Travel Safety Update.

For more safety & security news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Jun 19, 2006

Lawmakers press FAA to move faster on runway safety. Lawmakers want the Federal Aviation Administration to move quickly to improve runway safety at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The House Appropriations Committee has proposed boosting funding for a program to install new technology at O'Hare and other airports by $10 million. Jun 16, 2006

Airlines hope to improve travel experience for disabled fliers. Airlines and the Air Transport Association recently met with a nonprofit group supporting the disabled to address complaints and discuss improvements. The ATA stated, "We're always looking for ways to help our members improve their delivery of services and ensure that they comply with the law." Jun 13, 2006

Airline emissions attract attention from environmentalists. Aviation is a growing source of emissions blamed for global warming, environmentalists say. Proposals that would include aviation in emissions trading systems are generating controversy. Airlines note that aircraft are a relatively small source of emissions and that the economic contribution of aviation exceeds its share of emissions. Jun 13, 2006

Airlines step up medical response readiness. Airlines are more prepared than ever to respond to in-flight medical emergencies. Air-to-ground communication with medical experts is now standard on commercial aircraft, and jets and planes with 30 seats or more carry enhanced medical kits with more supplies, which crew members are trained to use. Jun 12, 2006

FAA hopes new landing margin prevents accidents. The Federal Aviation Administration has issued new landing policies with the goal of preventing jetliners from skidding off slippery or snowy runways. The policy, which was prompted by an accident in Chicago in December, requires a safety margin of 15% to be factored into landing distances during poor weather. Jun 12, 2006

American Airlines

An American Airlines plane flying from London to New York made an emergency landing at Dublin airport on Monday after the smell of smoke was reported on board, an airport authority spokeswoman said. According to a report by AFP, the Boeing 777-200 en route from London's Heathrow airport to JFK landed safely in Dublin. "There was a full turnout of the emergency fire services when the aircraft with an estimated 160 passengers and crew on board landed at the airport," the spokeswoman said. "Apparently there had been a report of smoke in the cockpit," she added. All passengers and crew were taken to the terminal building while engineers carried out an inspection of the aircraft. Jun 12, 2006

Boeing, American Airlines

US National Transportation Safety Board is investigating an uncontained engine failure on an American Airlines 767 that occurred during a ground maintenance test run on June 2 at Los Angeles International. According to NTSB, the HPT stage one disk on the number one GE CF6-80A2 broke into several pieces that "were found embedded in the fuselage, the number two engine, and scattered as far 3,000 feet from the airplane." The ensuing holes in the wings caused fuel leaks that resulted in a ground fire that was extinguished by airport firefighters. There were no reported injuries. Initial examination of the disk pieces found indications of fatigue cracking, the board said. Jun 15, 2006

Boeing, General Electric

Investigators consider tougher inspections for some GE engines. Federal investigators are considering tougher and more frequent inspections for General Electric jet engines. An engine failed earlier this month in Los Angeles and severely damaged an American Airlines 767. Jun 14, 2006

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce recalls parts after engines shut down. Rolls-Royce has recalled some parts after learning that three engines on passenger jets have shut down in mid-air. The company has traced two of the failures to a defective part made at its Scottish factory. Jun 12, 2006