QSA's Week in Aviation (#35, 2025)
CBSA extradites suspect in tobacco smuggling; CBSA cocaine seizures at Point Edward; StatsCan releases weekly aircraft movements; US FAA finalizes consolidated falsification rule; FAA issues new aircraft and engine directives; DHS suspends duty-free de minimis treatment globally; White House revi...
Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news for the airline and airports industry, as well as pilots and other aviation-professionals. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.
Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Aviation? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Freight & Ports and Oil & Gas.
Dates: 2025-08-31 to 2025-09-06
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
Canadian Federal GR News
CBSA Extradites Canadian Citizen from Mexico on Tobacco Smuggling Charges
On August 29, 2025, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) completed the extradition of Martin Bessette, a 50-year-old Canadian citizen, from Mexico to Montreal, Quebec. Bessette had previously pleaded guilty to eight counts under the Customs Act, Excise Act, 2001, and the Criminal Code, related to a contraband tobacco network estimated at generating over $450 million. His sentencing trial in September 2022 was missed, resulting in a warrant for his arrest. Bessette was located in Mexico and arrested in March 2025, with his detention ordered by the Court of Québec upon his return. Legal proceedings are ongoing. CBSA stated that tobacco smuggling not only damages the Canadian economy but also funds further organized crime, including activities such as drug and firearms trafficking.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
Weekly Aircraft Movements Published by Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada released weekly data on Canadian aircraft itinerant movements for August 16–22, 2025. The dataset provides current figures on flight activity, including commercial, private, and freight operations. Industry stakeholders can access the detailed information in the StatsCan Daily release for operational analysis and trend assessment.
Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca
Canadian Armed Forces Member Located Deceased While Deployed
National Defence confirmed the death of Warrant Officer George Hohl, a Vehicle Technician from 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, during Operation REASSURANCE in Latvia. Missing since September 2, 2025, Hohl was found deceased on September 5. Military Police are supporting local authorities in the investigation. Hohl, assigned to the Aviation Battalion under NATO’s Multinational Brigade-Latvia, had multiple deployments, including previous tours with the Canadian Armed Forces. There has been no indication that the incident increases risks to other deployed personnel.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
US Federal GR News
FAA Issues Consolidated Final Rule on Falsification and Incorrect Statements for Aviation and Commercial Space
On September 3, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) finalized a sweeping rule that consolidates falsification regulations across 14 CFR parts 3, 21, 43, 60, 61, 63, 65, 67, 89, 107, 111, 120, 121, 139, 142, 145, 402, and 413. This action eliminates inconsistencies and centralizes enforcement standards for fraudulent or intentionally false statements, material omissions, and incorrect statements in regulatory documents and safety records.
Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov
FAA Issues Airworthiness Directives for Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA adopted Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-17-17, effective September 17, 2025, affecting all Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 series aircraft. The directive responds to manufacturing lapses resulting in missing nickel plating on the inner bore of main landing gear aft pintle pins (part numbers D3215600500600 and D3215303000800). Required actions include the replacement of affected parts and restrictions on further installation.
Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov
FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive for International Aero Engines AG Engines
Effective October 10, 2025, FAA AD 2025-17-16 addresses uncontained high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage hub failures for certain IAE AG Model V2500 engines (1,514 engines affected). Operators must revise their airworthiness limitations section to incorporate new inspections for HPT 1st and 2nd-stage hubs at piece-part exposure.
Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov
FAA Issues Airworthiness Directives for Airbus Helicopters
The FAA adopted AD 2025-17-14 for all Airbus EC 130 B4 and EC 130 T2 helicopters, targeting tension-torsion bar failures that resulted in tail rotor blade separation. Operators are required to inspect all tension-torsion bars and replace any with detectable discrepancies such as cracks or deformation.
Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov
DHS Suspends Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries
The Department of Homeland Security implemented Executive Order 14324 as of August 29, 2025, suspending the $800 duty-free exemption under 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(C) for non-postal goods from all countries. Shipments are now subject to new duty rates, with non-postal entries processed via Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). Postally shipped goods will incur either ad valorem or specific duties depending on origin, with a temporary specific duty option expiring February 28, 2026.
Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov
Canadian Provincial GR News
WestJet Announces Largest-Ever Aircraft Order in Alberta
Alberta's Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, Joseph Schow, issued a statement on September 3 regarding WestJet’s multi-billion-dollar procurement of 60 Boeing 737-10 MAX and seven 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The deal supports job growth and affirms Alberta's position as a hub for aerospace and aviation business.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca
What We're Reading This Week
- Ex-pilot accused of trying to cut a passenger flight’s engines reaches plea deals, his lawyer says: Legal developments in a high-profile pilot misconduct case.
- Air Canada flight attendants’ union shared post ‘by mistake’ ahead of voting deadline: Union communication error ahead of key contract vote.
- Gerard Salernitano Named Aviation Sector Leader, North America at TYLin: Executive appointment at a major aviation firm.
- Flying during the holidays? Here’s how to get the best deal: Consumer travel tips for peak season flights.
- Air Canada flight attendants massively reject wage offer, union says: Report on widespread contract offer rejection by flight crew.
