Regulators, insurers and experts are warning airlines to take extra care when reactivating planes left in extended storage during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing potential pilot rustiness, maintenance errors and even insect nests blocking key sensors. The unprecedented number of aircraft grounded as coronavirus lockdowns blocked air travel - at one point reaching two-thirds of the global fleet - has created a spike in the number of reported problems as airlines return them to service. The number of “unstabilised” or poorly handled approaches has risen sharply this year, according to the IATA. Such mishaps can result in hard landings, runway overshoots or even crashes. Worried by IATA’s data, insurers are questioning airlines about whether they are doing extra pilot training to focus on landings, said Gary Moran, head of Asia aviation at insurance broker Aon PLC. “They want to know about the circumstances of the training,” he said. Approaches and landings place significant demands on crew for which training and regular experience are seen as vital. According to aircraft maker Airbus, the largest category of fatal accidents can be traced back to the approach to an airport, while the largest number of non-fatal accidents happen during landing.<br/>
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Boeing has widened its inspections of newly built 787 Dreamliner planes to hunt for additional manufacturing defects that could prematurely age the jets’ carbon-fiber frames. While US regulators say the faults don’t pose an immediate hazard, the emergence of another flaw in Boeing’s most advanced jetliner is slowing deliveries and raising doubts about quality controls. The company didn’t deliver any 787 jets in November, Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith said earlier this month, citing inspections that took longer than expected. The latest issue involves tiny variances, or wrinkles, in the interior lining where composite fuselage barrels are linked to create the Dreamliner’s structure. In some instances, the so-called join “may not meet skin flatness tolerances,” Boeing said. The Chicago-based planemaker has asked suppliers to review their processes, adding that “certain items” had come to light as it beefed up its quality assurance program over the last 12 months. Boeing is inspecting 787s in factories, as well as newly built aircraft that are awaiting delivery, said a person familiar with the matter. Boeing and the FAA are analyzing data to determine the best course of action for Dreamliners that are already in service. The FAA confirmed that it’s working with Boeing on the issue but didn’t provide additional details.<br/>
The head of Airbus called for an end to separate diplomatic squabbles over Britain’s exit from the European Union and a transatlantic aircraft subsidy dispute that collectively overshadow its business. CE Guillaume Faury said Airbus - whose manufacturing plants straddle Britain and the EU - was preparing itself for disruption if Britain completes its exit from the bloc without a deal, but downplayed warnings of severe upheaval. “It would really be a pity that after so many years of preparation there is no deal at the end. I think it would be much better for the EU and the UK to have an orderly Brexit,” Faury told a conference. This being said, if there is no deal we will have to live with it. There will be a more difficult transition on Dec. 31 and we are preparing ourselves for some logistical issues, but we don’t think this is going to be unmanageable.” His comments came after Britain’s manufacturing industry warned of a potential “knockout blow” if PM Boris Johnson is unable to secure a trade deal with the EU before temporary arrangements end on Dec. 31. Faury also called for compromise in a dispute over aircraft subsidies in which both the EU and United States have imposed tariffs on multiple goods. “We are calling for a de-escalation ... and finding a long-term agreement between the US and the EU, and we think this is what will happen,” Faury told the Conference of Montreal.<br/>
Global jet fuel markets are coming back to life, resuscitated by a rebound in air cargo demand, gradually recovering passenger traffic and hopes that COVID-19 vaccines will spur more international flights in 2021. The pandemic brought air travel to a virtual halt this year, and analysts say it may take years before global appetite for jet fuel returns to pre-pandemic levels. But refining profits for the fuel surged to multi-month highs in all key trading hubs in December on hopes of higher demand in 2021, with US and European margins underpinned by a recovery in air cargo volumes and Asian margins also by a rebound in domestic travel and heating consumption. Jet refining margins in Asia - the world’s top fuel market - have soared 580% and export prices by 45% since mid-September to their highest since March. Domestic air travel picked up as some countries eased coronavirus curbs. “We expect vaccines will become available by (the) end of Q1 2021 and some travel restrictions will remain in place,” said Qiaoling Chen, research associate at consultancy Wood Mackenzie in Singapore, forecasting Asian jet fuel demand at 1.4m bpd in Q1 next year.<br/>