Latest News
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US approves Wizz Air's application to fly between the UK and US
The U.S. The 'U.S. Transportation Department granted tentative approval on Thursday for Wizz Air, a budget airline that operates flights between the UK and 'U.S. The UK subsidiary of Wizz Holdings applied for a foreign carrier permit in January to begin operating flights between the UK and the US "as quickly as possible." USDOT announced that it had tentatively approved the application but would give opponents 21 days to submit objections, which it will then consider before making a decision. Wizz Air UK has requested permission to launch passenger services under the 2020 Air Transport Agreement, also known as the Open Sky?Agreement. The final authorization will last for two years after the date of approval. The carrier is making a second attempt to enter the U.S. market. In 2022, its Hungary operations will apply for a foreign carrier permit in order to fly all-cargo to the U.S. Wizz's low cost?model will benefit as global tourism spending increases, and Europeans are increasingly interested in U.S. destinations such as Nashville and Boise. Travel to the traditional tourist hotspots has slowed in recent years due to the Trump administration's immigration crackdowns, rising trade tensions and other factors. The upcoming World Cup of soccer is also expected to increase travel to the U.S. Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varradi said this week that the airline is expecting to limit the financial impact of the conflict in Iran to the fiscal year ending this month. After a profit warning, the shares of this budget airline were slammed. (Reporting and editing by David Shepardson)
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South Bow signs binding agreements with shippers to revitalize parts of Keystone XL
Canadian 'pipeline operator South Bow announced?on Thursday that it had launched a formal open season? to seek?binding long-term shipping commitments? for a revival?of part of the Keystone XL?oil pipeline. This move could boost Canada’s crude _exports?to the United States?by more than 12%. Open season runs until March 30. Transportation commitments are sought from Hardisty in Alberta to the United States. Delivery points. South Bow will then?conduct a?60-day review before deciding the next steps. The company awaits a decision from the Trump Administration on whether or not to approve 'the project. If approval is granted, additional pipeline links would need to be built to U.S. refinery hubs. South?Bow acquired the Keystone XL Pipeline following its spin-off TC Energy. In 2021, then-President Joe Biden canceled the pipeline. The 'Canadian section of the line is already built and has all Canadian regulatory permits.
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Peru suspends exports of gas after pipeline rupture sparks energy crises
Energy and Mines minister Angelo Alfaro announced on Thursday that Peru has suspended natural gas exports due to a ruptured pipeline at the largest gas field in the country. The stop follows a reported leak on Sunday that forced Transportadora de Gas del Peru to'shut down' a section to isolate the damage. Alfaro told Congress that this is the worst energy crisis in the past 20 years. He added, "The reduction in the supply of (gas) has been brutal. Only 10% are being delivered." The Ministry of Energy and Mines declared a 14 day emergency for the national pipe network in order to prioritize supply?for residents, businesses, and essential services, while repairs were underway. TGP had also implemented 'temporary' restrictions on gas supply to industrial and electricity sector?users, while it repaired the leak. Pluspetrol, an energy firm, suspended the production of liquefied?gases on Wednesday following a?outage that cut off the flow of natural?gas to its Pisco 'fractionation plant. According to data from the company, this facility provides?approximately 70 percent of Peru's LPG consumption.
