Flight Safety Information - July 23, 2025 No. 146 In This Issue : Incident: Swiss A333 at Zurich on Jul 17th 2025, rejected takeoff on ATC instruction : Incident: Thai Asia A320 at Chongqing on Jul 17th 2025, hail strike : Incident: Indigo A20N at Indore on Jul 21st 2025, hydraulic problem : Aviation Expert Weighs In on Likelihood Fatal Air India Crash Fuel Cut Off Was ‘Intentional Act’ (Exclusive) : AeroMéxico plane nearly lands on top of Delta Air Lines 737 taking off : NTSB: Heavy plane, drag from antlers contributed to crash that killed ex-Rep Mary Peltola's husband : Wild plane brawl breaks out after women won’t stop talking when lights are dimmed : Boeing 737, 787 Jets Get Green Light As Air India Closes Fuel Lock Probe With 'No Issues' : A private company runs the control tower where a B-52 got too close to a passenger jet. It’s more common than you might think : US FAA grants one-year delay for secondary cockpit barrier rule : Delta 767 Pilot Arrested at Stockholm, New York Flight Canceled : Boeing trims pilot demand forecast slightly : Emirates goes on a hiring spree for cabin crew, pilots and ground services staff : Calendar of Events Incident: Swiss A333 at Zurich on Jul 17th 2025, rejected takeoff on ATC instruction A Swiss International Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration HB-JHL perfomring flight LX-154 from Zurich (Switzerland) to Mumbai (India), was cleared for takeoff from runway 16 and was accelerating for takeoff, when tower instructed the crew to "Stop immediately!" The crew rejected takeoff at low speed (about 70 knots over ground), tower informed the crew they had a target abeam their departure path. The crew advised they did not need any assistance but needed to return to the apron for checks. The aircraft vacated the runway via taxiway E5 and returned to the apron. The aircraft was able to depart again about 2:15 hours later and reached Mumbai with a delay of about 2:10 hours. A passenger reported the crew announced an "uncertain traffic situation", they needed to return to the apron to cool their brakes and have maintenance check the aircraft. https://avherald.com/h?article=52aa1377&opt=0 Incident: Thai Asia A320 at Chongqing on Jul 17th 2025, hail strike A Thai AirAsia Airbus A320-200, registration HS-BBA performing flight FD-552 from Bangkok Don Muang (Thailand) to Chongqing (China) with 147 people on board, suffered a hail strike on approach to Chongqing. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Chongqing's runway 20R. The aircraft suffered a cracked left windshield and a dent in the radome. The aircraft returned to service about 28 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52aa0651&opt=0 Incident: Indigo A20N at Indore on Jul 21st 2025, hydraulic problem An Indigo Airbus A320-200N, registration VT-IIR performing flight 6E-813 from Goa to Indore (India) with 140 people on board, was on approach to Indore when the crew reported a hydraulic problem affecting their landing gear. The aircraft aborted the approach and entered a hold before safely landing on runway 25 about 40 minutes later. The aircraft returned to service about 16 hours later. https://avherald.com/h?article=52aa0251&opt=0 Aviation Expert Weighs In on Likelihood Fatal Air India Crash Fuel Cut Off Was ‘Intentional Act’ (Exclusive) A black box recording suggested one of the pilots cut the plane’s fuel flow. PEOPLE spoke to aviation expert Anthony Brickhouse about what that means As new details emerge following the ill-fated Air India crash, investigators are looking at the possibility of the incident being intentional rather than a tragic accident. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had departed for London's Gatwick Airport on June 12 when it crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad approximately 30 seconds after takeoff. While there was one survivor, the remaining 229 passengers and 12 crew members on board died. On July 12, the cause of the crash was stated in a preliminary report published by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which revealed fuel to the aircraft’s engines was cut off shortly before it crashed. The black box recording later suggested the captain of the flight turned off the plane’s fuel switches, as the co-pilot reportedly asked him why the switches were put in the “cutoff” position and seemed panicked, while the captain seemed calm, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. A report by the New York Times indicates the switch was turned back on about 10 seconds later, but it was too late. The Aviation Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) noted in a July 17 statement that “it is too early to reach any definite conclusions.” As the investigation continues, it has not yet been determined whether the incident was intentional or a tragic accident. PEOPLE spoke to U.S.