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Delta Air assures US lawmakers that it will not personalize its fares by using AI
Delta Air Lines announced on Friday that it would not use artificial intelligence in order to determine the personalized price of tickets for its passengers, after being criticized by U.S. legislators. Last week, Democratic senators Ruben Galego, Mark Warner, and Richard Blumenthal stated that they believed Atlanta-based airlines would use AI in order to set individual prices. This would "likely" mean that fares would increase up to the individual consumers' personal "pain points." Delta plans to deploy AI revenue management technology on 20% of its domestic networks by 2025, in partnership with Fetcherr. Delta informed the Senators via a Friday letter that it had never used or tested fares that target customers with personalized prices based upon personal data. "Our ticket prices never take into account personal information." The senators cited comments made by Delta President Glen Hauenstein in December that Delta's AI-based price-setting system is capable of setting prices based on "the amount of money people are willing pay for premium products compared to base fares." Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, said last week that using AI to determine ticket prices could harm consumer confidence. This is not about trickery. Isom stated on a earnings call that "this is not about tricks" and added, "talking about AI in such a way, I do not think it's right." It's certainly not something that we will do from American. Delta Airlines said that airlines have been using dynamic pricing for over three decades. Pricing fluctuates depending on factors such as overall demand, fuel costs, and competition, but not the personal information of a particular consumer. "With tens and millions of fares, hundreds of thousands routes available at any time, using new technology is a must." Delta's letter stated that "AI technology promises to streamline our analysis of existing data, and to increase the speed at which we are able to respond to changes in market dynamics." The letter said that AI could "assist [our] analysts with pricing, by reducing manual process, accelerating analyses and improving time-to-market for pricing adjustments." (Reporting and editing by David Shepardson, Chizu Nomiyama, and David Gregorio).
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Delta won't use AI to determine personalized ticket prices
Delta Air Lines announced Friday that it would not use artificial intelligence in order to determine the personalized price of tickets for its passengers, following harsh criticism by U.S. legislators. Last week, Democratic senators Ruben Galego, Mark Warner, and Richard Blumenthal stated that they believed the Atlanta-based carrier would use AI in order to set individual fares, which "would likely mean fare prices increasing up to each consumer's individual 'pain points'." Delta plans to deploy AI revenue management technology on 20% of its domestic networks by 2025, in partnership with Fetcherr. Delta informed the senators that it has never used, tested or planned to use a fare product that targeted customers with personalized prices based upon personal data. "Our ticket prices never take into account personal information."
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Six people arrested after roof collapse at Serbia Railway Station
Six people including a former Minister were arrested Friday for their involvement in the reconstruction of a train station whose roof collapsed in November, killing 16 people and triggering Serbia’s largest anti-government demonstrations in decades. Tomislav Mojii, the former minister of infrastructure, was arrested by the office of prosecutor for organized crime. The six men are suspected of inflating the invoices of a consortium consisting of two Chinese companies, China Railway International Co. and China Communications Construction Co. who were tasked with reconstructing the Novi Sad railway station and its tracks. The statement stated that the Chinese consortium was able to benefit $18.8 millions by inflating their invoices, and they are suspected of damaging state budgets by $115.6 Million. On December 11, 11 people including Momirovic’s successor Goranvesic were arrested on suspicion of committing an act against the public safety. The protests in Serbia, which followed the collapse of the roof, and the university closures, have shaken the government of President Aleksandar Vucic. A former ultranationalist, Vucic converted to the cause for EU membership in 2008. They demand that Vucic, and his party, be removed from power within 13 years. They accuse Vucic, and his allies, of having ties with organised crime and violence against rivals. Vucic denies these accusations. (Reporting and editing by David Holmes; Ivana Sekularac)
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Enbridge is seeing a strong demand for additional oil pipeline capacity between Canada and the US Gulf
Enbridge, the Canadian pipeline operator, said that its recent commercial process for gauging oil shippers’ interest in an extension of its Flanagan South pipe was oversubscribed. This indicates a strong demand from oil shippers to increase their capacity to transport oil between Canada and the U.S. Gulf Coast. On a recent conference call, Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel stated that the success of the Flanagan-South open season -- a term used by the industry to describe the process that pipeline companies use to inform shippers about available capacity and to solicit bids -- has brought Enbridge closer towards formally sanctioning the proposed expansion of Mainline. Enbridge will make a final decision about the investment in the first phase, which will add 150,000 barrels to the Mainline System, by the end of this calendar year. Enbridge's Mainline, the largest pipeline in North America with a capacity of 3 million barrels a day from Western Canada into markets in Eastern Canada or the U.S. Midwest is the largest system. Flanagan South, a 954 km (593 mile) connector pipeline that runs from Illinois to Cushing in Oklahoma, is a part of the Mainline network. Ebel stated that the Mainline system had been in apportionment - a term which means that demand exceeded available capacity - for six out of the eight first months of 2025. Canadian oil exports to the U.S. enjoy a tariff-free status, and production from Canada's sands is on the rise. S&P Global's recent report estimated that Canada's oil-sands would produce 3.8 millions bpd by 2030. This is a 15% increase over current levels. Trans Mountain, Canada's pipeline that transports oil from Alberta's west coast to British Columbia, where it can then be exported overseas is also looking at increasing its capacity. No private company has expressed interest in a new pipeline for oil to be shipped overseas. However, polls in Canada, the fourth largest oil producer in the world, have shown a rise in support. Interest in building Such a project is unlikely. Ebel said that a new pipeline was unlikely to be built unless certain federal policies are repealed, including a cap on greenhouse gases from oil sands and a ban on oil tanks off the northern coast of British Columbia. According to data compiled and analyzed by LSEG, Enbridge's adjusted profit per share was 65 Canadian cents for the quarter ending June 30. This beat analysts' expectations of 57 Canadian dollars. The company reported a quarterly net profit of C$2.18 Billion.
