US airports have been granted $1.9 billion in infrastructure funds under the Airport Improvement Program, the fifth such allocation announced by the Federal Aviation Administration. The funds encompass 519 grants in 48 US states, along with Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FAA is also allocating an additional $269 million in 2023 supplemental discretionary grants to fund 62 projects at 56 US airports. The regulator notes that these funds assist airport owners and operators "in the development and improvement" of the country's airport system. "The Biden-Harris administration is funding projects across the country that are making airports safer and more efficient for the passengers who travel through them and for the airport and airline employees who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make these complex systems run as smoothly as possible," states US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

The WestJet Group has announced the acquisition of three additional Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital. This follows a previous announcement of six new Max 8s earlier in the summer, bringing the total recent additions to nine, the carrier says. The move is part of WestJet's strategy to expand its fleet and network capacity while managing delays in direct-from-factory aircraft deliveries. WestJet Group's executive vice-president Mike Scott states: "With our longstanding partner SMBC, we are thrilled to be adding three more Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft to our growing fleet as we execute upon our mission of providing affordable air travel options to our guests." WestJet plans to update and refresh the interior cabins of these newly acquired aircraft to ensure consistency across its fleet. The additional capacity is expected to enhance air access for WestJet's passengers across its growing network, although the interior modifications will not be immediate.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency will publish an emergency airworthiness directive for Airbus A350 operators following an engine fire on a Cathay Pacific aircraft in early September. "We will require a one-time fleet inspection, which may be applicable only to a portion of the A350 fleet, in order to identify and remove from service any potentially compromised high-pressure fuel hoses," the EU regulator states. "The specific details and requirements of this inspection, as well as the compliance time limits, are still being determined and will be outlined in an EASA emergency airworthiness directive that will be issued later today," it adds. The Cathay A350-1000 involved in the incident "experienced an in-flight engine fire shortly after take-off", EASA says, noting: "The fire was promptly detected and extinguished, and the aircraft returned safely to Hong Kong." The A350-1000 variant is powered by Trent XWB-97s, while the shorter A350-900 is equipped with Trent XWB-84s. The Air Accident Investigation Authority of Hong Kong (AAIA) is leading a probe into the incident. EASA says that the directive is a precautionary measure "to prevent any further similar occurrence" and is based on preliminary information from the AAIA, Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department, Airbus and Rolls-Royce. Following the incident, Cathay inspected its fleet of 30 A350-900s and 18 -1000s, and identified 15 aircraft that required fuel-line replacements. Airbus says: "We acknowledge the information provided by EASA and are working closely with Rolls-Royce and the authorities on the implementation of this precautionary measure." Rolls-Royce says: "We can confirm that we are working very closely with EASA on a one-time precautionary engine inspection programme, which may be applicable only to a portion of the A350 fleet. We are keeping our customers updated and expect EASA to make a further announcement later today." Citing ICAO regulations, the engine maker says "we cannot comment on the focus of the inspections, but note that EASA has publicly referenced high-pressure fuel hoses" as focus of the investigation. Rolls-Royce asserts the Trent XWB engine has an "excellent record over its nine years in service" and says it is working with customers and suppliers with the aim of "minimising any short-term disruption caused by these inspections".