-based aviation expert Anthony Brickhouse — a former professor of aviation safety and accident investigation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University who has been in the industry for the last 28 years — to walk through how a scenario like this could happen. Brickhouse says “the direction that I'm leaning” is the crash was caused by “an intentional act,” based on the evidence that was released in the preliminary report. He notes that if the incident was related to a mechanical malfunction in the Boeing 787-7 Dreamliner, then an industry-wide safety notice would have been released by now. “I think the fact that nothing has come out in terms of a service bulletin or a specific warning is key," he says. “If you come across something that is a threat to safety, you address it immediately. So, the fact that this accident happened over a month ago and I haven't seen any warnings that airlines need to take if they're flying a 787, that's pointing in the direction that the aircraft was in perfectly good operating condition, and we need to look at the pilots and look at their actions.” Following the release of the preliminary report, Air India inspected the locking mechanism of fuel control switches on its entire fleet of Boeing 737s and 787 Dreamliners, and noted that “no issues were found,” according to the Associated Press. The crash was also the first fatal incident involving the 787 Dreamliner, PEOPLE previously reported. While Brickhouse notes that the crash being caused by pilot error “isn't 100% off the table,” the fact that the fuel was cut off shortly after takeoff makes it “highly unlikely” that it was an accident. "There are only certain times when you would cut the fuel flow, and that would be when you're on the ground and the flight is over,” he says. “There's really no reason at all in flight for fuel flow to be cut to the engines because once the engines lose power, that's it. You're a glider at that point.” He adds that one of the pilots cutting the fuel flow is “something that could be done” as it’s a mere “couple of motions that you have to take to do it.” However, there would be immediate warning signs that something was wrong. “You would get alarms. In an aircraft as advanced as a 787, you'd actually get a verbal warning,” he says. “And then as a pilot who flies regularly, when those engines are cut, it's going to be a different feel than what you're used to. So the co-pilot would've had several clues that something was not right.” Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Brickhouse adds that even if one of the pilots realized what had happened and tried to fix the issue, it’s not an easy task to do with turbine engines, which is what larger aircrafts like the Boeing 787 use. “In turbine engines, they have something called spool up,” he explains. “The engines have to get wound up before they can produce thrust. In a situation like that, when you're heavy and you're relatively slow, you don't have time for those engines to spool back up to power. At that point you're going down.” While the details of the tragic incident may create some anxiety for nervous fliers, Brickhouse is adamant that “aviation remains the safest mode of transportation.” “I suspect that investigators who are inside of this know a lot more than what they're telling the general public. I think they're really just trying to answer the question as to why something like this would happen.' https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/aviation-expert-weighs-likelihood-fatal-195118301.html AeroMéxico plane nearly lands on top of Delta Air Lines 737 taking off Two planes nearly collided on the runway in Mexico City on Monday, as an AeroMéxico regional jet coming in for landing flew over and touched down in front of a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 jet already beginning to take off. Delta Flight 590 was starting to roll down the runway at Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez with 144 customers and six crew members on board when the pilots saw another plane land directly in front of it, the airline said in a statement. Flight tracking website Flightradar 24 shows AeroMéxico Connect flight 1631, an Embraer 190 regional jet, flew less than 200 feet over the moving Delta plane then landed in front of them on runway 5R. The pilots stopped the takeoff and returned to the terminal. The plane eventually took off on its flight to Atlanta about three hours late. Delta said it reported the incident to Mexican aviation authorities, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board in the United States. “Delta will fully cooperate with authorities as the circumstances around this flight are investigated,” the airline said in a statement. “We appreciate the flight crew’s actions to maintain situational awareness and act quickly – part of Delta’s extensive training.” AeroMéxico and the Mexican civil aviation authority did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment. Mexico’s aviation safety rating was downgraded