Flight Safety Information - April 30, 2025 No. 087 In This Issue : Incident: KLM B738 at Amsterdam on Apr 27th 2025, flaps problem : Incident: Aeromexico E190 near Tampico on Apr 29th 2025, smoke in cockpit : Incident: United B772 at Newark on Apr 28th 2025, bleed leak problem : Incident: Qatar B789 at Chennai on Apr 28th 2025, brake problems : Incident: Jet2 B738 near Budapest on Apr 26th 2025, engine oil leak : ‘Outrageous’: Flight descends into chaos after brawl : American Airlines 737 Pilot and Washington ATC Involved in Heated Argument : FAA Launches Full Investigation After Pilots Report Hearing Erroneous “Go Around” Broadcasts at Cincinnati Airport: What You Need to Know : Transport Ministry Announces Aviation Safety Innovation Plan (S. Korea) : Republican chair unveils $15B plan to modernize air traffic control : ACG signs agreement with Avolon to secure 20 aircraft on lease to 17 airlines : Riyadh Air Pounces on Boeing's China Jets : JetBlue to announce partnership with US carrier after deal with American Airlines collapsed in acrimony : Human Immune System Inspires Revolutionary Aviation Safety Framework : Southeast Regional Chapter (SERC) of ISASI Annual Meeting, July 25 to July 27th in Memphis : Calendar of Events : TODAY'S PHOTO Incident: KLM B738 at Amsterdam on Apr 27th 2025, flaps problem A KLM Boeing 737-800, registration PH-BXN performing flight KL-1465 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Marseille (France), was climbing out of Amsterdam's runway 36C when the crew levelled off at FL060 reporting they had a problem with the flaps. The aircraft returned to Amsterdam for a safe landing on runwa 36R about 35 minutes after departure. The rotation was cancelled. https://avherald.com/h?article=5271651a&opt=0 Incident: Aeromexico E190 near Tampico on Apr 29th 2025, smoke in cockpit An Aeromexico Connect Embraer ERJ-190, registration XA-GAG performing flight AM-2496 from Mexico City to Reynosa (Mexico), was enroute at FL370 about 40nm west of Tampico (Mexico) when the crew decided to divert to Tampico reporting smoke in the cockpit. The aircraft landed safely on Tampico's runway 32 about 20 minutes later. A replacement Embraer ERJ-190 registration XA-ALP reached Reynosa with a delay of 5:15 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Tampico about 6 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=527163f3&opt=0 Incident: United B772 at Newark on Apr 28th 2025, bleed leak problem A United Boeing 777-200, registration N772UA performing flight UA-1321 from Newark,NJ to Los Angeles,CA (USA), was in the initial climb out of Newark's runway 22L when the crew stopped the climb at 5000 feet advising ATC that they needed to run some checklists. The crew subsequently added that they had sort of a bleed leak problem. The aircraft returned to Newark for a safe landing on runway 22L about 85 minutes after departure. A replacement Boeing 777-200 registration N222UA reached Los Angeles with a delay of about 5.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Newark about 23 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=52714f9a&opt=0 Incident: Qatar B789 at Chennai on Apr 28th 2025, brake problems A Qatar Airway Boeing 787-9, registration A7-BHT performing flight QR-528 from Doha (Qatar) to Chennai (India) with 314 people on board, was descending towards Chennai about 20 minutes prior to estimated landing, when the crew received indication of a possible brakes problem. The crew continued for a safe landing on Chennai's runway 25, vacated the runway and taxied to the apron. The passengers disembarked normally. The aircraft remained on the ground in Chennai for about 2 hours, then following maintenance work was able to depart for the return flight and reached Doha on schedule. https://avherald.com/h?article=52714cc0&opt=0 Incident: Jet2 B738 near Budapest on Apr 26th 2025, engine oil leak A Jet2.com Boeing 737-800, registration G-JZBC performing flight LS-622 from Dalaman (Turkey) to East Midlands,EN (UK) with 184 people on board, was enroute at FL360 about 110nm south of Budapest in Serbian Airspace when the crew decided to divert to Budapest due to an engine oil leak on the left hand engine (CFM56). The aircraft landed safely on Budapest's runway 31R about 30 minutes after the decision to divert. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration G-DRTX reached East Midlands the following day with a delay of about 16 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained in Budapest for about 46 hours, then positioned to Manchester,EN (UK) and is still on the ground in Manchester about 14 hours after landing in Manchester. https://avherald.com/h?article=527132cc&opt=0 ‘Outrageous’: Flight descends into chaos after brawl Shocking footage has captured the moment a flight descends into utter chaos after an on-board brawl kicks off inside the cabin. Shocking footage has captured the moment a flight descends into chaos after an on-board brawl. Shocking video has captured the moment flight attendants are forced to physically restrain a woman after she tried to barge into the cockpit during a New York-bound flight. Bizarre footage taken on the American Airlines flight from Sao Paulo last Thursday shows the woman being knocked to the ground as