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Syria opens a new air corridor between the Mediterranean and Aleppo that could ease regional tensions
The head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Syria told Reuters that the newly reactivated air route from the northern city of Aleppo to the Mediterranean Sea is now open for foreign airlines and the national airline. On Thursday, air traffic began to return through the Aleppo International Airport. Civil Aviation Authority Director Omar Hosari stated that the route was intended to provide safe flight paths for aircraft arriving in and departing Aleppo. It will be open to all airlines?aslong as they "meet international safety standards." Hosari said that the corridors were not exclusive to "Syrian Air". "Other airlines may use the corridors to transit or fly through Syrian airspace in accordance with the usual regulatory procedures." The authority announced Thursday that it had reopened the air routes from the northern part of Syrian airspace to Turkey, after conducting technical and operational assessments?and reviewing regional aviation developments?. The first Syrian Air flight left Aleppo on Thursday for Istanbul and arrived safely. This marked the gradual return of operations to Aleppo International Airport. The first flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is scheduled for this Friday. Authorities are also looking into adding other destinations such as Riyadh. Hosari stated that Royal Jordanian will be using the Mediterranean Corridor on Friday to fly from Amman, Jordan to Aleppo as part of the phased resumption of air traffic. Commercial air traffic remained largely 'absent' across most of the Middle East. Major Gulf hubs, including Doha and Dubai - the world’s busiest airport for international passengers – were largely closed for a sixth consecutive?day following the U.S. and Israeli air strikes against Iran. Iran responded with retaliatory drone and missile strikes throughout the entire region. After a week of?the regional war, Syria has?emerged relatively sidelined. The Iranian presence in Syria ceased in 2024 after the fall President Bashar al Assad, and U.S. bases in the country were evacuated in February last year. (Writing and editing by Diane Craft; Feras Dalatey)
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US grid watchdog objects Maryland power plant sales, citing data center demand concerns
According to a filing made this week, the watchdog of the U.S.'s largest electrical grid urged federal regulators not to approve the sale of a Maryland-based power plant. The group cited concerns that the energy generated by the plant might be diverted to 'data centers, at a time when electricity is in short supply on the grid. The White House, Governors, PJM, and others have proposed that data centers supply or build new power in order to 'cover their electricity consumption. Monitoring Analytics, LLC, PJM's market monitor, has objected to the sale of Morgantown Generating Station by TeraWulf Inc, a bitcoin miner, data?center developer, and other companies. This was according to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission filing on Wednesday. TeraWulf announced last month that it had acquired Morgantown. The Maryland-based firm said that the power plant's operational generation capacity is about 200 megawatts and could be increased up to approximately 1,000 megawatts or enough power to power around 750,000 homes. The company did not specify a customer or explain how this power plant would work with the broader PJM marketplace. Monitoring Analytics stated that more information should be provided about the 'plans for Morgantown and the power units before the sale can be approved. The monitor also said that TeraWulf must commit to keeping Morgantown's electricity supply in the PJM -market, and not diverting it to?data centres. Monitoring Analytics stated in a filing to FERC that it was unclear whether the expansion proposal relied on reactivating units or constructing 'entirely new generations, or modifying?existing?interconnection right. It is impossible to assess whether this project will actually contribute to grid supply without the information.
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Britney Spears arrested for DUI
California Highway Patrol confirmed that Britney Spears, singer, was arrested in Ventura County, California on suspicion of driving under the influence. Spears' representative did not respond immediately to a comment request. Spears was charged with two misdemeanors in 2007: one count of hit-and-run causing damage to property and another count of driving while not having a valid California driver's license. Spears was able to regain control of her life and her money in 2021 after a judge lifted a 13-year conservatorship. The arrangement, which is usually meant to protect elderly people, became a major cause of celebration for both fans and critics. The singer of "Piece of Me", had been begging the court to end the conservatorship since 2008 that has governed her personal life, and 60 million dollars estate. Jamie Spears was the conservator and set it up after Spears had a breakdown and was hospitalized in 2007. Documentaries and #FreeBritney, a movement by fans who questioned the need for restrictions on the singer while she toured the world and earned millions of dollars, sparked interest in the case.
