News

FAA

FAA ends 'see-and-avoid' for helicopters near major U.S. airports, mandates radar separation

The FAA has suspended reliance on visual 'see-and-avoid' separation for helicopters operating in busy terminal airspace (Class B, Class C and TRSAs) and now requires radar-based separation when helicopters or powered-lift aircraft cross airplane approach/departure paths. The rule follows the Jan. 2025 Potomac midair collision that killed 67.

2026-03-18T07:00:44.458477-07:00

The Air Current

FAA clears Boeing 777‑9 to begin Phase 4A certification testing

2026-03-18T09:54:44.492197-07:00

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

Ukraine preparing to reopen commercial airspace after four years — what airlines, insurers and regulators need to know

2026-03-18T12:14:07.448437-07:00

Reuters

Suspicious package and bomb threat at Montréal–Trudeau halts arrivals; NORAD jets escort incoming flights, two arrested

2026-03-18T13:08:58.160466-07:00

News Timeline

Associated Press

Suspicious package containing possible energetic materials found outside MacDill AFB visitor center Federal agents are investigating a suspicious package discovered Monday outside the visitor center at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, that officials say contained possible energetic materials and resembled an improvised explosive device. The FBI is leading the ongoing probe and base security responded to the scene.

2026-03-18T14:39:49.011104-07:00

Suspicious package containing possible energetic materials found outside MacDill AFB visitor center

Reuters

❗️

Suspicious package and bomb threat at Montréal–Trudeau halts arrivals; NORAD jets escort incoming flights, two arrested A suspicious package found on a landing flight prompted a police bomb-threat investigation at Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, forcing runway closures and an FAA suspension of arrivals. NORAD dispatched fighter jets, including CF-18s, to escort diverted Montreal-bound flights; authorities arrested two people during the response.

2026-03-18T13:08:58.160466-07:00

Suspicious package and bomb threat at Montréal–Trudeau halts arrivals; NORAD jets escort incoming flights, two arrested

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

❗️

Ukraine preparing to reopen commercial airspace after four years — what airlines, insurers and regulators need to know Four years after Russia’s Feb. 24, 2022 invasion emptied Ukraine’s skies and grounded commercial services, Kyiv is preparing plans to reopen its airspace. With airports idle and hostilities ongoing, airlines, insurers and regulators face complex safety, liability and operational challenges for any phased resumption.

2026-03-18T12:14:07.448437-07:00

Ukraine preparing to reopen commercial airspace after four years — what airlines, insurers and regulators need to know

The Air Current

❗️

FAA clears Boeing 777‑9 to begin Phase 4A certification testing The FAA on March 17 cleared Boeing to begin Phase 4A (TIA Phase 4) certification testing of the long‑delayed 777‑9, permitting expanded ground and flight trials. The approval advances validation of the world's largest twinjet and improves delivery prospects and near‑term cash flow for Boeing.

2026-03-18T09:54:44.492197-07:00

FAA clears Boeing 777‑9 to begin Phase 4A certification testing

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

❗️

Delta A350 diverts to Anchorage after passenger allegedly assaults flight attendant and uses racial slur Delta Flight DL-69, an Airbus A350 from Seattle to Taipei, diverted to Anchorage after a passenger allegedly assaulted a flight attendant, hurled the N-word and threatened violence. The disturbance prompted a cockpit lockdown on the fuel-heavy long-haul flight and ended with the passenger taken into federal custody.

2026-03-18T09:22:31.576221-07:00

Delta A350 diverts to Anchorage after passenger allegedly assaults flight attendant and uses racial slur

Skift

❗️

Qatar and Etihad relax frequent‑flyer rules as Iran‑related airspace disruptions hit Gulf travel Qatar Airways and Etihad have eased loyalty‑program requirements after Iran‑related airspace closures and widespread flight disruptions. Qatar’s Privilege Club extended status and offered relief for members affected by a roughly 20‑day operational suspension; Etihad Guest cut tier‑qualification thresholds by 25%.

2026-03-18T08:20:12.342818-07:00

Qatar and Etihad relax frequent‑flyer rules as Iran‑related airspace disruptions hit Gulf travel

FAA

❗️

FAA ends 'see-and-avoid' for helicopters near major U.S. airports, mandates radar separation The FAA has suspended reliance on visual 'see-and-avoid' separation for helicopters operating in busy terminal airspace (Class B, Class C and TRSAs) and now requires radar-based separation when helicopters or powered-lift aircraft cross airplane approach/departure paths. The rule follows the Jan. 2025 Potomac midair collision that killed 67.

2026-03-18T07:00:44.458477-07:00

FAA ends 'see-and-avoid' for helicopters near major U.S. airports, mandates radar separation

Vertical Mag

How helicopters are adopting AI — big operational upside, clear safety and legal trade-offs Artificial intelligence offers significant potential to improve helicopter operations — from predictive maintenance and mission support to partial automation — but the industry must confront safety validation, certification gaps and legal liability before deployment at scale. Stakeholders face near‑term operational benefits alongside unresolved regulatory and safety questions.

2026-03-18T05:40:39.413735-07:00

How helicopters are adopting AI — big operational upside, clear safety and legal trade-offs

Menu

Aviation Safety & Regulation News

FAA ends 'see-and-avoid' for helicopters near major U.S. airports, mandates radar separation

FAA clears Boeing 777‑9 to begin Phase 4A certification testing

Ukraine preparing to reopen commercial airspace after four years — what airlines, insurers and regulators need to know

Suspicious package and bomb threat at Montréal–Trudeau halts arrivals; NORAD jets escort incoming flights, two arrested

News Timeline