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Japan's ANA cancels a total of 65 flights this Saturday following the Airbus A320 Recall
ANA Holdings says that it has cancelled 65 flights after the Airbus A320 was recalled, forcing it to ground aircraft. Airbus single-aisle aircraft such as the A320 are the most popular in Japan, and the carrier is one of the largest operators, with Peach Aviation and other affiliates. ANA's main rival, Japan Airlines, is a Boeing-only carrier and does not operate the A320. The recall of Airbus A320 jets affects over half of its global fleet, including the A320 family, which is the backbone of Asian aviation for short-haul flights, especially in China and India. About 11,300 single-aisle aircraft are in service worldwide, including 6,440 A320s. Fixing the problem involves going back to older software. Although relatively easy, this must be done before planes are able to fly again. Asiana Airlines, a South Korean airline, said that only 17 aircraft were affected by the recall. (Reporting and editing by Tom Hogue, Maki Shiraki and Tim Kelly)
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American Airlines reduces the number of Airbus jets that need software fixes to 209
American Airlines announced on Friday that it expected some operational delays as a result of a major software update on a large number of Airbus A320 aircraft. Initially, the airline said the problem affected about 340 aircraft. American Airlines has confirmed that only 209 A320 aircraft in the A320 family are affected. This is down from over 340 originally identified. American announced in a press release that as of 6 pm CT (0000 GMT), less than 150 aircraft remained to be updated. The airline anticipates that the majority of updates will be completed over night, leaving only a few for Saturday. Airbus, based in Europe, ordered a software update for a large number of its A320 jets. (Reporting from AnshumanTripathy and RajveerSinghPardesi in Bengaluru, and David Shepardson at Washington; editing by Vijay Kishore & Stephen Coates).
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After a brief stopover due to a bomb threat, flights to Philadelphia International are now able resume.
According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, and the police, flights to Philadelphia International Airport were temporarily grounded due to a threat of a bomb. The incident was resolved without incident. Soon after 7 pm local time (00:00 GMT), the FAA issued an advisory to ground staff at the airport, stating that there was a threat of a bomb. The FAA announced that the incident had been resolved and normal operations were resumed about 30 minutes after the initial announcement. A police spokesperson stated in an email that the ground stoppage occurred because of a "situation aboard the plane that required the assistance from the Philadelphia Police." The spokesperson confirmed that the plane is now cleared to take off and the ground blockage has been lifted. There were reports earlier in the month of bomb threats made at other U.S. Airports that were cleared without incident. Early November, the Reagan Washington National Airport was temporarily shut down due to a bomb scare against a United Airlines flight. At the time, the FBI reported that it had investigated the report and found no hazardous material. A Delta flight at LaGuardia International Airport, which was scheduled to take off that day, was evacuated prior to takeoff due reports of a possible bomb threat. Reporting by Ismail Shakil and Kanishka Singh; Editing and production by Diane Craft and Chris Reese
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Jetstar Airways, Australia's largest airline, is affected by a software problem with Airbus fleets and cancels some flights
Jetstar Airways, Australia's flag carrier Qantas' budget airline, announced on Saturday that it had been affected by the Airbus A320 global fleet recall, which affects more than half the aircraft. Airbus, Europe’s largest aerospace company, announced on Friday that it had ordered immediate repairs for 6,000 of its popular A320 jets. This caused disruptions around the world. This fix involves mostly reverting back to older software, but it must be done before the planes are able to fly again. A Jetstar spokesperson stated in a Saturday statement that "Jetstar has been affected by a software problem that affects all A320 family operators worldwide." The spokesperson stated that "to respond to an Airbus precautionary measure, we have canceled some Jetstar Airways flight." Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin's biggest competitor Virgin have a combined share of about 65% in Australia's domestic air market. Qantas stated on Saturday that the Airbus recall had no impact on Qantas' aircraft. Virgin Australia's spokesperson stated that the company "does not anticipate any impact on Virgin Australia or Regional Airline Operations." Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) reported that there were significant delays on Saturday at Melbourne Airport due to the Airbus recall. This is one of the biggest in Airbus' 55-year history. This recall comes just weeks after the A320 surpassed the Boeing 737 in terms of the number of aircraft delivered. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese in Sydney, Sam McKeith is based in Sydney)
