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Executive says that holiday season imports are already arriving at the busiest US port.
The top executive of the nation's busiest port said that U.S. retailers had finished importing holiday goods at least one month earlier in an effort to reduce costs associated with President Donald Trump's changing tariff policies. Port of Los Angeles Director Gene Seroka said that "a large amount of holiday cargo is already here and moving through the supply chain." He said that the traditional holiday rush, also known as peak season, which is traditionally driven by retail, happened early. About half of the cargo volume is handled by retailers at the Port Los Angeles. Dockworkers handled 1,019 837 20-foot-equivalent units (TEUs), the highest monthly cargo volume the Port of Los Angeles has ever seen in its 117 year history. The total volume at the Port of Los Angeles in August was 958.355 TEUs. This is down 0.2% compared to a year earlier. Seroka anticipates that import volumes will continue to decline throughout the rest of the year. He said that September will be about 850,000 TEUs. This is 10% less than the previous year. Forecasters say that several trends point to a drab holiday season in 2025. This month, the National Retail Federation (which represents companies such as Walmart and Target) said that it expects container imports will continue to decline throughout the rest of the year, due to the rising U.S. Tariffs. "Shifting Trade Policies Continue to Create Uncertainty for Businesses and Consumers," Mario Cordero said, CEO of Port of Long Beach which borders the Port of Los Angeles. Seroka explained that this is contributing to a slowdown in job growth, and the lingering of inflation. This makes importers and customers a bit more cautious. Retail sales in the United States increased more than anticipated in August. This is the third consecutive month that retail sales have increased, despite a backdrop of price hikes fueled by tariffs. But a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey released this month showed that holiday spending by U.S. consumers is set for its steepest drop since the pandemic as shoppers -- particularly Gen Z -- pull back amid economic uncertainty. (Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Jamie Freed)
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Families of Air India crash victims sue Honeywell and Boeing
Families of four passengers who died in the crash June 12 crash In a lawsuit, the owner of an Air India Boeing 787-8 said that the accident was caused by allegedly defective fuel switches. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Has said that the accident which killed 260 people does not appear to be caused by him. The lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court on Tuesday blames Honeywell and Boeing, who made the switches, as the cause of the crash that occurred seconds after Flight 171 left Ahmedabad, India, bound for London. Plaintiffs cite a 2018 FAA advisor that suggested, but did no mandate, that operators of various Boeing models, such as the 787, check the locking mechanism on the fuel cutoff switches to ensure they could not accidentally be moved. The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), India Report of preliminary investigation The investigation into the crash found that Air India did not perform the recommended inspections and that maintenance records indicated that the throttle control modules, which include the fuel switches, were replaced on the aircraft involved in the accident in 2019 and in 2023. The report stated that "all applicable airworthiness instructions and alert service bulletins on the aircraft, as well as engine" were adhered to. Honeywell and Boeing both declined to comment. The cockpit recording between the two pilots of the jet suggests that, contrary to previous reports, the captain had cut off the fuel flow to the engines. The lawsuit claims that the switches were placed in an area of the cockpit that was more likely to have been accidentally pushed. This "effectively guaranteed" that normal cockpit activities could lead to inadvertently cutting off fuel. Experts in aviation safety told us that this could not happen. Flip Based on their design and location. This lawsuit is the first to have been filed in the United States regarding the crash. The lawsuit seeks damages that are not specified for the deaths suffered by Naavya Dhirubhai, Kuberbhai, and Babiben, all of whom were passengers. Also, 19 passengers and 12 crew members were killed. One passenger survived. The plaintiffs are Indian or British citizens and reside in India or Britain. The preliminary report of Indian investigators appeared to exonerate Boeing, and engine manufacturer GE Aerospace. However, some family groups have criticized the investigators and press for being too focused on pilots' behavior. Legal experts state that, although most accidents are the result of a variety of factors, lawyers who represent victims' families often target manufacturers as they don't have to face the same limitations on liability as airlines. These strategies may also increase the likelihood of bringing a case in U.S. court, which is widely regarded as being more generous to plaintiffs compared to many foreign courts. Paghadal et al v Boeing Co et al is the case at Delaware Superior Court No. N25C-09-145. (Reporting and editing by Les Adler, Marguerita Choy, and Les Adler; Additional reporting in Seattle by Dan Catchpole; Reporting by Jonathan Stempel).
