A deal to cap carbon emissions from global aviation at 2020 levels must be enforceable and set long-term goals in line with the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change, a coalition of environmental groups said. Aviation was excluded from the landmark climate accord in Paris in December, but carbon emissions from the sector could triple by 2050 if left unchecked, the International Coalition for Sustainable Aviation warned. In Paris, countries agreed to limit the rise in global temperatures to "well below" 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. "Now, countries need to fulfil their Paris promises by ensuring that the aviation industry does its fair share," Brad Schallert from the World Wildlife Fund said. The ICAO has until October to complete a deal that would cap and cut the carbon pollution of all international flights. <br/>
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A4A has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Air Transport Association (CATA), formalising their long-standing cooperative relationship toward bolstering air transport development and promoting air travel and tourism between the US and China. A4A said the MOU—signed by A4A president and CE Nicholas Calio and CATA chairman Li Jun—creates a platform for A4A and CATA to further engage on issues impacting their member airlines and the global aviation community, including market access for US carriers. “The US and China represent two of the most significant global aviation markets around the world, as evidenced by the tremendous growth in both passenger and cargo operations between our two nations over the past decade,” Calio said. <br/>
The French Civil Aviation Authority called for airlines to cancel more flights Monday, following a weekend of disrupted flight schedules due to an air traffic control staff walkout. Unsa, France's third largest union for air traffic controllers, said it coordinated the walkout in protest against a cap on recruitment, and a lack of investment in the new computer systems used by controllers. The strike has disrupted hundreds of flights throughout Europe, with Paris Orly particularly hard hit: 33% of all flights arriving and departing from the airport were impacted by the strike action Monday morning. The walkout also disrupted general air traffic over France, meaning flights that neither take off nor land at a French airport were also affected. Flights across Europe are expected to be disrupted until 5 am Central European Time Tuesday morning. <br/>
The Schiphol Group has issued a final approval of plans to develop a new pier and terminal at Amsterdam Schiphol. These structures will serve as the foundation for long-term capacity growth and are consistent with the prospects for growth laid down in the Alders Agreement. The Schiphol Group said the new terminal, scheduled for completion in 2023, will be constructed to the south of Schiphol Plaza, directly next to the air traffic control tower and will be connected to the existing terminal. It is anticipated to serve some 14m passengers per year. The new flexible pier will be located near Cargo Station 1 and is expected to be ready for use in late 2019. The pier will accommodate multiple wide- and narrowbody aircraft: up to either 3 wide- and 5 narrowbody aircraft, or 11 narrowbody aircraft in total. <br/>
Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev ordered officials Monday to examine whether Russia’s flight safety rules need to be tightened up after a passenger jet crashed in southern Russia, killing all 62 people on board. Medvedev told the govt to analyse the reasons behind the crash. “If there are some technological issues, then they should be analysed and, at the conclusion of that analysis, proposals should be made to the govt so that some amendments can be made to technical equipment ... or to the rules in our country’s aviation," he said. Two main theories being considered by investigators were possible pilot error or a technical failure. Investigators are likely to focus, among other issues, on how the decision to land was reached, and why the plane circled above the airport in a holding pattern for more than 2 hours. <br/>