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How prepared is the U.S. grid for extreme heat this Summer?
Grid operators in the U.S. are reworking their forecasting techniques, reforming power markets, and streamlining the interconnection process to connect more energy into the grid. This is due to a combination of extreme weather conditions and the growth of data centers, which has increased power demand. Federal regulators warned earlier this year that the summer 2025 power consumption will be higher than in the previous four summers due to high temperatures and the expansion power-hungry power centers. In recent weeks, heat waves have already put strain on the nation's power grid. "Extreme weather is becoming more frequent, and we're adjusting our plans to that," said Dan Lockwood. Here are the grid operators' plans to meet summer demand and their longer-term efforts to stabilize the system. PJM predicted that power consumption would peak at 154,000 MW by the end of summer. The company, the largest grid operator of the U.S., and which serves one fifth of Americans, has said that it is prepared to meet this demand but has warned that in extreme scenarios, it could reach an all-time peak of 166,000MW. The company would then ask customers to reduce their electricity use in exchange of compensation. PJM has streamlined its interconnection processes to bring new energy onto the grid. It has also accelerated projects that don't require extensive grid upgrades in order to connect to system. California Independent System Operator reported a surplus of 1,451MW in power this summer, compared to the industry standard, which is one emergency every 10 years. This is a significant change from the estimate of a 1,700 MW shortfall three years ago. Dede Subakti is the vice president for system operations at CAISO. She said that CAISO also has been adding new power quickly to its grid. In fact, around 25 GW have been added in the last five year. This has been largely battery storage which helps balance demand and supply. The total battery storage pool for CAISO is now 11 GW. Subakti stated, "With this added capacity, we are in a good position for summer 2025." CAISO stated that the grid may still experience shortfalls in the event of a prolonged heat wave affecting the entire West or if wildfires cause damage to power transmission lines. ISO-NEW ENGLAND ISO New England expects that electricity demand this summer will reach 24,803MW under normal weather conditions, and 25,886MW if extended heatwaves occur. However, it believes they have enough power to meet the demand. ISO-NE, one of the grid operators evaluating possible changes to its capacity-auction to improve grid reliability. The "prompt auction" will be held just before power is required, rather than the current three-year advance practice. It also plans to introduce two seasonal commitment periods each year to address the unique risks that the summer and winter demand poses to the grid. The company plans to submit an initial proposal regarding this new market structure before the end of the year. Midcontinent Independent System Operator has predicted that the peak demand for electricity in its area could reach 123 GW by summer. It also predicts that 138 GW will be available to meet this demand. It warned, like other grid operators, that extreme weather still poses a threat to the grid. MISO has made changes to its wholesale market as grid risks have increased. This includes assessing the reliability and efficiency of its infrastructure seasonally. In its most recent auction, it implemented a reliability-based demand curve. Under this system, the price of energy resources rises as the grid nears its minimum requirements. MISO is expected to add around 31 GW nameplate power from 2020 to mid-2025. Another 10.9 GW is estimated for this year. Nearly 11 GW in power resources are scheduled to be retired between 2020 and early 2026. (Reporting and editing by Liz Hampton, David Holmes, and Kavya Balaraman)
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US LNG exports surged in July, LSEG Data show
The preliminary data of financial firm LSEG shows that exports of U.S. liquefied gas (LNG), which is also known as liquefied petroleum gas, jumped from 6.9 million metric tones (MT) to 9.1 millions metric tons (MT) during July. This was a significant increase compared with June, when some plants completed maintenance and Venture Global’s Plaquemines plant ramped up its production. The U.S. exports the most LNG in the world, and its July output was its third-highest ever. According to LSEG, the U.S. saw three of its highest monthly LNG production numbers ever this year. Freeport LNG's third-largest export facility could have had higher U.S. LNG shipment numbers if it hadn't experienced several unplanned power outages. It reported seven power outages