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Aviation & Airport Development News
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Taber Law Group Blog Post
Airline Required To Provide Care for Passenger Stranded by Eruption of Volcano, European Court of Justice Says- Steven M. Taber, Taber Law Group, March 25, 2012When Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted in April 2010, many air passengers were stranded all over Europe. Denise McDonagh was one of those air passengers. On March 22, 2012, in Denise McDonagh v Ryanair Ltd.in Case C-12/11, Advocate General Yves Bot of the Court of Justice for the European Union held that Articles 5 and 9 of EC Regulation No. 261/2004 required the airline to provide her with food and accommodations while she was stranded.
German Court's Upholding Curfew at Frankfurt Airport Underscores Growing Concern With Aviation's Impact On Surrounding Communities- Steven M. Taber, Taber Law Group, April 6, 2012
In a decision that is only a few lines long, a German court upheld a ban on night flights at Frankfurt airport in a devastating blow to Lufthansa and Fraport, which operates the airport. The federal state of Hesse, which is permitted to regulate flights in and out of the airport, had proposed regulations that would have allowed 17 flights during the night (11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.) . However, those regulations were reversed by a lower court which banned all night flights.
Airports And FAA Still Ignore Surrounding Communities' Concern About Exposure to Hazardous Air Pollutants- Steven M. Taber, Taber Law Group, April 11, 2012
The Air Quality Study at and around Los Angeles International Airport recently began its final phase. Since the LAX Air Quality Study began back in 1999, there has been growing concern about the role of air toxics or hazardous air pollutants play in increasing health risks near and around airports. But air toxics tend to get ignored, particularly in Environmental Impact Studies and Reports because the EPA has yet to develop acceptable levels like it has for the so-called "criteria pollutants." For example, the LAX Air Quality Study will examine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, all of which are criteria pollutants. It will also study black carbon and ultra-fine particles, but there are many more hazardous air pollutants that need to be studied to get a proper assessment of the health risks posed by exposure to aircraft exhaust. For the most part, airports and the FAA have ignored communities surrounding the airport and their requests to examine the health impacts of aircraft and other airport-related sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
New York State Tort Claims Pre-Empted By Airline Deregulation Act, U.S. District Court In New York Concludes- Stevn M. Taber, Taber Law Group, April 13, 2012
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York in Moffit v. JetBlue Airways Corp. that the Federal Aviation Act, as amended by Airline Deregulation Act, pre-empted the plaintiffs' state tort claims for being stranded on an airplane for 6 hours, citing 49 U.S.C. 41713(b)(1). The court found because "Plaintiffs' tort claims all relate to prices, routes, or services inasmuch as the claims are all premised upon complaints of Plaintiffs' treatment while they were detained on the tarmac . . ." they were pre-empted and therefore granted the Defendants' Motion to Dismiss.
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Aircraft
New jet in town: general aviation community readies for HondaJet light business aircraft certification and production this year- John Keller, Avionics-Intelligence, April 10, 2012
The business aviation community is preparing for a new light jet aircraft entry this year, with the expected type and production certification of the eight-seat HondaJet aircraft, which is designed to be fast, high-flying, quiet, and fuel-efficient. Elite Aviation Enters Joint Venture With Orange County-based STAjets to Expand Fleet, Footprint- Market Watch, April 11, 2012 Elite Aviation, the premier global private jet company today announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with Orange County's STAjets which will provide additional aircraft and a second base of operations for the aggressive Van-Nuys, Calif. (VNY) firm. STAjets Enters Joint Venture With Elite Aviation; Association to Grow Company's Global Footprint- Market Watch, April 11, 2012 STAjets, a leading Orange County private jet company, today announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with Elite Aviation that allows STAjets to access a fleet of long range jets and to grow the company's global footprint. The agreement is seen as a first step to establish a long-term relationship between the two firms and the joint venture provides substantial benefits for both companies.
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International
USTDA Launches U.S.-Brazil Aviation Partnership- Aviation Pros, April 9, 2012
Today, on the occasion of the visit of President Dilma Rousseff to the United States, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) joined with the U.S. Department of State, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) together with Brazil's Ministry of External Relations in announcing the launch of the U.S. - Brazil Aviation Partnership. The Aviation Partnership is a unique public-private partnership that is enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas such as airport expansion, airspace management, safety and security. These programs will support Brazil's aviation infrastructure development priorities, while connecting U.S. companies to the growing business opportunities in the sector. Brazil, U.S. collaborate for aviation- Air Cargo World, April 10, 2012 Boeing is partnering up with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer S.A. to develop new ways to boost aircraft efficiency, safety and productivity. This agreement, forged at the recent annual meeting of the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum, comes on the heels of the Federal Aviation Administration's launch of the U.S-Brazil Aviation Partnership. FAA official raps EU over airline carbon tax- Bart Jansen, USA Today, April 13, 2012 A Federal Aviation Administration official warned Thursday the European program to charge airlines for their emissions is a "major impediment" rather than a "stepping stone" to curbing climate change. FAA to help overhaul Brazilian aviation- Aimee Turner, Air Traffic Management, April 10, 2012 Airspace management is to be the focus of a new US-Brazil aviation partnership designed to support Brazil's aviation infrastructure development, while connecting US companies to the growing business opportunities in the sector.