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Colombia asks UN Aviation Agency for global standards on pet protection on planes
After a series of high-profile incidents in which dogs died on planes, Colombia has asked the U.N. aviation agency to adopt global standards for air transporting pets across borders. The representative of Colombia's ICAO said that the country wants to see the organization, which sets international standards for everything from seatbelts to runways, create rules regarding pets in aircraft. The proposal of the South American country, which is supported by about two dozen countries from Latin America and Europe has been made ahead of ICAO’s triennial meeting that runs from September 23 through October 3. "Colombia talks about this because there have been a few instances in our country that negatively affected the health of pets," Mauricio Koppel, a representative from Colombia for ICAO, said on Tuesday. "We found that ICAO does not have a guide that establishes rules and standards for the proper transport of living beings and pets." ICAO can't impose rules to member states but countries who approve of the agency standards tend to adhere by them. The COVID-19 pandemic and the growing pet ownership have led to a surge in demand for "dog first" flights, such as those offered by BARK Air. Virgin Australia announced Wednesday that it will begin allowing small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin of some domestic flights on October 16th. Some airlines will transport pets in the cargo hold instead of the cabin. However, some breeds such as French bulldogs or pugs may be banned because they are at a higher risk of heatstroke. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, incidents involving injured or deceased animals on airplanes are rare. According to a Colombian ICAO working paper, the increase in pet travel has raised concerns about ventilation and safety containment. In the years 2021 and 2022 there were two cases where dogs died aboard small carriers. Meanwhile, in 2020, the Canadian Kennel Club demanded government reforms after dozens of dogs died on a Ukraine International Airlines flight between Kyiv and Toronto. In 2018, a French Bulldog died in an overhead bin after a United Airlines cabin attendant had ordered its stowing. This incident prompted the United States to pass legislation that prohibits airlines from placing animals in dangerous situations by storing them in overhead compartments. Koppel says that the International Air Transport Association, a lobby group for airlines, has set rules on animal transportation across borders. However, these are not legally binding. Qatar Airways, a Middle Eastern carrier, allows falcons to fly in the cabin. Other countries such as Australia require that dogs and cats be quarantined upon arrival. Koppel stated that there was a gap in the law. IATA stated on Wednesday that their live animal regulations are widely recognized and adopted by regulators around the world as "global benchmarks for safe and humane air transport of animals." The group is in favor of ICAO providing a framework for pet transport to all countries as long as there are no duplications. (Reporting and editing by Jamie Freed in Montreal, Allison Lampert is reporting from Montreal)
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Families of Air India crash victims sue Honeywell and Boeing
Families of four Air India Flight 171 passengers who were killed in the crash on June 30 blamed Boeing and Honeywell for their negligence, and also a defective fuel cutoff switch, which led to the death of 260 people. Flight 171, which was en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed on June 12 shortly after it took off. The plaintiffs in a complaint filed Tuesday at the Delaware Superior Court said that the locking mechanism on the switch of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner may have been turned off accidentally or missed, resulting in a loss in fuel supply and the loss of thrust required for takeoff. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned in 2018 that disengaged locking mechanism on Boeing aircraft could pose a risk. By placing the switch behind the thrust levers "Boeing effectively ensured that normal cockpit activities could result in an inadvertent cutoff of fuel." The complaint stated. "What did Honeywell, Boeing and other companies do to avoid the inevitable catastrophe?" Nothing." Boeing, located in Arlington, Virginia declined to comment Wednesday. Honeywell of Charlotte, North Carolina did not respond immediately to comment requests. Both companies were incorporated in Delaware. This lawsuit is the first to have been filed in the United States regarding the crash. The lawsuit seeks damages that are not specified for the deaths suffered by Naavya Dhirubhai, Kuberbhai, and Babiben, all of whom were passengers. Also, 19 passengers and 12 crew members were killed. One passenger survived. The plaintiffs are Indian or British citizens and reside in either country. The cause of the crash has not been determined conclusively by investigators from India, Britain and America. According to a preliminary report published by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, the confusion that occurred in the cockpit prior to the crash was described in a July report. Bryan Bedford, administrator of the U.S. FAA in July, also expressed "high confidence" that mechanical problems or an inadvertent move of fuel control components was not the cause. Boeing incurred legal costs and other costs of more than $20 billion from the two fatal crashes of 737 MAX aircraft that occurred in 2018 and 2019 The most popular plane was grounded for more than 20 months. Paghadal et al v Boeing Co et al is the case at Delaware Superior Court No. N25C-09-145. (Reporting and editing by Leslie Adler; Additional reporting from Dan Catchpole, Seattle; Additional reporting from Jonathan Stempel).
