The Canadian Transportation Agency has handed Air Canada a fine of $97,500 after a passenger who uses a wheelchair was made to drag himself off a plane in Las Vegas. In a statement, the CTA said the airline must pay for "several violations of the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations." On Aug. 30, Prince George, B.C., resident Rodney Hodgins, who has spastic cerebral palsy and uses a motorized wheelchair, was told by Air Canada crew in Las Vegas that no assistance was available to help him off the plane. Hodgins lifted himself down to the floor and used his arms to drag himself from Row 12 to the front of the plane, as his wife crawled behind him to help. The incident, which he described as "dehumanizing," left him in pain for days. "Air Canada failed to assist a wheelchair user to disembark its aircraft," the CTA statement said "... In addition, while the passenger was waiting in the terminal, Air Canada failed to ensure that their personnel periodically inquired about his needs." Air Canada has 30 days to request a review before the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada. The CTA website also lists an October 2023 incident for which the airline was fined. On Dec. 12, Air Canada was ordered to pay $52,500 for "[failing] to permit a person with a disability to board in advance of other passengers," and "not returning the mobility aid to the person on arrival at the destination without delay."<br/>
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Greek carrier Aegean Airlines has agreed to wet-lease a pair of Airbus A320s from neighbouring operator Cyprus Airways. Under the long-term pact, the initial aircraft will be deployed to Aegean this month, while the seond will arrive at the end of March next year. Cyprus Airways states that it stands to expand its fleet and obtain “better economies of scale”, while providing Aegean with an “efficient method” to increase capacity over the coming year. “We already have an extensive codeshare agreement in place where we work closely [with Aegean] to offer and optimise our joint products and services,” says Cyprus Airways chief Paul Sies. “We are now taking our co-operation to the next level.” Cyprus Airways operates a small fleet of A320s and A220-300s. Aegean is a much larger carriers, with A320-family jets. Aegean has been working to offset a capacity shortfall, after disclosing recently that it expects to ground a number of A320neo models over the next few months as a result of unscheduled checks involving Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines.<br/>
China has signed off on the first direct delivery of a Boeing Co. 787 jet in four years, an indication strained US-China trade relations may be easing and a potential precursor to the more significant resumption of 737 Max deliveries. Juneyao Airlines, one of China’s largest privately run carriers, is preparing to fly out its newest 787 Dreamliner, in a potential breakthrough for the US planemaker. The jet is expected to take off for Shanghai from Boeing’s factory in Everett, Washington, at about 10 am local time, according to flight plan details on FlightRadar24. The expected delivery will mark a breakthrough for Boeing, which has been largely shut out of China’s aviation market this decade. The US manufacturer hasn’t handed over any of its 737 Max or Dreamliners directly from its factories to the People’s Republic since 2019. The last new 787 to leave for China was via a US lessor in 2021. A spokesperson for Juneyao declined to comment. Boeing said it continues to support its customers in China and “will be ready to deliver for our customers when that time comes.” Boeing rose as much as 2.8% Thursday. The stock has soared 47% since the end of October on signs the industrial titan is starting to speed up deliveries of its two main cash cow planes. “There are clear regulatory and political hurdles to overcome but the resumption of deliveries appears to be nearing,” Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu wrote in a Dec. 19 note. Another 787 destined for China Eastern Airlines Corp. is also being prepared, evidence that the Juneyao delivery isn’t a one-off event. The jet, registered B-20EQ, is expected to arrive in Juneyao’s home base of Shanghai in the afternoon of Dec. 22.<br/>