A runway safety system designed to monitor aircraft and vehicle movement failed to warn air traffic controllers before a fatal collision between an Air Canada jet and an airport fire vehicle at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The incident occurred late Sunday night shortly after the aircraft, arriving from Montreal, landed at approximately 11:45 p.m. The plane, operated by Jazz Aviation, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members when it struck a rescue and firefighting vehicle responding to another aircraft on the runway.

Both pilots, Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther, were killed in the crash. At least 41 people were transported to hospitals with injuries. Among them was flight attendant Solange Tremblay, who was ejected from the aircraft and suffered leg fractures. Her daughter described her survival as a “miracle” in comments to Canadian media.

Preliminary flight data indicates the aircraft was traveling between 93 and 105 miles per hour at the time of impact.

The NTSB confirmed that the airport’s surface monitoring system did not generate an alert. According to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, the system was unable to reliably track the fire vehicle because it lacked a transponder. While not mandatory, such equipment is used at some airports to enhance tracking accuracy.

Homendy explained that the system also struggled due to complex vehicle movements near the runway, which prevented it from forming a clear, high-confidence track.

At the time of the collision, two air traffic controllers were present in the control tower, consistent with standard midnight shift procedures at LaGuardia. Although fatigue has been a concern in previous investigations involving overnight shifts, officials say there is no evidence so far that it played a role in this case.

Investigators are reviewing cockpit voice recordings to determine whether the pilots were aware of the vehicle’s presence. They are also examining the actions of the fire crew, including whether the vehicle attempted to stop or change direction before the collision.

The NTSB has outlined a timeline from the aircraft’s final minutes, including communications in which the fire truck requested and received clearance to cross the runway, as well as subsequent instructions from the tower to halt.

Authorities are also looking into operational details surrounding an air traffic control shift change earlier that evening. Homendy noted that the controller on duty remained in position for several minutes after the crash, an unusual situation that is now under review.

“Major aviation accidents rarely result from a single failure,” Homendy said, emphasizing that multiple breakdowns typically contribute to such incidents. She added that aviation safety relies on layered systems designed to prevent precisely these types of events.

Passengers described a sudden and forceful stop moments before impact. One traveler said emergency exits were quickly opened, allowing several people to evacuate onto the wing before being guided to safety by emergency responders.

Operations at LaGuardia were suspended for more than 12 hours following the crash, with flights gradually resuming Monday afternoon. The affected runway is expected to remain closed until Friday morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Source: abc NEWS

Al Alamein International Airport has recorded strong growth in passenger activity this year, with traveller numbers rising by 57% compared with the same period in 2025, as Egypt advances preparations for the second edition of the Egypt International Air Show (EIAS 2026) scheduled for September.

According to Egypt’s Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), the increase highlights the country's ongoing efforts to strengthen its civil aviation sector through infrastructure upgrades and expanded airport capacity aimed at meeting growing tourism, business and investment demand.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is continuing development projects at Al Alamein International Airport as part of a broader strategy to establish New Alamein City as a major hub for tourism, commerce and international events. The airport is being enhanced to manage higher passenger volumes and support the successful hosting of the upcoming aviation and aerospace exhibition.

EIAS 2026 is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, the Egyptian Air Force and the Egyptian Space Agency.

The IDSC said the event is expected to further elevate Egypt’s profile within the global aviation and aerospace sectors while encouraging investment, fostering strategic partnerships and facilitating the exchange of advanced technologies.

Official data showed that passenger traffic at Al Alamein International Airport reached 266,600 travellers in 2026, compared with 169,500 during the corresponding period of 2025. Aircraft movements also increased significantly, rising by approximately 26% to 3,190 flights from 2,540 flights a year earlier.

The airport currently hosts operations from 15 airlines, including Etihad Airways, flydubai, flynas, Air Cairo and Saudia. Its international network has expanded further during the 2026 summer season with the arrival of new carriers such as Romania’s TAROM, Poland’s Enter Air, Bulgaria’s BH Air and Gulf Air.

Authorities expect the number of airlines serving the airport to grow to 26 by the end of the summer season, reflecting rising international interest in Egypt’s North Coast and the growing importance of New Alamein as a destination for tourism, investment and major global events.