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Environmental
As Heathrow grows, noise and air pollution needs to be tackled- Left Foot Forward, April, 2012
While Heathrow may have reached its upper limit of flight numbers to and from its runways, the actual numbers of passengers passing through its terminals is most certainly increasing. You only have to witness an A380 plane land at Heathrow, offloading 500-plus passengers to realise Heathrow expansion is a practical reality. LAX Air Quality Study Enters Final Phase- Palos Verdes, March 19, 2012 The final phase of a landmark study is under way to determine how much air pollution in the region comes from Los Angeles International Airport, officials said last week.
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Airports
Advice from other airports as Denver's prepares for traffic detours- Ann Schrader, The Denver Post, April 14, 2012Construction that begins next month at Denver International Airport poses some daunting challenges to keeping traffic flowing while access ramps are lowered and a 500-room hotel and commuter-rail station are built.
REGION: Statistics show Ontario airport shouldn't fail- Cassie Macduff, The Press-Enterprise, April 13, 2012
Lots of information was thrown at the Assembly Select Committee on Inland Empire Transportation Issues when it met at the former Norton Air Force Base on Thursday.
Allegiant to fly nonstop from Fresno to Hawaii- Tim Sheehan, The Fresno Bee, April 10, 2012
Valley travelers soon will be able to get to Hawaii without first driving or flying to big-city airports.
Stockton Metro counts a record- Reed Fujii, Recordnet, April 12, 2012
Stockton Metropolitan Airport counted 7,755 passengers through its boarding gates in March, the best one-month total ever since Allegiant began service to Las Vegas in June 2006.
Miller helped three of lobbyist son's clients- Richard Pollock, News Ok, April 10, 2012
In 2004, Rep. George Miller, D-CA, and his lobbyist son George Miller IV raced to stop a pending county effort to close down the small Buchanan airport in Concord, California.
Sale, leases proposed for tracts of Tulsa airport land- D.R. Stewart, Tulsa World, April 14, 2012
As part of its efforts to increase non-aeronautical revenue at Tulsa International Airport, the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust is proposing to sell one parcel of land and lease two others at the 4,700-acre airport, officials said.
Public to help plot airport's course- Brad Harper, Montgomery Advertiser, April 13, 2012
Despite the budget crunch that's affecting the aviation industry nationwide, planners say the future is looking up for the Montgomery Regional Airport. Now airport leaders want area residents to help them navigate.
Eucalyptus tree project before Coastal Commission; Caltrans plans to cut trees down to stumps for aviation regulations- Donna Tam, The Times-Standard, April 8, 2012
Caltrans is planning to cut some of the eucalyptus trees along the U.S. Highway 101 safety coordinator down to their stumps in light of aviation safety concerns.
Long path ahead for $16 million airport plan- Tom Lotshaw, The Daily Inter Lake, April 7, 2012
With a master plan update and recommended airport layout plan in hand, the Kalispell City Council meets Monday to start exploring what to do about Kalispell City Airport.
Read MorePalmer Airport earns award for adding airline- Tribune-Review, April 8, 2012
Arnold Palmer Regional Airport picked up an award last week.
Airport bets a billion on future amid USAir concerns- Ely Portillo, Charlotte Observer, April 9, 2012
Cranes rumbled and smoked last week at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, as workers drove pilings deep into the ground for the airport's new, $160-million hourly parking deck.
McCarran International Airport, The Coolest Airport- Nick Khamhou, Nickys World, April 7, 2012
The coolest Airport is Las Vegas McCarran Airport. With Slot Machines everywhere, you can play the slots while awaiting for your flight or connecting with your flight. It's like combing a Casino and an Airport all in one. I like McCarran International Airport because of the Monorail and the Slot Machines. Though I they Lack a Dunkin Donuts, I think the Airport is the Coolest Airport in the World. It's one Airport where You can strike at rich or Go back home poor.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH PLAN FOR SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS AIRPORT LAND USE COMPATIBILITY PLAN UPDATE PROCESS- SBCAG, April, 2012
The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is updating itsAirport
Land Use Plan, a policy document providing guidance to local land use agencies for the
orderly development of lands in the vicinity of public use airports within Santa Barbara
County. The updated Airport Land Use Plan will become the Airport Land Use
Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) for Santa Barbara Airport, Santa Maria Public Airport,
Lompoc Airport, Santa Ynez Valley Airport, Vandenburg Air Force Base, and New
Cuyama Airport. This Community Outreach Plan details the stakeholder outreach
activities developed to support the update process.
