In Brief

 Boeing charged with 737 Max fraud conspiracy, to pay over $2.5 billion in fines

Boeing will pay a total criminal monetary amount of over $2.5 billion, composed of a criminal monetary penalty of $243.6 million,

compensation payments to Boeing’s 737 MAX airline customers of $1.77 billion, and the establishment of a $500 million crash-victim beneficiaries fund to compensate the heirs, relatives, and legal beneficiaries of the 346 passengers who died in the Boeing 737 MAX crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 30

Abu Dhabi Tourism launches new off-road project

An exciting new project launched today that will see adventurers soon able to embark on exciting desert explorations in Abu Dhabi. The Off-Road Driving in Abu Dhabi Project, organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), consists of six off-road driving route maps covering Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafrah and Al Ain, which adventurers can follow to embark on desert camping and desert safari experiences in their own vehicles.

Aeromexico Airline and Pilots Union Still At Odds

Aeromexico airline and pilots union, Asociación Sindical de Pilotos Aviadores de Mexico (ASPA) which represents Mexican pilots, are still at odds over current negotiations. Agreement is necessary in order for the airline to meet the commitments and objectives required by bankruptcy lenders allowing the company to access subsequent disbursements under the Senior Debtor in Possession Credit Facility (DIP Financing).

Aeromexico (Grupo Aeroméxico, S.A.B. de C.V.) must continue negotiations with ASPA in order to reach an agreement during the 7-day grace period established at the Credit Agreement (Cure Period).

TSA Airport Screenings Plummeted By 500 Million In 2020

The Transportation Security Administration screened more than 3 million passengers in the first three days of January, including 1.3 million on Sunday, Jan. 3. The TSA reported that despite the highest daily number since the coronavirus pandemic slammed travel in March 2020, airport traffic was still down 60% compared with year-ago levels.

 Full Story: Forbes (tiered subscription model) (1/4),  TravelPulse 

Delta inks new satellite partnership, aims for free Wi-Fi

Delta Air Lines is partnering with satellite operator Viasat to provide Wi-Fi for more than 300 aircraft starting this summer, along with an associated portal that will connect with other day-of-travel services. "In working with Viasat, we gain the tools needed to deepen customer interactions and bring us closer to delivering more personalized in-flight content as well as an ability to consistently provide free, fast, streaming Wi-Fi in the future," said Delta's Bill Lentsch.

 Full Story: SpaceNews (1/5),  Runway Girl Network (1/5),  Delta News