a male crew member holds her down. The door to the cockpit can be seen wide open as members of the flight crew struggle to close it. The woman, a smartly dressed first-class passengers, begins to confront the flight attendant, sparking an argument. A worker can be heard shouting, “Get out, get out” as the woman attempts to break her way in to the cockpit again, As the pair continues to scuffle, the woman is knocked to the ground prompting a male passenger to stand up from his seat and begin shouting furiously in Portuguese, telling the woman to “shut up.” The woman is thrown to the floor after attempting to enter the cockpit. As the woman is ushered back to her seat she begins yelling back at the fellow passenger and attempts to rush towards him. “You son of a b**ch, disgusting, you can’t touch me, you don’t know who you’re talking to, you’re going to get screwed. I went to ask why I was late and this [man] threw me out,’ she yelled, according to flight magazine Aeroin. https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/outrageous-flight-descends-into-chaos-after-brawl/news-story/84eea49eddf1e4a07ad6720ededd25c3 American Airlines 737 Pilot and Washington ATC Involved in Heated Argument While safety was never compromised, the exchange highlights how easily miscommunication can lead to frustration on both ends of the radio. WASHINGTON- On April 26, 2025, American Airlines (AA) Flight 1629, operated by a Boeing 737-800 from Dallas (DFW), landed at Washington National Airport (DCA), where the pilot allegedly failed to follow taxiing instructions. What began as a routine arrival quickly escalated when the pilot engaged in a heated verbal exchange with ATC following their directions. The confrontation created a temporary disruption on the ground at DCA. This marked an unusual breakdown in the typically structured communication protocols between flight crews and tower controllers. “It’s My Airport”: American Pilot and ATC Argument The tension began as the controller accused the pilot of deviating from issued taxi instructions. The ATC can be heard saying, “It’s my airport, and if you don’t do it, that’s a pilot’s deviation.” He chastised the crew for not listening and taking the wrong taxi route. Despite the pilot’s attempts to clarify their position and comply, the controller repeatedly emphasised that the instructions were not being followed. Flight 1629, operating under the registration N966NN, was instructed to exit onto Taxiway Kilo (K) and contact Ground Control on frequency 121.7 (Ground Point 7). However, confusion or miscommunication during this process appeared to escalate tensions. Although the aircraft was safely on the ground and no passengers were at risk, the sharp tone and repeated corrections from the ATC raised eyebrows. The pilot of AA1629 was eventually told to contact Ground Control for further coordination. He was offered a phone number to discuss the incident offline — a typical step when a deviation or complaint may be formally reviewed. On April 26, 2025, American Airlines (AA) Flight 1629, a Boeing 737-800 arriving from Dallas (DFW), landed at Washington National Airport (DCA), where the pilot allegedly failed to follow taxiing instructions. Effective Communication is a MUST Clear communication between pilots and ATC remains essential for maintaining safety and efficiency throughout the aviation system. This ongoing dialogue ensures proper aircraft separation, prevents potential collisions, and facilitates smooth traffic management. When the control tower issues directional instructions, pilots must follow them precisely to avoid what’s classified as a pilot deviation. Conversely, if controllers provide incorrect guidance during landing or takeoff procedures, this constitutes a tower deviation. Both parties need to maintain clear, accurate communication to prevent serious incidents. Without proper coordination, dangerous scenarios could develop, such as aircraft landing on occupied taxiways or conflicting with departing flights. In such cases, any resulting accident would be attributed to pilot error if the flight crew failed to follow proper instructions. Bottom Line This incident underscores the critical importance of clear, calm, and professional communication between pilots and ATC, especially at busy airports like Washington National (DCA). While safety was never compromised, the exchange highlights how easily miscommunication can lead to frustration on both ends of the radio. With FAA oversight likely, this could result in follow-up discussions about conduct and protocol for both parties involved. