Flight Safety Information - August 23, 2023 No. 163   In This Issue : Incident: Delta A359 near Gander on Aug 18th 2023, electrical odour in cabin : Incident: Swiss A333 at Zurich on Aug 22nd 2023, odour in cockpit : Incident: ASL Ireland A306 near Milan on Aug 18th 2023, smoke in cabin : Aviation safety to benefit from Risk-Based IOSA : A near miss in the traffic pattern : General Aviation Accident Bulletin, August 21, 2023 : Close Calls and the New York Times: What You Need to Know : FAA announces millions in airport funding to tackle near collisions : Annual conference refines military and civilian aviation safety : “REVOLUTIONIZING AVIATION SAFETY: EASA AWARDS BLOCKCHAIN RESEARCH PROJECT TO FPT SOFTWARE EUROPE” : FOCUS-US airline pilots fight their unions to increase retirement age Incident: Delta A359 near Gander on Aug 18th 2023, electrical odour in cabin A Delta Airlines Airbus A350-900, registration N576DZ performing flight DL-176 from Atlanta,GA (USA) to Dublin (Ireland) with 339 passengers and 14 crew, was enroute at FL390 about 230nm southsouthwest of Gander,NL (Canada) when a flight attendant noticed an electrical odour in the aft galley. The crew contacted dispatch and maintenance to assist with identifying the source of the odour and decided to divert to Gander, where the aircraft landed safely about 45 minutes later. A replacement A350-900 registration N573DZ positioned to Gander and continued the flight arriving in Dublin with a delay of about 14 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Gander for 38 hours then positioned back to Atlanta. The Canadian TSB reported maintenance found the aft galley inline heater malfunctioning, it was deactivated and the aircraft released to service under minimum equipment list r https://avherald.com/h?article=50d5c43e&opt=0 Incident: Swiss A333 at Zurich on Aug 22nd 2023, odour in cockpit A Swiss International Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration HB-JHC performing flight LX-18 from Zurich (Switzerland) to Newark,NJ (USA), was climbing out of Zurich's runway 16 when the crew stopped the climb at FL080 reporting a "strange odour" in the cockpit. The aircraft returned to Zurich for a safe landing on runway 16 about 40 minutes after departure. While taxiing to the apron attending emergency services reported the left main gear emitting smoke, the aircraft stopped, emergency services cooled the left brakes/left main gear, the aircraft was subsequently towed to the apron. https://avherald.com/h?article=50d5c179&opt=0 Incident: ASL Ireland A306 near Milan on Aug 18th 2023, smoke in cabin An ASL Airlines Ireland Airbus A300-600 freighter on behalf of EAT Leipzig, registration EI-DGU performing flight QY-7859 from Pisa (Italy) to Leipzig (Germany), was climbing out of Pisa when the crew stopped the climb at FL220 reporting smoke in the cockpit, they also had dry ice on board. The aircraft diverted to Milan Bergamo for a safe landing on runway 28 about 15 minutes after leaving FL220. The aircraft remained on the ground in Bergamo for about 45 hours, then continued the flight to Leipzig. https://avherald.com/h?article=50d5a879&opt=0 Asylon Robotics Flies Multiple Drones Simultaneously In New BVLOS Tests 18 August 2023 Asylon Robotics, a leader in automated security drones and robotics, announced today that it has completed a series of multi-drone flight tests supporting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help define the next set of standards for safe beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. This significant development marks a major milestone in the American-made company’s growth and reflects Asylon’s ongoing commitment to enabling drone operations at scale with their unique full-service drone-in-a-box solution. The FAA program is managed by Anzen Unmanned, a leader in advanced drone safety engineering and approvals. As program lead, Anzen developed the safety requirements, test cases, and validation criteria. They’re also conducting the human factors analysis to evaluate the minimum threshold requirements for safe, complex drone operations like this at scale. The FAA has tasked Anzen with helping define these standards with real-world operational test cases like this as part of their commitment to drone innovation and safety. During the culminating flight testing event of the contract, a single operator in Asylon’s 24/7 remote operations center simultaneously controlled six drones – three of their automated DroneSentry drones and three simulated drones. The simultaneous test flights took place in controlled airspace at Griffiss International Airport with the NUAIR Alliance and at Asylon’s headquarters, located in Norristown, PA. Despite being located in geographically disparate locations, the drones were all controlled by a single operator with Asylon’s cloud-based, open-architecture DroneIQ software. The ability to operate multiple drones simultaneously in controlled airspace adds to what Asylon has achieved to date, including the approval of eight BVLOS waivers for operation at Asylon’s customer sites. These BVLOS waivers and one-to-many drone operations are keys to unlocking the cost and capability advantages that automated security drones can provide when compared to traditional methods like CCTV camera installation or manned guarding. By enabling a single trained operator to simultaneously