Four years after the rules for travel between the U.S. and Cuba began to relax, aircraft repair services still remain in short supply in the island nation. But the easing of rules in recent years facilitates bringing in parts, mechanics, or other supplies to support aircraft that encounter AOG situations in Cuba, said Eric Norber, founder of Cuba Handling. When the U.S. opened the door to travel to Cuba, the ability to repair aircraft in country was a chief concern. “There is not a lot of local mechanics or repair shops available in Cuba,” said Norber. “But, knowing that, Cuban authorities put in place in a policy that opens the door for whatever support you need you can bring in. It’s just at the expense of the operator.” With the policy changes, he added, “There is no customs process. There’s no immigration for mechanics. It is really open access for the support or repair of any AOG aircraft in Cuba.” On the U.S. side, the removal of Cuba from the list of nations with certain export bans in 2016 eased the ability to bring in parts and equipment necessary for support. Cuba Cuba Handling, which has specialized in Cuban operations handling for more than 27 years, has assisted aircraft operators with issues as small as tire changes and to as large as an engine swap, he said, adding the latter being on an airline airframe. All were completed on the ramp in Cuba by U.S. mechanics. Norber cautioned that travel logistics, such as hotels and transportation, must be arranged through a handling company. Some MRO shops from around the world have held discussions with the Cuban government over the possibility of opening a facility there,

Al Maktoum Airport Al Maktoum Airport is to be reinvented as an aviation hub that can handle supersonic, hypersonic and even space planes in addition to aircraft. Steve Nichols reports. The announcement, made in June, is part of the Dubai 10X initiative, with Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects working on the project in partnership with Dubai Future Foundation (DFF). This means DWC is to become a “multi-mode super-port” with the hub set to become the region’s first spaceport, with the surrounding aviation infrastructure being known as Al Maktoum Airport a “cosmotropolis”. Al Maktoum Airport will become the first of its kind in the world to provide an integrated travel outlet for both air and space travel. According to the Government of Dubai’s website, the initiative, part of a total of 26, was approved by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai and chairman of the board of trustees of the DFF. Khalifa Suhail Al Zaffin, executive chairman of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, said: “The advent of new travel technologies, such as supersonic aircraft and space travel, have raised questions about the ability of existing airports to accommodate these modes of travel in an integrated way using Al Maktoum Airport. “As the most ambitious country in the field of exploratory space missions, we believe the time is right to develop a new comprehensive plan for an integrated airport that offers both air and space travel.” Al Zaffin added: “The Dubai 10X initiative has helped us make great strides. Dubai has always pioneered change and has a strong track record of innovative projects. “Our Dubai 10X projects provide real opportunities for us to set new and innovative standards in the aviation industry and

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has recently issued five licenses for Saudi female pilots, permitting them to work as pilots on Saudi Arabian Airlines aircraft, reports abouther.com. It was only this July that women in Saudi Arabia were finally allowed to enroll in flights schools, following the rescinding of a decades-long ban on female motorists that came into effect this summer. The issuance of pilot licenses to Saudi women is seen as part of the country's overall efforts and specifically of the GACA's commitment to empower Saudi women to work in the aviation sector, which is one of the objectives of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This year, the Oxford Aviation Academy, a trainer and crew recruiter, received applications from hundreds of women in Saudi Arabia hoping to start lessons in September at its branch in Dammam. Source: arabianaerospace