U.S. airline passenger numbers will reach 1 billion in 2023, two years later than projected, because of slow economic growth, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The revision in the agency’s annual forecast follows an “unprecedented” drop in operations last year, when take-offs and landings fell 10.4 percent, said Nan Shellabarger, the agency’s director of aviation policy and plans.
(continue reading…)

An American Airlines jet scraped a wingtip and partially veered off the runway while landing in poor visibility Sunday night at Charlotte, N.C., and federal air-safety regulators are looking into why it took the carrier four hours to notify them about the event.

While none of the crew or the 110 passengers aboard Flight 1402 was injured, the Federal Aviation Administration is treating the event as an accident. On Monday, FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said American’s timing in notifying the agency “is part of the investigation.” (continue reading…)

Signaling a potentially tougher safety enforcement policy, federal aviation regulators proposed $9.2 million in civil penalties against US Airways and United Airlines for various maintenance lapses affecting more than 1,800 flights stretching back to early 2008.
(continue reading…)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is allowing Southwest Airlines to fly with unapproved parts used to repair some of its jets, according to several published reports. FAA officials say that the parts, used by a maintenance company hired by Southwest, are not considered an “immediate safety threat,” the Huffington Post reported. (continue reading…)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating Southwest Airlines after a routine inspection found that the airline had installed unauthorized parts on 46 of its planes.

The Dallas-based carrier grounded those planes for several hours Saturday after the FAA’s inspection.

The unauthorized part, known as a hinge fitting, goes on the airplane’s wing, FAA spokesman Les Dorr said. (continue reading…)

Continental Airlines Inc. slashed its lobbying spending in the second quarter to $290,000 while successfully promoting its bid for antitrust immunity when it joins a new airline alliance this fall.

Continental disclosed in a July 20 filing with the House clerk’s office that it lobbied on its application for antitrust immunity to work closely with United and other airlines on international routes.
(continue reading…)

An American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami on Thursday could pave the way for more eco-friendly flying.

American, based in Fort Worth, will use a Boeing 767-300 on Flight 63 to demonstrate several fuel conservation measures that it hopes will show how planes can use existing technology to cut carbon emissions. (continue reading…)

Airplane collisions with birds or other animals have destroyed 28 aircraft since 2000, with New York’s Kennedy airport and Sacramento International reporting the most incidents with serious damage, according to Federal Aviation Administration data posted for the first time Friday. And the problem appears to be growing. (continue reading…)

Several of the nation’s largest airlines have joined in a lawsuit to block stronger federal rules on crew rest during the longest international flights. (continue reading…)