Flight Safety Information - September 17, 2025 No. 186 In This Issue : Incident: Delta B738 at Miami on Sep 13th 2025, bird strike : Incident: Eurowings A320 near Zagreb on Sep 15th 2025, smoke in cabin : Air Charter Safety Foundation - Industry Audit Standard Lite : Incident: Delta B738 near Belize on Sep 10th 2025, engine failure : 3 Delta flight attendants injured after turbulent flight to Atlanta : FAA Finds 'Hundreds' of Safety Violations From Major Airline Manufacturer : Pilots report ‘green laser’ targeting planes while flying near Boston Logan Airport : Trump's Air Force One Has Close Encounter With Spirit Jet: 'Pay Attention!' : High Expectations for 42nd ICAO Assembly : Aviation experts gather in Las Vegas to discuss air safety : Flames seen shooting from plane, ground stop issued at Logan Airport : More Than One Hundred Boeing 787 Dreamliners Flown By US Airlines Could Have Faulty Oxygen Masks : Emirates opens training centre for 777X and A350 pilots : Chartright Air Group expands fleet with five Citation C560 light jets : United Airlines makes major hiring announcement at Newark Airport : Japan Airlines Punishing 37 Executives Amid Pilot Alcohol Scandal : Calendar of Event Incident: Delta B738 at Miami on Sep 13th 2025, bird strike A Delta Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N399DA performing flight DL-1399 from Miami,FL to Boston,MA (USA) with 152 people on board, was climbing out of runway 08R when the crew reported a bird strike, they needed to reduce their right hand engine (CFM56) to idle thrust as result. The aircraft stopped the climb at 4000 feet and returned to Miami for a safe landing on runway 09 about 25 minutes after departure. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration N386DA reached Boston with a delay of about 2:45 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Miami 3 days (72 hours) later. https://avherald.com/h?article=52d01362&opt=0 Incident: Eurowings A320 near Zagreb on Sep 15th 2025, smoke in cabin A Eurowings Airbus A320-200, registration D-ABNL performing flight EW-2680 from Stuttgart (Germany) to Thessaloniki (Greece), was enroute at FL350 overflying Zagreb when the crew reported smoke in the cabin and decided to divert to Zagreb, where the aircraft landed safely on runway 04 about 19 minutes later. A replacement A320-200 registration D-ABHG reached Thessaloniki with a delay of about 6.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Zagreb for about 10 hours, then positioned back to Stuttgart and resumed service about 22 hours after landing in Zagreb. https://avherald.com/h?article=52d00f2f&opt=0 Incident: Delta B738 near Belize on Sep 10th 2025, engine failure A Delta Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N386DA performing flight DL-1782 from Atlanta,GA (USA) to San Pedro Sula (Honduras) with 162 people on board, was enroute at FL340 about 110nm northnortheast of Belize City (Belize) when the crew reported the failure of their right hand engine (CFM56) and began to drift down. The aircraft diverted to Belize City for a safe landing on runway 07 about 30 minutes later. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration N388DA resumed the flight and reached San Pedro Sula with a delay of about 7 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for 3 days for an engine change, then positioned back to Atlanta but then diverted to Miami,FL (USA) and resumed service. https://avherald.com/h?article=52cff998&opt=0 3 Delta flight attendants injured after turbulent flight to Atlanta Three Delta Air Lines flight attendants were injured after a flight from Quito, Ecuador, to Atlanta experienced turbulence, the airline company said. After departing Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport at 11:15 p.m. on Sept. 14, Delta flight 632 was headed to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for a scheduled arrival of 5:20 a.m. on Sept. 15, according to FlightAware. During the journey, the Boeing 767, which carried seven crew members and 206 passengers, encountered "moderate turbulence," a Delta spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement. "Three flight attendants reported minor injuries but were able to continue performing their duties throughout the remainder of the flight," the airline continued. After landing safely in Atlanta, the aircraft was met by medical personnel who evaluated the flight attendants. There were no passenger injuries reported. Experts have told USA TODAY that turbulence is growing in both frequency and severity. Severe clear air turbulence – which is harder to predict and therefore avoid – is 41% more common today than in 1979, according to Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading in the U.K. who studies turbulence. This past summer, another Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam diverted to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport after severe weather caused "significant turbulence." 25 people were sent to the hospital, with two crew members sustaining serious injuries. One passenger told ABC News that several travelers who weren't wearing their seatbelts hit the ceiling from the incident. