults against officers and flight crew, including beginning flight crew self-defense training in July, led by the federal air marshals. Passengers with questions about checkpoint procedures and how to prepare for TSA security screenings should contact TSA Cares at 855-787-2227 (Federal Relay 711). https://www.coloradopolitics.com/denver/passenger-allegedly-bit-2-tsa-agents-at-denver-international-airport/article_3f218143-a71f-5722-a9a0-0ebe65a3624d.html LAX: Driver in custody after smashing through fence, leading airport police on chase along taxiway A driver was taken into custody after smashing through a fence at Los Angeles International Airport and leading police on a brief chase along a taxiway, authorities said. LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A man was taken into custody after smashing a car through a fence at Los Angeles International Airport and leading police on a brief chase along a taxiway, authorities said. The incident began about 6 p.m. when the driver "broke through a fence at the FedEx cargo facility and drove westbound on the surface road and airfield," according to an LAX statement. Airport police then cornered the vehicle near the Atlantic FBO, a private terminal at the facility, and detained the suspect. He was not immediately identified. News video from AIR7 HD showed the letters "SOS" spelled out on the hood of the suspect's car, apparently written with black electrical tape. "Airport police and operations have inspected the south airfield following police activity that briefly closed the south runways," LAX said on Twitter shortly before 7 p.m. "One south runway has reopened and the other will open shortly. The north runways continued operating normally." A driver was taken into custody after smashing through a fence at Los Angeles International Airport and leading police on a brief chase along a taxiway, authorities said. Video showed the car racing across the tarmac as several police vehicles chased the driver. No injuries were reported. "We have responded with our partners and the situation is being collectively assessed," an FBI spokesperson told ABC7. The incident caused three planes preparing to land to be waived off, but no other flights were impacted. Authorities later said that no federal charges were expected, adding that local police were leading the investigation. No weapons were recovered from the driver. https://abc7.com/lax-police-chase-driver-in-custody-after-smashing-through-fence/10829540/ ICAO likely to conduct India’s aviation safety audit around end of 2021 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of the United Nations is expected to conduct an audit of India’s aviation safety around the end of 2021. This time around, the focus is expected to be on areas such as aircraft airworthiness, aircraft operations, personal training, licencing etc. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of the United Nations is expected to conduct an audit of India’s aviation safety around the end of 2021. This time around, the focus is expected to be on areas such as aircraft airworthiness, aircraft operations, personal training, licencing etc. The last time ICAO conducted this audit for India was in 2017-2018, where one of the main concerns was the licensing of air traffic controllers by Airport Authority of India. As this role now has been taken over by the DGCA, government officials expect an improvement in the ratings. Also, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also expected to conduct an audit of India’s aviation safety system in 2021. https://www.cnbctv18.com/aviation/icao-likely-to-conduct-indias-aviation-safety-audit-around-end-of-2021-9779501.htm The FAA wants the airline industry to fight decades of sexism on airplanes by removing words like 'Cockpit,' 'Airman,' and 'Unmanned' • An FAA committee released a report recommending airlines shift to gender neutral language. • The group recommended airlines replace words like "Airman" with "Aviator" to promote inclusivity. • Women have little representation in the industry. 94% of pilots and flight engineers are white men. The airline industry may soon move toward promoting more inclusive language in an effort to increase diversity. On Wednesday, a Federal Aviation Administration advisory committee released a report recommending that airlines shift toward more gender neutral language by removing words like "Airman" and "Cockpit" from their lexicon. The FAA group recommended airlines replace "airman" with "aviator" and "cockpit" with "flight deck." It also said "unmanned aerial system" should become "unscrewed aerial system" or "drone system," to name a few recommendations. "Research shows that the utilization of general-neutral language can lead to a more inclusive environment that draws more people to the industry and helps keep them there," the committee said in its report. The move would mirror changes that other organizations have made to be more inclusive toward women. In 2006, NASA decided that all terminology used in the space program would be gender neutral. The recommendation from the FAA's drone advisory committee comes as a result of a push from the Biden administration for more equity in aviation — an industry that has been primarily dominated by white men. While many women serve as flight attendants, there are very few female or minority pilots and flight engineers. To date, about 94% of airline pilots and