CJEU: Non-discrimination on grounds of nationality and free movement of services apply also to air carriers licensed by EU Member States

The Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) ruled in its judgment of 18 March 2014 that an EU Member State (MS) may not deny access to its airspace to an air carrier licensed by another MS. Such denial violates Arts 18 and 56 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the EU, which lay down respectively the principle of non-discrimination on grounds of nationality between EU nationals and the freedom of such national to provide services across the EU (Case C-628/11).

Flight MH 370: US law firm plans lawsuit against Boeing and Malaysian Airlines

Reuters has reported that US law firm Ribbeck law plans a lawsuit against Malaysian Airlines and Boeing over the accident of flight MH 370. The firm is representing the relatives one of the persons presumed dead. It plans to turn also against component manufacturers and possibly maintenance service providers.

Antitrust lawsuit between US firms over Russian rocket engine dropped

According to Space News, Orbital Sciences Corp has dropped the antitrust lawsuit it filed in June 2013 against United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture of Lockheed-Martin and Boeing, in which it alleged monopolization, attempt to monopolize or otherwise restraint the launch systems and services used for medium-class payload missions. The parties will undertake to resolve the issue through negotiations, notwithstanding Orbital’s right to refile the lawsuit.

Flight 370 and security deficiencies

The events surrounding Malaysian airlines flight 370 have sparked discussions about security deficiencies of the air travel in general and of the Malaysian aviation authorities in particular. 

Laser striker sentenced to 14 years imprisonment

According to a press release of the US Attorney for the District of California, a 26-year-old male person was sentenced to 14 year in prison on 10 March 2014 for aiming with a laser against the crew of a police helicopter. The defendant had a series of criminal convictions in the past.

EU sets new rules on airport safety

On 6 March 2014 entered into force Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 on certification and safety oversight of EU aerodromes. The Regulation implements the provisions of the Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 (EASA Basic Regulation) and the relevant ICAO rules (mainly Annex 14). 

UAS: NTSB Judge dismisses FAA fine against model aircraft operator

On 6 March 2014, Administrative Law Judge Patrick Geraghty of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the FAA had no authority to issue a fine against the operator of a model aircraft.

European Parliament adopts resolution “on the use of armed drones”

The European Parliament (ΕP) adopted on 27 Febr. 2014 a resolution “on the use of armed drones”.

Changes in helicopter operation rules in the US and the UK

The US Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) issued on 20 Febr. 2014 a final rule that requires helicopter operators, including operators of air ambulances, to have stricter flight rules and procedures, improved communications, training, and additional on-board safety equipment. Accidentally, on the same day, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced a series of measures to increase the safety of offshore helicopter flights.