US start-up Connect Airlines' certification work lags as proving flights 'terminated’: DOT
US aviation regulators report that US start-up regional carrier Connect Airlines has been struggling to meet Federal Aviation Administration certification requirements ahead of its plan to launch flights between the USA and Canada. The Massachusetts-based carrier on 16 June had asked the US Department of Transportation to extend until 5 October its deadline to begin flying. The carrier’s FAA-issued interstate and foreign operating authorities had required it to start flights by July and September 2023, respectively. The company is working to launch flights using De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s, starting with routes from Philadelphia and Chicago to Billy Bishop Toronto City airport. In a 5 July response, the DOT stopped short of granting the extension but allowed Connect until 4 August to provide evidence it is making progress on completing FAA requirements. “It does not appear that Connect has made satisfactory progress toward obtaining FAA authority,” the DOT’s response says, adding, “The FAA previously notified the department that Connect’s proving flights were terminated”. “Connect must provide adequate evidence that it still meets the department’s fitness criteria and that the applicant is making satisfactory progress in obtaining the required safety authority from the FAA,” the letter reads. The DOT also cites Connect’s “predominate foreign capitalisation” as an obstacle to certification, requiring the carrier to present evidence it has “obtained equivalent capital contributions from US citizens”. “Connect provided no information with its waiver and extension request to enable us to determine that Connect continues to be fit, or evidencing additional capital contributions from US citizens,” the DOT says. The airline provides a differing account of its certification progress. Scott Brownrigg, Connect’s director of public affairs, says the company will fly more proving runs for the FAA, and that the certification process has ”many phases”. “There is an error in the DOT letter, as Connect’s certification process is continuing,” he says. “We continue to work with the FAA and as part of the normal certification process. They will be doing final manual reviews very shortly.”<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2023-07-10/unaligned/us-start-up-connect-airlines-certification-work-lags-as-proving-flights-terminated2019-dot
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US start-up Connect Airlines' certification work lags as proving flights 'terminated’: DOT
US aviation regulators report that US start-up regional carrier Connect Airlines has been struggling to meet Federal Aviation Administration certification requirements ahead of its plan to launch flights between the USA and Canada. The Massachusetts-based carrier on 16 June had asked the US Department of Transportation to extend until 5 October its deadline to begin flying. The carrier’s FAA-issued interstate and foreign operating authorities had required it to start flights by July and September 2023, respectively. The company is working to launch flights using De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s, starting with routes from Philadelphia and Chicago to Billy Bishop Toronto City airport. In a 5 July response, the DOT stopped short of granting the extension but allowed Connect until 4 August to provide evidence it is making progress on completing FAA requirements. “It does not appear that Connect has made satisfactory progress toward obtaining FAA authority,” the DOT’s response says, adding, “The FAA previously notified the department that Connect’s proving flights were terminated”. “Connect must provide adequate evidence that it still meets the department’s fitness criteria and that the applicant is making satisfactory progress in obtaining the required safety authority from the FAA,” the letter reads. The DOT also cites Connect’s “predominate foreign capitalisation” as an obstacle to certification, requiring the carrier to present evidence it has “obtained equivalent capital contributions from US citizens”. “Connect provided no information with its waiver and extension request to enable us to determine that Connect continues to be fit, or evidencing additional capital contributions from US citizens,” the DOT says. The airline provides a differing account of its certification progress. Scott Brownrigg, Connect’s director of public affairs, says the company will fly more proving runs for the FAA, and that the certification process has ”many phases”. “There is an error in the DOT letter, as Connect’s certification process is continuing,” he says. “We continue to work with the FAA and as part of the normal certification process. They will be doing final manual reviews very shortly.”<br/>