to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in July. LSEG data revealed that its output in July fell to 1.3 metric tons from 1.4 MT the previous month. Based on projects that are already under construction, the U.S. may double its LNG export capability by 2030. The industry is expected to gain momentum as a result of President Donald Trump's pledge to boost the energy industry in the U.S. Venture Global announced this week that it had made a final investment decision in Louisiana for its 28 million metric ton per year (mtpa), CP2 facility. LSEG data show that in July Plaquemines in Louisiana exported 1.4 MT super-chilled natural gas, compared with 1.2 MT exports in June. This helped the U.S. reach 9.1 MT, compared with 8.4 MT during June. GAS PRICES DROP IN EUROPE AND ASIA According to LSEG, European gas prices dropped in July from $12.38 to $11.56 per million British Thermal Unit (mmBtu), compared to the European benchmark Title Transfer Facility located in the Netherlands. Despite the lower prices, U.S. exports of LNG to Europe remained strong. LSEG data shows that 5.25 MT or 58% of the total July LNG exports went to Europe in July. This is slightly less than the 5.53 MT or 66% sold in June. U.S. exports could increase to Europe in the next few years, following a recent trade agreement in which the European Union committed to buying $750 billion worth of U.S. Energy over a period of five years. Gas prices in Asia were also lower than in the United States in July. The benchmark Japan Korea Marker dropped to $12.18 from $12.90 in June. LSEG data shows that exports to Asia increased slightly in July to 1.8 MT (20%) of U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports, compared with 1.56 MT (19%) in June, as the demand for energy to cool grew. In a report released on Wednesday, Morgan Stanley bankers told their clients that the hotter weather in July had led to an improvement. US SELLS MORE LNG CLOSE TO HOME The U.S. LNG exported to South America increased in July, as the continent experienced colder than normal weather. The U.S. exported 1,03 MT or 11% its total LNG to Latin America. Cargoes were sent to Brazil, Argentina Colombia and Chile. Cargoes have also been sold to Caribbean countries including Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Egypt imported eight cargoes of U.S. supercooled gas in July. This totaled.59 MT. Six cargoes containing.43 MT LNG left U.S. port in July without a clear destination. This meant they were still available for order. The first LNG was shipped from Canada's major LNG plant in Kitimat (British Columbia) on July 1. This is the first North American facility with direct access the Pacific Ocean, and shorter sailing times to Asia. According to LSEG ship tracking, LNG Canada exported four shipments, or.29 MT, of LNG during July. Reporting by Curtis Williams, Houston; Editing and proofreading by Liz Hampton and Andrea Ricci
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US cancels the environmental review and grants for the long-stalled high speed rail project
The U.S. Government announced on Friday that it had cancelled the environmental review for a long-delayed high-speed rail proposal between Washington and Baltimore and scrapped 26 million dollars in grants. This effectively ended the project. The U.S. Transportation Department announced that it would rescind funds for the proposed $20 billion Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Magnetic Levitation project, or MAGLEV, "after nearly a decade's worth of poor planning, community opposition and cost overruns." The proposal was to operate trains at speeds of up to 311mph (500kph) using magnetic forces, either underground or on elevated viaducts. The sponsor of the project did not respond immediately to a comment request. Federal Railroad Administration has announced that it will no longer prepare a final environment analysis. It said this is not feasible. A 2016 environmental review has been halted since 2021. The FRA stated that the project will have "unresolvable, significant impacts on federal agencies, federal properties, critical infrastructure and operations of agencies during construction and operation," such as the Defense Department, NASA and other government and national security agencies. China has used MAGLEV on a small scale for over two decades. Shanghai has a small MAGLEV track that runs from its airport. The U.S. Transportation Department cancelled $4 billion of federal grants last month for California's ambitious, but long-delayed, high-speed rail system, leading the state to file a lawsuit. The legal dispute has added another obstacle to the 16-year-old effort to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco with a train trip lasting three hours, a project which would have delivered the fastest passenger rail service of the United States.