flight engineers are white men, according to data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics. By bringing more female representation into the industry, airlines could help combat a shortage of pilots that threatens to halt a post pandemic boom in travel. Though, gender neutral terminology will not target the lack of minority representation in the industry. The new terminology is one step toward addressing decades of sexism in the aviation industry In the past, the industry has benefited from the sexualization of women. In the 1950s through 1960s, flight attendants — called stewardesses at the time — were hired based on looks and were required to be unmarried, Axios reports. Most flight attendants at the time were forced to retire by the age of 35, according to the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Some airlines became known for their stewardesses and even used them to advertise in the 60s. Braniff International Airways' slogan was "Does your wife know you're flying with us?" While Pan Am asked: "How do you like your stewardesses?" By the 70s, many airlines had flight attendants donning hot pants and go-go boots. National Airlines spent $9.5 million on a 1971 campaign that read "I'm Cheryl. Fly Me." The company later expanded the ads to include "I'm going to fly you as you've never been flown before" and claimed it saw a 23% jump in bookings. In the 80s, the industry began to gradually shift away from stringent physical requirements for flight attendants, as well as the sexual advertising schemes. Though, the Association of Flight Attendants notes women in the industry have continued to struggle with representation, as well as pay — the median annual wage for pilots is nearly double a flight attendant's salary, according to federal data. In the past year, flight attendants have been forced to grapple with another set of issues. In May, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant allegedly lost two teeth after a passenger assaulted her. That month, the FAA said it was seeing a spike of unruly and aggressive behavior on airlines, citing moments when passengers hit, yelled, and shoved flight attendants. Last week, several flight attendants told Insider's Allana Akhtar that they have faced "unprecedented" instances of violence and aggression in-air. https://www.businessinsider.com/faa-recommends-airlines-remove-words-cockpit-airman-for-gender-neutral-2021-6 TSA self-defense course for flight attendants, paused during covid, relaunches amid reports of unruly behavior After a pandemic hiatus, the Transportation Security Administration is relaunching a self-defense training course for flight attendants and pilots that includes suggestions for deterrence and ideas on the most vulnerable places to hit an attacker. The move comes as coronavirus restrictions are waning and airline employees have reported thousands of instances of unruly behavior by passengers this year, ranging from refusals to wear masks to assaults. The voluntary, hands-on training is meant to prepare crew members to handle “potential physical altercations,” according to the TSA. It includes help recognizing suspicious behaviors, gauging the seriousness of incidents and tools for deterring passengers who might become a threat. It also includes techniques for searching cabins for bombs, maneuvers pilots might take to protect the aircraft, defenses against “edged or contact weapons,” and the most effective ways to strike or restrain attackers, according to federal law. A TSA video featuring one of the courses includes flight attendants practicing gouges to the eyes and kicks to the groin. Flight and fight: Attendants learn self-defense in the air “While it is our hope that flight crew members never have need for these tactics, it is critical to everyone’s safety that they be well-prepared to handle situations as they arise,” said Darby LaJoye, the TSA’s top official. With incidents of unruly behavior “on the rise, TSA remains committed to equip flight crews with another tool to keep our skies safe,” the agency said in a statement. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, who has taken the training, said the course should be mandatory rather than voluntary, and taken repeatedly. This training was suspended due to COVID, but it’s time to restart and make the voluntary course compulsory as intended originally by Congress. Thanks to the @TSA Federal Air Marshals who lead these classes. We’re going to need a lot more of you! Watch…https://t.co/A5dcRPPVKM pic.twitter.com/QyO9J9TNtK — Sara Nelson (@FlyingWithSara) June 20, 2021 Given a rise in onboard incidents, Nelson said, the program’s resumption in July “should send a message to the public as well that these events are serious and flight attendants are there to ensure and direct the safety and security of everyone in the plane.” The Federal Aviation Administration last month released details of a December incident that shows the depths of troubles flight crews can face. The agency said a passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight from Honolulu tried to open the cockpit door, then hit a flight attendant in the face and pushed him to the floor. Flight attendants, helped by a customer, restrained the passenger with plastic handcuffs, but the individual slipped a wrist out and hit the Delta employee in the face again, the agency said. The passenger was taken into custody after landing, and