Airlines

United Airlines Fired A Color Blind Pilot Who Could Not Fly

A pilot is suing United Airlines from being fired shortly after being grounded due to his inability to distinguish distinct colours when flying at night.

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On April 12, 2022, United recruited Damon Meyer of Portland, but he lost his job less than two months later when he submitted a long-term disability claim through an insurance plan he had just signed up for. He was unable to fly at night because he “couldn’t determine the colours of signals on taxiways”. Although he says there is “no proof” that he had this disease when he was hired, he might have gotten it in the weeks that followed.

Meyer submitted a long-term disability claim through United’s programme the day after being grounded and only six days after signing up for the insurance plan. The next month, United Airlines fired Meyer, citing a “ludicrous theory” that he “would not have met the standards for a legitimate medical licence at the time of his hiring.”

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If Meyer had a medical examination immediately before being employed by United, the lawsuit claims it is “purely hypothetical” that he would have failed. Meyer’s claims were first accepted by the long-term disability plan’s administrators, but the reimbursement was later withdrawn because of his work termination.

Meyer sued United and the long-term disability plan administrators in a district court in Maine, seeking compensation for his colour blindness. Meyer is still “completely disabled,” according to the lawsuit.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.