One in 5 flight attendants has witnessed a passenger being assaulted or had an assault reported to them, according to a 2017 survey of nearly 2,000 flight attendants. However, the vast majority of flight attendants have no specific training regarding sexual assault, the survey found. The issue has been brought into focus by #MeToo, the movement highlighting women’s experiences with sexual assault and harassment across different industries. In addition to passengers’ own stories about sexual assault on planes, most flight attendants say they’ve been harassed on the job, a May 2018 survey by AFA found. “Now, there is political and societal momentum to take this seriously,” Sara Nelson, the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants, said. <br/>
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The EU told the WTO’s dispute settlement body Monday that it had acted within days of a WTO ruling to bring its funding of Airbus into line with WTO rules, a trade official who attended the meeting said. The US won a partial victory May 15 against EU support for Airbus at the WTO, clearing the way for possible US sanctions in a 14-year-old dispute over claims of illegal handouts for aircraft makers. The EU said last week it had taken steps to comply with the WTO ruling on subsidies for its A350 and the A380, and reiterated its efforts at a closed-door WTO meeting Monday. But a US representative at the meeting said it was hard to give credence to the EU’s assertion and called for serious discussions to resolve the long-running dispute, although Washington was prepared to seek countermeasures on EU products if necessary. <br/>
The Canadian Transportation Agency is asking Canadians to help it develop regulations about the rights of air passengers, including how best to deal with tarmac delays, bumped seats and lost luggage. Under legislation given final approval last week, the agency is charged with drafting rules and, in most cases, setting minimum standards of treatment in order to establish a bill of rights for air travellers. Those interested in offering their thoughts can attend one of 8 public sessions to be held across the country, fill in a questionnaire, or provide a written submission. The agency will also survey air travellers at selected airports. The consultations will continue until Aug 28. Transport minister Marc Garneau says the new rules will ensure that passengers are treated with respect and that airlines live up to their commitments. <br/>
John Hoyte has been at the centre of an international campaign aimed at highlighting so-called “aerotoxic syndrome” for more than a decade. The condition is said to be caused by toxic fumes entering passenger cabins and cockpits from aircraft engines. It is feared to be behind the deaths of several pilots and crew members, but has long been denied by airline companies. Now, Hoyte, founder of the Aerotoxic Association, wants to take the issue to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for an independent inquiry. The association is calling for any evidence of health problems experienced by the public due to airline oil fume exposure to be directed to the ICC. It said an inquiry will be able to determine whether “known technical solutions” should be introduced in bleed air jet airliners. <br/>
Biometrics and artificial intelligence will be harnessed to make the new Western Sydney Airport the country's “first digital airport” and challenge Sydney Airport's near-monopoly, the chairman of the corporation overseeing the A$5.3b project says. Paul O'Sullivan, the head of WSA Co, said the use of advanced technologies at the curfew-free airport would cut processing times for passengers significantly and the length of time it took to turnaround aircraft at terminal gates. The new airport in western Sydney, which will be accompanied by a rail line and a "purpose-built" city, is due to be completed in 2026. “Digital technology will ensure the airport not only offers a better airline and passenger experience, but that we can get the economics right so that we can make it cost effective for airlines,” O'Sullivan said. <br/>