the FAA has proposed a $52,500 civil penalty. https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2021/06/24/tsa-self-defense-course/ Fiji Airways Granted Approval for Return of 737 MAX to New Zealand Fiji Airways made a deal for five Boeing 737 MAX aircraft back in 2016 with the first two received in 2018 and early 2019 and the subsequent three due by mid-2019. The MAX aircraft were due to be the new heartbeat for the Fiji Airways fleet, as since 2018, the airline has been slowly getting rid of its older Boeing 737 aircraft to make way for the newer, more fuel-efficient fleet. Unfortunately, following two fatal accidents, the aircraft was grounded globally and it wasn’t until late-2020 when the grounding was gradually lifted worldwide. Having closely worked with regulators for the past two years, Fiji Airways made the announcement in April regarding Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji approval of the changes Boeing had made to the aircraft following the approval given by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ), which are two of the airline’s key destinations in its route network. These approvals came as the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy used the Full Flight Simulator for the 737 MAX for mandatory training for its pilots and technical crew on the newer requirements following the aircraft’s recertification. “Everyone at Fiji Airways, including our pilots and technical crew have complete confidence in the safety of the MAX, given the intense scrutiny, thousands of test flights and necessary upgrades made to the aircraft over numerous months. Safety and care for our customers and staff remain our highest and unrelenting priority,” Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO Andre Viljoen said. One Small Hurdle The airline still needed an all-clear on the safety of the 737 MAX from the CAANZ before it could resume flying to New Zealand using the specific aircraft, as the regulator had placed a condition on the airline in March of 2019 which prevented Fiji Airways from operating the aircraft type into the country. Overseas airlines would require a CAANZ-issued Foreign Air Operators Certificate, which in turn would include a list of approved aircraft types the operator is allowed to fly to the country, before they can fly regularly to New Zealand. The condition came as a direct result of two tragic accidents that occurred in 2018 and 2019, which led to serious safety concerns regarding the 737 MAX aircraft. And as more aviation regulators started placing similar conditions on numerous airlines, the entire global fleet was eventually grounded. To rectify the issue, Seattle-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing had been tirelessly working with various aviation regulators worldwide to input packages of system modifications, adding changes to flight manual procedures and even updating pilot training requirements, which would pave the way for the 737 MAX to return to service for airlines. The efforts seem to have eventually paid off as more airlines — including Fiji Airways — started to accept and gain approvals for the return of the aircraft. Now, more than two years later, following a thorough safety review on the 737 MAX, the CAANZ has given Fiji Airways the approval it needs to resume flying operations to New Zealand using the aircraft in question. Deputy Chief Executive of the CAANZ David Harrison said that the authority has been working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji to ensure the necessary safety improvements have been made for Fiji Airways’ 737 MAX aircraft. “We have thoroughly and independently reviewed the work undertaken by Fiji Airways to bring their 737 MAX aircraft back into service and are confident these aircraft are safe to return to operation,” Harrison said. Although the initial approval only covers two of the five 737 MAX aircraft operated by Fiji Airways, it is still an important stepping stone for all parties involved. The remaining three aircraft will still continue to be subjected to CAANZ’s review before they are allowed to be used in flight operations to New Zealand. https://airlinegeeks.com/2021/06/25/fiji-airways-granted-approval-for-return-of-737-max-to-new-zealand/ Airlines say new UK travel rules cause vacation uncertainty Airlines and holiday providers are expressing frustration with the U.K.’s plans to ease travel restrictions, saying uncertainty about how and when the new rules will be implemented make it difficult for people to book summer vacations LONDON -- Airlines and holiday providers on Friday expressed frustration with the U.K.’s plans to ease travel restrictions, saying uncertainty about how and when the new rules will be implemented make it difficult for people to book summer vacations. The government on Thursday expanded its “green list” of safe travel destinations, allowing people to visit without having to self-isolate for 10 days after returning to Britain. However, all but one of the new additions were also placed on a watchlist, meaning the quarantine requirement may be re-imposed at short notice. Transportation authorities also said they intend to relax travel restrictions by allowing fully vaccinated travelers to visit higher-risk destinations, including the U.S. and most of the European Union, without having to self-isolate. They expect to implement this change “later in the summer.” “The U.K. has