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/04/29/american-airlines-737-pilot-washington-atc-heated-argument/#google_vignette FAA Launches Full Investigation After Pilots Report Hearing Erroneous “Go Around” Broadcasts at Cincinnati Airport: What You Need to Know The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has acknowledged a concerning incident at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in which several pilots reported hearing an unexpected “go around” command over the radio. A “go around” is a standard procedure in aviation, instructing pilots to abort their landing and circle the airport before attempting another approach. However, in this case, the transmission did not come from the official air traffic control tower, leading to confusion among the pilots involved. While no immediate safety issues were caused, the incident has raised alarms within the aviation industry. The Unexplained “Go Around” Transmission In late April 2025, pilots approaching CVG received the unexpected “go around” command, which typically signals a need for pilots to abandon a landing attempt. This routine procedure was broadcast over radio frequencies shared by both pilots and air traffic controllers. However, air traffic control confirmed that the instruction did not originate from their end, creating confusion among pilots who thought the instruction was legitimate. The FAA has indicated that it will not launch a formal investigation into this particular incident unless additional similar occurrences are reported. Despite this, the uncertainty surrounding the origin of the broadcast continues to be a significant concern in the aviation sector. The Mystery Behind the Broadcasts One of the most troubling aspects of this incident is the unclear source of the “go around” transmission. While air traffic control confirmed that it was not their instruction, the broadcast was received on a frequency that both pilots and controllers can access, leading pilots to believe it was an official command. Investigators have been unable to pinpoint the exact source of the broadcasts. A possible explanation is that the transmission could have originated from a short-range handheld radio, although this theory remains unproven. If true, this would suggest that someone, either intentionally or unintentionally, caused interference with the communication system. Airport Authorities’ Response In response to the broadcasts, local airport authorities acted swiftly by deploying officers to search for potential sources of the transmission near the airport’s runway. Speculation has arisen that the broadcasts could have been made by an unauthorized individual using a handheld radio close to the airport. While no definitive cause has been found, the event has led to heightened vigilance at CVG, with an increase in monitoring of communication channels to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The vulnerability of airports to unauthorized transmissions has been underscored by this event. Though rare, such occurrences can cause confusion and undermine the integrity of air traffic communication systems. In light of this, security measures have been enhanced at CVG to prevent further disruptions. Pilots and Experts Express Concerns Pilots and aviation experts have expressed concern over the possibility of future communication disruptions. Although such incidents are rare, they can cause significant confusion, especially during critical stages of flight. Pilots rely heavily on accurate and clear communications from air traffic control, and any unexpected interference can compromise their decision-making. The lack of clarity surrounding the origin of the broadcasts has heightened concerns among aviation professionals, emphasizing the importance of maintaining secure communication systems. The FAA has reiterated that tampering with air traffic communications is a serious federal offense, with potential fines and imprisonment for those found guilty. This serves as a strong deterrent to anyone considering interfering with air traffic operations, highlighting the severe consequences of such actions. Ensuring the Safety of Air Traffic Communications As investigations into this incident continue, the aviation community remains on high alert. Authorities are committed to maintaining the reliability and security of air traffic control systems to ensure passenger safety. The CVG incident serves as a reminder of how even small disruptions can lead to confusion and increase the risk of errors. In response, airports and aviation regulators are likely to implement stricter security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Enhanced monitoring systems and tighter control over communication channels will likely become standard practices to ensure the integrity of air traffic operations. As the investigation progresses, the aviation industry will continue to take steps to protect communication systems and uphold safety standards, ensuring that pilots and air traffic controllers can collaborate seamlessly to safeguard the lives of all passengers. https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/faa-launches-full-investigation-after-pilots-report-hearing-erroneous-go-around-broadcasts-at-cincinnati-airport-what-you-need-to-know/ Transport Ministry Announces Aviation Safety Innovation Plan (S. Korea) To prevent a recurrence of the Dec. 29 passenger plane disaster, wide-ranging improvements will be made to airport facilities, management systems, and even airline evaluation systems. Going forward, airport operators will need to continuously receive "airport operating certification" every five years to verify their safety operation capabilities. Localizer facilities, runway end safety areas (RESA), and bird detection radar, which have been criticized for increasing the scale of the disaster, will be properly equipped to prevent runway accidents. Airlines will be excluded from new route rights allocation for one year if fatalities occur during their operations. The capital requirements for airlines to obtain transport business licenses will also be strengthened. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced these “Aviation Safety Innovation Measures” on April 30. Following the Dec. 29 passenger plane disaster at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, as public concern over aviation safety grew, the Ministry formed an Aviation Safety Innovation Committee to review improvement measures. This is the third time the government has announced comprehensive aviation safety measures, following those in 2013 after the Asiana Airlines landing accident on a flight to San Francisco, and in 2016 when strengthening safety for low-cost carriers (LCCs) was a key issue. The measures focus on improving airport management systems and infrastructure facilities to enhance airport safety. First, the government plans to require airport operators to obtain airport operating certification every five years. Currently, there is no full re-inspection after the initial certification issuance, but going forward, the safety standard compliance of airports will be reviewed from scratch. By the end of this year, a mid to long-term management plan for airport facility safety will be established, and professional personnel for airport safety management will also be trained. Facilities that were pointed out to have increased the damage in the Dec. 29 passenger plane disaster will also be improved. The localizer facilities at seven airports that are in mound form or use concrete will be improved to ground-level form and lightweight steel structures that are easy to break. Six airports, excluding Jeju, will be improved within this year, while Jeju will be changed after analyzing the H-steel structure. All airports nationwide will be required to secure runway end safety areas of more than 240 meters, and in cases where this is difficult, engineered materials arresting systems (EMAS) will be installed by 2027. Bird detection radar will also be pilot-operated at Muan Airport in the second half of this year and then sequentially introduced to other airports from 2026. The ministry has submitted a supplementary budget proposal of 254.7 billion won to the National Assembly for facility improvements. Establishing a foundation for strengthening safety management and investment by airlines is also a key part of this plan. In particular, the government has prepared various mechanisms to induce expanded safety investment. First, it plans to pursue an increase in the capital scale that can indicate airlines’ safety investment capabilities when issuing new licenses. Joo Jong-hwan, director general of the Aviation Policy Department at the ministry, said, “Currently, for international passengers, a capital of 15 billion won is required, and for domestic passengers and international cargo, 5 billion won or more is sufficient. This standard has been maintained since 2009,” adding, “It’s time to look at the capital scale again.” Above all, the route rights allocation rules will be revised to fundamentally exclude airlines that have caused accidents resulting in fatalities from new route rights allocation for one year. Route rights refer to the right to operate flights to specific countries where aviation liberalization has not been implemented. For example, if the government newly agrees on route rights with a specific country, it allocates route rights to several airlines after review, but airlines that have caused fatalities will be fundamentally blocked from this opportunity for one year. However, accidents due to terrorism or natural disasters are excluded. Conversely, the total score of safety evaluation indicators in route rights allocation will be increased from 30 points to 40 points, expanding incentives for safety management. An official from the ministry said, “Usually, the difference in scores between the first-place airline and the last-place airline in route rights allocation is only 3-4 points,” explaining, “A 10-point difference is very significant, so airlines will have no choice but to strengthen safety management.” Additionally, the government plans to strengthen maintenance standards for domestic airlines to increase flight maintenance time. For Boeing 737 and Airbus 320F, representative models for short and medium-haul routes, maintenance time will be extended by 7-28% from October this year, and new standards will be applied to other models from the end of the year. The experience criteria for maintenance personnel applied when calculating minimum maintenance staffing will be raised from the existing 2 years to 3 years, also raising the level of maintenance personnel. The government plans to implement the details of the aviation safety innovation measures from as early as the first half of this year (revision of airport construction and operation regulations) to as late as the end of 2027 (introduction of EMAS at airports). Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo said, “We will institutionalize and implement various improvement tasks as soon as possible to dramatically improve aviation safety,” adding, “We will also closely pursue safety supervision such as special safety inspections of airports and airlines, and prepare additional supplementary measures when the accident investigation results come out in the future.” https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=241274#google_vignette Republican chair unveils $15B plan to modernize air traffic control Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., speaks during a hearing of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) released a budget reconciliation proposal Tuesday that would allocate $15 billion for the modernization of air traffic control technology. The funds would go to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) efforts to improve the nation’s aviation infrastructure by replacing outdated technology, modernizing the air traffic control radar systems and enhancing the hiring of air traffic controllers. The move comes two months after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy implemented plans to streamline the air traffic control hiring practices and create a “supercharge” in staffing amid shortages. “President Trump and Secretary Duffy are committed to the long-delayed modernization of our antiquated air traffic control system to strengthen American aviation safety, and this proposal begins the work of meeting that goal,” Graves said in a statement. At the start of the year, several aviation accidents, including a deadly collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and two fatal crashes in Alaska and Pennsylvania, have raised concerns about air safety for travelers, pilots and lawmakers alike. Executive director of the Center for Transportation Jackson Shedelbower called the proposal a “breath of fresh air” for U.S. travelers. “Modernizing our nation’s aviation infrastructure will ensure that the U.S. maintains its reputation as the global leader in air travel. Congress needs to get a funding package over the finish line so these reforms can get off the ground,” he added. However, the GOP proposal could raise concerns for environmental advocates. If implemented, Graves’ plan would eliminate several programs created under former President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, including the FAA’s Alternative Fuel and Low-Emission Aviation Technology Program, and the Federal Highway Administration’s Neighborhood Access and Equity Grants, Environmental Review Implementation Funds and Low-Carbon Transportation Materials Grants. It would also require electric vehicle owners to pay into the Highway Trust Fund as proposed by Republican senators in February. Graves’ proposal also appropriate $23 billion to the Coast Guard to invest in assets to aid the Trump administration’s effort to crack down on illegal immigration as well as drugs coming into the country. The House committee is expected to mull over the proposal on Wednesday. https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/5273015-graves-budget-air-traffic-control/ ACG signs agreement with Avolon to secure 20 aircraft on lease to 17 airlines US-based Aviation Capital Group (ACG) has signed a definitive agreement with lessor Avolon to acquire 20 aircraft currently on lease to 17 airlines. The deal announced on April 29, 2025, sees ACG welcome six new airlines to its customer portfolio and includes the acquisition of 16 narrowbody and four widebody “new technology” aircraft. The aircraft, which have a current age of around 4.1 years, are currently spread across 16 different countries and have remaining lease terms of approximately 8.4 years. “These aircraft are an excellent complement to our existing portfolio. This acquisition, with a trusted partner in Avolon, reflects ACG’s strategic focus on growth, commitment to invest in fuel-efficient new technology aircraft, and ability to transact at scale,” said Thomas Baker, CEO and President of ACG. “ACG will continue to seek out further scaled investment opportunities as we accelerate our growth momentum.” According to KPMG’s Aviation Leaders Report 2025, ACG is the 10th largest global lessor and, as of December 31, 2025, has over 500 owned, managed and committed aircraft placed with 85 carriers. On July 15, 2024, ACG, a subsidiary of Tokyo Century Group, finalized an order with Boeing for 16 737 MAX 8s and 19 737 MAX 10s. At the time the deal with Boeing brought ACG’s commitment to 82 737 MAX jets. According to ACG its current airline customers include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air France and Etihad Airways. Dublin-based Avolon is considered the third largest lessor in the world with almost 600 aircraft on its books. “We are delighted to further strengthen our relationship with ACG with this 20 aircraft portfolio transaction,” said Ross O’Connor, CFO at Avolon. “ACG has a proven capability to transact at scale and we look forward to working closely together to complete the aircraft transfers in the coming months.” https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/aviation-capital-group-avolon-aircraft Riyadh Air Pounces on Boeing's China Jets Riyadh Air is emerging as a new force in global aviation, with CEO Tony Douglas signaling that the airline is prepared to acquire Boeing (NYSE:BA) aircraft originally intended for Chinese airlines if trade tensions prevent deliveries. Boeing recently indicated during an analyst call that it may resell dozens of jets blocked by the escalating U.S.