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In anticipation of another crazy summer of travel, United Airlines announced Tueday its 2023 summer transatlantic schedule, which will total 37 cities in Europe, Africa, India and the Middle East – more international destinations than all other US airlines combined. Many of the slated transatlantic destinations will be the only ones offered by a US airline, or the only non-stop routes from the US. Flights to the international destinations will depart from New York/Newark, the carrier's hub in San Francisco, Chicago/O'Hare and Washington/Dulles. "Next summer United is offering the best of both worlds: we're making it easier for our customers to visit the most popular cities in Europe, but we're also expanding our reach to give travelers access to new places they haven't yet experienced," said Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of global network planning and alliances at United. "We expect another busy summer for international travel and are proud to build on our industry-leading global network to offer our customers the widest range of destinations and most convenient travel options." The carrier's slated schedule includes a debut of three new cities: Malaga, Spain; Stockholm, Sweden; and Dubai, UAE. All three new destinations will fly directly from New York/Newark as the airline is poised to suspend flights from New York/JFK in late October. United said it will also be the only North American airline offering flights to Amman, Jordan; Azores, Portugal; Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife, Spain. <br/>

Lufthansa reversed itself on Wednesday, saying that Apple AirTags and other Bluetooth tracking devices would once again be allowed in checked baggage. “The German Aviation Authorities (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) confirmed today, that they share our risk assessment that tracking devices with very low battery and transmission power in checked luggage do not pose a safety risk,” the airline said. “With that these devices are allowed on Lufthansa flights.” The airline had set off a storm of confusion and criticism after telling passengers that they would have to deactivate the trackers in baggage stowed in cargo holds because of international guidelines for personal electronic devices. Apple had rejected that interpretation on Tuesday, saying its trackers comply with all airline safety regulations. In the United States, that was confirmed by the FAA and the TSA. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said that its regulation did “not in itself ban or allow” the trackers, but that operators had the right to determine which devices were safe to use in flight. It appears Lufthansa sought advice from German aviation authorities. Martin Leutke, a spokesman for the airline, said Wednesday that he had no further comment about the company’s statement, first released on Twitter. Lufthansa found its policy under fire when reports surfaced in the German news media that it had prohibited the devices, amid speculation that the airline had been embarrassed by reports of passengers using the devices to find baggage it had lost. Lufthansa had confirmed Sunday on Twitter that it believed the trackers must be deactivated in checked baggage on its flights, citing the International Civil Aviation Organization’s guidelines for dangerous goods as well as the trackers’ “transmission function.” Shutting off the trackers renders them useless. On Tuesday, it tried to clarify its position, with Mr. Leutke saying the airline had not banned the devices and believed they were safe but that “it is on the authorities to adapt regulations, that right now limit the use of these devices for airline passengers in checked luggage.”<br/>

Ethiopian Airlines is completed the freighter conversion of an initial Boeing 767-300ER in co-operation with Israel Aerospace Industries. The work was performed within the carrier’s maintenance facilities at its Addis Ababa base. Ethiopian says it began introducing the 767s in 2004 and the twinjets are being replaced by more modern types, such as the 787, in the passenger role. “Conversion of the aircraft into freighters also boosts the airline’s cargo shipment capacity and enhances its service,” it adds. Ethiopian disclosed a modification tie-up with IAI just over a year ago.“As a fast growing airline, our partnership with IAI – one of the global technology leaders in the aerospace industry – is crucial in technology and skill transfer in the field of maintenance, repair and overhaul,” says Ethiopian group chief Mesfin Tasew. “The converted 767 aircraft will augment our growing local and international cargo destinations with more load capacities. “We have been working to expand our cargo operation as demand is expected to grow with the establishment of e-commerce hub in Addis Ababa.” Ethiopian had previously modified around 25 of its twin-aisle passenger aircraft to serve temporarily as freighters for medical supplies during the pandemic. It commenced conversion of the first 767 into a full freighter at its capital facility early this year, while a second aircraft has reached the point of door-cutting.<br/>

The 37-year-old man who allegedly claimed there was a bomb on board an Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight will remain in remand after the court held that no bail will be offered. On Sept 29, La Andy Hien Duc, an American, was charged with causing alarm and voluntarily causing hurt while travelling on board Singapore Airlines flight SQ33 from San Francisco to Singapore. He allegedly shouted there was a bomb on the plane and grabbed another passenger's luggage from the cabin's overhead compartment. He also allegedly assaulted a cabin crew member who tried to restrain him. On Thursday, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Lim Ying Min objected to Hien Duc being released on bail. He has been remanded at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for psychiatric observation. Hien Duc did not appear in court via video link. District Judge Terence Tay ruled that no bail will be offered to Hien Duc. Hien Duc's defence lawyer, Johannes Hadi from the Eugene Thuraisingam law firm, asked for access to his client, which the judge granted. Hien Ducwas one of 208 passengers on board the flight, which left San Francisco at 10.25pm on Sept 26 (Sept 27, 1.25pm Singapore time). The flight was scheduled to arrive in Singapore at 5am. Preliminary investigations revealed that he claimed there was a bomb in a hand-carry bag nearly six hours from arrival in Singapore. The police were informed of the threat at about 2.40am on Sept 28. Two Republic of Singapore Air Force fighter jets were activated to escort the aircraft until it landed at Changi Airport at about 5.50am.<br/>