Global Aviation News

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – December, 2021 – L2b Aviation is pleased to announce that AKD Benelux Lawyers recently joined its premier network of independent aviation law firms. 

A Swiss train manufacturer participated in a 3-billion-dollar, multi-national bid to replace a large number of train components. The details were hammered out, the parties agreed to the terms and the deal was signed electronically. All parties smiled and breathed a sigh of relief, only to learn that the DocuSign electronic signature was not accepted by Austria. Naturally, embarrassment, disappointment and anger ensued. It was everyone’s worst nightmare, and it could have been prevented. 

After close to two years of pandemic-induced isolation and restriction on international travel, the world is getting glimpses of a brighter future. Granted, COVID-19 is still among us, and that brings concerns, but we’re starting to believe that we’ll continue to deal with the pandemic for a while longer, so we might as well figure out a way to cope and carry on with our lives. Nowhere is that more prevalent than in commercial air travel. 

Drones–unmanned aerial vehicles– are the wave of the future; we can’t stop them because they are already here. Examples include package deliveries, healthcare functions and amateur private operators. So, proactively anticipating issues and developing strategies seems wiser than simply disputing the right of drones to share the airways. L2B members discuss some of the emerging issues.

As at July 2021, fully vaccinated passengers arriving in Italy are allowed to enter and are exempt from presenting a negative covid-19 test result, but may be required to quarantine.

By way of background, the U-Space is a set of new aviation services relying on a high level of digitalisation, functions and specific procedures designed to support a safe and efficient access to airspace for large numbers of drones. The U-space is designed to facilitate any kind of routine mission, in all classes of airspace and all types of environment – even the most congested – while addressing an appropriate interface with manned aviation and air traffic control.

The Italian Civil Aviation Authority has recently published the air traffic data for the year 2020. As expected the civil air transport to/from Italy has been largely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, in line with the general situation faced by the industry worldwide.

On 13 May 2021 the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) released the circular APT-23B, having as a main purpose to review and summarize the sanctioning procedure for infringements under EU Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 on passengers rights in case of denied boarding, cancellation or long delay of flights.

On the 6th of July, 2021, the Aircraft Registration (Amendment) Act (Act 37 of 2021 of the laws of Malta) was published amending primarily the Aircraft Registration Act (Cap 503 of the laws of Malta).

Stockholm, Sweden: L2b Aviation is pleased to announce that ASTRA has joined its worldwide network of premier aviation law firms under the leadership of Partner Stephan Eriksson.