EU border control: delays in the new entry / exit system
The EU Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) has been mandated to launch two programmes, namely the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has provided more details concerning delays in the activation of two new third-country EU traveler entry/exit programs. These programs were set to start this fall but now won't begin until next year.
The EES, which will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports with an electronic record, is scheduled to start a transitional phase in May 2023, EBAA said. Manual stamping of passports will end in mid-August 2023 and the transitional phase will end in February 2024. Meanwhile, the ETIAS is expected to be implemented in November 2023. ETIAS is an online pre-travel and pre-boarding requirement applying to visa-exempt third-country nationals planning to travel to European states. Operators must be able to verify ETAIS authorization within 48 hours before scheduled departure. According to EBAA, program authorities indicated that if the aircraft is owned by a private individual or organization and handled by a professional management company, or is a private charter, the flights must adhere to the programs' requirements. However, if the aircraft is owned by a private individual or organization, the crew is hired directly by the aircraft owner, and flights are not charter, the operation will not be required to use the new systems. There are still open questions on applicability of the regulations on private operations in Business Aviation that the EBAA is liaising with eu-LISA about. www.ebaa.org
US lawmakers propose hiking pilot retirement age to 67
A group of US Senators believe that raising the pilot retirement age will alleviate the problems caused by a pilot shortage. "Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act" is the name of the legislation that Senator Lindsey Graham introduced. The Regional Airline Association (RAA), representing 43% of scheduled passenger flights in the U.S., supports new legislation that would allow healthy and safe pilots to remain flying for US airlines until 67 years old, two years more than the current mandatory retirement of 65. But the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) opposes attempts to increase retirement age for airline pilots: “ALPA strongly opposes this proposed legislation as there is no reason to change the retirement age today and doing so would only increase costs for airlines as well as introduce unnecessary risks to passengers and crew alike.” www.alpa.org
U.S. Senate bill incentivizing SAF production
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomes the inclusion of an NBAA-championed blenders tax credit for producers of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Passed Aug. 7 by the U.S. Senate, the budget reconciliation legislation includes a $1.25 per-gallon credit available for each gallon of SAF sold as part of a qualified fuel mixture, if the SAF has a demonstrated lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction of at least 50% compared to conventional jet fuel.
The stand-alone SAF tax credit – which increases by one cent for each percentage point by which the lifecycle GHG emissions reduction of such fuel exceeds 50%, up to $1.75 per gallon – would be effective for two years beginning Jan. 1, 2023.
After Jan. 1, 2025, the new Clean Fuel Production Credit (CFPC) would apply to all transportation fuels, with an enhanced baseline credit for SAF. The CFPC is based on the level of GHG reduction performance of a fuel versus a baseline emissions factor. Under this system, SAF is eligible for a credit of up to $1.75 per gallon for fuels with a 100% GHG reduction. The Inflation Reduction Act will now move to the U.S. House for debate and a final vote reconciliation. If passed, the legislation will go to the president to be signed into law. www.nbaa.org
People: Rolls-Royce appoints Tufan Erginbilgic as CEO
Rolls-Royce recently announced that Tufan Erginbilgic has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and an executive director of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc. Turkish national Tufan Erginbilgic will take up his new role on 1 January 2023, succeeding Warren East who, on 24 February 2022, announced his intention to step down at the end of this year.
Tufan, who has a background in engineering, has built his career in international business including over 20 years with BP, with five years as part of its executive team. In his last role before leaving in 2020, he led BP’s downstream business, which included Refining, Petrochemicals, Service Station Network, Lubricants, Midstream operations and the Air BP jet fuel operation. During Tufan’s tenure, the business was transformed, achieving record profitability and delivering record-setting safety performance. He has held several non-executive directorships in heavy industry and manufacturing companies, including at aerospace technology group GKN. He is currently a partner at Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a private equity firm which focuses on large-scale investments in infrastructure businesses and manages $81bn for investors.
Tufan Erginbilgic is currently a non-executive director of multinational transport vehicle manufacturer Iveco Group NV; energy, healthcare and technology group DCC plc; and energy company Türkiye Petrol Rafinerileri A.Ş (Tupras). Tufan will be reviewing his involvement in these positions. Tufan has an MBA and an MA in Economics a bachelor’s degree in engineering. www.rolls-royce.com