by the FAA in May 2021 for non-compliance with minimum international safety standards. The top level “category one” status was restored in September of 2023 after, “the FAA provided expertise and resources via technical assistance… to resolve the safety issues that led to the downgrade,” the agency said at the time. https://www.yahoo.com/news/aerom-xico-plane-nearly-lands-184850442.html NTSB: Heavy plane, drag from antlers contributed to crash that killed ex-Rep Mary Peltola's husband JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A small plane that crashed in 2023 while carrying moose meat for hunters in remote western Alaska, killing the husband of former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, was overweight for takeoff and encountered drag from a set of antlers mounted outside, federal investigators said in a report released Tuesday. The National Transportation Safety Board, in its final report on the crash that killed Eugene Peltola Jr., who was the only person on board the aircraft, listed several factors among its probable cause findings. They included decisions by Peltola to fly the plane above its maximum takeoff weight and affix a set of moose antlers on the right wing strut that caused a drag, along with turbulent flight conditions in the area. Downdrafts, “along with the overweight airplane and the added drag and lateral weight imbalance caused by the antlers on the right wing, would likely have resulted in the airplane having insufficient power and/or control authority to maneuver above terrain,” the report states. The Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub crashed Sept. 12, 2023, northeast of the small western Alaska community of St. Mary’s. Peltola had days earlier taken five hunters, a guide and equipment from the community of Holy Cross to an airstrip at St. Mary's. The group set up camp next to the runway, which was near hilly terrain and about 70 miles (113 kilometers) northwest of Holy Cross, the agency said. The day before the crash, the group got a moose and made plans with Peltola, via satellite messaging devices, for him to transport the meat, the NTSB said. On the day of the crash, Peltola had already picked up a load of meat and had returned for another. He did not use scales to weigh the cargo, the agency said. Two hunters were at the site when the crash occurred and provided aid to Peltola, the agency previously reported. Peltola died of his injuries within about two hours, the agency said. “Given the remote location of the accident site, which was about 400 miles from a hospital, and accessible only by air, providing the pilot with prompt medical treatment following the accident was not possible,” Tuesday's report states. The agency said carrying antlers on the outside of a plane is a common practice in Alaska but requires formal approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, with a notation in the plane's logbooks. “There was no evidence that such approval had been granted for the accident airplane,” the report states. Peltola was a former Alaska regional director for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and worked for decades for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He had received his commercial pilot’s license in 2004, requiring him to use corrective lenses at all distances, according to an FAA database. His death came almost exactly a year after Mary Peltola was sworn in as Alaska’s lone U.S. House member, following a special election for the seat. Mary Peltola, who is Yup’ik, was the first Alaska Native in Congress. She won a full, two-year term in November 2022 but lost her reelection bid last November. She has kept a relatively low public profile since then. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ntsb-heavy-plane-drag-antlers-211723524.html Wild plane brawl breaks out after women won’t stop talking when lights are dimmed Wild video shows an all-out brawl breaking out on a flight as a group of women were confronted for chatting loudly after the cabin lights were dimmed. The caught-on-camera saga erupted shortly after the Air Asia flight took off from Kuala Lumpurheading to China late Monday when a male passenger reportedly urged three women sitting near him to quieten down. The trio refused and carried on talking loudly, prompting the frustrated male passenger to fume: “Shut up. Are you stupid? I want to sleep.” Shocking video shot by a fellow passenger captured a woman dressed in green lunging forward over the seat to repeatedly pummel the man. The man tried to cower under his tray table to dodge the blows. The flight crew could then be seen frantically trying to separate those involved as emergency lights flickered throughout the cabin. A woman dressed in green lunged forward over the seat to repeatedly pummel the man. “We were sitting behind the row of women and listened to the quarrel,” a woman who filmed the saga told Viral Press. “They were chatting too loudly while the lights were turned off and the man in front asked them to be silent because he wanted to sleep. His tone was quite aggressive.” Officials were said to be waiting to question those involved when the flight later landed in Sichuan. It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone was arrested. