The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is pursuing passenger self-service screening to increase screening efficiency and improve the passenger experience while maintaining a stable number of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). The Screening at Speed Program aims to allow PreCheck® passengers to complete the screening process with minimal to no assistance from TSOs.

S&T's Screening at Speed team and its Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) have partnered with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Innovation Task Force (ITF) to develop and test solutions to build the foundation for the next generation of airport screening. The joint effort aims to increase security effectiveness and reduce checkpoint wait times, benefiting both passengers and TSOs. The Vanderlande prototype, the PAX MX2, combines the Automated Screening Lane carry-on bag conveyance system with new and existing Transportation Security Equipment to create four integrated stations for one checkpoint lane.

The Vanderlande self-service screening prototype will be tested at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will receive feedback from mock passengers and TSOs..

(Source: DHS. Read article here)

Four significant airlines now dominate the U.S. airline industry: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. Eight big airline mergers since 2000 have reshaped the industry, with storied names like Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and US Airways disappearing into other brands. Two more mergers are proposed: JetBlue Airways wants to buy Spirit Airlines for $3.8 billion, and Alaska Airlines has agreed to buy Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion. These mergers have shaped the industry, with American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and United now flying 78% of all seats in the U.S. market. Two more mergers are proposed, with JetBlue Airways attempting to block Spirit Airlines and Alaska Airlines agreeing to buy Hawaiian Airlines.

In 2011, Southwest and AirTran merged to form Southwest-AirTran, which would combine the largest U.S. airlines by seats. In 2013, US Airways and American merged to form American, which would be the market leader. In 2016, Alaska announced a deal to buy Virgin America, bringing together the country's sixth and 11th largest airlines. In 2022, JetBlue and Spirit merged to become the fifth-largest U.S. airline by seats. Alaska and Hawaiian recently announced a deal to buy Hawaiian for $1.9 billion, with the combined airline operating with two customer-facing brands. The merger is expected to close by June 2025.

(Source: Edward Russell - SKIFT. Read article here)

United Airlines has set a record in pilot hiring, hiring 270 pilots in October 2023, marking the highest number in a single month. The Chicago-based airline aims to surpass its 2022 record of 2,500 pilots. United Airlines plans to hire at least 10,000 pilots over the next decade, with significant orders of narrow and wide-body aircraft. The company's hiring strategy reflects optimism in the future of commercial aviation and air travel demand.

(Source: Roberto Mtz Armendáriz. TRANSPONDER 1200. Read article here)

The US airline industry saw an increase in employment to 807,865 workers in September 2023, a 0.37% increase from August 2023 and an 8.72% increase from pre-pandemic September 2019. Passenger and cargo airlines contributed to this growth, with Southwest leading the pack. The number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) increased to 751,511 in September 2023, a 9.80% increase from September 2019. However, cargo carriers lost 18 jobs, with FedEx the leading employer.

(Source: US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. Read article here)

WFS plans to increase cargo capacity at John F. Kennedy International Airport by 20% in early 2025, opening a new 346,000 square-foot facility. The terminal will provide JFK with its first dedicated on-airport handling facility for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products and perishables cargos. WFS will invest in automation solutions and use renewable energy to reduce its carbon footprint.

(Source: GROUND HANDLING INTERNATIONAL. Read article here)