already fallen behind the EU’s reopening, and a continued overly cautious approach will further impact economic recovery and the 500,000 U.K. jobs that are at stake,” said Shai Weiss, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, which offers mainly long-haul flights to destinations such as New York, Los Angeles and Barbados. Airlines and hospitality companies have pressured the government to ease travel restrictions imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19 following the U.K.’s successful vaccination program. The pandemic has devastated Britain’s travel industry, with the number of people flying through London’s Heathrow Airport, the nation’s busiest, plunging 73% last year. The government has created a traffic light system to manage the reopening of air travel. Destinations with low levels of COVID-19 and high levels of vaccination are placed on the “green list,” which allows pleasure trips and doesn’t require self-isolation on return to Britain. Only essential travel is permitted to “amber list” countries, but travelers must self-isolate for 10 days when they return home. The government has banned most travel to destinations on the “red list,” and anyone arriving from one of these countries faces a 10-day quarantine in a government-approved hotel at their own expense. The lists are updated every three weeks. The Department for Transport said Thursday night that the expansion of the green list and plans to ease restrictions on fully vaccinated travelers were the result of the successful vaccination program. Almost 61% of U.K. adults are fully vaccinated, and 83% have received at least one dose. But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said caution was still required. “It won’t be quite like it was in 2019 and the old days, but we are moving in a positive direction,” Shapps told Sky News. Public health authorities are concerned about the possibility that travelers may spread potentially more dangerous variants of COVID-19 to the U.K. from countries with low vaccination rates. The delta variant, first identified in India, has already become the dominant version of the virus in Britain. Regardless of U.K. policy, officials in the European Union are considering imposing a quarantine on British travelers because of their concerns about the delta variant which is 40% to 60% more transmissible than previous versions of COVID-19. In minutes released from government meetings earlier this month, experts said the delta variant also may be linked to a higher risk of hospitalization, although “numbers are still small” and there is no evidence the variant is more deadly. Diana Holland, assistant general secretary of the Unite union, said the government needs to change its approach to provide greater certainty for the travel industry and consumers. “The traffic light system is simply not fit for purpose,” she said. “It is impossible for a multibillion-pound industry to make plans for the future when the rug can be pulled from under them every three weeks.” The government on Thursday added more than a dozen countries and territories to its green list, including the popular holiday destinations of Malta, Madeira and the Balearic Islands. All of the destinations except Malta were placed the watch list. The changes, which take effect at 4 a.m. June 30, will expand the green list to 27 countries and territories. The newly added countries are: Malta, Madeira, the Balearic Islands, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica, Barbados and Grenada. Britain also added six countries to the red list, including the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Uganda. That brings the number of countries covered to 56. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/airlines-uk-travel-rules-travel-uncertainty-78484143 How Lightning Detection Networks Increase the Safety and Efficiency of Airport Operations It is crucial that airport lightning-warning systems are able to precisely identify when lightning is in close proximity and ramp closures must be in effect to help airport decision-makers overcome any safety- and efficiency-related challenges. Every year, the world sees about 16 million thunderstorms, and there are nearly 2,000 storms in progress at any given moment worldwide. Given the global frequency of such storms — and lightning being responsible for up to an estimated 24,000 deaths per year globally — it should not come as a surprise that lightning can have a significant impact on the aviation industry. From aircraft damage, avionics interference and engine shutdown to pilot incapacitation, inefficient airport operations and staff safety-related risks, lightning can have a wide range of negative impacts on air travel. Although lightning activity can vary by geographic location, experts estimate that each airplane in the U.S. commercial fleet is struck by lightning every 1,000 hours of flight — or about once per aircraft per year. While the last confirmed commercial plane crash in the U.S. directly attributed to lightning occurred in the ’60s, the threat of lightning can still bring airport operations to a grinding halt — and put safety at risk. Since lightning is a grave threat to airport ground operations personnel, lightning-related delays can have a costly impact locally as well as across the global National Airspace System. In fact, the estimated cost for each minute airport operations are delayed is