-China trade war, stressing there would be no shortage of buyers amid tight market conditions. Douglas confirmed in an interview that Riyadh Air had made it clear to Boeing that it would be ready to take all available aircraft should they become accessible, aligning with the airline's aggressive fleet expansion strategy ahead of its fourth-quarter launch. Backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Riyadh Air has already placed significant orders, including 60 Airbus A321-family jets and up to 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Douglas stated that despite broader global economic uncertainty, the airline has seen no weakening in demand for travel to and from Riyadh. Riyadh Air plans to announce a new order for wide-body aircraft this summer, complementing its current build-out, which includes hiring an initial 500 employees with plans to double the workforce over the next 9 to 12 months as deliveries ramp up. Douglas also highlighted the strong profitability potential of key regional routes such as Dubai to Riyadh, which ranks among the world's highest revenue-per-kilometer markets. He further noted the reopening of flight paths between the UAE and Syria as a marginal but positive signal for broader Middle East aviation dynamics. As Riyadh Air prepares to enter service, the company's proactive aircraft acquisition strategy and positioning within Saudi Arabia's larger economic diversification efforts could make it a pivotal player in the evolving global airline sector. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/riyadh-air-pounces-boeings-china-180840791.html JetBlue to announce partnership with US carrier after deal with American Airlines collapsed in acrimony JetBlue Airways is reportedly preparing to announce a partnership with another U.S. airline, according to the carrier's president. The Tuesday announcement has left those in the industry wondering which carrier will partner with JetBlue. The company attempted to acquire Spirit Airlines last year, but the move was blocked by the Justice Department. It was also in talks to partner with American Airlines, but that plan fell apart after it lost an antitrust lawsuit in 2023. The airline, based in New York, has reportedly been in talks with several carriers for a partnership. The company's president. Marty St George, said during an earnings call that the company expects to announce which carrier it will partner with sometime this quarter, according to CNBC. He said the larger network provided by the partner company will allow JetBlue's customers to earn and use loyalty points on JetBlue flights. “If you are a customer in the Northeast and you love JetBlue for leisure, but twice a year you have to go to Omaha or Boise, these are places that you can’t earn TrueBlue points on now and when this partnership goes forward, you will be able to,” the president said. CNBC spoke to Alaska Airlines, which said it does not have any plans to partner with JetBlue and is focused instead on its merger with Hawaiian Airlines. The outlet also spoke to Southwest Airlines, which declined to offer a comment, and Delta Air Lines, which said there was no pending announcement for a partnership. Advertisement American Airlines had previously been in talks to partner with the company, but an antitrust lawsuit stopped that development. On Monday, American Airlines announced that it was suing JetBlue following the collapse of the proposed partnership. The airline's vice chair and chief strategy officer Steve Johnson said the airline made a "very attractive proposition" during the talks, but said that JetBlue was "focused on different business priorities." "Ultimately, we were unable to agree on a construct that preserved the benefits of the partnership we envisioned, made sense operationally or financially, or was consistent with the travel rewards and co-branded card business objectives that are so important to our strategy and our customers," he said. The lawsuit seeks to "recover money owed to American" after the proposed partnership dissolved. A JetBlue spokesperson told Axios that the company is reviewing American Airlines complaint but did not offer further comment due to pending litigation. "We've previously said we are talking to multiple airlines about a new partnership," the spokesperson said. "We have been making good progress and expect to announce a partnership agreement in the second quarter." The only other major U.S. carrier operating in the Northeast that might be partnering with JetBlue is United Airlines. The Independent has requested comment from United Airlines about a possible partnership. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/jetblue-announce-partnership-us-carrier-195027995.html Human Immune System Inspires Revolutionary Aviation Safety Framework Aviation experts have unveiled a groundbreaking safety approach inspired by the human body’s natural defense mechanisms, potentially transforming how we protect increasingly complex air transportation systems from known and unknown risks. In a review paper published in the journal Engineering, researchers propose a novel safety framework called “system-of-systems (SoS) safety” that draws inspiration from the human immune system to address emerging challenges in future air travel scenarios. “With the anticipated growth in air traffic complexity in the coming years, future civil aviation transportation system (CATS) is transforming into a complex cyber–physical–social system, surpassing all previous experiences in the history of civil aviation safety management,” the paper states. The shift toward this new approach comes at a critical time. While global aviation has achieved remarkable safety levels – with fatal accident rates below 0.2 per million flights for nearly a decade – researchers warn this stability might become difficult to maintain as air traffic volume and complexity continue to grow. According to the study, passenger traffic is projected to increase 4.3% annually over the next two decades, resulting in more than 200,000 daily flights by the mid-2030s. This growth brings unprecedented challenges, particularly with the emergence of urban air mobility (UAM) – flying taxis and delivery drones operating in densely populated areas. Booz Allen Hamilton forecasts that UAM could generate up to 11 million daily trips under unconstrained scenarios – a staggering 244 times the Federal Aviation Administration’s current average daily flight volume. Lead author Daqing Li and colleagues analyzed the evolution of aviation safety across four generations, noting that each new wave of technology initially led to higher accident rates before safety improvements followed. This pattern raises serious concerns about integrating numerous cutting-edge technologies into future aviation systems. “If we apply the 2022 civil aviation safety level to the UAM scenario, the number of daily accidents will reach a staggering 0.77, equating to two fatal accidents every three days,” the researchers calculate. The proposed SoS safety framework borrows key principles from human immunology. Just as our immune system constantly defends against various threats through layers of protection, the researchers envision a three-tiered defense strategy for aviation: The first line relies on regulatory constraints to prevent known risks, similar to physical barriers like skin preventing pathogens from entering the body. The second line provides real-time monitoring and intelligent decision-making to address emerging threats, comparable to the body’s innate immune response. The third line focuses on identifying and understanding unknown risks through digital engineering and simulation – akin to the adaptive immune system that learns to recognize new threats. “The SoS safety concept indicates the transition from ‘process and outcome-oriented’ to ‘capability-oriented’ intelligent safety management,” the researchers explain. Implementation of this framework is expected to unfold in three phases over the coming decades. Phase one focuses on enhancing operational resilience through technologies like 5G air-to-ground communications and IoT sensors. Phase two extends safety capabilities to the design process, while phase three aims to achieve full integration between design and operation through artificial intelligence. Several aviation organizations have already begun exploring resilience management approaches, including American Airlines, Lufthansa, Ryanair, and air traffic control providers like EUROCONTROL. Although developed for aviation, the researchers believe their approach could benefit other complex systems facing similar challenges. “SoS safety can serve as a guiding framework and methodology for safety engineering in most large-scale complex systems, such as internet of vehicles, emergency systems, and cyber-physical systems,” they conclude. With air taxis potentially filling urban skies within the decade, this immune-inspired approach to safety management may prove essential for maintaining public confidence in the future of flight. https://scienceblog.com/human-immune-system-inspires-revolutionary-aviation-safety-framework/#google_vignette CALENDAR OF EVENTS . 70th annual Business Aviation Safey Summit (BASS), May 6-7, 2025, Charlotte, N.C., organized by Flight Safety Foundation in partnership with NBAA and NATA. · Sixth Edition of International Accident Investigation Forum, 21 to 23 May 2025, Singapore · Flight Safety Foundation - Aviation Safety Forum June 5-6, 2025 - Brussels . 2025 EASA-FAA International Aviation Safety Conference, 10 Jun 2025 to 12 Jun 2025, Cologne, Germany · The 9th Shanghai International Aerospace Technology and Equipment Exposition 2025; June 11 to 13, 2025 . Airborne Public Safety Association -APSCON / APSCON Unmanned 2025 in Phoenix, AZ | July 14-18, 2025 . 3rd annual Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS), July 15-17, 2025, Singapore, organized by Flight Safety Foundation and CAAS. . Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 2025; 10-11 September 2025; Manila, Philippines · ISASI ANNUAL SEMINAR 2025'September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025, DENVER, COLORADO . Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC™) - 2025 – October 27-29th (Omaha, Nebraska) . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada Curt Lewis