The FAA has nearly completed a review of United Airlines it opened in March to ensure the carrier's compliance with safety regulations, the agency's head said on Wednesday. The FAA initiated a formal evaluation of the Chicago-based airline after a series of safety incidents earlier this year. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker told reporters after a speech that the review "is almost finished." United did not immediately comment. United in April said it had delayed the start of two new international routes, citing a pause on some certifications by the FAA following the opening of the safety review. Whitaker said in May the carrier could accept delivery of new planes after requiring the presence of FAA personnel when United conducted final inspections of new aircraft replacing older models. On March 15, an external panel was found to be missing from a United aircraft when it landed in Oregon. Before that, a United-operated Boeing 737 MAX rolled onto the grass in Houston and another United 777 lost a tire after takeoff and was diverted to Los Angeles, where it landed safely. United CEO Scott Kirby was asked at an industry forum Tuesday about the FAA review and he referred to the three widely publicized incidents. "None of them were related," Kirby said. "While there have been no major findings in that process ... it confirmed that that foundation was really strong."<br/>
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Dozens of Canadian business associations across the country have signed a letter urging the Liberal government to prevent Air Canada pilots from striking by sending the labour dispute to binding arbitration. The letter — which was signed by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Retail Council of Canada, Food Producers of Canada and the Canadian Toy Association, among others — warns a strike would be "devastating" for the economy. "The federal government must … be prepared to act in advance to prevent yet another damaging disruption by referring the matter to binding arbitration where a neutral arbitrator can resolve any outstanding issues," the letter says. The letter says the threat of a pilots' strike so soon after the Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) labour disruption would cripple Canada's reputation. "If Canadian businesses are unable to deliver our goods to market on time, our international partners will begin to seek permanent alternatives," the business groups said Wednesday. Earlier this week, Air Canada issued a statement saying it was finalizing plans to suspend most of its operations as talks between the company and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents more than 5,200 pilots, remain unresolved. The airline said that beginning on Sept. 15, the ALPA could issue a 72-hour strike notice or the airline could announce a 72-hour lock-out, triggering a wind-down plan affecting 110,000 passengers daily. In the statement, Air Canada's president and CEO Michael Rousseau said "there is still time to reach an agreement … provided ALPA moderates its wage demands."<br/>
South African Airways has been rechecking personnel, including pilots, after the country’s civil aviation regulator accused the airline’s chief medical officer of issuing fraudulent certificates. The South African Civil Aviation Authority says the officer’s designation as an aviation medical examiner was not renewed after 31 March this year – pending an investigation – but alleges that they continued to issue medical certificates after this date. It has set a 15-day deadline, expiring on 1 October, for all licensed personnel, including crews, engineers and air traffic controllers, to submit to re-examination if they obtained certification from 1 April. While the regulator has not indicated the extent of the situation, it has notified the broader aviation sector. It alleges “fraudulent and incomplete” medical reports were filed, and that “non-medical and unauthorised personnel” carried out assessments. “We view these allegations in a very serious light as they have a direct impact on the ability of aviation personnel to perform their duties in a safe manner,” says SACAA director of civil aviation Poppy Khoza. South African Airways insists the action has no impact on its operations, adding that only one pilot and two cabin crew members are “negatively affected” and will be recertified. It states that it has a “zero tolerance” policy towards violation of aviation safety regulations and is supporting an SACAA probe.<br/>
A flight attendant of Asiana Airlines was recently assaulted by a passenger on an aircraft while the plane was preparing to takeoff for the United States, according to industry sources Wednesday. According to the sources, the incident occurred at around 9 p.m. last Thursday aboard flight OZ204 headed for Los Angeles from Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. At that time, the aircraft was reportedly close to takeoff, and passenger movement was restricted. The incident occurred when the assailant's companion got up to head toward the restroom and the flight attendant attempted to stop them. The incident was purportedly reported to the cabin manager immediately. However, instead of returning the plane to the gate or reporting the assailant to the police, the flight continued as scheduled. Even after completing the 11-hour flight, there was reportedly no report made to local police. Asiana Airlines stated that after arriving in Los Angeles, both the victim and the cabin manager were excused from additional duties and sent back to Korea. The airline said it is closely monitoring the victim's condition and is investigating the incident to determine whether to pursue legal action.<br/>