monitor multiple automated robotic assets, the industry can finally begin to unlock the true return on investment (ROI) that many have been seeking for the last decade. “The results of this flight test validated Asylon’s operational procedures, hardware designs, and software implementations that enable the safe operation of multiple, simultaneous BVLOS drone flights,” said Asylon’s Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Brent McLaughlin. “This is good news not only for Asylon and our clients, but for the broader industry as we work with Anzen Unmanned and the FAA to bring the requirements and lessons learned to the open source community and aviation standards bodies.” Asylon provides advanced security robotics solutions for U.S. commercial enterprises, like GXO Logistics, and the Department of Defense, like Space Force, to create safer places for people and property. By providing customers with the most advanced American-made robotic security technology, Asylon helps to ensure that both government and private-sector companies can protect their people, assets, and profits against threats. Aviation safety to benefit from Risk-Based IOSA Thursday 20th October 2022 Since being introduced nearly 20 years ago as a mandatory requirement for membership in IATA, the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) has had a significant impact on aviation safety. In aggregate, airlines on the IOSA registry outperform their non-IOSA counterparts. For example, in 2021, airlines on the IOSA registry had zero fatal accidents. And their all-accident rate was more than six times better than the rate for non-IOSA airlines (0.45 vs. 2.86). The data is clear and has attracted non-IATA airlines to the scheme. Of the 400 or so carriers on the registry, more than 100 are not IATA members. This track record of success is not being taken for granted, however, and the industry focus is always on getting safer. “Safety is about continuous improvement,” says Mark Searle, IATA’s Global Director of Safety. “There are major advances in aircraft technologies, and a multitude of other factors that have enhanced flight safety. Audit programs must do the same. We cannot stand still.” Accordingly, IOSA is moving from a compliance-based approach to a risk-based approach to auditing. Opportunities to improve A risk-based methodology to safety audits is already utilized by leading aviation authorities, such as the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The aim is to provide a deeper dive into specific areas of risk, thereby providing greater understanding of the issues involved and identifying opportunities to improve. Safety Management Systems highlight the point. The IOSA Standards and Recommended Practices (ISARPs) check that an airline has an SMS in place. Moving to a risk-based approach means going beyond box ticking to evaluate the effectiveness of an SMS in practice. “For example, what if an airline has opened a new route that involves some difficult geography, such as a mountain range close to the destination, that is unlike any other route on the network?” asks Searle. “Risk-Based IOSA would want to understand how new risks, relating to this new operation, were being managed. “It becomes a bespoke audit,” he continues. “Is the airline doing anything differently that has changed its risk profile, and what is it doing about it?” This makes the risk-based approach a more dynamic process. That could provide some initial challenges to airlines, as they adapt to the new methodology, but at the same time it will allow them to get fresh insights into safety issues that wouldn’t have been available by going through the 960-strong IOSA audit checklist. Searle notes that many airlines are looking for this deeper dive to help them derive greater value from the IOSA process, given the investment in time and resources that IOSA entails. What happens next? There will be a phased approach to introducing the new look IOSA, and five trials of the new process are underway. In 2023, the plan is for 20 official, risk-based audits, which will allow the capabilities needed to perform the audit to be ramped up. Some 100 risk-based audits will follow in 2024 and the transformation will come into full effect in 2025. IATA will act as the guardian of the program and begin to contract auditors directly. Bringing the auditing function in-house will help ensure consistency, through greater auditor standardization, even as each audit differs somewhat depending on the individual airline’s risk factors. And though IOSA audits run on a strict bi-annual basis, the risk-based approach makes a variable audit cycle possible in the future. That could mean airlines need to dedicate less time and fewer resources to an audit, saving cost. How regulators evaluate or use IOSA in their own safety programs will also need to adapt. “The relationship with the regulatory authorities will be key,” admits Searle. “Risk-based oversight can be hard for some governments to understand. But we know that the US Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency support this approach.” The Memorandum of Understandings that IATA has with countries concerning IOSA will be updated to reflect the new risk-based methodology. “It is right that we come out of the pandemic with a determination to keep safety at the top of every airline agenda,” says