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Paddle Your Own Kanoo • Mateusz Maszczynski

El Al flight departs LAX for Tel Aviv without 140 checked bags after 'Free Palestine' stickers found

An El Al Los Angeles–Tel Aviv flight left LAX without 140 checked suitcases after "Free Palestine" stickers were discovered on the luggage, prompting enhanced security searches and a near two‑hour departure delay. Authorities suspect an inside job by airport employees; passengers arrived in Israel without their bags.

2026-02-21T06:25:26.653227-08:00

Reuters

Transport Canada certifies Gulfstream G500 and G600 after Trump threatened U.S. grounding and tariffs

2026-02-20T13:35:44.633286-08:00

Bloomberg

DOT watchdog: FAA staffing shortfalls weakened oversight of United Airlines maintenance

2026-02-20T11:05:16.144838-08:00

Runway Girl

Iridium eyes aviation comms overhaul as Certus nears safety clearance; Aireon advances space‑based VHF

2026-02-20T07:25:32.663858-08:00

News Timeline

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

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El Al flight departs LAX for Tel Aviv without 140 checked bags after 'Free Palestine' stickers found An El Al Los Angeles–Tel Aviv flight left LAX without 140 checked suitcases after "Free Palestine" stickers were discovered on the luggage, prompting enhanced security searches and a near two‑hour departure delay. Authorities suspect an inside job by airport employees; passengers arrived in Israel without their bags.

2026-02-21T06:25:26.653227-08:00

El Al flight departs LAX for Tel Aviv without 140 checked bags after 'Free Palestine' stickers found

Bloomberg

Duffy to brief Congress on temporary El Paso airspace shutdown Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will brief lawmakers on Capitol Hill next week about the temporary closure of airspace around El Paso, Texas, earlier this month. Duffy announced the briefing but provided no further public details about causes, timeline or operational impacts.

2026-02-20T14:04:56.660030-08:00

Duffy to brief Congress on temporary El Paso airspace shutdown

Flying Magazine

NTSB: Autopilot Confusion and Possible Impairment Led to Fatal Crash of Aviation Vlogger 'TNFlygirl' The NTSB found the fatal crash of aviation vlogger 'TNFlygirl' in a high-performance airplane resulted from the pilot's lack of experience and skill, with autopilot confusion and possible impairment contributing. Investigators say automation mismanagement during a critical flight phase produced loss of control.

2026-02-20T13:45:29.629558-08:00

NTSB: Autopilot Confusion and Possible Impairment Led to Fatal Crash of Aviation Vlogger 'TNFlygirl'

Reuters

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Transport Canada certifies Gulfstream G500 and G600 after Trump threatened U.S. grounding and tariffs Transport Canada has granted type certification for Gulfstream’s G500 and G600 business jets, according to a government document, after President Donald Trump publicly criticized the delay and threatened to ground Canada-built aircraft in the U.S. and impose tariffs unless regulators approved the models.

2026-02-20T13:35:44.633286-08:00

Transport Canada certifies Gulfstream G500 and G600 after Trump threatened U.S. grounding and tariffs

Bloomberg

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DOT watchdog: FAA staffing shortfalls weakened oversight of United Airlines maintenance A U.S. Department of Transportation watchdog found FAA staffing shortages and high employee turnover weakened the agency’s oversight of United Airlines’ maintenance practices, producing persistent gaps in air‑carrier maintenance oversight. The report says the FAA has begun corrective steps, but many shortcomings remain tied to resourcing and planning.

2026-02-20T11:05:16.144838-08:00

DOT watchdog: FAA staffing shortfalls weakened oversight of United Airlines maintenance

AINonline

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White House threats over Gulfstream certification prompt push for type‑certification and validation reforms White House threats to withhold or challenge certification for Gulfstream business jets have revived industry and regulator calls to reform aircraft type‑certification and validation processes, senior leaders say. The dispute has exposed long‑standing frictions in cross‑border validation and prompted proposals to tighten oversight and harmonize approvals.

2026-02-20T10:10:44.817915-08:00

White House threats over Gulfstream certification prompt push for type‑certification and validation reforms

Runway Girl

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Iridium eyes aviation comms overhaul as Certus nears safety clearance; Aireon advances space‑based VHF Iridium is positioning its Certus L‑band service for imminent safety clearance and sees an opening to disrupt conventional cockpit and air–ground communications, while Aireon is pressing ahead with a space‑based VHF capability—setting up a potential commercial and regulatory fight over how future ATC voice and data links are delivered.

2026-02-20T07:25:32.663858-08:00

Iridium eyes aviation comms overhaul as Certus nears safety clearance; Aireon advances space‑based VHF

Flying Magazine

Month-long mechanical failures underscore why aircraft reliability matters Another month-long run of mechanical failures has underscored how aircraft reliability directly affects operations, reducing fleet availability and increasing maintenance burdens for carriers and MROs. The episode exposes vulnerabilities in parts supply, inspection capacity and contingency planning that risk higher delays and costs.

2026-02-20T05:13:40.375223-08:00

Month-long mechanical failures underscore why aircraft reliability matters

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Aviation Safety & Regulation News

El Al flight departs LAX for Tel Aviv without 140 checked bags after 'Free Palestine' stickers found

Transport Canada certifies Gulfstream G500 and G600 after Trump threatened U.S. grounding and tariffs

DOT watchdog: FAA staffing shortfalls weakened oversight of United Airlines maintenance

Iridium eyes aviation comms overhaul as Certus nears safety clearance; Aireon advances space‑based VHF

News Timeline