Permanent representatives to the Council of the EU have approved an agreement with the European Parliament on a draft resolution intended to ensure continued validity of aviation safety certificates. The agreement – which will take effect if the UK leaves the EU without a post-withdrawal deal – extends the validity of such certificates for 9 months, and potentially further if necessary. It will provide a time window for EASA to continue issuing required certificates for certain aeronautical parts and products – as well as training certificates – taking into account the UK’s status as a third country. “The impact of [Brexit] on certificates and approvals can be remedied by many stakeholders through various measures,” says the draft resolution. But it states that, in some specific instances, such measures would not be possible. <br/>
general
As it continues to seek ways to avoid another summer of record flight delays, Eurocontrol has published a slightly downgraded forecast for aircraft movements over the next 7 years. The European air traffic management organisation is predicting slightly slower growth rates than the previous forecast in Oct 2018. “This downwards revision is mostly notable in 2019, consistent with the economic situation, as well as the impact of Germania’s failure,” Eurocontrol said. Moreover, the uncertainty for 2019 has increased as Brexit could be worse than expected and more carriers could face bankruptcy. Instrument flight rules movements are predicted to grow 2.8% in 2019, to reach 11.31m flights in the baseline scenario. <br/>
Skipped paying a fine in China? Then forget about buying an airline ticket. Would-be air travellers were blocked from buying tickets 17.5m times last year for "social credit" offenses including unpaid taxes and fines under a controversial system the ruling Communist Party says will improve public behavior. The ruling party says "social credit" penalties and rewards will improve order in a fast-changing society after 3 decades of economic reform have shaken up social structures. Markets are rife with counterfeit goods and fraud. The system is part of efforts by president Xi Jinping's govt to use technology ranging from data processing to genetic sequencing and facial recognition to tighten control. The ruling party wants a nationwide system by 2020 but has yet to say how it will operate. <br/>