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/3-delta-flight-attendants-injured-230832021.html FAA Finds 'Hundreds' of Safety Violations From Major Airline Manufacturer Back in January 2024, a scary incident occurred on an Alaska Airlines flight when a panel flew off a fuselage in the middle of a flight, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the plane. The incident sparked an investigation from the Federal Aviation Administration, and that has led to a rather concerning discovery. Following the investigation, the FAA said that it found "hundreds" of violations throughout the manufacturing process and has proposed a significant fine for Boeing, which manufactured the 737 MAX aircraft. FAA Finds 'Hundreds' of Violations Following the investigation into the incident, the FAA said on Friday that it had "identified hundreds of quality system violations" at Boeing's Renton factory and its supplier Spirit AeroSystems between September 2023 and February 2024, according to the Anchorage Daily News. While the FAA did not provide more details on the quality system violations it found in Boeing’s operations during that time period, the regulator did propose fining Boeing $3.1 million for the violations. The FAA said that Boeing presented two unairworthy aircraft to the FAA for airworthiness certificates and failed to follow its quality system. Additionally, the FAA says that Boeing pressured a worker to sign off on a 737 MAX airplane so that the company could meet its delivery schedule, even though the worker had determined the aircraft did not comply with standards. Boeing Responds to the Findings In response to the findings, Boeing issued a statement. “We regret the January 2024 … accident and continue to work on strengthening our safety culture and improving first-time quality and accountability across our operations,” Boeing said in its statement. Since the incident, the manufacturer has been designing and implementing a safety and quality plan. “Our team continues to implement these improvements, such as investing in workforce training, strengthening production system compliance, and encouraging employees to speak up,” Boeing said in its statement. Other Boeing 737 Incidents It's worth noting that the 2024 incident is not the only recent incident involving a Boeing 737 that has sparked FAA investigations. Over the past few months, two Delta Air Lines flights have had issues with flaps coming removed from the wing. Back in early July, a Delta Air Lines flight from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta was missing a flap when it arrived at its destination at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The piece of the plane was ultimately found in the driveway of a residential property. Then, in August, passengers noticed that a piece of the flap partially broke off during a flight from Orlando International to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Nobody was injured in either incident, but it was certainly a concerning pattern that sparked an FAA investigation. The Boeing 737 is the most common passenger jet in use today, with around 4,400 of them in service globally. The aircraft is used by Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/faa-finds-hundreds-safety-violations-211405197.html Pilots report ‘green laser’ targeting planes while flying near Boston Logan Airport The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a “green laser” targeted planes at Boston Logan International Airport Monday night. “Departure, American 4580. Just got lit up by a green laser off our right. It’s still going off,” the pilot of the American Airlines regional jet, operated by Republic Airways, radioed air traffic controllers in audio recorded by the website LiveATC.net. “Even after we turned, it was still strobing.” According to the FAA, crews flying Republic Airways Flight 4580, Southwest Airlines Flight 559 and United Airlines Flight 2356 all reported being illuminated while flying near the airport. “Attention all aircraft, unauthorized laser illumination event is in progress. It’s been reported about 2 miles north of Boston, at 600 feet on departure,” the air traffic controller warned pilots in an audio recording captured by LiveATC.net. Shining a laser at a commercial aircraft is a federal crime and can incapacitate or temporarily blind pilots. “Positive green laser, about a couple of blocks east from the football field there,” a JetBlue pilot taking off told air traffic control. “Roger, thank you, we are sending the police out now,” the controller responded. “When it was directed toward us, I could see it in the cockpit,” the pilot later noted. No injuries were reported in Monday’s incidents, the FAA said in a statement to CNN. Fines for shining a laser at an aircraft are up to $32,000. Violators can also face federal criminal penalties, up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as well as state and local charges. Last year, crews reported 12,840 laser strikes to the FAA. This year, 5,913 laser incidents have been reported so far. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/pilots-report-green-laser-targeting-211839916.html Trump's Air Force One Has Close Encounter With Spirit Jet: 'Pay Attention!' Air traffic controllers repeatedly ordered pilots of a Spirit Airlines flight to turn away from Air Force One on Tuesday. Spirit Airlines flight 1300 was travelling over Long Island en route from Fort Lauderdale to Boston when controllers told the pilots to "pay attention." It came as Air Force One was flying President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to the United Kingdom for a state visit. "Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right," an air traffic controller radioed to the pilots, CBS News reported, citing recordings from liveatc.net. "Pay attention, Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right. Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right, now. Spirit wings 1300 turn 20 degrees right, immediately." When the Spirit pilots acknowledged the transmission, the air traffic controller replied: "Pay attention. Spirit 1300 traffic off your left wing by six mi--- or eight miles, 747. I'm sure you can see who it is. Keep an eye out for him — he's white and blue." Preliminary flight data from Flightradar24 indicated that the closest the two jets came was around 11 miles. A Spirit Airlines spokesperson told CBS News that "safety is always our top priority." They added: "Spirit Airlines flight 1300 followed procedures and Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions while en route to Boston and landed uneventfully (in Boston)." Newsweek contacted Spirit Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for comment by email outside of regular working hours. The incident follows several recent violations of restricted airspace over Bedminster, New Jersey, when Trump was staying at his golf club. The U.S. Air Force said that over the course of last weekend, six general aviation aircraft had violated Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) airspace over Bedminster. One of the planes had to be intercepted by NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) fighter aircraft, with flares being deployed to attract the pilot's attention. https://www.newsweek.com/trump-air-force-one-spirit-airlines-flight-2131105 High Expectations for 42nd ICAO Assembly Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has high expectations for the 42nd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) (Montreal, 23 September-3 October 2025). ICAO has accepted 14 working papers authored by IATA covering a wide range of topics for the Assembly’s consideration. “IATA will be participating in the ICAO Assembly with safety, sustainability and efficiency at the top of our priority list. It is critical that we secure stronger support for SAF production and CORSIA as key enablers of aviation’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Equally, we need agreement to follow the principles and provisions of the Chicago Convention to avoid patchworks of debilitating tax measures and passenger rights regulations. And we must shore-up safety with timely accident reports, mitigations for GNSS interference and preservation of critical radio-frequency spectrum,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Global standards, many of which are developed by governments through ICAO, are crucial for safe, efficient and increasingly sustainable aviation operations worldwide. These standards are developed with the expertise and input of airline operators worldwide working with ICAO Member States at ICAO. The ICAO Assembly is a once-every-three-year opportunity for states to align on ICAO’s work program as it addresses aviation’s most pressing issues. “The criticality of global standards to global aviation cannot be underestimated. I am optimistic for the outcomes of this Assembly. Everybody wants flying to be safe, efficient and more sustainable. So, we have a common agenda with governments. Indeed, many of our submissions to the Assembly are simply asking governments to more effectively implement what they have already agreed. The coming weeks in Montreal are essential to set the agenda, but even more important is the following three years of work to achieve what is agreed,” said Walsh. Most topical among the papers IATA has submitted are: 1. SAF Production Targets for SAF use set by the ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative fuels (CAAF/3) should be reviewed by states to take into consideration the price-raising consequences of setting mandates without the anticipated increase in SAF production. IATA asks states to: Support IATA’s efforts to create a functioning SAF market. Step up economic incentives for fuel producers for SAF production. Make timely policy interventions to address anomalies. 2. CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) CORSIA was agreed by states at the 39th ICAO Assembly (2016) to be the sole economic measure to address aviation’s global carbon emissions. CORSIA is expected to generate up to $17 billion in climate finance by 2035. However, states continue to create or augment aviation taxes and schemes (national and regional) that undercut CORSIA’s credibility, and which do little or nothing to further sustainability. Moreover, only Guyana has issued CORSIA Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs) which generate climate finance and enable airlines to fulfil their CORSIA obligations. IATA asks states to: Reaffirm their commitment to making CORSIA a success as the only economic measure to manage aviation’s climate impact. Make available sufficient CORSIA EEUs for airlines to be able to fulfil their CORSIA obligations. 3. Revisions to Aviation Corporate Tax A revision to Article 8 of the UN’s Model Tax Treaty creates an option to base an airline’s corporate tax on where revenue is earned (source-based) in addition to the longstanding (and nearly universally applied) system of taxation in the jurisdiction of its principal place of business (residence-based). If selected, source-based corporate taxation would generate an enormous additional administrative burden with no additional tax revenue generation unless it results in double taxation. It would also require adjustment of nearly all bilateral air services agreements which follow residence-based taxation. IATA asks states to: Ignore Article 8 revisions and continue with residency-based taxation for airlines. 