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US lawmakers ask Trump to reinstate the delay compensation program for air travelers
A group of 77 House Democrats on Wednesday urged President Donald Trump's administration to reinstate the plan that his predecessor championed to compensate U.S. passengers for airline delays. The Transportation Department announced on September 4 that it would not follow a proposal by the then Democratic president Joe Biden, which required airlines to compensate passengers in cash when carriers cause flight disruptions within the United States. The lawmakers, led by Democratic Representatives Greg Stanton, and Rick Larsen, said that the Trump administration, instead of rolling back passenger protections, should focus on bipartisan, common-sense ways to lower costs for customers while maintaining the safety of our skies. This decision will increase the cost of traveling and undermine consumer protections. USDOT, under Biden's leadership, asked for public comments in December on whether airlines should have to pay between $200 and $775 per delay. The U.S. airline industry has strongly criticized Biden's proposal from 2023. Sean Duffy's spokesperson said that the best way to end endless delays was to fix the broken air traffic system. He also criticized how the previous administration handled the issue. USDOT stated that it will implement the consumer protection mandates of Congress to "ensure that travelers are treated fairly, while also acknowledging how excessive regulations can raise ticket prices." In the U.S., airlines must reimburse passengers for cancelled flights if they choose to not fly. However, they are not required compensate customers for delayed flights. All four countries - the European Union, Canada and Britain - have rules on airline delays compensation. Airlines for America, the trade group that represents American Airlines Delta Air Lines United Airlines Southwest Airlines and other airlines, stated Wednesday, "the entire business model of airlines is based on repeat, satisfied customers." In this highly competitive market, carriers do not need any additional incentives to provide quality services. In 2022, major U.S. airlines will pay for meals, hotels, and other expenses if flight delays are significant. USDOT has also revealed this month that it is considering revoking regulations that were issued under Biden, which required airlines to disclose fees along with airfare. It will also be writing new rules that define a cancellation of flight that allows consumers to receive a refund. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese, Aurora Ellis, and David Shepardson)
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Lilly gains from weight loss pill data to consider a faster approval in the US
Eli Lilly’s bid to get approval for a weight-loss experiment got a boost Wednesday thanks to new clinical trial results. The company also reaffirmed it is too early to assume that the drug will become part of the new U.S. rapid review program. Lilly's stock rose by about half a percent on Wednesday. Orforglipron is a pill that mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which suppresses appetite, and targets the blockbuster tirzepatide injection, sold under brand names Mounjaro or Zepbound. Lilly of Indianapolis has been trying hard to increase its lead over Danish competitor Novo Nordisk in the rapidly growing market for GLP-1 medications. Novo Nordisk was the first to market with GLP-1 drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, both for diabetes. This year it fired its CEO and saw its share price drop by 40% due to increased competition from Lilly. Lilly reported that in a comparison of Novo's Rybelsus, an older GLP-1 drug, orforglipron reduced average blood sugar levels and weight better than Novo Rybelsus. Daniel Barasa said, "The data reinforces our conviction that Eli Lilly will maintain its leadership in the GLP-1 Market." He said that orforglipron, in addition to being superior in terms of efficacy, also offers advantages in terms of dosing convenience. Lilly announced on Tuesday that the full data from another late-stage study of orforglipron showed it helped overweight people to lose about 12 percent of their bodyweight, with a similar safety profile as injected drugs. Evan Seigerman, BMO Capital Markets' analyst, said that the new data gave him "increased confidence" in orforglipron's competitive profile. Lilly, the most valuable drugmaker in the world by market value is expanding its U.S. manufacturing capacity and expanding it internationally to meet the soaring demand of GLP-1 treatments. It's also racing with Novo for an oral version for weight loss. Novo anticipates that the U.S. will make a regulatory decision about its oral obesity drug candidate in later this year. Wall Street analysts suggested that orforglipron might be a good candidate for the new priority voucher of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which shortens review times for therapies that are addressing major public health issues. However, executives at Lilly expressed caution. There is very little information about the national priority voucher available today. "I would not expect that we will submit a national priorit voucher because we don't fully understand what it includes," Patrik Jönsson, the president of Lilly International said in an interview Wednesday. Kenneth Custer is the president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health. He reiterated the statement made by the company earlier that it was too early to tell how the program could apply to Lilly’s pipeline. Lilly plans to file for orforglipron approval as a treatment for diabetes next year. The drug will be approved for weight loss this year. Jonsson stated that Lilly will file applications for orforglipron approval with regulatory agencies in the United States of America, Britain, European Union (EU), Japan, and China within "weeks" of one another. He refused to disclose the exact location of manufacturing for pills outside the U.S. but confirmed that non-U.S. manufacture is planned. Analysts predict that the drug will generate sales of up to $10 billion in its peak year. Reporting by Maggie Fick and Sriparna Roy. Additional reporting by Deena B. Beasley, Los Angeles. Mark Potter, Sharon Singleton and David Gregorio edited the story.
