Shares of Boeing fell Tuesday on concerns related to last month’s deadly crash of a 737 MAX, the newest version of the planemaker’s best-selling jet, operated by Indonesia’s Lion Air. Indonesian investigators said Monday more training was needed for 737 MAX pilots after discovering the situation believed to have faced the crew was not contained in the flight manual. US pilots were also not aware of potential risks, two pilot unions told Reuters. Boeing shares were down nearly 2% at $350.30 in afternoon trade. Investigators are preparing to publish their preliminary report on the crash on Nov. 28 or Nov. 29, one month after the Lion Air jet dived into the Java Sea, killing all 189 on board. The accident is the first to be reported involving the widely sold Boeing 737 MAX, an updated, more fuel-efficient version of the manufacturer’s workhorse single-aisle jet.<br/>
general
IATA DG and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said European aviation is “beset with burdensome regulations,” and argued that a “spirit of change” is needed to improve the competitiveness of European airlines. De Juniac singled out the Airport Charges Directive and the EU 261 passenger rights legislation as examples of regulatory overreach stifling growth in European air travel. For the former, which charges airlines to use airport facilities, de Juniac said the initiative had “not kept airport charges competitive,” and noted that passenger charges have doubled as a proportion of the ticket price. As for EU 261, which requires airlines to compensate passengers for delays, cancellations and involuntary denied boardings, de Juniac labeled the rule a “mess for airlines and passengers” and a “bonanza for claims agencies and their dubious practices.” In addition, he criticized the European Court of Justice for issuing “intolerable interpretations” of the rule which “do nothing to help passengers,” and said the only solution to the regulatory headache was a “wholesale reform” of the rule.<br/>
An air traffic controller who became incapacitated during a solo stint on a night shift in the tower at busy McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas last week has quit, authorities said Tuesday. The unidentified controller was no longer employed by the FAA, the agency said in a statement. The controller resigned Sunday, said Benjamin Rosenbaum, an aide to US Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nevada. Titus is a member of the House Subcommittee on Aviation and represents Las Vegas. The congresswoman said Friday she wanted answers after an initial briefing about what she called the "deeply disturbing" Wednesday night incident. Officials have not identified the controller or said what caused her to slur words during communications with pilots over a 40-minute span before the FAA said she "became incapacitated while on duty" and apparently lost consciousness shortly before midnight.<br/>
The EC said Tuesday it intended to adopt by the end of December all the legislation necessary to prepare the EU for a British exit without a divorce agreement should it be necessary by Brexit day on March 29. The EU executive is in charge of negotiating a departure agreement with Britain on behalf of the 27 countries remaining in the EU after Britain leaves. As Britain’s exit date comes closer and negotiations on the withdrawal treaty have not yet been completed, the Commission issued a document on Tuesday on the preparations the EU would have to take in case a divorce agreement could not be reached. “The draft Withdrawal Agreement constitutes the best option for the withdrawal. In the absence of a Withdrawal Agreement, the European Union will act to protect its interests, and should display a united and coordinated approach in all areas,” the Commission said. In London, the BBC said the EU and Britain had agreed a draft Brexit divorce deal text and Prime Minister Theresa May would present the agreement to her senior ministers on Wednesday. Any deal has to be approved by parliament. On air traffic, the Commission said it would propose extending current rules to allow UK airlines to land in EU territory and take off from its airports, but that this was conditional on Britain applying equivalent measures for carriers from the bloc.<br/>