roughly $12,000, and just a 10-minute improvement in addressing lightning delays at one of the most at-risk airports for lightning in the U.S. can result potential savings of $6.2 million annually. That is why it is crucial that airport lightning-warning systems are able to precisely identify when lightning is in close proximity and ramp closures must be in effect to help airport decision-makers overcome any safety- and efficiency-related challenges. When it’s your job to maintain safety, efficiency and on-time departures, every minute counts because lightning can undeniably have an outsized impact on uptime, safety, sustainability and overall operations. In order to maintain scheduled operations and keep staff and travelers safe, decision-makers require precise and timely lightning information in order to plan ahead, quickly react to changing circumstances and ultimately reduce disruptive delays. Lightning-Related Challenges Impacting Daily Operations and Personal Safety Whether handling baggage, serving food, refueling, tugging and guiding aircraft to and from gates, or maintaining airport grounds, lightning strikes can cause serious injuries or death to airport personnel. In addition to the personal danger facing airport ground operations staff, travelers face lightning-related safety risks too. When there is no jet bridge available, passengers have to exit the plane out onto the open tarmac and make their way to the terminal, risking exposure as they make their way inside the airport. Complicating matters further, jet bridges are unsafe during lightning events, and most major airlines will not allow passengers to exit the plane through the jet bridge when there is lightning nearby. Entirely too many airports struggle to effectively monitor for lightning. While some smaller airports only use audible thunder as an indicator of the presence of nearby lightning, most major airports utilize single-point sensors, which deliver information surrounding the direction of the storm and the storm’s distance to the airport, on their automatic weather stations. These sensors, however, do not communicate a storm’s exact location nor do they classify whether a stroke remains in the cloud or moves from the cloud to the ground. Finally, uncertainty and lack of standardization are significant challenges when looking at safety and efficiency of operations. From inaccurate lightning information to disparate established organizational safety procedures and human factors, a wide range of uncertainties are involved in the ramp closure decision-making process. Currently, there is no centralized guidance for an airport in the United States, which yields situations in which airport decision-makers utilize lightning information obtained from different sources, and there can be significant accuracy differences in determining the location, number and type of lightning detected. Warning criteria requires serious consideration, including time to notify ground staff, time to safely stop operations and time to get to safety. Typically, ramps are closed in response to a first lightning strike within a critical distance of the airport and waiting a defined amount of time following the last strike until it is again deemed safe to resume outdoor operations. In “Balancing Safety and Efficiency of Airport Operations under Lightning Threats,” Dr. Matthias Steiner notes that the “primary source of uncertainty is related to the critical distance (from the terminal area where people work outdoors) and timing (i.e., waiting period after the last lightning strike) criteria.” For example, at the same airport, decision-maker 1 might close the ramp if lightning occurs within a critical distance of five miles and wait 15 minutes after the last lightning strike within that distance before resuming outdoor work. Decision-maker 2, on the other hand, might employ a critical distance of three miles and waiting period of just six minutes. Without a comprehensive lightning detection network, balancing minimized operational downtime with maximized safety remains a difficult task. How Real-Time Lightning Detection and Data Mitigates Risk and Improves Safety With lightning season now in full force, having reliable storm and lightning information with unmatched efficiency and location accuracy is not only essential but possible with a comprehensive lightning detection network in place. By providing comprehensive, reliable data, including detecting both in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning, lightning detection networks can be used to trigger lightning warnings that keep airport and airline staff and passengers safe while ensuring operations run at optimal efficiency. Comprehensive lightning detection networks that leverage satellite and sensor technologies can estimate the development of approaching storms, as well as overhead accumulation and dispersion. Even though storms that develop directly above an airport are not common, they can also be significantly more dangerous and require instant warning of an immediate safety threat. A high-quality network of lightning sensors can detect lightning in the area around and directly above airports, providing operational decision-makers with adequate time to stop operations and get to a safe location. Current state-of-the-art sensors use a combination of magnetic direction finding and time-of-arrival techniques to deliver superior detection