Latest news with #aviationsafety
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
John Oliver on current aviation safety system: ‘It is just asking for trouble'
On the latest Last Week Tonight, John Oliver looked into the shortage of air traffic controllers in the US, leading to airport delays and contributing to aviation safety issues. Oliver first noted that large, fatal commercial airline crashes are extremely rare, and that commercial is still by far the safest way to travel. And one major reason for that is air traffic controllers, which Oliver called 'the unsung heroes of the sky'. 'Air traffic controllers have to be constantly vigilant,' he explained on Sunday evening. 'It's not like a normal job where you start a task, then check Reddit for a few hours, then go back to it, but then it's lunch, then you start the task again but you need a coffee, then you get sucked into a conversation with fucking Derek, so you vent to your pal Jeanine about how much Derek sucks, then you go back to work, then you see Jeanine and Derek laughing about something and you think wait are Jeanine and Derek friends? Oh shit! Then it's 6pm and whatever you had to do really feels more like a tomorrow thing anyway.' 'Unlike that, air traffic controllers actually have to get shit done,' ensuring the safety of about 2 million passengers a day. 'But there's been signs that our system is under extreme strain,' he said, such as the delays at Newark airport last month when some controllers took trauma leave after a terrifying system blackout. In January, a passenger jet and a military helicopter collided near Reagan national airport, killing 67 people. Preliminary reports suggest that there was a shortage of controllers that night, with one person doing both helicopter control and local control combined. 'All of this is bringing into sharp focus just how stressful this job is, and how understaffed most facilities are,' Oliver continued, noting that while ideally there would be more than 14,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) professional controllers, there are currently just under 11,000, with 99% of air traffic control facilities in the US operating below recommended staffing levels. And staffers have been sounding the alarm for a while, both internally and externally – a 2023 report from the New York Times found multiple close calls per week due to controller fatigue. 'Well that's not great,' said Oliver. 'If I had to pick adjectives that I would like to describe air traffic controllers in charge of my flight, 'well-rested' would be near the top of the list, along with 'highly paid' and possibly even 'erotically thrilled by the concept of planes landing safely'. As long as we get there in one piece, I don't really care what the hand under the desk is doing. 'And when you combine all of that with the fact that air traffic control equipment is shockingly outdated and poorly maintained, it's frankly a miracle our system works as well as it does,' he added. 'But we probably shouldn't be running it on miracles.' Oliver delved into how we got here – 'as with so many things on this show, at least some of the blame lies with Ronald Reagan.' Though he promised to expand staffing levels, benefits and technology for air traffic controllers, whose union backed him, Reagan never followed through, and threatened to fire and prosecute controllers when they went on strike. Reagan ultimately did fire 11,000 controllers when they went on strike and banned them from ever being rehired. 'That left some important legacies,' Oliver explained, 'including a massive, panicked hiring spree of new controllers, meaning that two decades later there was also a massive wave of retirements. The FAA has never really managed to catch up with hiring since then.' For one thing, it's a very difficult job, with strict requirements for eligibility, including no history of heart disease, high or low blood pressure, and psychosis, neurosis or any personality or mental disorder. 'And good luck with that!' Oliver exclaimed. 'Nowadays we all spend 20 hours a day watching our friends have fun without us, the pope is a Bob, the oceans are plastic, and astronaut Katy Perry is back on tour. There is no such thing as a mentally healthy person any more, just people who don't have good enough health insurance to get a diagnosis.' Candidates also have to take the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam, which is difficult; less than 10% of applicants make it into the training program, which itself weeds out many other aspiring controllers. Of 1,000 applicants, Oliver noted, only about 50 will become controllers 'at the end of a grueling, years-long process. That is a 5% success rate! It's like Squid Game, if the prize of Squid Game was to just keep doing Squid Game as a job' until a mandatory retirement age of 56. The job is made more difficult by outdated equipment; many air traffic controllers are still working with paper strips, floppy disks and computers based on Windows 95. The FAA has admitted, in some instances, to buying replacement parts off eBay. 'That is clearly not where you should be buying critical equipment,' Oliver mused. 'The only thing you should be buying from eBay are vintage RadioShack swag and a discarded e-meter from the Church of Scientology.' The facilities aren't much better, with some staff reporting elevator malfunctions that force them to climb hundreds of stairs to work, bees and biting flies harassing controllers, and radar systems cooled down by rotary fans. The issues aren't new – the Bush administration promised to modernize air traffic control by 2025, 'which is, and this is true, now', Oliver said. 