4. Consumer Protection In recent years several governments have been considering and implementing consumer protection regulations for air travelers. In many cases these have deviated from ICAO’s Core Principles on Consumer Protection which support alignment with global standards (Montreal Convention 1999, for example), respect proportionality and take into consideration exceptional circumstances of mass disruption. Arising from this we have a patchwork of regulations that conflict with each other and confuse travelers. Moreover, although disruptions have many sources, there is no shared accountability for traveler inconvenience and airlines bear the brunt of increasingly onerous regulations. IATA asks states to: Reaffirm their commitment to ICAO’s Core Principles and align regulations accordingly. Develop supplementary guidance to globally align on definitions of extraordinary circumstances, smooth discrepancies among jurisdictions, share accountability among stakeholders and consider the specific challenges of mass disruptions. 5. Radio Frequency Spectrum As the telecoms industry rolls out 5G and eventually 6G services, it is demanding greater allocations of radio frequency spectrum. Aviation require spectrum for many purposes including the critical 4.2-4.4GhZ band for radio altimeters. Some configurations for 5G rollouts (particularly in the US, Australia and Canada) have created unacceptable risks to aviation safety in the vicinity of airports which required mitigation measures (reconfiguration of 5G antenna as airlines retrofit with interference-proof avionics). Due to supply chain challenges and the time needed to develop and test global standards, retrofit timelines are not going to be met. IATA asks states to: Protect safety critical frequencies used by aviation from interference. Strengthen coordination among telecoms and aviation regulators to ensure safety of flight, follow best practices of successful implementations, and agree realistic timelines for any retrofits. 6. Accident Investigations ICAO Annex 13 requires that states file a final accident report within a year of the accident’s occurrence. When this is not possible, updates must be published. Unfortunately, only 57% of accidents between 2018 and 2023 have a publicly available final accident report. This deprives aviation of a vital source of safety information. IATA asks states to: Complete accident reports in line with Annex 13 requirements and in a timely manner. Support capacity building for states with insufficient accident investigation resources. 7. GNSS Interference Airlines rely on GNSS-based services for safe navigation. GNSS jamming and spoofing incidents are rising in areas near conflict zones. While redundancies exist to preserve safety of flights, this is an unacceptable risk which must be mitigated. IATA asks states to: Ensure better coordination between military and civil aviation authorities to provide airlines with timely risk information. Support a multi-faceted approach to mitigating risks including better reporting/detection, measures to protect critical aviation frequencies, the development of interference-proof avionics and a cyber-hardening strategy, contingency planning and training (pilots and air traffic controllers). 8. Aircraft Mandates ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) set the global framework for aviation safety. Aircraft mandates are the practical requirements such as installing new systems that flow from these SARPs once adopted by regulators. The current Adopted–Effective–Applicable cycle is lengthy and vulnerable to certification delays, supply chain constraints, and global disruptions. These challenges lead to exemptions and national differences, undermining harmonization and delaying safety benefits. IATA asks states to: Acknowledge that airlines hold the final compliance responsibility and are therefore the most exposed to variability in the implementation chain. Create a mechanism to set realistic applicability dates for aircraft mandates, with active monitoring and flexibility to adjust timelines if global disruptions occur. 9. Pilot Age Limits (Multi Pilot International Flights) Under ICAO Annex 1 (pilot licensing rules), airline pilots on multi pilot international operations must retire at 65. IATA supports lifting the multi pilot limit to 67, retaining the existing cockpit safeguard of at least one pilot under 65 and pairing the change with stronger, standardized medical oversight. This reflects longer, healthier careers while keeping safety safeguards in place. IATA asks states to: Approve the increase to 67 for multi pilot international operations, with the “one under 65” rule maintained, existing medical frequency preserved (e.g., six monthly over 60), and no change to the single pilot limit. Set up a standardized medical risk assessment and oversight system, using a common, privacy respecting dataset (e.g., medical certificate actions, reasons for retirement/non renewal, in flight incapacitation events) to monitor age related risks consistently across States. Issue joint guidance (medical, licensing, and operations) so implementation is uniform, auditable, and aligned with safety management best practice. https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2025-releases/2025-09-17-01/ Aviation experts gather in Las Vegas to discuss air safety LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Air traffic controllers, pilots, and engineers, around 1,200 people, are in Las Vegas attending a conference focused on aviation safety and technology. The Communicating for Safety conference is a two-day event that provides an opportunity for workers to hear from industry leaders, have critical conversations, and explore emerging technologies. There are 56 million takeoffs and landings annually in the United States, and everyone depends on air traffic controllers to keep things smooth and safe. Karena Marinas, with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), said becoming an air traffic controller involves several stages of training, which take about five to eight years to complete. Last month, the FAA said it plans to hire nearly 9,000 air traffic controllers by the end of 2028. This comes at a time when the U.S. is dealing with a shortage of air traffic controllers. John Murdock, NATCA’s National Safety Chair, said managing hundreds of flights on radar, handling emergencies, and staying sharp under pressure is what it takes to keep the system flowing without panic. Modernization is another. “Really, the biggest challenges we have right now are modernizing the system and staffing; getting the building staffed with the right people and getting the system modernized to the levels of 2025, not using old equipment but bringing in new systems,” John Murdock, an air traffic controller from Philadelphia, told 8 News Now. He adds that while the job can be intense, it’s also challenging and a lot of fun. The NATCA is taking place at the Horseshoe through Sept. 17. https://www.8newsnow.com/news/aviation-experts-gather-in-las-vegas-to-discuss-air-safety/amp/ Flames seen shooting from plane, ground stop issued at Logan Airport Massport said an aircraft returned to the Boston airport after a report of a loud noise. Video shows flames coming out of a Swiss International Air Lines flight on the runway. A ground stop was ordered Tuesday night after a plane bound for Zurich, Switzerland, had to abort takeoff from Boston's Logan Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration said the Swiss International Air Lines flight was disabled on Runway 22R. "The crew of SWISS Flight 55 stopped their takeoff at Boston Logan International Airport due to engine issues around 6:25 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The FAA briefly paused some arrivals to the airport before the plane taxied off the runway," the agency said in a statement. "The FAA will investigate." Video showed flames coming out of the plane. The Massachusetts Port Authority, which manages Logan Airport, said the flight returned there because of a sound. "The aircraft returned to Logan for a report of a loud noise," a Massport spokesperson said in a statement. "Nothing was found upon investigation." A Swiss Air Lines spokesperson confirmed in a statement early Wednesday morning that flight LX55 from Boston to Zurich did experience "a problem" with the right engine during takeoff, and the crew immediately aborted takeoff. They said passengers were able to disembark from the plane regularly after it had taxied back to the gate. "Investigations into the exact nature of the engine problem are currently underway," the airline said. "However, depending on the problem with an engine, it is possible that a flame may be visible for a brief moment." They said there were 223 passengers and 13 crew members on board, and they are all fine. Passengers from the original flight were put on another plane, which was expected to land in Zurich around noon, with a delay of about five hours, the airline spokesperson said. "We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to passengers by this incident," Swiss Air Lines said. One passenger who was on the plane described the incident to NBC10 Boston. "We're about halfway down the runway when all of a sudden, there's kind of a boom noise and a big jolt, so the plane jolts forward," passenger Molly Furrer said. "I could feel the plane braking and then started to skid down the runway until it came to a complete stop." She said everyone seemed startled, but there was no screaming and passengers remained calm. Soon, the plane was surrounded by first responders. "Once the sirens and the ambulances started to come, and we weren't told what was going on, that was kind of when the panic started to build a little bit more," she said. "Because we're like, 'I don't know, is the plane on fire in the back?' We had no idea." Furrer said it took several minutes for the pilots to explain what had happened. "The captain came on and told us that there was an engine warning for the second engine and that they had to turn off the engine quickly during takeoff," she said. She's thankful nobody was injured and she knows it could have been a lot worse. "The first feeling, fortunately, that I had was general relief that this was caught before we even got into the air, so we didn't have to make an emergency landing," Furrer said. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/aircraft-is-disabled-on-runway-at-logan-airport-faa-says/3810194/ More Than One Hundred Boeing 787 Dreamliners Flown By US Airlines Could Have Faulty Oxygen Masks The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will issue a final rule requiring airlines to inspect more than one hundred Boeing 787 Dreamliners because some of the oxygen masks could be faulty and might not work in the event of a depressurization. A preview of the unpublished rule explains that 119 Dreamliners belonging to US airlines will need to be inspected because the oxygen supply tubing for the masks could be kinked, creating what the FAA describes as an ‘unsafe condition’ that could lead to passenger injury. One of the American Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliners that will need to be inspected to ensure none of the passenger oxygen masks are faulty. Ahead of issuing this airworthiness directive, the FAA reached out to the affected airlines, as well as other interested parties, including Boeing, for comments and suggestions about how best to fix the problem. American Airlines wanted the FAA to extend the time given to inspect its planes and fix any faulty parts to 48 months – double the amount of time that regulators had originally suggested. The FAA rejected this request but agreed to a 36-month compliance timeframe, allowing airlines to conduct the checks and carry out any repairs without needing to ground planes outside of normal maintenance schedules. Thankfully, only a small number of oxygen masks might be affected, as the potential for kinking in the tube has only been reported on specific masks in center seats only. Nonetheless, engineers voiced concern that carrying out repairs as initially proposed by the FAA would prove challenging, and regulators have now given permission for airlines to simply remove the entire oxygen panel in affected units and replace it with brand new panels. As airworthiness directives go, this should be relatively cheap for US airlines to comply with, as the FAA estimates the total cost to inspect their planes will only amount to around $252,875. In August 2024, the FAA issued another airworthiness directive for Boeing 787s over a potentially faulty switch on the pilot seats in the cockpit that is believed to be behind the sudden nosedive of a LATAM Airlines Dreamliner flying from Sydney to Auckland last March. More than 50 passengers were injured in the bizarre incident that occurred when the Captain was pinned against the control console, causing the plane to dramatically pitch downwards. Investigators found that the cover of an electronic switch located at the back of the Captain’s seat that moves the seat forward and backward was damaged. When a flight attendant entered the cockpit to deliver the pilots’ meals, she accidentally leaned on the switch, and the cover jammed the rocker switch into motion. The faulty cover was not, however, isolated to just that one Boeing 787, and this incident was quickly linked to several other ‘inadvertent pilot seat movement’ incidents. The FAA ordered US airlines to inspect the rocker switches on all of their Boeing 787s and replace any that showed signs of damage. Unlike the oxygen mask rule, the FAA chose not to give airlines and stakeholders any time to comment as it was deemed that the situation was to urgent to wait before issuing an airworthiness directive. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2025/09/16/more-than-one-hundred-boeing-787-dreamliners-flown-by-us-airlines-could-have-faulty-oxygen-masks/ Emirates opens training centre for 777X and A350 pilots Middle Eastern carrier Emirates has formally opened its new crew training centre, which will offer pilot training on the Boeing 777X and Airbus A350. The centre, located in Dubai, features six full-flight simulator bays. Two A350 simulators have already been installed, and pilot training is underway on these. Four more simulators – including the initial 777X devices – will be delivered in the “next couple of years”, says Emirates. The airline has ordered 65 A350-900s, of which nine had been delivered by the end of August. Emirates’ latest annual report states that it has 205 777Xs on order, comprising 170 777-9s and 35 777-8s, and expects its first to arrive in 2027. Integrated with the simulators is a pilot support station to optimise the training sessions Its simulators are integrated with a pilot support station, which is designed to optimise the training session through flightdeck configuration and flightplan development. “By streamlining preparation, pilots can maximise learning outcomes,” says the carrier. “Training sessions are fully recorded, enabling instructors to replay any moment to enhance performance review and learning.” Emirates Group chief Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum puts the investment at Dhs500 million ($136 million). Once the centre is fully operational, pilots at the overall Emirates campus will have access to 17 simulators, including the 11 which the carrier already uses for training Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 crews. https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/emirates-opens-training-centre-for-777x-and-a350-pilots/164547.article Chartright Air Group expands fleet with five Citation C560 light jets Canadian charter operator Chartright Air Group has added five light jets and expanded its jet card to Quebec. Chartright Air Group has added to its charter fleet with five Cessna Citation 560 private jets. The new aircraft will be used for the Chartright JetClub. The light jets feature modern interiors and onboard Wi-Fi. With the move, jet card service has expanded across Ontario and Québec. It extends JetClub access to cities such as Windsor, Ottawa, and Montréal. Director of Sales & Marketing Graham Nierop