The microbes lurking in airplane seats, hotbeds of infectious diseases, could soon be history. Recaro Aircraft Seating says it’s developing a seat infused with a disinfectant that destroys almost every germ on contact within seconds. It’s a response to studies that consistently show almost everything inside an aircraft cabin is festering with bugs. These business-class seats won’t just cleanse themselves, but will also somehow inform each incoming passenger how well it has done the job, Recaro CE Mark Hiller said. The seats may debut within a year or two. The quest for germ-free travel is part of an industry effort to make flying less taxing on the body as non-stop 17-hour marathons become common. As the tube-like design of commercial jets has barely changed in decades, seating has become the focus of comfort. <br/>
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WTO appeals judges are expected to hand down a long-anticipated decision on the dispute between the US and EU over whether EU payments to Airbus constitute illegal subsidies. The ruling caps a 14-year period of litigation that saw Airbus file its own complaint with the WTO countering that Boeing receives illegal subsidies from the US govt and the state of Washington. Airbus and Boeing have been filing cases against each other at the WTO since 2004. In 2010, the WTO ruled against Airbus, finding the US$22b it received in launch aid was illegal, and ordered Airbus and the EU to redress the situation. After failing to take any corrective action, the WTO in 2016 reaffirmed its decision, which Airbus appealed. A decision against Airbus could potentially lead to the application of tariffs on certain imports from the EU. <br/>
The EC has cleared the way for United Technologies Corp to buy Rockwell Collins, assuming the divestiture of businesses in actuators, pilot controls, ice protection and oxygen systems. The May 4 announcement—which was largely expected—removes one of the last requirements for the US aerospace companies to clear before merging their operations, expected this summer. The Commission had been concerned that the US$30b tie-up would have reduced competition for trimmable horizontal stabiliser actuators, throttle quadrant assemblies and rudder brake pedal systems, pneumatic wing ice protection and oxygen systems. In THSAs, there already were limited competitors, and in oxygen masks, Rockwell was a leader while UTC had planned earlier to enter the market. <br/>
Europe's safety authority has certified to the 16g standard a new slimline seat design developed by UK manufacturer Pitch Aircraft Seating. The certification for the PF3000 seat, and its compliance with head-injury criteria, enables it to be installed in high-density configurations. Pitch Aircraft Seating says the installation is designed for single-aisle Airbus and Boeing jets. It states that the PF3000 is a lightweight seat – below 25kg per triple-seat arrangement – which provides "the highest degree of comfort" at 28in pitch. Developed from the PF2000, the seat has a fixed recline backrest with fewer parts than a standard reclining seat, it adds, offering "excellent serviceability". <br/>
America's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear accord signals the collapse of US$38b in plane deals between Tehran and Western companies and leaves Airbus facing greater risks than arch-rival Boeing, according to people involved in the deals. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he was pulling his country out of the 2015 accord, and his administration said it would revoke export licenses needed by planemakers to sell commercial planes - which require US components - to Iran. Tehran has ordered 200 passenger aircraft for IranAir, including 100 from Airbus, 80 from Boeing and 20 from ATR. Airbus is more exposed on wide-body jets, for which sluggish global demand forced it last month to revise down part of its production plans. Iran has ordered 53 wide-body jets from Airbus and 30 from Boeing. <br/>
IATA top official believes that political instability in the Middle East is posing a threat to the region’s airline industry growth. The Middle East airline industry has not yet totally recovered from the Arab Spring – the 2010 series of protests and demonstrations across the region. That’s the view of IATA CE, Alexander de Juniac, who believes that continuing regional political instability is still affecting the industry. “The tourism industry in Egypt, for example, has not yet fully recovered from the impact of the Arab Spring,” he said. “The geopolitical instability and security threats hovering in the region are not encouraging the development of air traffic. What we have seen so far is that dynamic actors are able to overcome the challenges. But the more instability you have, the less attractive the region will be.” <br/>