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Airbus recalls A320 for global airlines
Airbus, Europe's largest aircraft manufacturer, has ordered the immediate repair of 6,000 A320 jets. This recall affects more than half of the fleet worldwide and could cause disruptions during the busiest weekend for travel in the U.S. According to a notice sent to airlines, the fix involves mostly reverting back to older software. However, it is necessary to do this before planes can be flown again. The repairs may cause flight cancellations or delays, according to several airlines. As of 6:20 pm, here is a list with major disruptions reported by airlines. ET (2320 GMT): American Airlines The largest A320 operator in the world said that 340 out of its 480 A320 planes would require the update. The company said that it expected most of the updates to be finished by Saturday, with each plane taking about two hours. Lufthansa Airbus's measures would require several hours to be implemented per aircraft, so the German carrier expects some flight delays or cancellations over the weekend. Avianca Avianca, the Colombian airline, said that the recall affected over 70% of its fleet and would cause "significant" disruptions in operations for the next 10 working days. Avianca has stopped selling tickets for travel dates up to December 8. Wizz Air The airline confirmed that some Wizz Air aircraft need the software update. It also said it had immediately scheduled all necessary maintenance in order to comply with the mitigation. Some flights may be affected over the weekend. British Airways The British carrier expects no operational impact on its three short-haul A320 aircraft. EasyJet has announced that it has completed software updates on all aircraft that require them. The airline plans to continue its normal flying program on Saturday. Air France KLM Air France KLM canceled 35 flights Friday after Airbus's announcement. Air New Zealand It said that all of its A320neo planes will receive a software upgrade before they operate their next service. This would cause a disruption to a number Saturday flights. The airline also expects some cancellations. Air India Airbus' directive, according to the airline, will lead to a software/hardware realignment of a portion of its fleet. This will cause longer turnaround times and delays in operations. Air India Express Air India's low cost subsidiary stated that while the majority of its aircraft will not be affected, this guidance is applicable to all operators, causing delays and cancellations. Indigo Budget airline Indian said that it would be proactively updating the required information and some flights could see "some minor schedule changes" while it completes the "precautionary update". Volaris Mexican Airlines said that the Airbus upgrade will cause flight delays and cancellations in the next 48-72 hours. Latam Airlines This update is only applicable to a small number of Latam affiliate aircraft in Colombia, Chile and Peru. This notice does not apply to aircraft operated by affiliates in Brazil or Ecuador. Turkish Airlines After completing the necessary actions, eight A320 aircrafts will be returned into service. It said that "all our operations continue without interruption and safely." Airbus has updated its software and will affect the Mexican airline's fleet. However, no date has been set for when the aircraft will be able to fly again. Delta Airlines Airbus' directive is expected to have a limited impact on the U.S. carrier. Aer Lingus The Irish carrier stated that a small number of aircraft were affected and is currently taking steps to install the necessary software. It anticipates no major operational disruption. United Airlines Airbus' announcement did not affect the airline that operates A320 jets. Azul SA Azul, a Brazilian airline, said that none of its A320 aircraft were part of the Airbus recall. Reporting by Jubybabu in Mexico City, and Parth Chandna from Bengaluru. Editing by Arun K. Koyyur.