'So obviously, that didn't happen,' in part because the FAA is part of discretionary, not mandatory, federal spending, so it's vulnerable to getting caught up in federal budget fights. 'It is really hard to plan for any long-term overhaul when the money you need keeps getting pulled out from under you,' he said. 'When you take all this together – ageing technologies, crumbling facilities full of people who are understandably burned out – it is just asking for trouble.' What can be done? Trump's transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, has called for an increase in controller staffing and pay bumps for trainees. On the downside, Oliver noted, he's co-signed Trump's rhetoric about how problems at the FAA were caused by diversity initiatives, 'which is both racist and utterly divorced from any of the issues at the agency'. Duffy also introduced a plan called 'Brand New Air Traffic Control System' and called for reform in under three years, 'but the devil is in the details here', said Oliver, as he hasn't released any specific spending plan or milestones. 'Here is the good news: people across the political spectrum agree that we have a problem here,' Oliver concluded. 'The bad news is, there aren't going to be quick fixes. This is going to require long-term investment.' Which is why Oliver called on Congress to make FAA equipment and facilities mandatory spending instead of discretionary, and to do everything possible to ramp up hiring of controllers. 'It is critically important work, and it needs to be properly valued.'
Zawya
5 days ago
- General
- Zawya
Reflections over air accidents in Nigeria
The recent crash-landing of a Diamond training aircraft at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin serves as a stark reminder of the importance of aviation safety in Nigeria. Fortunately, both occupants of the aircraft survived the incident, albeit with injuries that required medical attention. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched a thorough investigation into the incident, and their efforts will undoubtedly shed light on the causes of the crash. As the NSIB investigation unfolds, it is worth reflecting on the history of air accidents in Nigeria. The country has experienced its fair share of aviation tragedies over the years, with some incidents resulting in significant loss of life. One of the most notable incidents was the Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145 crash in 2005, which claimed the lives of 108 people. Another tragic incident was the Dana Air Flight 0992 crash in 2012, which resulted in the loss of 153 lives. These incidents highlight the critical importance of aviation safety and the need for robust safety measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring. The NSIB plays a vital role in ensuring aviation safety in Nigeria, and their investigation into the recent crash-landing in Ilorin will be crucial in determining the causes of the incident and identifying measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The aviation industry in Nigeria has made significant progress in recent years, with improvements in safety standards and regulatory frameworks. However, the recent incident serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done to ensure the safety of air travelers in Nigeria. The NSIB's investigation will undoubtedly provide valuable insights into the causes of the crash and help to identify areas for improvement. In the aftermath of the incident, the Kwara State Government has expressed relief that the occupants of the aircraft survived the crash. The government has also commended the efforts of the NSIB for launching a formal investigation into the incident. This response demonstrates the government's commitment to aviation safety and its willingness to work with regulatory agencies to ensure that safety standards are upheld. As the investigation into the recent crash-landing in Ilorin continues, it is essential to recognise the importance of transparency and accountability in aviation safety. The NSIB's commitment to transparency throughout the investigation is a welcome development, and their findings will undoubtedly provide valuable insights into the causes of the incident. The aviation industry in Nigeria is growing rapidly, with increasing demand for air travel and a growing number of airlines operating in the country. However, this growth must be accompanied by robust safety measures to ensure that the safety of air travelers is not compromised. The NSIB's investigation into the recent crash-landing in Ilorin will be critical in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring that safety standards are upheld. In conclusion, the recent crash-landing of a Diamond training aircraft at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin serves as a reminder of the importance of aviation safety in Nigeria. The NSIB's investigation into the incident will be crucial in determining the causes of the crash and identifying measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the aviation industry in Nigeria continues to grow, it is essential to prioritize safety and ensure that robust safety measures are in place to protect air travelers. The NSIB's role in ensuring aviation safety in Nigeria cannot be overstated. The bureau's investigation into the recent incident demonstrates its commitment to transparency and accountability, and its findings will undoubtedly provide