efficiency, optimal location accuracy and system redundancy. As a result, such lightning detection networks deliver significantly greater accuracy, capturing more of the real-time lightning data required for effective early alerts, lightning reports, and accurate risk modeling, policy planning and incident investigations. With this accurate and trusted information, airport decision-makers will know each type of lightning, its intensity and frequency, storm speed and direction, and when the storm is clear of their location. Trusted by airports around the globe, Vaisala’s National Lightning Detection Network and Global Lightning Dataset GLD360 network excel at detection efficiency. GLD360 detects over two billion lightning events per year, while more than 95% of all cloud-to-ground flashes are detected by NLDN, as are more than 70% of the cloud-to-ground strokes that make up the flashes. As a result, networks like GLD360 and NLDN can help eliminate costly false alarms and lower the impact of unnecessary delays. Formulating an effective organizational safety procedure is next to impossible when reliable and timely thunderstorm information is not readily available. The more precise a lightning data set is, the more accurate airport stakeholders can be in making safety- and efficiency-centric decisions. Without reliable lightning information, decision-makers could begin closing ramps too early, close them for too long or miss storms entirely. Employing a global sensor network provides airport authorities with the information they need to increase safety, maximize the efficiency of operations and minimize downtime. Ronald Holle is a senior scientist and has worked extensively in meteorological education issues, particularly those relating to lightning safety and the demographics of lightning victims. Prior to joining Vaisala, he worked with the NOAA Research Laboratories for 38 years. He is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, and a member of the Executive Committee of the African Centres for Lightning & Electromagnetics Network, a pan-African network of centers dedicated to decreasing deaths, injuries and property damage from lightning. https://www.aviationpros.com/tools-equipment/safety-equipment/article/21227812/how-lightning-detection-networks-increase-the-safety-and-efficiency-of-airport-operations San Diego International Airport to Run on 100% Renewable Energy San Diego International Airport (SAN) will soon be running off of 100% renewable energy. San Diego Community Power (SDCP) recently announced it will provide 100% renewable, 100% carbon-free energy to SAN. The airport served 25 million passengers in 2019, making it the busiest single-runway commercial airport in the United States. The Airport Authority instituted one of the first sustainability policies for a major airport in the United States and is committed to building and operating SAN in a manner that promotes the region’s prosperity and protects its quality of life. Along with airports, airlines have also begun the push toward more eco-friendly choices, especially when it comes to fuel. Last year, JetBlue reported achieving carbon neutrality for all domestic flights, becoming the first major US airline to hit that milestone. The airline credits carbon offsetting and switching to sustainable aviation fuel in making the difference. Their carbon reduction strategy is focused on reducing emissions through efforts such as investing in fuel-saving technologies and aircraft, and advocating for a more fuel-efficient air traffic control system, according to the airline. And last month, Phillips 66 and Southwest Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel, focusing on public awareness, along with research and development. The memorandum of understanding also sets the framework to explore a future supply agreement involving Phillips 66’s Rodeo Renewed project in California and highlights the commitment by both companies to a sustainable energy future. https://www.environmentalleader.com/2021/06/san-diego-international-airport-to-run-on-100-renewable-energy/ Who is the mystery buyer of Airbus C295 aircraft? The C295 is already in service with a number of other Southeast Asian air forces, namely those of Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. MELBOURNE, Australia — Airbus is selling its C295 tactical airlifter to a mystery Southeast Asian customer and is fulfilling a follow-on order for Thailand, the company announced Monday. The European aircraft manufacturer announced the sale of an additional C295 to Thailand for its Army. The aircraft will be delivered in 2023, outfitted in a utility transport configuration, although no contract values were disclosed in the announcement for either buy. The announcement also mentioned a recent sale of three aircraft to an “undisclosed military customer in the region.” Johan Pelissier, the head of Airbus Defence and Space’s Asia-Pacific business activity, said that “the C295 is gaining popularity in Asia-Pacific due to its modularity, maneuverability and endurance capability,” adding that “the low cost of operation compared to any other platform of its class makes it a good prospect for the militaries.” Industry sources tell Defense News that in this case, the “Asia-Pacific” region refers specifically to Southeast Asia instead of the wider geographic region. The sources added that the unnamed customer has never before operated the