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Airbus recalls A320s for global airlines
Airbus, Europe's largest aircraft manufacturer, has ordered the immediate repair of 6,000 A320 jets. This recall affects more than half of the fleet worldwide and could cause disruptions during the busiest weekend for travel in the U.S. According to a notice sent to airlines, the fix involves mostly reverting back to older software. However, it is necessary to do this before planes can be flown again. The repairs may cause flight cancellations or delays, according to several airlines. As of 5:30 pm, here is a list with major disruptions reported by airlines. ET (2230 GMT): American Airlines 340 A320 aircraft out of 480 A320s, the largest A320 operator in the world, will need to be updated. The company said that it expected most of the updates to be finished by Saturday, with each plane taking about two hours. Lufthansa Airbus's measures would require several hours to be implemented per aircraft, so the German carrier expects some flight delays or cancellations over the weekend. Avianca Avianca, the Colombian airline, said that the recall affected over 70% of its fleet and would cause "significant" disruptions in operations for the next ten days. Avianca has closed the sales of tickets for travel dates up to December 8. Wizz Air The airline confirmed that some Wizz Air aircraft need the software update. It also said it had immediately scheduled all necessary maintenance in order to comply with the mitigation. Some flights may be affected over the weekend. British Airways The British carrier expects no operational impact on its three short-haul A320 aircraft. easyJet EasyJet expects to experience some service disruptions and will take every measure to minimize this impact. Air France KLM Air France KLM canceled 35 flights Friday after Airbus's announcement. Air New Zealand It said that all of its A320neo planes will receive a software upgrade before they operate their next service. This would cause a disruption to a number Saturday flights. The airline also expects some cancellations. Air India Airbus' directive, according to the airline, will lead to a software/hardware realignment of a portion of its fleet. This will cause longer turnaround times and delays in operations. Air India Express Air India's low cost subsidiary stated that while the majority of its aircraft will not be affected, this guidance is applicable to all operators, causing delays and cancellations. Indigo Budget airline Indian said that it would be proactively updating the required information and some flights could see "some minor schedule changes" while it completes the "precautionary update". Volaris Mexican Airlines said that the Airbus upgrade will cause flight delays and cancellations in the next 48-72 hours. Latam Airlines This update is only applicable to a small number of Latam affiliate aircraft in Colombia, Chile and Peru. This notice does not apply to aircraft operated by affiliates in Brazil or Ecuador. Turkish Airlines After completing the necessary actions, eight A320 aircrafts will be returned into service. It said that "all our operations continue without interruption and safely." Airbus has updated its software and will affect the Mexican airline's fleet. However, no date has been set for when the aircraft will be ready to take off. Delta Airlines Airbus' directive is expected to have a limited impact on the U.S. carrier. Aer Lingus The Irish carrier stated that a small number of aircraft were affected and is currently taking steps to install the necessary software. It anticipates no major operational disruption. United Airlines Airbus' announcement did not affect the airline that operates A320 jets. Azul SA Azul, a Brazilian airline, said that none of its A320 aircraft were part of the Airbus recall. Reporting by Jubybabu in Mexico City, and Parth Chandna from Bengaluru. Editing by Arun K. Koyyur.
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Bankrupt Yellow accepts pensions worth billions
Yellow Corp. has settled with 14 pension funds that sought more than $7,4 billion in compensation from the trucking company. According to settlement documents filed in Delaware bankruptcy court on Wednesday, the pension plans have agreed to accept a reduced payment. This will put an end to years of litigation regarding Yellow's claims that it cannot pay. It will also allow Yellow's junior creditor to receive up to $7.4million from proceeds from its bankruptcy sales. Yellow closed in 2023 after a dispute between its employees and the union that represented them. It sold its assets, which included its truck fleet, its shipping terminals and other real estate, in bankruptcy. These sales were more than enough for Yellow to pay off its top creditors and the government-backed COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Loan, but left other creditors like pension plans fighting to recover a fraction. The company lost its appeal in September over pension claims, but it still does not have the money to pay for more than a small fraction of those claims. The company anticipates having between $600 and $700 millions to pay off all creditors including pension plans. Court documents indicate that the $7.4million set aside for junior creditor may be reduced, if Yellow Corp has less than $550M in cash when it declares bankruptcy. Yellow challenged in its legal battle against the pension plans two regulations of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation that limited how employers and pension funds could use pandemic aid funds to calculate employers' pension liabilities. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia upheld the PBGC rules on appeal. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia upheld the PBGC's rules. They said that they supported the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, which aims to give billions of dollars for underfunded multiemployer plans. Dietrich Knauth (Reporting, Alexia Garamfalvi and Diane Craft; Editing)
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BP Olympic Pipeline restarts after completing repairs
BP announced on Friday that it has begun restarting its 400-mile Olympic Pipeline following repairs to a leak located east of Everett in Washington. Olympic Pipeline transports refined petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel from northern Washington into Oregon. It consists of two pipelines with a diameter of 16 inches and 20 inches. Olympic initiated restart procedures for the 20-inch pipe early on November 28, following a successful test to detect leaks," the company stated in an email statement. Its crews repaired the 16-inch section of the pipeline system earlier this week after finding no signs of a leak. On November 11, the first report of a refined product discharge along the Olympic Pipeline came to light. BP closed the entire pipeline system a few days later, stopping product deliveries. Washington declared a Fuel Emergency last week, and Oregon followed suit Monday. This was in response to a system shutdown that has caused jet fuel to be unavailable at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The pipeline outage forced major airlines, including Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, to develop plans to reduce the impact on flights leaving Sea-Tac over the Thanksgiving holiday travel week. They did this by adding extra fuel to inbound flights via tanker trucks as well as fuel stops for outbound flights. Reporting by Nicole Jao, New York; editing by Chris Reese
The extent of illegal gold mining in Amazonia is revealed by smuggled mercury
The massive seizure of mercury by Peru shows the widespread use of toxic metal
Mercury used in gold mines destroys Amazon rainforest
Gold prices soar in Amazon, fuelling illegal mining
By Dan Collyns
According to a report from the Environmental Investigations Agency, SUNAT (Peru's Customs Agency) found illegal mercury in Lima’s Callao port district, four metric tons.