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Trump's Brazil coffee tariff of 50% is expected to change the trade and send more beans to China
The steep tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Brazilian coffee are likely to change the trade routes of the beans produced in the world's largest grower and exporter. This will benefit China, and encourage traders to seek out indirect routes to the U.S. The administration of U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that a 50% tariff will be imposed on certain Brazilian products, such as coffee, starting August 6. The tariff will make it difficult for commodities traders and Brazilian exporters to find customers for the 8 million bags of coffee sold to U.S. processors each year. The U.S. consumes around 25 million bags of coffee per year. Brazil accounts for a third of the total, with bilateral trade worth $4.4 billion over the 12-month period ending in June. The global coffee trade will be reshuffled. "The global coffee trade flow will be reshuffled," Michael J. Nugent said, a senior U.S. broker and owner at MJ Nugent & Co. China could gain from the possible rerouting the huge volume Brazil sends to the U.S. Marc Schonland is an independent advisor for the U.S. Coffee Industry. He said that more Brazilian beans could be headed to China due to trade ties with both nations. Both are members of the BRICS Group. China's coffee consumption is on the rise as more young professionals are switching from tea to coffee for a caffeine boost. Brazil was its largest supplier in 2025. Data from the exporters association Cecafe revealed that Brazil exported 538,000 bags of coffee to China. According to data from the industry, the consumption of coffee in China has increased by around 20% annually over the past 10 years. The consumption per capita has also doubled during the last five years. Logan Allender is the head of coffee for Atlas Coffee Club, a U.S. roaster. Experts in trade see that exporters can try to avoid tariffs by exporting Brazilian Coffee to other countries and then to the U.S. The stopovers could take place in Mexico or Panama. Tariffs have no meaning if there isn't a traceable supply. We can't stop the flow of oil, so why should we do it with coffee? He said. Judith Ganes, an independent consultant and senior soft commodities analyst, said that the U.S. did not include coffee in a list of Brazilian products exempted from tariffs. This suggests Trump uses the product to bargain with Brazil's president Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva. Trump said that Brazil's Supreme Court treats his ally former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro unfairly. The U.S. sanctioned Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes Wednesday. Coffee that is loaded by Brazil on August 6 will be allowed to enter the U.S. tariff-free until October 6. William Kapos, the CEO of Downeast Coffee Roasters in the U.S. East Coast said that he was rushing to get Brazilian coffee out of South America by next week's deadline. Kapos stated that he would be looking to purchase coffee from Central America or Africa in the future to replace Brazilian beans. He said, "But everyone will do that. Price-wise, it's going to be a squeeze for U.S. customers."
FAA audit finds that SkyWest maintenance issues are not resolved by FAA
A government report on Thursday said that the Federal Aviation Administration failed to address persistent problems with SkyWest Airlines maintenance practices, which its inspectors feared could lead to an accident.
SkyWest, the largest regional airline in the United States, operates flights for United Airlines as well as Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.
A report by the Transportation Department Office of Inspector General found that FAA safety inspectors had been unable to resolve issues related to SkyWest's remote maintenance practices over a period of more than four year.
The report stated that under this practice, which was introduced in 2018, SkyWest or contracted mechanics who perform maintenance at an aircraft's location are overseen by centrally located maintenance control at SkyWest headquarters in Utah.
According to the audit, FAA inspectors discovered that SkyWest "inappropriately delayed maintenance for items on SkyWest's minimum equipment list, dispatched aircraft for flights without requiring inspections, used pilots for maintenance tasks not authorized in SkyWest’s maintenance manuals."
SkyWest stated that it is committed to maintaining high standards of safety and conformity in all areas of its operation. It also said that it had taken a number of actions to assist the FAA in "identifying and resolving any issues with either our processes or SkyWest's Safety efforts."
The FAA has worked to resolve 32 issues with SkyWest since 2021. According to the report, at the time the inspector general conducted its analysis in 2010, the FAA had already resolved 26 issues. However, non-compliance with SkyWest's practices for remote return-to service maintenance remained.
Despite the fact that several FAA inspectors had identified similar systemic hazards, it was not until two years later that an agency-wide review of systemic risks began.
The report stated that FAA inspectors are frustrated by the delay in their work and "concerned about how remote maintenance practices of the airline could lead to an accident."
The FAA stated that it agrees with six out of seven recommendations, and plans to implement them before July 2026. The FAA also acknowledged that delays in submitting submissions can affect safety assessments.
A report stated that an accident occurred in New York on March 20, 2020. The accident revealed pilots performing unauthorized maintenance procedures. The report said that in 2023, the remote return-to service maintenance actions could have led to flights not meeting FAA safety standards.
The report mentioned an aircraft that was released for flight with no required operational altimeter, and another flight which included a fuel fault warning message improperly delayed. (Reporting and editing by Alexandra Hudson, Jamie Freed and David Shepardson)
(source: Reuters)