Category:Transportation
Clearing the Air: The Need for Federal Limits on Private Jet Usage
As the planet grapples with the alarming effects of climate change, a glaring disparity emerges: while everyday Americans are held accountable for their environmental impact, the ultra-wealthy continue to fly under the radar in their private jets. This contradiction highlights the urgent need for change in the approach to private air travel and its contribution to global warming. If society truly cares about the planet’s future, regulatory bodies need to stop turning a blind eye and hold those who are contributing to the same standard.
Regulatory Framework for Airline Mergers: Recent Scrutiny by Regulators Leads to Splitting Antitrust Decisions by the DOJ and DOT
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines’ proposed $1.9 billion merger has survived litigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) following recent scrutiny of airlines by regulators. Earlier this year, a federal judge blocked the $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines by JetBlue due to antitrust concerns. The DOJ successfully blocked the acquisition by arguing it would stifle competition and raise prices for consumers. The Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merger managed to survive an inquiry by the DOT leading to split decisions by regulators.
The Future of EV Vehicles: Tesla’s EV Connector Becoming the National Standard
For the first time ever, American automotive company Tesla will open a portion of its U.S. Superchargers and Destination Charger network for non-Tesla electric vehicles (“EVs”)–including 7,500 of its chargers–following an action by the Department of Transportation and Energy. The Department of Transportation and Energy finalized the new standards to make charging EVs more convenient and reliable for consumers. Other companies in the private sector, including Hertz, bp, and General Motors, will also establish a network of chargers using the Tesla charging ports. The Biden-Harris Administration is lending its support for EV standardization, attempting to make Tesla’s charging ports the industry standard for EV charging in America. This new regulatory framework seeks to establish the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Made in America” policies, which include revolutionizing the country’s EV charging network so that the “great American road trip” can be electrified.
Turbulent Times: Boeing’s Ongoing Struggles with Safety and Compliance
Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company, and the leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners. Its reputation as a highly profitable and respected corporation has dwindled over the last couple of years, and 2024 appears to be its worst year yet. Safety incidents involving particular Boeing models have triggered immediate safety concerns and have unearthed significant cultural and ethical challenges within the company. Actions of regulatory bodies tasked with ensuring company safety compliance and accident prevention have revealed a larger-scale issue with aviation industry safety, and the lack of meaningful reform by the Department of Justice (DOJ).