"This SUNAT action has prevented this chemical having a severe impact on the health of people and the environment as can be seen by several areas of the nation devastated by illegal mercury use and illicit activities," SUNAT stated in a press release.
According to EIA and SUNAT, the vast transnational smuggling network trafficked 200 tonnes of elemental Mercury over a period of six years. This amount would have contributed to at least $8 billion in illegal gold production.
Alexander von Bismarck is the Executive Director of EIA US. He said, "For too many years the toxic flow to illegal gold mines on the Amazon was presented and accepted as inevitable."
He said: "It's time to challenge the status quo, which affects Amazonian community and benefits organized crime."
Between April 2019 and 2025, the scheme covered at least four countries: Mexico, which is the country of origin; Peru, where three-quarters the mercury will be sent, Colombia, and Bolivia.
All four countries are signatories to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which aims to protect human health through reducing and eventually eliminating mercury usage. The undeclared shipments violated the convention.
Gold prices are at record highs, which has encouraged an illegal mining industry to flourish. This trade is damaging local biodiversity and nature and raising serious health concerns.
Mercury, used in illegal gold mines in Amazon to extract gold, is now worth four times more than gold.
According to the World Health Organization, mercury is a neurotoxin that poses a serious threat to public health.
Amazonian communities suffer from a variety of serious health issues, including cognitive impairment, developmental delays, and other serious health problems.
"To extract gold rivers and streams polluted and territories plundered," said Julio Cusurichi a leader Indigenous and Goldman Environmental Prize-winner in Madre de Dios, the Peruvian Amazon area most severely affected by illegal gold mining.
Mercury pollution affects even fish, which are a staple food for our Indigenous communities. "Now the contamination is reaching everyone who lives in the Madre de Dios area, whether we are Indigenous or not," said he.
The WHO safety standards for mercury air pollution are more than 5.5-times higher in some parts of Madre de Dios.
According to EIA and Peruvian officials, the investigation revealed a network of organized crime groups that allegedly revolved around a mercury dealer identified as Juan Jose Zamorano Davila. He is based in Queretaro, Mexico.
According to the EIA, Zamorano was allegedly in charge of procurement, concealment and export logistics, as well as financial structuring.
"MERCURY FEVER"
The route starts in Queretaro where a few mercury mines are active, located in the Sierra Gorda UNESCO Biosphere reserve, which is considered a unique eco-system of cultural importance. They produce dozens and tonnes of mercury every year to supply the gold mining industry in the Amazon.
EIA collected evidence that some mines were controlled by Jalisco New Generation Cartel (one of Mexico's most powerful illegal drug networks).
Sources from the Queretaro mining area told investigators in May that mercury fever has hit the region due to record prices offered by mercury traders of $330 per kilogram as a result of the skyrocketing price of gold.
Mercury was allegedly smuggled from Mexico's port of Manzanillo to South America, where it was transported through ports and companies allegedly linked to organized crime, and then resold illegal gold-mining zones, such as territories controlled by armed criminal organizations like the Clan de Golfo in Colombia and the ELN.
Mercury found in Callao port was concealed in bags of gravel, and falsely declared to be crushed stone or decorative stones in order to avoid customs.
The invoices were inflated and classified incorrectly to hide the contents. Each 20-tonne shipping container was valued at $11,000, which is about 20 times more than the price of gravel. However, it contained mercury worth up to $2,000,000.
The container found in Peru contained mercury vapor at levels that were 480 times higher than the safety threshold.
The shipment, marked for Bolivia, went through the port in Callao, and the investigation revealed that it was diverted via Arequipa in southern Peru, a major distribution center for destinations like Madre de Dios.
Similar shipments to Colombia and Bolivia were often traced via the U.S. Port of Houston, Texas. This created a possible jurisdiction issue for the United States.
(source: Reuters)