valuable insights into the causes of the crash. As the aviation industry in Nigeria continues to evolve, it is essential to recognize the importance of safety and to prioritize measures that ensure the safety of air travelers. Ultimately, the safety of air travelers in Nigeria depends on the effectiveness of the country's aviation safety regulatory framework. The NSIB's investigation into the recent crash-landing in Ilorin will be critical in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring that safety standards are upheld. By prioritizing safety and ensuring that robust safety measures are in place, Nigeria can continue to grow its aviation industry while protecting the safety of air travelers. The recent incident also highlights the importance of effective emergency response and medical care in the aftermath of an aviation incident. The fact that both occupants of the aircraft received medical attention promptly is a testament to the preparedness of emergency responders in Ilorin. The NSIB's investigation will undoubtedly provide valuable insights into the response to the incident and identify areas for improvement. In the end, the investigation into the recent crash-landing in Ilorin will be a critical step in ensuring that safety standards are upheld in Nigeria's aviation industry. The NSIB's commitment to transparency and accountability will be essential in identifying the causes of the incident and preventing similar incidents in the future. As the aviation industry in Nigeria continues to grow, it is essential to prioritise safety and ensure that robust safety measures are in place to protect air travelers. The incident also underscores the importance of regular maintenance and inspection of aircraft to prevent mechanical failures that could lead to accidents. The NSIB's investigation will likely examine the maintenance history of the aircraft and determine whether any mechanical issues contributed to the crash. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
CAA warns UK travellers of cabin luggage rule that could be ‘catastrophic' if ignored
THE CAA has warned travellers of a cabin luggage rule that could be catastrophic if ignored. The UK Civil Aviation Authority, which maintains aviation safety in the UK, warned that holidaymakers who flout the rule could be at risk of causing "serious injury" to other travellers. Lithium batteries are found in any device with a rechargeable battery, such as power banks, headphones, phones and e-cigarettes. According to the CAA website: "Poorly manufactured, faulty and misused lithium batteries and those which have not been protected against short circuit can experience something called 'thermal runaway'. "This results in them getting so hot that they can catch fire, explode and ignite other nearby batteries. "If that were to happen on the flight deck it could significantly disrupt the operation of the aircraft and cause serious injury to flight crew. "Similarly, if such an event occurred in the passenger cabin it could cause serious injury to a passenger or crew member. "Accordingly, Controlled portable electronic devices (C-PEDs) are subject to safety design and operational standards." Back in January, a n Air Busan plane caught on fire due to a malfunctioning power bank, which led to the plane being decommissioned due to the extent of the damage. This led to a full ban of power banks being taken in hand luggage, the first of its kind in the world. Other airlines have followed suit with slightly less restrictive guidelines, but still banning the use of power banks in the cabin, as well as banning them in overhead lockers. This includes Eva Air, Thai Airways and Air Asia as well as Tigerair and Starlux. Watch horror moment boxes of batteries suddenly explode sparking horrific factory inferno that killed 23 workers Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines - who operate flights from the UK - have also introduced the strict power bank ban. Last year, a fire broke out on an Asiana Airlines flight because of an overheating power bank. Aerospace design lecturer Sonya Brown told Australian media: "When lithium-ion batteries start to deteriorate, they often expand, which is a key indicator that the battery should not be used anymore. "Having them with people waiting to be detected sooner is safer." It comes days after the US Transportation Security Administration updated its guidelines on checked luggage restrictions in regard to power banks. They must only be in hand luggage, not checked luggage. But some rules have been eased - 11 new items are allowed in hand luggage in the US including certain medications and food. What do the new power bank rules mean for travellers? The Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot weighs in. AS staying connected becomes ever-more important, a ban on the handy gadget that can keep our devices topped up could be seen as a pain. But the catastrophic consequences of a fire on a plane are an obvious reason to make rules stricter. After countless incidents - and with so many counterfeit and faulty goods out there - it makes sense they are cracking down. But airlines do need to understand the need for us to be able to top up our devices in the air. With plans afoot to get rid of physical boarding passes in the coming years, making sure we're able to use our devices will become ever more essential. Adapting plane interiors to include USB ports will alleviate the need to top up on the go. And more needs to be done to highlight the new rules - and the dangers these devices can pose.