Searle. “Risk-Based IOSA is a great opportunity moving forward and evolves the industry’s unwavering commitment to keeping everybody safe.” By General Aviation News Staff August 22, 2023 Picture of the Day: Coming straight at us Richard Medley submitted this photo and note: "Flying around Kentucky doing instrument training with Brian in a 2021 Cessna 172 based at historic Bowman Field (KLOU), we came across this plane coming straight at us at 2 o’clock. Oh, no worries, it was just our reflection off the clouds." A near miss in the traffic pattern Within 500 feet is a near miss air collision according to the FAA. This bozo needs to learn common sense on go-around procedures regardless if it’s at a towered or uncontrolled airport. May 7, 2023, Reliance, Tenn. Cessna 182Q Skylane At about 1848 Eastern time, the airplane impacted terrain following catastrophic airframe failure. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan had been filed. At 1845:05, the pilot reported getting “bounced around a little bit.” At 1847:29, the airplane was on a southeast heading at 8700 feet MSL and a groundspeed of 132 knots. At 1848:23, ATC asked the pilot, “It looks like you are in a little bit of a descent in a turn—is everything all right?” The pilot did not reply, and there were no further communications received. The airplane was declared missing at 1852. The main wreckage was located the following morning. The separated right wing came to rest about 4200 feet south-southwest from the main wreckage; the left wing was recovered by local law enforcement; its location was not specified. The separated aft empennage was located about 415 feet south-southwest from the main wreckage. It was missing nearly its full span of right horizontal stabilizer, rudder counterweight and left elevator counterweight. The airplane was equipped with a whole airframe parachute system installed under a supplemental type certificate. The rocket was discharged, but the parachute was not located. Close Calls and the New York Times: What You Need to Know Monday, August 21, 2023 Note: See graphics and photos in the original article. The U.S. aviation system is the safest in the world, but one close call is one too many. The FAA and the aviation community are pursuing a goal of zero serious close calls, a commitment from the Safety Summit in March. The same approach virtually eliminated the risk of fatalities aboard U.S. commercial airlines. Since 2009, U.S. carriers have transported more than the world’s population with no fatal crashes. Multiple layers of safety protect the traveling public, including: Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems on commercial aircraft, surface safety technology at the country's biggest airports, and robust procedures. Air traffic controllers and pilots all play critical roles. The FAA maintains extremely conservative standards for keeping aircraft safely separated. Safety experts follow up on all events — even those in which no collision was imminent or even possible — and evaluate them for safety risks. The agency publishes this information on our website, updating it as new information becomes available. In addition, the agency has hired 1,500 controllers for FY2023. This is in addition to the more than 2,600 controllers that are at various levels of training at air traffic facilities across the country. We welcome scrutiny and look forward to the recommendations from the FAA’s independent Safety Review Team this fall. Tracking the Data The data in the below chart shows that the number and rate of runway incursions are steadily declining since the pandemic. Runway incursions vary greatly in type, source, and severity. Cause of runway incursions for CY2023: • 60% are Pilot Deviations • 20% are Operational Incidents • 20% are Vehicle/Pedestrian deviations You can stay updated on runway incursion data and the latest steps the FAA is taking on our call to action page. Taking Action The FAA is taking action. Since March we have: 1. Issued a safety alert to ensure operations are conducted at the highest level of safety, including changes to procedures or training. 2. Announced steps the agency’s Air Traffic Organization will take to ensure supervisors devote their full attention to the operation and airfield during peak traffic. 3. Formed Independent Aviation Safety Review Team 4. Invested over $100M to reduce runway incursions at 12 airports 5. Launched Controller “Stand Up for Safety” Campaign 6. Began the search for the new surface situational awareness tool Runway Safety Planning and Mitigation Air traffic control facilities host annual Runway Safety Action Team meetings, where all users of that airport (pilots, controllers, vehicle drivers) come together and discuss any incidents, safety concerns and solutions. These meetings are the primary forum for pinpointing and addressing airport-specific risk in the surface environment. The product of the meeting is a Runway Safety Action Plan where stakeholders document and agree to pursue specific actions to improve surface safety. After analyzing years of national runway incursion data, we initiated a comprehensive multi-year Runway Incursion Mitigation (RIM) program to identify, prioritize, and develop strategies to help airport sponsors mitigate risk. To learn more, read about the FAA’s runway safety program and runway safety fact sheet. FAA announces