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/wild-plane-brawl-breaks-women-151011393.html Boeing 737, 787 Jets Get Green Light As Air India Closes Fuel Lock Probe With 'No Issues' Air India has completed mandatory inspections of fuel control switch locking mechanisms across its entire Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) 737 and 787 fleet, finding no issues with the critical safety components, the carrier announced Tuesday. What Happened: The inspections covered all Boeing 787 aircraft in Air India’s mainline fleet and Boeing 737 jets operated by Air India Express, its low-cost subsidiary. The directive followed orders from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued July 14. “No issues were found with the said locking mechanism,” Air India stated. The airline completed voluntary inspections starting July 12, finishing within the DGCA’s prescribed timeframe and communicating results to regulators. The probe stems from a June 12 Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash that killed 260 people, where preliminary findings by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau indicated both engines lost power when fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one second apart. Why It Matters: Cockpit voice recordings revealed confusion between pilots about who activated the switches. The Federal Aviation Administration had issued a 2018 Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin regarding potential fuel control switch locking feature disengagement on Boeing 737 aircraft, though it was advisory rather than mandatory. The aerospace giant has faced intensified scrutiny following multiple safety incidents, including the 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people in 2018-19. The completion of inspections provides operational clarity for Air India as it works to enhance safety protocols under Tata Group ownership. The airline operates significant Boeing 787 and 737 capacity across domestic and international routes, making fleet availability crucial for operations. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/boeing-737-787-jets-green-183129484.html A private company runs the control tower where a B-52 got too close to a passenger jet. It’s more common than you might think The control tower where a Delta Air Lines regional jet had to perform an “aggressive maneuver” to avoid colliding with an Air Force B-52 bomber isn’t staffed by the Federal Aviation Administration, but rather air traffic controllers working for a private company. It’s more common than most fliers may think. About half of the control towers at civilian airports in the US are operated under contract by private companies, according to the FAA. Most are at smaller airports, like Minot International. On Friday, the B-52 bomber was conducting a flyover at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds, near the Minot airport that, “was planned in advance and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration,” according to a statement from Minot Air Force Base. “The tower did not advise of the inbound commercial aircraft,” the statement said. The passenger plane wasn’t told about the bomber either, according to a video filmed inside the plane by a passenger and posted on TikTok. The pilot of the Delta jet, operated by regional carrier SkyWest Airlines, can be heard telling passengers that the aircraft was “kind of, sort of coming at us” and it was safest to turn sharply to pass behind it. SkyWest, the FAA, and the military are all investigating what went wrong. The Minot International Control Tower is operated by Midwest ATC, which declined to comment to CNN. It operates 93 towers in the United States and handles more than eight million passengers a year. The company is a long-term provider of contract tower services, according to Michael McCormick, an associate professor and program coordinator of air traffic management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Despite these towers not being operated by the FAA, McCormick said there’s no reason to believe they are not safe. “In fact, the contract controllers at these towers are all former FAA or US military air traffic controllers,” he said. An audit, conducted in 2020 by the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, found that contract towers are more cost effective than comparable FAA towers and have similar safety records. The FAA notes, “all of the approximate 1,400 contract controllers meet the same qualification and training requirements as FAA air traffic controllers.” The Minot Tower is also one of the 171 federal