Forbes
27-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Worried About Flying: Here Are 9 Expert Suggestions For This Summer
Aviation safety experts say passengers can minimize the risk when flying this summer by being strategic when selecting airports, seats, planes and departure times. A string of recent alarming incidents—from military helicopters interfering with the flow of commercial jets at Reagan National in Washington, D.C. to equipment outages causing air traffic controllers to lose contact with planes at Newark Liberty International Airport and others nationwide—have made travelers jittery as summer approaches. Forbes spoke to four aviation safety experts who offered advice for minimizing risk exposure and reducing the likelihood of flight disruptions this summer. Decisions within a passenger's control include the strategic selection of airports, seats, planes and departure times. 'When we know there's a problem someplace, I simply avoid that airport,' Mary Schiavo, former inspector general of the Department of Transportation, told Forbes. 'So I'm not flying into DCA (Reagan National) or Newark, no way—and if I hear the problems persist at Houston or Denver, for example, then I'll take them off the list, too.' John Cox, aviation safety expert and retired commercial airline pilot, also recommended avoiding Newark for now. 'Think about maybe utilizing LaGuardia or Kennedy or Philly or White Plains and not be dependent on an airport that's experiencing the kind of delays that Newark has,' he said. These days, many travelers are making similar calculations, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's wife. The average number of travelers flying out of Newark has dropped by as much as 20% compared to this time last year, according to Transportation Security Administration data reviewed by NBC News. Connecting flights might be cheaper, but direct flights are safer. 'You decrease your exposure to anything bad happening by going with a nonstop flight, as opposed to a connecting flight, where now you've got two flights you've got to worry about in terms of not only safety, but delays and cancellations,' Jeff Guzzetti, a retired aircraft accident investigator for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), told Forbes. 'If you're looking at statistics, taking a nonstop flight cuts your risk in half, because the riskiest times of any flight are takeoffs and landings,' Schiavo said. Many travelers default to major hubs—but some of the nation's busiest airports have been experiencing the worst air traffic issues, including technology outages and staffing shortages. 'Because of the volume of traffic, the hubs will tend to hang up,' Cox said. Luckily, said Schiavo, travelers have many other options. 'We have over 500 towered airports in this country, and I would definitely recommend that people start to look at those secondary airports, where there's less congestion,' she said, adding, 'I have to go to Ohio a lot and I fly into Akron-Canton. That's not my destination, but it's a beautiful little airport, and I'm out of that airport in five minutes.' Instead of flying into Reagan National, Schiavo is choosing Dulles these days, 'even if it means I take a long cab or Uber ride into DC.' 'Commercial airline crashes are extremely rare but, even then, most people don't realize that airline crashes are almost always survivable,' Guzzetti said, citing NTSB statistics showing 81% of commercial airline passengers survive most accidents. He pointed out the Delta plane that flipped and caught fire after a hard landing in Toronto in February, saying, 'The airplane was trashed, but everyone walked away.' He stresses the key factor is being able to evacuate the plane quickly. 'When you look at the statistics, you want to increase your chances of survivability. I always choose my own seat, either in the emergency exit or very close to it,' he said. For the same reason, Guzzetti avoids wearing sandals and flip-flops as a precaution. 'If I had to get out of the plane very quickly, I could do it.' When flight shopping, consider more than price and departure time. Whether booking directly from the airline or through a third-party platform, pay attention to the type of plane you'll be flying in, which you can typically see with an extra click. 'I usually pick larger airplanes if I have the option,' Guzzetti said. 'In other words, wide-body like a [Boeing] 777 or 787, as opposed to a regional jet, just because it's larger, it's more comfortable, and usually larger airplanes have more sophisticated safety systems.' Two relatively new commercial airlines that launched during the Covid pandemic offer nonstop service between many popular U.S. destinations. Breeze Airways offers direct service on more than 600 U.S. routes and Avelo Airlines connects roughly four dozen U.S. destinations. 'These nonstop flights cut down on congestion, cut down on passenger angst, and use some of these less-crowded airports,' Schiavo said. 