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Sources: China and Iran in talks to ensure safe oil and gas transit through Hormuz
China and Iran are in negotiations to allow Qatari LNG vessels and crude oil ships through the Strait of Hormuz, as the U.S./Israeli war against Tehran intensifies. The war has now entered its sixth day, and the vital shipping passageway is all but closed. Countries around the globe are cut off from one fifth of the global oil and LNG supplies. According to sources, China, which enjoys friendly relations with Iran, and relies heavily upon Middle Eastern products, is upset by the Islamic Republic's decision to paralyze?shipping across the Strait. It is pressuring Tehran to allow safe passage to vessels. About 45% of the oil used by the world's second largest economy comes from this Strait. Ship tracking data revealed that a vessel called the Iron Maiden, after switching its signalling from 'China-owner' to 'Iron Maiden' overnight, passed through the Strait. However, far more sailings are needed to 'calm' global markets. Since the beginning of the conflict, crude oil prices have risen by more than 15 percent amid production stops as Iran attacks energy facilities in Gulf and ships crossing Strait. The missiles of the Assad regime have reached countries as far away as Cyprus, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. This has destabilised global markets, and prompted major economies to issue warnings about inflation. Vortexa's vessel tracking data revealed that the number of crude tankers transiting the Strait dropped to just four on March 1, a day after hostilities erupted, from an average of 24 vessels per day since January. According to Vortexa, and Kpler, there are still around 300 oil tanks in the Strait. Mike McDougall, a sugar?industry veteran, told Middle East sugar executives that there are currently?some ships? transiting the Strait. All of them are either Chinese or Iranian owned. Jamal Al-Ghurair of Al Khaleej Sugar in Dubai said that some sugar-carrying ships are allowed to cross the Strait, while others aren't, without providing any further details. The Iranian government announced earlier this week that vessels from the United States, Israel and European countries or their allies will not be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the statement did not mention China. Reporting by Jonathan Saul, Marwa Rashad. May Angel and Sarah El Safty contributed additional reporting; writing by May Angel. Editing by Nick Zieminski.
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MSC will introduce an emergency fuel surcharge for all cargoes from Northern Europe to the Red Sea and East Africa
The shipping company MSC announced on Thursday that it would implement a fuel surcharge for 'all cargo' from Northern Europe (including UK, Scandinavian and Baltic) to the Red Sea and East Africa. This will be effective March 16, 2019. MSC will charge $40 per twenty-foot equivalent (TEU), from Northern Europe, including the UK to the Red Sea for dry containers and $60 for refrigerated ones. The world's largest ocean container carrier said that dry containers from Northern Europe (including the UK) to East Africa would be charged at $65 per TEU while refrigerated ones would be charged at $100 per TEU. MSC will also charge $50 per TEU to transport dry containers from the Scanbaltic region into the Red Sea, and $75 for refrigerated ones. The rate would be $75 for dry containers and $120 for refrigerated ones from the Scanbaltic area to East Africa. Reporting by Kanjyik?Ghosh from Barcelona. (Editing by Jane Merriman.
Sources say that the FAA is seeking to reduce flights at Chicago O'Hare Airport.
Sources told?that the Federal Aviation Administration has informed airlines that it plans to 'cut' a few hundred extra daily flights from Chicago O'Hare Airport 'this summer compared to what was originally outlined?last week. Sources told?that the Federal Aviation Administration has informed airlines that it wants to?cut a few hundred additional daily flights at Chicago O'Hare airport?this summer over what was outlined?? last week.
The FAA announced a limit of 2,800 flights per day last week. This is down from the 3,080 operations per day that were planned for summer but still above the 2,680 flights per days in the previous summer. They cited concerns over airline delays and overscheduling. Sources say that the FAA informed airlines last week it wanted to limit flights "to about 2,500 per day", but this number is still under discussion. The FAA is expected to have another meeting with United, American, and other carriers next week. The FAA has told airlines that it believes further cuts are necessary to prevent flights from being disrupted. According to the current schedules, 2026 would be the busiest summer at O'Hare. Last week, the FAA stated that the "increase in traffic is significant and will stress the air traffic control system, the terminal and the runway."
The FAA, United & American and United declined to comment.
United will operate 780 flights a daily from Chicago O'Hare in this month. This is an increase from the average of 541 flights per day last January. The carrier stated that it is increasing mainline departures out of O'Hare 20% more than last summer.
American Airlines announced in December that it would increase spring departures by 30% from 2025 to include 100 daily departures. The number of daily departures will increase from 484 in the summer of last year to 526 for this summer.
American Airlines told its employees that United's "reckless scheduling" at O'Hare would lead to "long tarmac delays, missed connections, disrupted staff sequencing, and cascading system disruptions."
United Airlines said that it was grateful to the FAA and Transportation Department for convening this meeting. It also shared their commitment to "running a reliable and safe operation" at O'Hare.
The FAA has announced that it will reduce flight numbers for the summer season which begins March 29 and ends October 25. David Shepardson, Chris Reese, and David Gregorio edited the report.
(source: Reuters)