contract towers represented by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the major air traffic controller union, who also represents FAA controllers. Some contracted towers are located at small airports in Albany, Georgia; Brownsville, Texas; and Key West, Florida. In cities with major airports, contracted towers operate at smaller fields like Houston Executive, Detroit City and Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. The FAA’s Contract Tower Program started in 1982 to allow employees of private companies to staff towers, rather than FAA employees. McCormick said it was a result of the 1981 air traffic controllers’ strike when 12,000 members walked off the job. After a shortage plagued the industry, low activity towers were at risk of being shut down to provide staffing at busier towers, he explained. “That is when they came up with the Contract Tower Program where they would actually provide opportunity for contractors to take over those initial control towers that they were going to shut down,” McCormick said. Since then, he said, the program has grown. Generally, McCormick said, the towers are usually not equipped with radar displays. Controllers primarily rely on position reports from the aircraft and looking out the windows. While investigators have not made public what caused the close call in Minot, McCormick said the communication with the two planes doesn’t appear to have been accurate, ultimately leading to the regional pilot’s evasive maneuver. Overall, McCormick said having contracted towers increases safety – because the alternative for many of these small airports might be no tower at all. “The contract tower program has operated safely, effectively and efficiently,” McCormick said. “The contractors have provided great services, but at the same time, oversight needs to be strong.” https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/private-company-runs-control-tower-210531504.html US FAA grants one-year delay for secondary cockpit barrier rule WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday agreed to delay by one year a requirement for newly delivered U.S. passenger airplanes to have a secondary barrier to the flight deck to prevent intrusions that was set to take effect in August. Airlines for America, the trade group representing American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and other major carriers, had asked the FAA to delay compliance by two years because the agency has not yet certified a secondary cockpit barrier, and no manuals, procedures or training programs have been authorized. "This will allow time to facilitate FAA certification and install the barriers," the agency said Tuesday. After the hijacking of four U.S. airplanes on September 11, 2001, the FAA adopted standards for flight deck security to make them resistant to forcible intrusion and unauthorized entry. The rule requires aircraft manufacturers to install a second physical barrier on new planes used in commercial passenger service in the United States, though it will not require existing planes to be retrofitted. The FAA said in 2023 the additional barrier will protect flight decks from intrusion when the cockpit door is open. The Air Line Pilots Association had urged the FAA last month "to reject this latest stalling tactic" and to install barriers it has described as lightweight, retractable security gates. The union has pressed for the rule, saying at least 52 hijacking attempts worldwide since 2001 "confirm that aviation remains a target for terrorist activity, highlighting the persistent threat of hijackings." Unions in 2023 urged that the rule take effect one year after publication, while Boeing, Airbus and Airlines for America had called for three years. The FAA was supposed to have adopted rules by 2019 under a 2018 federal law, but the agency has said it was required to follow procedural rules before it could impose new regulations. The FAA in 2007 set rules to address flight deck security when the cockpit door was opened, including requiring the door be locked when the airplane is in operation, unless necessary to open it to permit access by authorized persons. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/us-faa-grants-one-delay-215852534.html Delta 767 Pilot Arrested at Stockholm, New York Flight Canceled Delta Air Lines confirmed the pilot’s immediate removal from duty, affirming the airline’s zero-tolerance policy on alcohol violations. STOCKHOLM— A Delta Air Lines (DL) pilot was arrested at Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) just before takeoff for allegedly failing a breathalyzer test, leading to the cancellation of Delta Flight 205 bound for New York JFK (JFK) on July 22, 2025. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, all passengers are entitled to €600 ($705) in compensation for the disruption. The arrest, carried out by Swedish police at 09:15 local time, halted the transatlantic service moments before departure. The pilot, reportedly an American female, was detained during a routine onboard check. A Delta Air Lines (DL) pilot was arrested at Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) just before takeoff for allegedly failing a breathalyzer test, leading to the cancellation of Delta Flight 205 bound for New York JFK (JFK). Delta 767 Pilot Arrested Delta Flight 205 was scheduled to operate the Stockholm (ARN) to New York (JFK) route with 198 passengers onboard. With the cancellation, Delta (DL) now faces over $139,000 in mandatory compensation, excluding additional costs for lodging, meals, and rebooking obligations. The incident stems from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) strict alcohol testing mandates under Regulation 2018/1042. These rules require random alcohol testing of flight crew operating from EU territories to uphold aviation safety standards. Delta Air Lines confirmed the pilot’s immediate removal from duty, affirming the airline’s zero-tolerance policy on alcohol violations. The case remains under investigation by Swedish authorities. A Delta Air Lines (DL) pilot was arrested at Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) just before takeoff for allegedly failing a breathalyzer test, leading to the cancellation of Delta Flight 205 bound for New York JFK (JFK) on July 22, 2025. Similar Incidents Arrest in Edinburgh A Delta Air Lines (DL) pilot, Lawrence Russell, has pleaded guilty after being caught with open alcohol bottles in his luggage before piloting a flight from Edinburgh (EDI) to New York John F. Kennedy (JFK). The 63-year-old pilot, who was scheduled to operate the transatlantic flight, was found to have exceeded the permissible blood alcohol limit for pilots, leading to his arrest and court appearance in Scotland. The incident occurred on June 16 of the previous year at Edinburgh Airport (EDI) during a routine luggage screening at approximately 8 am. Airport security detected bottles of Jägermeister in the pilot’s baggage, one of which was already half-empty. Dressed in his Delta Air Lines (DL) uniform, Russell was immediately flagged and questioned by authorities. Following a breathalyzer and blood tests, officials confirmed that Russell’s blood alcohol concentration was significantly over the legal limit for flight crew. The legal threshold for pilots in the UK is 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. Russell’s level was recorded at not less than 49 milligrams per 100 milliliters, more than double the permissible limit. Upon being cautioned, Russell admitted his state of impairment, reportedly telling the police, “I’m terrified.” He was subsequently arrested and presented before the Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where he pled guilty to charges related to reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Background on the Pilot and Legal Response Lawrence Russell is a resident of Georgia, USA, where Delta Air Lines (DL) maintains its headquarters at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). He was due to operate a Boeing 767 from Edinburgh (EDI) to New York (JFK) when intercepted. In court, Russell’s defense counsel, Pamela Rogers, presented a medical report outlining his alcoholism treatment, underscoring his acknowledgment of the seriousness of his misconduct. Sheriff Alison Stirling postponed Russell’s sentencing to a later date in the month to facilitate the preparation of additional reports on his condition and rehabilitation efforts. Other Such Cases Delta is not new to alcohol-related infractions among crew. In late 2023, two Delta flight attendants were arrested in Amsterdam (AMS) after failing breathalyzer tests before duty. Another Delta flight from Minneapolis (MSP) was previously canceled when a pilot was arrested for intoxication. Globally, similar incidents persist. A Southwest Airlines (WN) pilot was arrested earlier this year after reportedly smelling of alcohol during security checks. In 2019, United Airlines (UA) pilots scheduled to fly from Glasgow (GLA) to Newark (EWR) were detained over intoxication. Japan Airlines (JL) faced backlash after a pilot’s excessive drinking session during a Dallas (DFW) layover led to police intervention due to guest complaints about noise. Regulatory Standards and Alcohol Limits for Pilots In the United States, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require pilots to adhere to an “8 hours bottle-to-throttle” rule and maintain a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.04% or lower. Despite these safeguards, breaches have occurred — notably, a JetBlue (B6) pilot in 2022 was arrested for registering a BAC of 0.17 before duty. These incidents underline the aviation industry’s ongoing struggle with substance abuse among crew. While programs exist to support pilots with alcohol or mental health issues, many are reluctant to seek help, fearing career-ending consequences despite confidentiality assurances. The culture surrounding pilots’ mental health and substance use remains complex. Airlines and regulators strive to foster environments where crew can report issues without punitive outcomes. However, stigma and distrust often prevent disclosure. This balance between ensuring public safety and protecting pilots’ welfare is a persistent challenge for the aviation sector globally. Efforts continue to reinforce both strict compliance and compassionate support systems within airline operations. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/07/23/delta-767-pilot-arrested-at-stockholm/#google_vignette Boeing trims pilot demand forecast slightly Overall numbers unchanged in annual outlook Boeing Co. predicts that the aviation industry will need 2.4 million new professionals over the coming 20 years, though expected demand for pilots was down a tick. The company's long-running Pilot and Technician Outlook was released July 22 during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, and predicts 660,000 new pilots will be needed worldwide through 2044, down 2.1 percent from the 674,000 called for in the 2024 edition of the forecast. Demand for maintenance professionals over the coming two decades also slipped slightly, from 716,000 in the 2024 edition to 710,000 in the new outlook, while demand for cabin crew made up the difference in the overall numbers, rising from 980,000 to 1 million. Boeing noted that two-thirds of the total number will be needed to replace existing personnel, and one-third will support commercial fleet growth. Most of the new jobs will operate single-aisle aircraft, and demand for staff in South Asia and Southeast Asia is expected to increase more than threefold. “As commercial air traffic demand continues to outpace economic growth and the global fleet expands to meet demand, our industry will keep the fleet flying safely and efficiently by supporting workforce development for carriers worldwide," said Chris Broom, vice president, Commercial Training Solutions, Boeing Global Services, in a news release. “The industry is investing in technologies, including mixed reality— an immersive blend of physical and digital environments that enhances hands-on learning and situational awareness. Boeing is supporting customers with digitally advanced aviation training products and services to meet their needs. The bedrock of our approach remains competency-based training and assessment methodology to ensure high quality aviation training.” https://aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2025/july/22/boeing-trims-pilot-demand-forecast-slightly Emirates goes on a hiring spree for cabin crew, pilots and ground services staff DUBAI, July 22 (Reuters) - The parent of Emirates airline is looking to expand its workforce by 17,300 including hiring more cabin crew, pilots and engineers as well as cargo, catering and ground handling staff, it said on Tuesday. Emirates Group, owned by Dubai's sovereign wealth fund ICD, plans to add staff in 350 different roles across the group in the financial year that ends next March, expanding its overall workforce by 14%. The new jobs will include over 4,000 at its ground-handling firm dnata, it said. Emirates plays a key role in positioning Dubai as a global centre. Under a 10-year plan known as D33, the city state is seeking to grow its economy by investing in tourism and attracting foreign capital, including into real estate. Home to the world's tallest tower, the city-state welcomed 8.68 million overnight visitors between January and May this year, a rise of 7% from a year earlier, according to government data. As part of the recruiting drive, Emirates will be hosting over 2,100 open days and other talent acquisition events in 150 cities throughout the year, it said in the statement. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/emirates-goes-hiring-spree-cabin-crew-pilots-ground-services-staff-2025-07-22/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS . EAA AirVenture Oshkosh - July 21 - 27, 2025 Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection, and Investigation, 5 to 7 August 2025 Woburn MA 01801 USA. . Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 2025; 10-11 September 2025; Manila, Philippines 2025 PROS IOSA SUMMIT - SEPT 10-11 - Denver, CO · ISASI ANNUAL SEMINAR 2025'September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025, DENVER, COLORADO . 2025 NBAA Single-Pilot Safety Standdown; Monday, Oct. 13 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; Las Vegas, NV . 2025 NBAA National Safety Forum, Tuesday, Oct. 14 – Wednesday, Oct. 15; Las Vegas, NV . Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC™) - 2025 – October 27-29th (Omaha, Nebraska) . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada . 2026 ACSF Safety Symposium; April 7-9, 2026; ERAU Daytona Beach, FL . 2026 NBAA Maintenance Conference; May 5-7, 2026; New Orleans, LA Curt Lewis