Source: Daily News Egypt

Abha International Airport has reached a new operational benchmark after processing more than 130 flights in a single day, setting a record for the highest daily traffic volume in the airport’s history.

The milestone was achieved on July 5, when the airport, managed by Cluster2 Airports, handled a total of 132 flights. The day's operations included 117 domestic services and 15 international flights.

According to Cluster2 Airports, the increase reflects strong travel demand during the summer season, supported by efficient airport operations and a rise in visitor arrivals. The operator noted that the Asir region’s seasonal events, scenic landscapes and cultural attractions have contributed significantly to growing passenger numbers.

The airport operator said the achievement aligns with the goals of the Aviation Programme under Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The initiative is focused on increasing airport capacity, improving passenger experience and raising operational efficiency across the Kingdom’s aviation network.

The latest record highlights the continued growth of air travel in southern Saudi Arabia as authorities work to strengthen the country's aviation infrastructure and tourism sector.

Source: TradeArabia

Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South has announced a major expansion by UUDS AERO, which has grown its operational footprint within the aviation hub to more than 180,000 square metres since launching its first facility there in 2022.

The expansion highlights the company's growing role in meeting regional and international demand for aircraft cabin completion, modification, certification, manufacturing and maintenance services. It also reinforces MBRAH’s appeal as a strategic base for aerospace companies seeking to expand within an integrated aviation ecosystem.

Since establishing operations at MBRAH, UUDS AERO has developed four facilities within the Aerospace Supply Chain zone. A fifth airside facility is currently under construction as part of the company’s ongoing growth strategy.

The company is also advancing plans to develop two additional Code F plots, which will support wide-body aircraft cabin completion and retrofit programmes. These developments will also pave the way for the region’s first Cabin Excellence Centre within the Airline Manufacturing and Supply Chain Zone.

The latest expansion reflects the continued growth of aerospace activity across MBRAH, supported by advanced infrastructure, strong connectivity, regulatory advantages and access to a broad network of aviation manufacturers, suppliers, maintenance providers and industry stakeholders.

Tahnoon Saif, Chief Executive Officer of MBRAH, said UUDS AERO’s rapid growth demonstrates the strength of the aerospace ecosystem being developed at Dubai South. He noted that MBRAH remains committed to supporting Dubai’s ambition of becoming a global aviation centre by providing businesses with the infrastructure and connectivity needed to expand and serve international markets.

Gilles Negre, Founder and Chairman of UUDS AERO, said the company’s expansion reflects its confidence in Dubai’s aviation industry and the opportunities available through its strategic location. He added that Dubai South has enabled UUDS AERO to strengthen its capabilities, broaden its customer base and enhance collaboration with aviation stakeholders worldwide.

Source: ZAWYA

Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Qatar Airways have launched the Fast Pass biometric service, introducing facial recognition technology to streamline the passenger departure experience and reduce reliance on physical travel documents.

Developed in partnership with technology provider SITA, the system enables travellers to pass through key airport checkpoints using facial recognition instead of repeatedly presenting boarding passes or identification documents.

The rollout is among the largest biometric passenger initiatives in the Middle East and one of the most extensive globally, integrating more than 700 biometric touchpoints into a unified travel journey while incorporating security and data protection measures throughout the process.

Passengers can enrol in the Fast Pass programme through self-service check-in kiosks at Hamad International Airport or via the Qatar Airways mobile app. Once registered, they can access dedicated biometric lanes at check-in, baggage drop, security screening and boarding gates, using their face as their boarding credential.

The facial recognition process takes only a few seconds, helping to reduce waiting times and minimise document checks, particularly during peak travel periods. The service is voluntary, with conventional processing remaining available and airport staff on hand to assist passengers.

The introduction of Fast Pass comes as demand for biometric travel solutions continues to grow. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a majority of travellers now favour biometric identification over traditional paper documents.

As part of Hamad International Airport's wider Innovation Roadmap, the new system supports the airport's transition towards more efficient and digital passenger processing. Airport officials said the Fast Pass platform will be expanded to additional touchpoints over time, with plans to make the technology available to other airlines operating from HIA in the future.

Source: ZAWYA