Boeing aircraft imported to the European Union are to carry a 15% tariff after European regulators imposed their own countermeasures in the long-running transatlantic subsidies dispute. The measures will take effect from 10 November, following the World Trade Organization’s authorisation on 26 October for the EU to place duties worth $4 billion on US exports. Last year the US government was granted similar clearance to introduce $7.5 billion worth of tariffs on EU imports. As part of these measures it put a 10% duty on Airbus aircraft, and subsequently increased this level to 15%. The European response is intended to “strictly mirror” the US tariff, says the European Commission, in line with its intention to retaliate to, rather than escalate, the dispute. European trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis says the tariffs on Boeing aircraft are being introduced “regrettably” because insufficient progress has been made on reaching a negotiated settlement. “We have made clear all along that we want to settle this long-running issue,” he says. “We had no other choice but to impose these countermeasures.” While the tariffs were put in place during the term of US president Donald Trump, the dispute has persisted through previous presidential administrations. There is no immediate indication as to whether president-elect Joe Biden’s accession to office will unlock the stalemate. But Dombrovskis says there is an “opportunity to reboot our transatlantic co-operation”. “We call on the US authorities to agree to both sides dropping existing countermeasures with immediate effect, so we can quickly put this behind us,” he adds. “Removing these tariffs is a win-win for both sides, especially with the pandemic wreaking havoc on our economies.” Along with the 15% tariffs on aircraft the EU will impose additional 25% duties on other US products in the industrial and agricultural sectors.

Source: Cirium

Federal Aviation Administration chief Steve Dickson expects his agency will complete its review of the 737 Max “in the coming days” – a signal the FAA may soon clear the Max to fly. “The Federal Aviation Administration is in the final stages of reviewing the proposed changes to the Boeing 737 Max,” says administrator Dickson on 9 November. “We expect that this process will be finished in the coming days.” The agency adds it will only certificate the Max, which has been grounded since March 2019, once “satisfied that Boeing has addressed the safety issues that played a role in the tragic loss of 346 lives aboard Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.” Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ”Even though we are near the finish line, I will lift the grounding order only after our safety experts are satisfied that the aircraft meets certification standards,” Dickson adds. “The FAA continues to engage with aviation authorities around the world as they prepare to validate our certification decision. As I have said many times before, the agency will take the time that it needs to thoroughly review the remaining work.” The FAA has worked through final steps to the Max’s certification in recent months. FAA administrator Steve Dickson personally piloted a 737 Max on 30 September, and in early October the agency issued proposed pilot training rules. The agency had accepted public comment about those rules until 2 November. Boeing has repeatedly said it expects regulators will clear the jet to fly before year end.

Source: Cirium

Berlin Tegel has ceased commercial operations following the departure of the last flight from the German capital airport, an Air France service to Paris Charles de Gaulle. The Airbus A320 lifted off from runway 08L at about 15:39 on 8 November. Tegel is closing as a result of the new Berlin Brandenburg airport’s opening on 31 October, enabling the concentration of all air traffic at a single hub. The airport’s operator, FBB, says the departure of the service from Tegel marks a “full circle” because Air France had first operated to Tegel on 2 January 1960 using a Lockheed Super Constellation. Several NOTAMs have been issued in relation to the transition, including one which simply states “aerodrome closed” as of 15:30 on 8 November. “Following the last departure and the end of operations at Tegel, the area was symbolically handed over to the city,” says FBB. Tegel airport will be kept in operating condition for six months from the date of the complete commissioning of Brandenburg – although no flights will operate there. At the end of this period the site will start undergoing redevelopment into a new urban district.

Source: Cirium