C295, narrowing the mystery buyer to Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. It’s unlikely either of those last three is the customer because they are more aligned with Russia or China than Western countries. That means the first three remain as likely candidates, although Malaysia is unlikely to request such a level of secrecy. The country’s arms purchases tend to be publicized for domestic political mileage, although the actual purchases themselves do not happen often due to fiscal constraints. Transport aircraft are also not a modernization priority for Malaysia, which has taken delivery of four Airbus A400M airlifters between 2015 and 2017. Brunei, on the other hand, has long sought improved airlift capability. The country requested permission to acquire a Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules airlifter, which the U.S. State Department approved in 2014. However, the country never signed a contract, which would have added to the sole CASA/IPTN CN-235 transport it already operates. Meanwhile, the Republic of Singapore Air Force has four Fokker 50 light transports and 10 C-130B/H airlifters. It previously considered replacing the five Fokker 50 maritime patrol aircraft that serve alongside the transports in 2015, but it eventually opted to upgrade its onboard systems instead. Singapore had also said it will continue to operate its C-130s despite its four aging “B” models, which were acquired secondhand from the United States and Jordan in the 1970s, already more than 60 years old. The C295 is already in service with a number of other Southeast Asian air forces, namely those of Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Another 28 air forces operate the type or have it on order, including Canada, Egypt and Spain. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2021/06/24/who-is-the-mystery-buyer-of-airbus-c295-aircraft/ Jet Airways’ Restart Faces Headwinds Center for Aviation’s (CAPA) June 24 India Outlook brought bad tidings for airlines on the subcontinent as the forecast predicted the sector will not likely return to profitability until after 2023. For still grounded Jet Airways, which received clearance to launch operations by the National Company Law Tribunal on June 22, the planned restart appears fraught with uncertainty. In October last year, a consortium led by UK-based asset management Kalrock Capital and UAE-based businessman Murari Lal Jalan won the bid for the airline. The decision to revive Jet Airways comes as Indian airlines struggle to barely survive by slashing fares aggressively. CAPA projects that Indian airlines will lose $4 billion this year and $4.1 billion next year. In 2022, airlines will lose $47 per passenger compared with $11 in 2020. “How will a ‘new’ entrant like Jet sustain itself? Working capital needed to fund losses will be immense,” a senior airline official told AIN. “Even if they surmount hurdles, putting deposits on aircraft, hiring people, and more, the first six months will be critical. They can’t expect a quick ramp-up of loads. But if you cancel, reliability suffers.” The possibility of a third wave of Covid-19 infection carries further financial risks. “Indian airlines have the highest cost structure and lowest fares,” said CAPA India and Middle East CEO Kapil Kaul. “Airlines will require over $5 billion of recapitalization just to survive the impact of the two Covid waves. It would have been better to liquidate Jet Airways.” Rohit Tomar, managing director of Caladrius Aero Consulting, agreed. “The time is not right to launch an airline,” he said. “Passenger traffic is down and Jet cannot compete with Tata-SIA-owned Vistara, which has set standards of a full-service carrier. Also, [Jet enjoys] no economies of scale that its competitors have. The possibility of Jet surviving in the next five years is remote.” The consortium has said it will put into service about 20 narrowbodies, inducted in phases starting mid-2022. According to CAPA, airlines will face higher expenditures in 2022 as fuel costs touch around $100 and the Indian rupee further depreciates. The consortium is also negotiating terms over the acquisition of three Airbus A330 freighters. Unfortunately, cargo revenue tonne kilometers among Indian airlines have fallen 50 percent compared with pre-Covid levels and IndiGo and SpiceJet remain entrenched in the sector. “Cargo yields have been very good overall for the past 12 months,” noted IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta. “But at this point, they seem to be flattening a little.” https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2021-06-24/jet-airways-restart-faces-headwinds Virgin Galactic gets the green light from the FAA to fly passengers to space • Virgin Galactic announced on Friday that the Federal Aviation Administration granted the company the license it needs to fly passengers on future spaceflights. • “The commercial license that we have had in place since 2016 remains in place, but is now cleared to allow us to carry commercial passengers when we’re ready to do so,” Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier told CNBC. • The company cleared the final two FAA milestones of that program with its spaceflight test last month. Virgin Galactic Virgin Galactic announced on Friday that the Federal Aviation Administration granted the company the license it needs to fly passengers on future spaceflights, a key hurdle as the