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Urals diffs unchanged, loading plans revision awaited
The differential between Brent and Urals crudes dated on Wednesday remained unchanged, as traders awaited any changes to the grade's September export plans. This is because Russian ports and refineries are still repairing after recent drone attacks in Ukraine. Traders said that oil loadings at Baltic Primorsk continued, but they were delayed several days. Some volumes may be diverted to another port. Kazmunaygaz, the state energy company, announced on Wednesday that Kazakhstan will resume oil supply via the Baku - Tbilisi - Ceyhan pipeline by September 13. PLATTS WINDOW On Wednesday, there were no bids or offers made on Urals, Azeri BTC Blend or CPC blend in the Platts Window. Poland's Energy Minister Milosz Motyka announced on Wednesday that it will help member states of the European Union that still import Russian energy by 2026. RIA reported that Sergei Ryabkov, the Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, said on Wednesday, Moscow is ready to intensify discussions with the U.S. about energy cooperation, which includes the Sakhalin 1 Project. (Reporting and Editing by Kirsten Doovan)
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Poland calls on the EU to stop Russian oil imports before 2026, citing risks geopolitical
Poland's Energy Minister Milosz Motyka stated on Wednesday that Poland will help member states of the European Union who are still importing Russian energy by 2026. The Druzhba pipeline transports Russian oil to Hungary, Slovakia and other EU countries that have cut off ties with Russia following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine 2022. After a phone call with U.S. president Donald Trump, EU executive director Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday that the European Commission would propose a faster phase-out of Russian fossil fuel imports. The bloc had planned to stop buying Russian oil and gas on January 1, 2028. The Polish Minister said that this should have happened two years earlier. This is especially true in light of recent events, such as the Russian drone incursion last week on Polish territory. Motyka's letter to the EU energy ministers urged them to reach a consensus on a goal to eliminate all imports of Russian crude by 2026. This decision would demonstrate our commitment to becoming independent of oil supplies that pose political and strategic risk. Due to the opposition of Slovakia and Hungary who receive Russian pipeline supplies, and maintain close ties with Moscow, the EU has imposed sanctions against most Russian oil imports. Slovakia and Hungary have defended the purchases they made, stating that alternatives were more expensive, such as transit fees when oil is transported via Croatia. Denisa Sakova, the Slovak Economy minister, said that she discussed with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Wednesday her call to stop Russian supplies and explained how Slovakia needs conditions for diversification so as not to cut off its industry or economy. "We diversify gas supplies, and we want to diversify further in the future." We have to rely upon the transmission capacity of other routes", she added, adding that the situation with oil was similar and left Slovakia at the mercy of other countries. Wojciech Wrochna, deputy to Motyka and Poland's chief energy security official, said that U.S. gas liquefied via Poland can help eliminate Russian gas in Europe. Wrochna, a reporter, said: "I had an excellent meeting yesterday with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. U.S. Gas flowing south via Poland can help eliminate Russian gas." Orlen, a Polish company, began shipping U.S. Gas to Ukraine in the spring of this year to replenish Kyiv's stores before winter. Slovakia is still reliant upon Russian imports, and has not taken advantage of a gas connection with Poland to secure alternate supplies. (Reporting by Marek Strzelecki. Writing by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk. Mark Potter, Ed Osmond and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk edited the book.
