aviation

About 20 U.S. airports, including Kansas City International, rely on private security companies rather than the Transportation Security Administration to ensure that passengers and cargo comply with federal aviation safety standards. It also meant that Kansas City's security lines weren't affected by the recent government shutdown.

An airport spokesperson said the expected number of travelers rivals major holiday travel days like Thanksgiving weekend. Netherlands and Tunisia played on Thursday, while Algeria and Austria will have their final group-stage match Saturday. Hotel bookings have also trended upward since the tournament started.

Only 2% of pilots and aviation engineers are Black, data shows. Red Tail Academy is enrolling Black young adults in an effort to grow that number and to take advantage of the benefits of careers in the aviation industry.

The plane included 11 skydivers and a pilot, all of whom died in the the crash.

The House of Representatives narrowly rejected a bipartisan aviation safety bill that was spurred by the deadly midair collision of a Kansas flight near Washington, D.C. Missouri Rep. Sam Graves blasted it as an "unworkable government mandate."

John Hayes, 18, nabbed his 140th merit badge in bugling, after already securing badges in activities like cross-country skiing and aviation. He credits STEM programs with shaping his skills as he looks forward to starting college next fall for a pilot degree.

Kansas City International is not one of the 40 airports expected to be subject to air traffic reductions due to the government shutdown. But the Kansas City Aviation Department says travelers will likely see cancelations or delays because most affected airports are served nonstop from MCI.

The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce air traffic at many busy airports to maintain safety during the government shutdown, which has led to staffing shortages of air traffic controllers.

A dozen facilities saw air traffic control shortages on Monday, delaying flights at several airports — although Kansas City's MCI hasn't seen major impacts yet. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed "a slight tick-up in sick calls" due to the shutdown.

Changes to regulations governing Beyond Visual Line of Sight flights will allow approved operators to fly autonomously over longer distances. Kansas City is already expected to host two Prime Air fulfillment sites, each with a fleet of 12 drones.

One Wichita manufacturer says tariffs are buoying demand for its products. But industry leaders warn of long-term harm to American planemakers.

The National Transportation Safety Board says altimeter in the Black Hawk helicopter may have malfunctioned before the DCA midair collision with an American Airlines jet. All 67 people aboard died.