Category: Global Aviation News

L2b Aviation member Claudio de Bedin, partner with de Bedin & Lee, LLP, shares a brief update on aviation developments in Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

By precautionary order dated 31 Oct. 2018 the Italian Antitrust Authority (AGCM) required the EU carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air to suspend the implementation of a new hand baggage policy that provides the payment of a surcharge to bring on board a standard trolley (i.e. up 55x40x23 cm) for flights departing from 1 Nov. 2018. In practice, the two airlines allow to bring on board for free only a “small” hand baggage (i.e. up to 40x30x20 cm) to be stored exclusively under the passenger seat, while for larger hand baggage customers would pay an extra-fee between Euro 5 and 25 (based on the various booking options).

Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 – referred to as the “new” Basic Regulation as it replaced Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on common rules in the field of civil aviation – came into force on 11 Sept. 2018 and can be considered a further step ahead in view of a widely expected EU legislation on unmanned aircraft. The […]

Alitalia is a leading Italian airline that has faced financial difficulties and related restructuring projects over the years. In May 2017 the Ministry for Economic Development, on Alitalia’s application, resolved to open the special insolvency procedure (‘extraordinary administration’) pursuant to Law 39/2004 (for further details please see “Alitalia recovery plan takes flight“). The procedure is […]

On 31 October 2018 the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) ordered the Irish carrier Ryanair and the Hungarian carrier Wizz Air to suspend the implementation of a new hand baggage policy that would have charged passengers extra for bringing a standard-sized trolley (ie, up to 55cm x 40cm x 23cm) on board flights departing from 1 November 2018.

In November 2018 one of Brazil’s four major airlines, Oceanair Linhas Aéreas SA (which operates under the name Avianca Brazil), fell into considerable arrears for non-payment of aircraft and aircraft engine lease payments.

On 13 November 2018 the Supreme Court (Civil Chamber) issued its judgment(1) following cessation proceedings against a Madrid Provincial Audience judgment of 17 July 2015. The proceedings stemmed from a 2011 collective action against Iberia, Líneas Aéreas de España SA, which the Spanish Consumers and Users Organisation had filed with the Madrid Commercial Court in order to obtain the annulment of several clauses of Iberia’s standard terms and conditions.

Public Consultation. The Civil Aviation Technical Council (CTAC) has submitted for public consultation the Non-aeronautical service fees in the Juan Santamaria International Airport. This proposal aims to adjust the amounts collected by AERIS and CTAC based on inflation of services such as security, airfield, airline’s offices, among others.  Additionally, there is a new amount to […]

The subject regulation (entered into force on 11 Sept. 2018) can be considered as a further step ahead in view of the provision of a widely expected European regulation in respect of drones. Recital 26 of the newly issued regulation indeed states: “Since unmanned aircraft also operate within the airspace alongside manned aircraft, this Regulation […]

Rome Fiumicino Airport has been recently awarded two prestigious international awards, namely “Best Airport Award 2018” and “Airport Service Quality Award” on the occasion of the 2018 Airport Council International (ACI) Annual Meeting in Brussels. The awards have been assigned by a pool of experts comprising of representatives from the European Commission, the European Civil […]