Airline pilots, train engineers and truck drivers subject to federally mandated drug screening will soon be tested for a range of opioids under a new rule issued Thursday. While transportation workers have long been subject to random screenings for various drugs, the list didn’t include the synthetic opioid pain killers that have helped lead to a dramatic spike in addiction and overdose deaths in the US. Following through on a proposal released Jan 23, the DoT published a final rule adding the drugs hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone and oxycodone to a list that already included marijuana, cocaine and heroin. The new testing rules take effect Jan 1. President Donald Trump declared opioid addiction a public health emergency Oct 26 and that class of drugs has begun to show up in post-accident drug testing. <br/>
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Under new regulation changes effective later this month, airline passengers will be able to carry some small knives on most flights, but baby powder will be banned. Transport Canada says knife blades up to 6 centimetres – about the size of a large paper clip – will be allowed on domestic and most international flights. Blades of any length will continue to be banned on US flights while razor blades and box cutters of any size will remain prohibited on all flights. Another change will prohibit certain powders and granular material with a volume of 350 millilitres – the size of a soda can – or more. Prohibited materials include items such as bath salts, sea salt, baby powder, foot powder, cooking powder and sand. Baby formula, protein powder, tea and coffee will still be permitted in any quantity. <br/>
China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CASC) has signed orders and commitments covering 300 Boeing aircraft, valued at more than US$37b at list prices. The deal, which was signed Nov 9, coincided with US president Donald Trump’s state visit to China. Boeing said the agreement includes orders and commitments for 300 single- and twin-aisle aircraft, although the manufacturer did not specify aircraft types. According to some Chinese news reports, the 300 aircraft include 260 Boeing 737 family aircraft and a total of 40 aircraft from the 787 and 777 families. Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CE Kevin McAllister described China as “a valued customer and a key partner.” More than 50% of all commercial jetliners operating in China are Boeing aircraft. <br/>