'Flights that go out earlier in the day are less likely to hang up, and that's particularly true in the summertime,' Cox said. It's important to understand that storms in one region of the country can quickly turn into a national air travel problem. Afternoon and evening flights tend to be delayed more often than morning departures because airlines reuse planes and crews for multiple trips during the day, so a delay early in the day creates a domino effect later on. 'Afternoon flights have more issues. That's borne out by statistics,' added Schiavo. Having a heads-up that your flight will be delayed has big advantages—especially if you know before everyone else on the flight. 'There's an app called Flighty that tells you a lot,' Cox said. 'Where is the airplane that's going to fly my flight? How late is it?' If your plane is delayed on an earlier flight, it will most likely be delayed for your flight, too. Having that kind of information lets you be proactive about making necessary changes. 'Passengers should download their airline app to get real time updates on delays or gate changes,' said Chadwin Kendall, an associate professor and FAA chief instructor in the Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science at Metropolitan State University of Denver. 'Many of those apps allow you to rebook via the app directly if there is a cancellation, instead of having to go and talk to a gate agent.' FAA data show that, for many U.S. airports, summer weather is responsible for far more delays than winter weather. By consulting the FAA's flight delay map, flyers can see which airports are having issues in real time. Hover over the airport to see the reason for the delay. 'The main mission of air traffic controllers is to keep airplanes separated,' explained Kendall. When an airport becomes too congested for air traffic control to handle, or if there is another issue, like bad weather or runway construction, the FAA may issue a ground delay, which slows the flow of arrivals into that airport until the airspace is less congested. 'Often, the safest thing is just to leave the airplane on the ground [at its origin airport].' Trump Has Blamed Biden For FAA's Failures—But A Key 'Terrible Idea' Happened On His Watch (Forbes)
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Idiot passengers who stand up on flights before seatbelt sign is turned off now face £53 fine
PASSENGERS face new fines for unbuckling their seatbelts and standing up from their seats on planes, before air stewards have said they can do so. Turkey is now planning to fine anyone £53 who it catches doing this - with immediate effect. 3 3 So-called unbucklers ignore flight attendants and will take off their seatbelts, stand and try to get their luggage as soon as the plane has landed. But the new rule, enforced by Turkey's aviation authority, aims to curb this with airlines instructed to report on non-compliance and fines to be issued on the spot. The regulation is effective immediately and is now active and enforced across all Turkish airports, regardless of carrier or flight class. The passenger habit is actually against the rules of the sky - it is treated as an official breach of aviation safety. The extreme measure follows increasing concern over in-flight safety and post-landing order. The authorities are hoping that the fine will act as a deterrent for impatient passengers and force them to remain seated until the aircraft has parked safely. They have also emphasised that rushing to the plane aisle - even when the seatbelt light is off - can cause injuries, get in the way of the air crew and slow down getting off the plane. As the peak tourism season picks up and airports see more travellers, the authorities have stressed that cabin behaviour is now a top priority. For Brits head off to Turkish resorts or friends on stag and hen do's, there can be no rushing to get up and grab you bag full of summer clothes, unless you want to pay the fine - and ultimately, still wait to get off the plane. Brits are among the largest groups of tourists heading to Turkey each year. Travelers have only days before May 23 'flight switch' rule ends – you face long delays if you don't act immediately In 2023, more than 3.7 million UK travellers entered Turkey for holidays, beach breaks, and cultural escapes, according to Travel and Tour World. Airlines are now legally required to make announcements reminding passengers to remain seated not only during landing but also until the plane has reached its final stop. In addition, they must also tell passengers of the fines they could get for breaking any rules. Cabin crew will also have the additional task of report passengers who then break these rules. Hence the enforcement isn't optional and passengers won't just get a warning, it is mandatory and they will be fined if caught. If you want to keep your money in your pocket, simply just stay seated until you are told you can stand. Nine UK airports have also scrapped strict hand luggage rules. Plus, a flight attendant shares three crucial rules to protect yourself in severe turbulence. 3