SpaceX proposes Texas site for future rocket launches- Dan Leone, Fox News, April 11, 2012
Details about a launch facility Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is considering building in Texas emerged April 9 in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) document detailing an environmental review that must precede construction.
Massport aviation head: Airport is strategic asset- Steven H. Foskett Jr., News Telegram, April 12, 2012
Edward C. Freni, director of aviation for the Massachusetts Port Authority, told a City Council subcommittee last night that despite another loss of commercial flights out of Worcester Regional Airport, the authority still sees the airport as a strategic asset.
Updates required for airport's land use compatibility plan- Christina Macone-Greene, The Coast News, April 12, 2012
At a recent City Council meeting, a unanimous passing vote was cast approving a General Plan amendment for McClellan-Palomar Airport's land use compatibility.Corey Funk, associate planner for the city of Carlsbad, made the presentation.
FAA officials to address upgrades to Niagara Falls airport- USA Today, April 13, 2012
The Federal Aviation Administration's acting administrator is planning a stop in Niagara Falls to discuss $11.7 million in recently announced federal funding for airport renovations.
Contract approved for construction of Tulsa airport runway- D.R. Stewart, Tulsa World, April 13, 2012
A $366,005 preliminary engineering design services contract was approved Thursday by the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust for construction of runway safety areas at Tulsa International Airport's 6,101-foot west, or general aviation, runway.
Phoenix could overpay in land deal near Sky Harbor- Emily Gersema, AZ Central, April 13, 2012
Phoenix officials are poised to spend $1 million more than the appraised value on a piece of contaminated land north of Sky Harbor International Airport that would be used for an employee parking lot.
Jefferson County angles for $3m in airport aid from FAA- Brian Amaral, Watertown Daily Times, April 13, 2012
Jefferson County expects to land some federal dollars to help improve Watertown International Airport, Route 12F, Dexter.
Equipment glitch at Aspen airport affects flights- The Aspen Times, April 10, 2012
An issue with the Federal Aviation Administration's localizer device, used to guide planes making an instrument approach into the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, resulted in the rerouting of a few American Eagle flights to other airports Saturday and Sunday.
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Airlines
Air Canada pilots' sick calls ruled an illegal strike- CBC News, April 13, 2012
The Canada Industrial Relations Board has ruled that an unusually high volume of sick calls made on Friday by Air Canada pilots amounts to an illegal job action, and has ordered the work stoppage to end. Frequent fliers on Delta Air Lines to get security check fast lane- Art Marroquin, Daily Breeze, April 13, 2012 Frequent fliers boarding Delta Air Lines flights will be steered into a fast lane beginning April 24, allowing them to quickly move through security checkpoints at Los Angeles International Airport, the Transportation Security Administration announced Friday.
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Aviation and Airport Security
Four people arrested in connection with smuggling people by aircraft- Silvio J. Panta, Imperial Valley Press, April 3, 2012Four suspected smugglers face charges following their arrest over the weekend for allegedly trying to fly undocumented immigrants in two separate incidents.
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Aviation & Airport Safety
Pilot flying from Fitchburg Airport crashes in Falmouth- News Telegram, April 14, 2012A Falmouth man crashed his plane into a tree while trying to land the kit-built aircraft at the Falmouth Airpark today, according to police and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Turbulence in the Cockpit Is a Growing Challenge, Attorney Warns- Market Watch, April 9, 2012
Recent incidents involving an in-flight fatal heart attack by a general aviation pilot and disturbing behavior by a commercial airline pilot have helped to spotlight the potential danger that can arise due to pilot medical problems during a flight, said Douglas H. Amster, a shareholder at national law firm LeClairRyan. Amster focuses his practice on aviation tort defense on behalf of commercial airlines, owners and operators of private aircraft, as well as entities that maintain and repair aircraft.
Victims of fatal CA plane crash identified- San Francisco Chronicle, April 9, 2012
Federal regulators on Monday released the names of two men killed when a plane crashed into a field near the Salinas, Calif., airport.
Two uninjured as plane flips at north Palm Beach County airport- Alexandra Seltzer, Palm Beach Post, April 12, 2012
Federal Aviation Administration investigators are looking into what caused a plane to land upside down this afternoon at North Palm Beach County General Aviation airport.
Victims of fatal CA stunt plane crash identified- San Francisco Chronicle, April 9, 2012
Authorities have named two men who were killed when their stunt plane crashed in a field near the Salinas airport.
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Other
Airlines look to satellites for Wi-Fi Internet in the sky- Roger Yu, USA Today, March 23, 2012
Airlines are giving satellites a second look for delivering Internet service to passengers in the air.