venture completes development testing. “The commercial license that we have had in place since 2016 remains in place, but is now cleared to allow us to carry commercial passengers when we’re ready to do so,” Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier told CNBC. “This is obviously an exciting milestone and a huge compliment to the team.” While the FAA previously gave Virgin Galactic a launch license to conduct spaceflights, the license expansion allows the company to fly what the regulator calls “spaceflight participants.” The company completed a 29 element verification and validation program for the FAA, clearing the final two FAA milestones with its most recent spaceflight test in May. Colglazier noted the two last milestones were specific to the spacecraft’s flight control systems and inertial navigation systems. Virgin Galactic’s stock rose above $40 a share this week, after a tumultuous start to the year. Shares climbed above $60 in February and then slid to a low near $15 last month before rebounding. Notably, Virgin Galactic chief astronaut trainer Beth Moses is the only non-pilot to fly on one of the company’s spaceflights. To date, five Virgin Galactic employees, including four pilots, have become FAA-recognized astronauts – as the U.S. officially views an altitude of 80 kilometers (or about 50 miles) as the boundary to space. Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft Unity is designed to hold up to six passengers along with the two pilots. The company has about 600 reservations for tickets on future flights, sold at prices between $200,000 and $250,000 each. Next spaceflights TBD With three spaceflights tests completed to date over the last two years, Virgin Galactic now has three more spaceflight tests planned before it completes development. The company previously announced its next spaceflight would carry four passengers to test the spacecraft’s cabin, its second would fly founder Sir Richard Branson and the third will carry members of the Italian Air Force for professional astronaut training. Virgin Galactic However, a report earlier this month by a blogger based in Mojave, California – where Virgin Galactic manufactures its vehicles – said the company is considering reorganizing its flight schedule to launch Branson next over the July 4 weekend. The report came shortly after Jeff Bezos announced he would fly on Blue Origin’s first passenger spaceflight, planned to launch on July 20 – suggesting Branson may yet try to beat Bezos to personally flying to space. Colglazier said the FAA approval means “the flight test program shifts now” to demonstrating “the cabin experience” of the spacecraft. “I know there’s a lot of interest and speculation out there but we have not announced either the date nor the people that would be on those,” Colglazier said. “We approach this very methodically, with safety as the first consideration, and when we have all those boxes checked and all the steps in place – that’s when we can move forward and announce.” Development delays have pushed back the company’s promised beginning of commercial service from mid-2020 to early 2022. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/25/virgin-galactic-receives-faa-license-to-fly-passengers-to-space.html China wants to up the ante on the space race with a 'sky ladder' to Mars that can beam humans and cargo up in a capsule • China is looking to put a crew on Mars by 2033, and part of the process of getting there might just involve a "sky ladder" made of carbon nanotubes. • China is turning up the heat on its space race with the US. The head of the country's top rocket manufacturing company said China will send a crew to Mars by 2033. Also in the works is a "sky ladder" that can shoot humans and cargo into space in a capsule. The space race between the US and China is heating up, and the Chinese are bringing something new to the table - a "sky ladder." According to Chinese state-owned media Global Times, Wang Xiaojun, the head of the country's top rocket manufacturer, announced this week that China is not only looking to putting a man on Mars by 2033 - it's also working on the "sky ladder," a delivery system made of carbon nanotubes (strong, miniscule carbon atom filaments) that can beam humans and cargo up to space stations for what it claims will be just 4% of the current cost. Wang, who leads the state-owned China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, did not elaborate on the specifics of how this "sky ladder" all the way to Mars will work, but noted that it would be a starting point for future space voyages and transport missions to the red planet. Xinhua News posted a video earlier this year that modeled how the system could potentially function for journeys to the moon. In the video, a capsule is seen being propelled from Earth to a Chinese space station, then leapfrogging its way to another space station before reaching a lunar landing pad. Chinese crewed missions to Mars will involve five expeditions in 2033, 2035, 2037, 2041, and 2043, per a report from Chinese media outlet Sina News. The announcement of these missions follows China's success with deploying a rover on Mars this year, and its launch this month of three taikonauts to its space station. NASA is currently working on sending a crew to Mars in the 2030s. https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-wants-ante-space-race-083701342.html Curt Lewis