millions in airport funding to tackle near collisions Share Updated: 9:51 AM EDT Aug 23, 2023 d Pete Muntean, CNN Play Video Privacy Notice Safety watchdogs call it a runaway problem on America’s runways that could end in tragedy – the near collisions of commercial aircraft. Now, the federal government is funding millions of dollars in airport construction projects to help address the issue. The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday that $121 million from agency grants and from a 2021 infrastructure law will be doled out to eight airports from Florida to Alaska. This comes three months after the FAA announced $100 million in similar funding for a dozen other airports. The largest outlay in the latest round of funding is $44.9 million “to simplify the airport layout” at Boston Logan International Airport, the FAA said. Logan is where a collision was narrowly avoided this year. In February, a JetBlue flight was 30 feet from touching down on the airport’s runway 4 Left when a Learjet operated by a charter company took off in front of the airliner from an intersecting runway. An air traffic controller told JetBlue’s crew to abort the landing, and the JetBlue pilot climbed the plane to safety, the FAA said. Flight attendant injured when ‘evasive action’ was taken to avoid collision in the air, FAA says The probable cause of the incident was the Learjet crew “taking off without a takeoff clearance” from air traffic control, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a final report released this month. “In some cases the best way to address safety risks is modifying or reconfiguring existing airfields,” Shannetta Griffin, the FAA’s associate administrator for airports, said. “These grants directly address those situations.” The NTSB is investigating seven runway incursions involving commercial airliners since the start of this year, the board says. The FAA’s announcement follows a Monday New York Times report that found the number of near collisions involving airliners is higher than previously disclosed. Other airports receiving the latest funding are Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska; Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia; Willow Run Airport in Michigan; Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport in Ohio; Richmond International Airport in Virginia; Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming; and Naples International Airport in Florida. Annual conference refines military and civilian aviation safety • Published Aug. 17, 2023 • By Tech. Sgt. Jonathan McCallum • 492d Special Operations Wing DESTIN, Fla. -- The 492d Special Operations Wing safety office organized the annual Mid-Air Collision Avoidance conference at Destin Executive Airport in Destin, Florida, August 10, 2023. This year’s MACA conference brought together the 96th Test Wing from Eglin Air Force Base, the 919th Special Operations Wing from Duke Field, the 1st Special Operations Wing and 492nd SOW from Hurlburt Field. Planners refined the event to extend outreach to several civilian airports within the Eglin AFB range of operations, covering the world's largest U.S. military airspace range. Civilian pilots that fly out of multiple airfields within the range received an integrated brief from the MACA safety team, Federal Aviation Administration officials, and local air traffic controllers. “A lot of the (civilian) pilots around here have been flying for several years and know the military airspace,” said Ray Mansfield, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety education and training team volunteer. “They don't always know the changes that occur every year, but this meeting tells us what aircraft are there and what’s going on.” Major Brent Dillard, 492nd Special Operations Wing safety officer, speaks to attendees of an annual Mid-Air Collision Avoidance conference in Destin, Florida, August 10, 2023. The MACA conference brings together aircraft safety representees from area bases with civilian in general aviation to refine safety in dedication to safe flying for all. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jonathan McCallum) PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES This annual event aims to bolster the knowledge of general aviation aircrew about operating in and around the military airspace from fields like the Destin Executive Airport and the surrounding area. Every branch of the U.S. military conducts aircraft training in this local area at times. Attendees benefit by gaining an understanding of military aircraft types they may encounter, insights from Air Traffic Control officials and lessons learned from the previous year. Civilian pilots attending the event learn more about the functions and procedures of this unique airspace over the bases in the Florida Panhandle.