The FAA on Monday said it is proposing to fine United Airlines $1.1m for allegedly conducting Boeing 777 flights without making required preflight fire system warning checks. The FAA said Chicago-based United is believed to have flown more than 102,000 flights of its Boeing 777 aircraft between June 2018 and April 2021 that did not meet U.S. airworthiness requirements - a period of approximately 1,025 days. During that period United "removed the fire system warning check from its Boeing 777 preflight check list. The inspection is required in the maintenance specifications manual. Removal of the check resulted in United’s failure to perform the required check." United Airlines has 30 days to respond to the FAA's civil penalty letter sent to CE Scott Kirby United said on Monday "the safety of our flights was never in question. In 2018 United changed its pre-flight checklist to account for redundant built-in checks performed automatically by the 777." The airline said the FAA reviewed and approved the checklist change at the time it was done. "In 2021, the FAA informed United that United’s maintenance program called for the pre-flight check by pilots. Once confirmed, United immediately updated its procedures," the airline said. United said it "will review the FAA’s proposed civil penalty and respond accordingly." The FAA penalty letter said United’s Technical Operations is responsible for ensuring that the Boeing Fire Warning System check is accomplished.<br/>
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Portugal’s finance minister said on Monday the government was doing the required preliminary work to start the privatisation process of state-owned airline TAP at the time the flag-carrier’s performance is improving. Fernando Medina said that TAP, which is under an EU-approved E3.2b bailout plan, has also already carried out a preliminary study of the market to assess “investment prospects of some potential investors”. “It is exploratory...work but the main conclusion is that, given the very good performance TAP is having, far above the prospects of the restructuring plan, this is a good time to evaluate and decide on the privatisation,” he told a news conference in Madrid. TAP posted a rare net profit in the third quarter of 2022 on strong revenue but said visibility for next year remained low. “The government is developing the preliminary works necessary to start the privatisation of TAP, which we will do as soon as possible,” Medina added. Brussels approved in December 2021 the bailout plan for TAP but imposed a tough restructuring that included downsizing its fleet, cutting more than 2,900 jobs and reducing wages of most workers by up to 25%. The state now owns 100% of the airline but Prime Minister Antonio Costa said last month the government was considering an outright or partial sale of the business. Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and British Airways owner IAG are potential buyers, according to analysts. <br/>