Iata warns SAF targets can’t be met and there is no end in sight to aircraft delivery Continued from page 56
and other passengers at risk. It’s a crazy thing to do. There is nothing in your hand luggage more valuable than your life.” Iata highlighted several other
safety concerns going into the new year, including “co-ordinated attacks to disrupt activity” by drones at some European airports, with Walsh saying: “The industry is looking to governments to come up with a solution.” Careen noted an increasing
incidence of GPS signal-loss on flights due to military activity, a problem that “used to be concentrated in the Middle East and around Ukraine, but now it’s all over the world, with issues around Venezuela and the Caribbean”. He said a risk of 5G phone
signals around airports interfering with aircraft navigation systems on take-off and landing also remains “a big issue”. Radio altimeters, which show
an aircraft’s height, operate on a spectrum close to that of 5G phones, meaning 5G signals need to be turned down around airports. Careen explained: “If your phone signal on a plane isn’t good, it’s safer that way. The antennae is pointed away from the airport.” He noted this is primarily
an issue in the US where there is only a temporary agreement on 5G deployment, but agreements in Canada and Australia expire this year. However, Careen noted one
possible major safety issue – the requirement for a software upgrade on the world’s Airbus A320 fleet in December – had been “handled excellently”, suggesting: “A lot of people were expecting massive disruption and were disappointed.”
Iata weighs legal action over manufacturer delays
Iata is exploring grounds for legal action against aircraft engine manufacturers amid continuing delays to deliveries of new aircraft and parts. Director general Willie Walsh
highlighted the high profit margins of engine suppliers amid the delays, noting manufacturer GE recently reported making a margin of almost 28% and Honeywell and Safran margins of 23% and above when Iata estimates airlines’ collective profit margin in 2025 at 3.9%. Walsh argued: “These are margins
unattainable by our industry. These guys are using the supplier problems to increase their margins and it’s unacceptable. How is it they feel comfortable achieving margins of 23%-28% at the same time as doing a shit job?” Iata first threatened legal action
over the issue a year ago. Walsh said: “It’s difficult, but it’s
clear to us [given] the way supplier pricing has evolved. We’re evaluating
Heathrow’s £49bn runway proposal ‘totally unrealistic’
The head of Iata has dismissed Heathrow’s £49 billion proposal to build a third runway as “completely unrealistic” despite the government confirming its backing for the plan in November. Iata director general Willie
Walsh – who formerly ran the biggest airline at Heathrow, British Airways – suggested the price tag
54 8 JANUARY 2026
take much longer to address than we anticipated”. Stuart Fox, Iata flight and technical
Willie Walsh
whether collective action is possible on competition grounds, whether there is a legal basis for a challenge, because it is not sustainable. The figures are eye-watering. “The same manufacturers manage
the parts [as produce the engines]. Their margins are excessive. You have to question what is going on. We need to call them out.” He added “getting an engine
through maintenance is taking considerably longer than it was” and warned the delays are “going to
BA aircraft at Heathrow
operations director, reported 5,000 aircraft are in storage awaiting parts or overhaul, with airlines awaiting delivery of another 5,340, and said: “The critical item is engine availability. It will take years to catch up.” Airlines continue to operate older
aircraft as a result, with the average age of the global fleet increasing to 15.1 years in 2025, up from 13.4 in 2019. An Iata report in October
estimated the annual cost of delivery delays at more than $11 billion: $4.2 billion in additional fuel from using older aircraft, $3.1 billion in higher maintenance costs, $2.6 billion in excess engine leasing costs and $1.4 billion on extra spares. Walsh warned the delays could
be exacerbated by the new priority given to defence spending in Europe, saying: “The focus on military spending will put additional strain on the supply chain. We recognise that.”
for the runway made it “likely the extra capacity will not be used”. He said: “We need more capacity.
The big concern is the cost and the regulatory model, because airports are rewarded for what they spend.” Walsh argued: “This is the third
time I’ve seen the government approve expansion at Heathrow and we still haven’t seen a spade in the ground. We’ve still not seen a plan.” He said he had “zero
confidence” that Heathrow would deliver on runway expansion.
travelweekly.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