“What makes it unique here is the total mixture of airfields,” said Eric Zimmerman, chief of airspace management mission planning at Eglin AFB. “You have everything from Hurlburt’s combat type aircraft to Eglin’s fighters, the fast movers, and then we're mixing that with civilian air traffic like here at the Destin airport.” The joint participation raises safety awareness and fosters stronger bonds with the wider area aviation community. Education and awareness learned in the conference also results in stronger cooperation between bases using the shared airspace and operating environment. While existing safety agreements are in place across the wings at Duke, Eglin, and Hurlburt, this collective effort significantly strengthens wing and Air Force safety relationships. Mr. Ray Mansfield, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety education and training team volunteer, speaks to attendees of the Mid-Air Collision Avoidance conference at Destin Executive Airport in Destin, Florida, August 10, 2023. The annual event brings together safety experts from local bases with civilian general aviation pilots to raise safety awareness and foster stronger bonds with the wider area aviation community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jonahtan McCallum) PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES “Public outreach and conversation with the general aviation community about past experiences promotes a mutual exchange for military and civilian aviators, enhancing airspace safety for all,” said Major Brent Dillard, 492nd SOW flight safety officer. “We're pleased with this year's achievements and look forward to growth in next year's event.” This annual alliance with civilian partners achieves safer skies and fosters a commitment to shared airspace safety. The collaboration solidifies and strengthens the backbone of military air power and general aviation, in dedication to safe flying experiences for all. “REVOLUTIONIZING AVIATION SAFETY: EASA AWARDS BLOCKCHAIN RESEARCH PROJECT TO FPT SOFTWARE EUROPE” Aug 22, 2023 by Steven Miller The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has awarded a research project to FPT Software Europe to assess the use of blockchain technologies for managing approved aircraft parts and components. The project, called VIRTUA, involves collaboration with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SkyThread, and PwC France, and aims to evaluate how blockchain can improve safety management processes in the aviation industry. INTRODUCTION The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has chosen FPT Software Europe to conduct a research project on assessing the use of blockchain technologies for managing approved aircraft parts and components. This project, called VIRTUA, involves a collaboration between FPT Software, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SkyThread, and PwC France. The goal of the project is to evaluate the potential benefits of blockchain implementation in improving safety management processes used by aviation authorities, operators, and other industry stakeholders. MAIN POINTS The VIRTUA project will assess the benefits and constraints of implementing blockchain technology for managing aircraft parts and components. It will explore different types of blockchains and their use cases in the lifecycle of approved parts and components. If the benefits are confirmed, the project will also assess the necessary changes in regulations, standards, and working processes. The project aims to provide guidelines and supporting materials for regulatory evolutions and the deployment of blockchain solutions.IATA’s Senior VP of Operations, Safety, and Security, Nick Careen, believes that implementing blockchain technology for managing approved aircraft parts and components could impact the entire lifecycle of certificates. He is confident that the VIRTUA project will provide valuable insights into how blockchain solutions can address this issue. Inigo Arsuaga, FPT Software’s Aviation Digital Transformation Expert, sees blockchain as a technology that can enhance efficiency, simplify transactions, and improve safety in the aviation industry. He expects the VIRTUA project to provide a roadmap for successful blockchain implementation in the sector. CONCLUSION The VIRTUA project, led by FPT Software Europe, aims to assess the potential benefits of implementing blockchain technology for managing approved aircraft parts and components. Collaborating with IATA, SkyThread, and PwC France, the project will evaluate different types of blockchains and their use cases. If the benefits are confirmed, the project will also consider the necessary changes to regulations and standards. The ultimate goal is to improve safety management processes in the aviation industry and promote the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection. FOCUS-US airline pilots fight their unions to increase retirement age Tue, August 22, 2023 at 5:00 AM CDT·5 min read By Rajesh Kumar Singh and Allison Lampert Aug 22 (Reuters) - Bo Ellis has been a devoted member of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) for nearly four decades, but the 64-year-old is waging a campaign against the union to extend his flying career. ALPA and other pilot unions oppose a bill in the U.S. Congress that seeks to raise the retirement age for commercial airline pilots to 67 from 65, arguing it will "introduce new risk" into the aviation system as no safety agency has studied its implications. The measure, however, is estimated to provide 5,000 pilots like Ellis the option to continue working over the next two years, according to the Regional Airline Association (RAA). Increasing the age limit by two years would also align pilot retirement with the minimum federal retirement age, allowing them to receive full social security benefits. Ellis, a head pilot at a U.S. carrier, said senior pilots