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FAA
FAA Fails to Properly Monitor Contracting, U.S. Auditor Says- Alan Levin, Bloomberg Businessweek, April 13, 2012The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration isn't properly monitoring costs and potential ethical violations in contracts related to improvements in the nation's air-traffic systems, an audit found.
Equipment glitch at Aspen airport affects flights- The Aspen Times, April 10, 2012
An issue with the Federal Aviation Administration's localizer device, used to guide planes making an instrument approach into the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, resulted in the rerouting of a few American Eagle flights to other airports Saturday and Sunday.
FAA Metroplex Effort Advances in Houston, Atlanta- Bill Carey, AIN Online, April 9, 2012
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has advanced airspace adjustment efforts in about a third of the regions designated under its multi-year Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in the Metroplex (OAPM) effort, which the Department of Transportation (DOT) inspector general cited as a program of concern due to its incremental pace and unclear benefits.
Rockwell Collins, Inc. : Rockwell Collins leaders to speak about importance of NextGen airspace at upcoming events- 4-Traders, April 10, 2012
Rockwell Collins will tout the increased importance of modernizing the air transportation system for the 21st century during a trio of speaking engagements in the weeks ahead.
Guest columnist: FAA and spaceflight- Frank DiBello, Florida Today, April 12, 2012
Earlier this year, a federal moratorium was extended, limiting Federal Aviation Administration involvement in the emerging U.S. commercial spaceflight industry.
Civilian Drones Prepare For Takeoff In Northwest- Tom Banse, NPR, April 12, 2012
Get ready to spot a new kind of "bird" in the sky. Within the next month, the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to green light the use of small unmanned aircraft by emergency services. Some sheriffs' departments in the Northwest are showing interest in these aircraft.
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Aviation Legislation and Regulation
Bipartisan bills hit a brick wall in election-year gridlock- Megan R. Wilson, The Hill, April 7, 2012A slew of bills that have attracted bipartisan support are stalled in Congress and face an uncertain future this election year.
Airlines say passengers are overtaxed- Christopher Elliot, The Washington Post, April 5, 2012
To say that air travelers spend as much time complaining about fees and surcharges as they do flying might not be much of an exaggeration. And now the airline industry wants you to add another complaint to that list: taxes.
Schumer pushes for rule requiring airlines to include carry on fees in price quotes- Justin Sink, The Hill, April 5, 2012
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) sent a letter to the Department of Transportation Thursday asking the agency to require airlines to include the cost of carry-on baggage fees in the price quoted to travelers.
Ohio aerospace future on minds of Portman, GE Aviation- Mike Boyer, Cincinnati.com, April 4, 2012
Aerospace is Ohio's second-largest industry, but it will take efficient investment in the state's workforce and aerospace institutions to grow it, according to keynote speakers at a day-long gathering Wednesday on the industry's future and job growth at the GE Aviation Learning Centre in Evendale.
CANTWELL TOUTS BENEFITS OF FAA REAUTHORIZATION TO SW WA'S INSITU AND REGIONAL AEROSPACE INDUSTRY CANTWELL CHAMPIONED PROVISION COULD HELP BINGEN'S INSITU CREATE JOBS, GROW AEROSPACE INDUSTRY SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON CURRENTLY HAS 26 AEROSPACE AND AEROSPACE-RELATED COMPANIES EMPLOYING MORE THAN 1,000 WORKERS- Avionics Intelligence, April 6, 2012
The following information was released by Washington Senator Maria Cantwell:
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) toured Insitus unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) training facility and highlighted the impact of the recently enacted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization on Southwest Washingtons aerospace industry. The FAA bill was signed into law on February 14, 2012.
Legislators Oppose President's Proposed User Fee- Paul Lowe, AIN Online, April 3, 2012
Members of both houses of Congress have sent letters to President Obama decrying his advocacy of a $100-per-flight user fee on turbine-powered aircraft that fly in "controlled airspace" in his proposed Fiscal Year 2013 federal budget.
Panel chosen to boost state's aerospace economy- Jennifer Robinson, Las Vegas Review-Journal, April 3, 2012
A state economic-diversification agency has selected a panel of business and government leaders to help build Nevada's aerospace economy.
Missouri Congressman Hosts Town Hall Meeting on Aviation Industry- Elvia Malagon, The Ledger, March 31, 2012
A group of aviation enthusiasts took a break from flying and watching aircraft Saturday morning to discuss issues affecting the industry.
Transportation advocates see little hope for pre-election long-term highway bill- Keith Laing, The Hill, April 1, 2012
Transportation advocates are losing hope for passage of a highway bill before the election following Congress's decision this week to pass another short-term funding extension.
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Aviation and Airport Litigation
American files lawsuit against former flight attendant for publishing private passenger information- Sky Talk, April 11, 2012
American Airlines has filed a lawsuit against former flight attendant Gailen David and several other unnamed American employees for publishing private passenger information.
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