South Korea jet crash puts fast-growing Jeju Air's safety under analysis
Before it suffered the most dangerous crash in South Korea's history, spending plan airline Jeju Air was moving quickly: racking up record passenger numbers and flying its aircraft more than domestic competitors and a lot of its worldwide peers, data reveal.
The high utilisation rate of Jeju Air's aircrafts - the number of hours they fly in a day - is not problematic in itself, professionals state, however suggests scheduling sufficient time for required upkeep is vital.
Authorities have suggested a bird strike contributed to the mishap, but as part of their probe into the occurrence aboard Boeing 737-800, police have raided the airline companies' Seoul office to seize files associated with the operation and maintenance of the plane.
You're literally looking at everything, said aviation security and crash examination professional Anthony Brickhouse. You're going to start off with their mishap history and security history. What sort of occasions have they had in the past, what happened, what was done to correct the issues?
Jeju Air informed Reuters that it did not neglect upkeep procedures which it would step up its safety efforts. The Dec. 29 crash, which killed 179 people, was the airline's very first deadly accident given that its 2005 founding and the first for any Korean airline in more than a years.
The business's CEO, Kim E-bae - who has actually been barred from travelling overseas during the investigation - informed a news conference last week that Jeju's upkeep remains in line with regulatory requirements and that there were no upkeep concerns with the doomed jet during pre-flight inspection.
He acknowledged the airline's safety measures had actually not been sufficient in the past, however said enhancements had been made.
The authorities have not said bad maintenance contributed to the crash and the precise scenarios behind the disaster remain unclear.
Besides the reported bird strike, authorities are looking into why the pilot might have hurried a second landing attempt after declaring an emergency, and why the landing equipment was not released.
Investigators have recuperated the cockpit and flight information recorders but have not released any information.
The country's transportation regulator is checking all 101 737-800s in South Korea - more than a 3rd of which are run by Jeju Air - focusing on how frequently and how well the planes were kept, to name a few factors to consider.
Although it had actually taped no violations in the last 2 years, it was struck with more fines and suspensions for aviation law breaches than any of its domestic competitors in 2020-2022, simply throughout and after the COVID-19 pandemic, records reveal.
According to transport ministry information on major airlines from 2020 to August 2024, Jeju Air was struck by about 2.3 billion won ($ 1.57 million) in fines and the impacted airplane were stayed out of operation for a total of 41 days, according to Reuters calculations based on the information.
The next-most penalized airline company, T'way Air, had 2.1 billion won in fines and four days of suspended operation during that period.
Jeju Air flies its aircrafts more than any other significant airline company in the country, information show, and also exceeds most worldwide peers such as Ireland's Ryanair and Malaysia's AirAsia.
Jeju Air 7C2216 was flying from the Thai capital of Bangkok to Muan in southwestern South Korea at night when it belly-landed, overshot the runway and burst into flames after hitting an embankment. The airplane flew every day in 2024, according to flight data reviewed .
UTILISATION RATES
High utilisation rates are treasured in the market as an indication of financial efficiency, especially at low-cost carriers, specialists state.
Jeju Air, which ranks behind only Korean Air and Asiana Air in regards to traveler volumes in the nation, saw record numbers from January to December 2024, according to transport ministry information.
Its regular monthly utilisation hours for traveler jets almost doubled to 412 in 2023 from 2022, greater than Korean Air at 332 hours and Asiana Airlines at 304 hours, according to stock exchange filings.
T'way balanced 366 hours monthly in traveler and freight jets combined, Jin Air balanced 349 hours, and Air Busan 319 hours, according to their filings.
In 2024, Jeju Air flew its airplanes more every day - 11.6 hours - than almost any other airline offering inexpensive tickets and flying just narrowbody airplane, according to information from air travel analytics company Cirium, which determines utilisation rates differently from the profits filings.
Only Saudi Arabia's Air Arabia flew its planes more - 12.5 hours a day. Vietnam's VietJet flew its airplanes 10 hours a day. Ryanair's typical use was 9.3 hours, while Malaysia's AirAsia was 9 hours. China's Spring Airlines flew 8 hours a day.
The utilisation itself is not an issue, said Sim Jai-dong, a professor of airplane maintenance at Sehan University in South Korea. But there could be higher tiredness for pilots, crew members and mechanics given the greater utilisation rates.
(source: Reuters)