are "by far much safer" due to experience, accusing ALPA of "politicizing" safety. "My own union is being discriminatory against me," he said. PILOTS LOBBY LAWMAKERS Ellis has co-founded a coalition of thousands of pilots at carriers including Delta, United, American and Southwest Airlines to lobby for the legislation and has contacted over 200 lawmakers. In a statement, ALPA said it "carefully" considered and its elected representatives voted "unanimously" last October to reaffirm its opposition to an "arbitrary change" in the retirement age. "America did not establish the aviation safety gold standard by cutting corners when making significant changes to our complex, global aviation system," ALPA said. Rick Redfern, a Mesa Air pilot who was present at ALPA's October meeting, said the union's board merely approved its strategic plan which contains its position on age. But the specific question of increasing the retirement age to 67 was never brought to the floor for a vote. Two other pilots, present at the meeting, confirmed Redfern's account. Internal emails reviewed by Reuters and interviews with a dozen pilots show members are divided over the age issue. Some of the pilots asked not to have their employers identified due to the risk of losing their jobs. In previously unreported developments, a proposal by Mesa pilots seeking a vote on the age limit is expected to be discussed at ALPA's national executive council in September, said Redfern. ALPA needs to "get the pulse of the community," said Redfern, an ALPA representative for MESA pilots. Similarly, ALPA's unit at United Airlines is polling pilots on the issue for the first time in 16 years. "We are fully aware of the passion raised over the issue," ALPA said in an Aug. 3 memo to United pilots that was seen by Reuters. The measure, expected to be taken up by the U.S. Senate in September after its approval in the House of Representatives last month, can mitigate staffing gaps at carriers that have led to a reduction in air service to more than 300 U.S. airports. "It will provide some much-needed relief," said airline stocks analyst Savanthi Syth of Raymond James. JUNIOR VERSUS SENIOR PILOTS All airline pilots are required to pass medical tests every six months and those older than 40 must undergo ECG heart screening annually. Additionally, all pilots have their skills regularly evaluated in flight simulators to ensure proficiency. Advocates of the measure said advancements in medical science have led to a better understanding of pilot incapacitation. They point to Canada, Japan and Australia, countries with either higher or no age limit for pilots. Also, pilots are allowed to fly corporate and charter jets beyond the age of 65. Take Dan Carr, a former Mesa captain who turned 66 this month and flies business jets. If he was allowed to retire at 67, Carr said he would have never left Mesa. "I feel like I'm at the pinnacle of my ability," he said. Some older pilots want to work longer to benefit from salary increases after enduring economic losses in the coronavirus pandemic during 2020-2021 and various airline bankruptcies. They accused union leaders of pandering to junior pilots, who outnumber senior aviators and fear a higher retirement age would hurt their career progression. "This is a coup by junior pilots against senior pilots," said Allen Baker, who retired as a United Airlines pilot in June. ALPA said its stand on age is the result of a "democratic process" and reflects "the will" of its members. Baker, 65, shared an email with Reuters which he wrote to ALPA leadership at United weeks before his retirement, complaining about a "slander campaign" by junior pilots against senior members like him. Dennis Tajer, a spokesman for American Airlines pilots union, said pilots seeking higher retirement age want to keep earning longer. DIVIDED AIRLINES ALPA said changes to aviation policy should not be done "in the backrooms of Congress or at the behest of moneyed special interests." It has warned the move could cause airline scheduling and pilot training issues, and require reopening pilot contracts as current international rules would still prevent pilots older than 65 from flying internationally. In an interview, ALPA head Jason Ambrosi said the measure would drive up airline costs and ticket prices for customers. He, however, did not provide any specific data to back his argument. Like pilots, airlines are also split. Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle said pilots should be allowed to fly as long as they clear their medical tests, joining the global airline trade group, International Air Transport Association and the RAA, in supporting the legislation. But United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has said lifting the retirement age would not solve the pilot shortage. Last year, he said 36% of the company's pilots aged 64 were out on sick, long-term, or short-term medical leave. Mesa's CEO Jonathan Ornstein said he would love to have pilots like former Mesa employee Carr fly longer. The airline's operations are suffering as it has lost 37% of its captains due to retirement and attrition since early 2022. "If the regulations permitted, I'd take them all back," he said. (Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago and Allison Lampert in Montreal; editing by Ben Klayman and Grant McCool) Curt Lewis