Airlines

FAA Proposes Extended Cockpit Voice Recording Time for All Future Aircraft

An A320 plane flew for 28 minutes with both pilots asleep

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants to raise the minimum amount of time that all newly manufactured aircraft must record voice communications in the cockpit to 25 hours. All conversations and noises in the cockpit, including the pilots‘ voices and engine noises, are recorded by the voice recorder.

On Thursday, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker advocated for a significant expansion in the capacity of cockpit voice recorders, citing the potential to enhance air accident investigations and prevent future incidents.

Whitaker proposed an astonishing 1,150% increase in the recording limit, emphasizing the importance of providing investigators with substantially more data to pinpoint the causes of incidents.

Following the Safety Summit in March 2023—involving over 200 safety leaders gathered to deliberate strategies for augmenting flight safety—the FAA promised to address the matter.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency would both have regulations that this rule would be in line with. Voice recorders can only store data for two hours according to current FAA regulations. The proposed rule is scheduled to publish in the Federal Register on Monday, December 4, 2023, and the public will have 60 days to comment on the proposal.

Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.