Airlines around the world carried US4.4b passengers on scheduled services in 2018, an increase of 6.9% over 2017, representing an additional 284m trips by air, according to figures released by IATA. Showing that global air connectivity continues to become more accessible and more efficient, the IATA World Air Transport Statistics confirmed that record efficiency was achieved with 81.9% of available seats being filled, fuel efficiency improved by more than 12% compared to 2010 while 22,000 city pairs are now connected by direct flights, up 1,300 over 2017 and double the 10,250 city pairs connected in 1998. Airlines in the Asia-Pacific region once again carried the largest number of passengers systemwide, with a market share of 37.1, or 1.6b passengers, an increase of 9.2% compared to 2017, the report noted. <br/>
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Boeing is redesigning the flight-control system of the grounded 737 Max to rely on data from both of the jetliner’s flight-control computers instead of just one, said a person familiar with the plans. The planemaker is still aiming to present a final software package to regulators by September, though the timeline could slip, said the person. The latest approach is more comprehensive than a software update Boeing has been preparing to address a system linked to 2 fatal crashes. Under the changes now being planned for the configuration, the flight-control system will read inputs and outputs from both of a jet’s computers for a range of sensors monitoring airspeed, altitude and the angle of the aircraft’s wings against the air stream. It will check for any disagreements in the sensor readings,. <br/>
Airbus has determined that the A320neo is potentially vulnerable to an angle-of-attack protection weakness which could result in excessive pitch attitude under certain circumstances. The condition is "different" from the excessive-pitch anomaly recently discovered during analysis of the larger A321neo, says EASA, although it appears outwardly similar. EASA stresses that the condition has never been encountered during A320neo operations. But it says that a "reduced efficiency" of the aircraft's angle-of-attack protection under certain flight configurations, and in combination with specific commanded manoeuvres from the crew, could lead to excessive pitch and higher workload. The scenario has been uncovered during analysis and laboratory testing of the A320neo flight-control laws. <br/>
More than 130 security workers have announced they will walkout over poverty pay during the August peak travel period. The staff members involved are employed by ICTS (UK) to scan passengers' luggage for explosive materials and other dangerous and prohibited items. The workers are paid GBP8.50 an hour for their work, but are demanding an increase of 50p an hour to match the real living wage of GBP9 an hour. Unite said that 95% of those workers voted for strike action. The strike will be held for 48 hours from 6am Saturday, Aug 10. "The strike will mean passengers will inevitably experience delays and a poorer service, but this is now in the hands of ICTS bosses and the management of Gatwick Airport," said the union. Despite claims the strike will cause delays, a Gatwick spokesman insisted this will not be the case. <br/>