says, “Our JetClub expansion reflects our commitment to making private aviation as seamless and flexible as possible.” He adds, “The introduction of the C560 light jet fleet and expanded service area means more choice, greater efficiency, and added value for travelers across Eastern Canada.” The aircraft has seven seats in the cabin. The company also offers aircraft management, FBO operations, maintenance, and aircraft acquisition. https://privatejetcardcomparisons.com/2025/09/16/chartright-air-group-expands-fleet-with-five-citation-c560-light-jets/ United Airlines makes major hiring announcement at Newark Airport Standing in front of a new gleaming white Airbus airliner, United Airlines officials announced the airline is ready to add 2,500 new jobs at Newark Airport as the hub bounces back from the spring air traffic control chaos. CEO Scott Kirby and other executives spoke employees who crowded an airline hangar, thanking them for rebuilding the airport’s reputation and increasing on-time performance. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/united-airlines-makes-major-hiring-003357244.html Japan Airlines Punishing 37 Executives Amid Pilot Alcohol Scandal TOKYO- Japan Airlines (JAL) has reduced the pay of its top executives, including President Mitsuko Tottori, following a serious alcohol-related incident involving one of its captains at Honolulu International Airport (HNL). The decision comes after Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism issued a formal reprimand to the airline. The dismissed captain, previously assigned to operate JL793 from Honolulu (HNL) to Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO), admitted to heavy drinking prior to duty on August 28, 2025. The misconduct caused delays of up to 18 hours, disrupting multiple flights and impacting around 630 passengers. Japan Airlines dismissed the 64-year-old captain on September 11 as a disciplinary measure. In addition, the airline announced pay cuts for 37 executives as a sign of responsibility and to reinforce its safety-first commitment. President Mitsuko Tottori will face a 30% salary reduction for two months. Managing Executive Officer and Chief Safety Officer Yukio Nakagawa, along with Masaki Minami, head of flight operations, will see their salaries cut by 20% for one month. The remaining 34 executives will have their pay reduced by 10% for one month. The airline emphasized that this action is intended to restore public trust and strengthen internal oversight after repeated alcohol-related lapses among its flight crew. Details of the Incident The captain scheduled to pilot JL793 consumed three bottles of 9.5% alcohol beer the evening before his duty. On the day of departure, he reported sick, forcing Japan Airlines to reorganize crew assignments at short notice. This led to cascading delays across three flights, inconveniencing hundreds of passengers. The incident marked the second alcohol-related violation involving JAL pilots within a year. Two other captains were involved in similar cases in December 2024, prompting growing concerns over the airline’s management and supervision systems. Government Response On September 10, Japan’s transport ministry summoned JAL’s chief safety officer and issued a stern warning, citing inadequate internal controls. This was the second official reprimand delivered to JAL in less than a year, underlining the seriousness of the violation. The ministry also confirmed that administrative penalties against the dismissed captain are under consideration. Officials stressed that strict compliance with alcohol policies is non-negotiable in ensuring aviation safety, Japan Times reported. JAL’s Public Apology and Reforms In a press conference, JAL President Mitsuko Tottori publicly apologized for the incident and pledged tighter enforcement of pre-flight alcohol and health checks. She acknowledged the gravity of repeated violations and confirmed that new monitoring systems will be introduced to prevent recurrence. The airline stated that it would review its supervisory framework, increase training programs, and implement stricter compliance checks for crew members. The move signals JAL’s commitment to rebuilding passenger confidence and addressing concerns raised by regulators. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/09/17/japan-airlines-punishes-37-executives-amid-pilot-alcohol-scandal/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS · ISASI ANNUAL SEMINAR 2025'September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025, DENVER, COLORADO . 2025 NBAA Single-Pilot Safety Standdown; Monday, Oct. 13 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; Las Vegas, NV . 2025 NBAA National Safety Forum, Tuesday, Oct. 14 – Wednesday, Oct. 15; Las Vegas, NV . Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC™) - 2025 – October 27-29th (Omaha, Nebraska) . 78TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT (IASS) - Lisbon, November 4–6 . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada . 2026 ACSF Safety Symposium; April 7-9, 2026; ERAU Daytona Beach, FL . 2026 NBAA Maintenance Conference; May 5-7, 2026; New Orleans, LA . BASS 2026 - 71st Business Aviation Safety Summit - May 5-6, 2026 | Provo, Utah . The African Aviation Safety & Operations Summit - May 19-20 | Johannesburg, South Africa . Safeskies Australia - Australia’s renowned Aviation Safety Conference - Canberra Australia 20 and 21 May 2026 . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis