Delta, SkyWest Gain EAS Recommendation, Lose Another

While Delta and SkyWest may be ending service to one city, another opportunity presents itself.

Joey Gerardi

Friday, October 10, 2025 at 02:44 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A SkyWest CRJ-550 operating to one of its many EAS communities (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

Despite the government shutdown, communities around the country are in the midst of Essential Air Service (EAS) proposals, selections, and recommendations, with a handful of communities still waiting for the DOT to officially select their carrier for the next two-to-four years.

Two such communities in the process currently are Saranac Lake, New York, and Escanaba, Michigan, and both are nearing the same point of the process with vastly different outcomes not only for the airport and its service, but their respective communities. However, both involve the same carrier: Delta-branded SkyWest service.

A Delta CRJ-200 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

One Possible Loss

Escanaba, Michigan, located in the state’s Upper Peninsula along the northern shores of Lake Michigan, has passed its community comment time period and is just waiting on a selection from the DOT. But with the government shut down, who knows how long this could take, and their current contract with SkyWest under the Delta brand is expiring on Dec. 31.

At the moment, the airport has seen virtually the same service for a long time with Delta Connection, previously Northwest Airlink, serving Escanaba from both Minneapolis/St. Paul and Detroit since 2008. First with the 34-seat Saab 340s until 2012 when the airline retired the type from the fleet, and then the 50-seat CRJ-200 from 2012 until recently when Delta retired that type from its fleet, with the aircraft serving Escanaba now being the 50-seat CRJ-550, still with one daily flight to Minneapolis and Detroit.

A Mesaba Saab 340 in Northwest Airlink colors (Photo: Cory W. Watts [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Although the destinations will remain largely the same, the Escanaba Airport board in Delta County, Michigan has recommended that they change air carriers this time around.

The community has recommended Colorado-based Denver Air Connection, or DAC for short, to serve the community with its 50-seat Embraer E145 jets. The reason for the new selection is the “vastly superior connectivity it offers through interline agreements and the option to serve an additional major hub.” Denver Air Connection has interline partnerships with not only Delta, but also American and United, giving the community a wide variety of service opportunities, especially being located nearly equidistant between Minneapolis, Chicago, and Detroit.

The number of yearly seats available would be identical, as both would offer 12 weekly flights to their respective destinations, and both would be on 50-seat jets, SkyWest/Delta on the CRJ-550 and DAC on the Embraer E145.

Denver Air Connection airplanes lined up in Denver. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

Although the community board in Escanaba, Michigan, did recommend DAC be chosen for service to the community back in the middle of August, the DOT has yet to make an official selection for the next carrier, and at this point, they are in the waiting game. Until the DOT officially selects or rejects DAC, the current carrier, SkyWest under the Delta brand, will continue to serve the community of Escanaba.

One Possible Gain

Saranac Lake, New York, is in a very different situation as far as the future of its air service than Escanaba; located in northern New York State in the middle of the Adirondack Park and appropriately named “Adirondack Regional Airport” back in 1989, the community is currently in the midst of its comment period, with it ending early next week.

The Adirondack Regional Airport in Saranac Lake (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

Like a lot of the smaller Essential Air Service airports around the country, Saranac Lake has only ever seen service with propeller aircraft and has never seen scheduled jet service with larger regional jets. Just like Escanaba, the airline serving Saranac Lake, Cape Air, has also been there since 2008 and is deeply rooted in the community.

But unlike Escanaba, where they have had aircraft types change throughout the years, Cape Air has been flying the 8/9 seat Cessna 402s to Saranac Lake since they started 17 years ago, so the passenger numbers have stayed largely consistent over time.

Cape Air currently flies from Saranac Lake to Boston twice a day and New York-JFK once a day. The JFK service was new with the most recent EAS contract two years ago; before that, the carrier offered three daily flights to just Boston.

Cape Air’s brand new Tecnam P2012 Traveller (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

Saranac Lake, for the most part, has only ever received one or two applicants for EAS air service: Cape Air and Boutique Air. But this time is different: not only did they get the two applicants they always have, but they got five different airline proposals, which is unheard of for a community of this size, and gave the airport board and community members a decision they have never had to make before.

Applicants included current carrier in Saranac Lake, Cape Air, along with Boutique Air, and Saranac’s first-ever proposals that offer jets from Contour and SkyWest with a United or Delta option.

Although the community comment period is still open until early next week, in a vote from the Harrietstown Town Council, where the Saranac Lake/Adirondack Regional Airport is located, the majority, 3-2, voted to change their service to SkyWest service from Detroit under the Delta Connection brand.

AirlineGeeks did have a chance to chat with the airport manager in Saranac Lake, Corey Hurwitch, and he wanted to make an important point with this recommendation: “I really do value their [Cape Air] years of service here, I still respect them and appreciate what they’ve provided for us, and it’ll be a bittersweet change. Cape Air has been a trusted partner and has truly supported our community for nearly two decades. At the same time, I’m excited about the new possibilities and the chance to welcome Skywest’s Delta jet service to SLK.”

If the DOT selects SkyWest’s Delta-branded service for Saranac Lake, service would start with the new contract term on March 1, 2026, and it will be the first time that Saranac will not only see scheduled jet service, but it will also be the first time they will receive service from an aircraft that offers a first-class section.

The service would be 12-weekly flights onboard the airline’s 50-seat CRJ-550. Although the airline would offer fewer flights per week than Cape Air, the amount of available seats will dramatically increase from around 8.7K seats a year with Cape to just over 31K seats with SkyWest service to Detroit.

So, while one community might be losing the SkyWest and Delta name, there is a chance that the Delta brand could be entering its 11th city in New York State.

It is important to note that these are only recommendations at this point. The DOT will ultimately make the final decision.

Joey Gerardi

Joey has always been interested in planes for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Central New York during the early 2000s when US Airways Express turboprops ruled the skies. Being from a non-aviation family made it harder for him to be around planes and would only spend about three hours a month at the airport. He was so excited when he could drive by himself, the first thing he did with his driver's license was get ice cream and go plane spotting for the entire day. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2022 with a B.S. in Aviation Management & Operations and a Minor in Business, and currently works for a major airline in his hometown.

American Adds Five Routes, Extends More

The new and expanded flights are from its New York and Dallas/Fort Worth hubs.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, October 10, 2025 at 02:15 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American Airbus A319 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American Airlines is expanding its domestic network for the 2026 summer season with several new and extended routes. An airline spokesperson confirmed these route additions on Friday.

The carrier will launch daily service between New York–JFK and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, beginning June 18 and running through Oct. 4. The route will be operated by an Airbus A319.

American last served this route in 2022, data from Cirium Diio shows.

From its Dallas/Fort Worth hub, American is extending its seasonal service to Gunnison, Colorado, with daily flights operating from June 18 through Sept. 8, also using an Airbus A319.

East Coast Expansion

At New York LaGuardia, the airline will add several weekend routes beginning Feb. 13. Service to Jacksonville, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia, will operate Friday through Sunday using Embraer E175 and E170 aircraft, respectively.

American Eagle jet — An American Eagle E175 (Photo: Shutterstock | Austin Deppe)

The carrier last linked LaGuardia to Jacksonville in 2017. LaGuardia-to-Savannah was last flown in 2021.

In addition, LaGuardia–Myrtle Beach service — previously offered on Saturdays only during the summer — will expand to Friday through Sunday operations beginning March 13, operated by an E175.

“American knows summer is a time for traveling to new destinations, making memories with friends and families, and revisiting fond favorites, and that’s why we continue to add new routes,” said Jordan Pack, American’s director of domestic network planning, in a statement. “We have now announced more than 30 new routes next summer – more than any other legacy airline – to help better connect customers to the world.”

Tickets for all routes except Dallas/Fort Worth–Gunnison will be available for purchase starting Monday, Oct. 13. Sales for the Gunnison service will begin Oct. 20.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

CRJ Flies Again a Year After A350 Collision

The September 2024 incident remains under investigation.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, October 10, 2025 at 01:18 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Delta CRJ-900 damaged by an A350 (Photo: NTSB)

A Delta Connection CRJ-900 that was struck by an Airbus A350-900 on a taxiway in Atlanta has returned to revenue service more than a year after the incident. The regional jet, operated by Endeavor Air, resumed passenger operations this week following extensive repairs.

The collision occurred in September 2024 when the A350 contacted the parked CRJ-900’s tail section while taxiing for departure. Both aircraft sustained significant damage in the incident.

The A350 – registered as N503DN – went back to the gate under its own power. It returned to service in January, roughly six months after the incident.

The CRJ-900 – registered as N302PQ – was towed to a maintenance facility after the collision.

According to the NTSB’s preliminary findings, there were no serious injuries among passengers or crew aboard either aircraft. The agency noted that visibility conditions at the time were normal, and the A350 was taxiing when the collision occurred.

Airborne Again

The damaged CRJ-900 had remained grounded in Atlanta since the Sept. 10 incident. On Sept. 20, 2025, it completed a test flight before ferrying to a few different maintenance facilities.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brian Uretsky (@uretskyaviation)

According to Flightradar24 data, the jet resumed revenue flights on Friday with its first being DL4750 from Minneapolis to Fargo, North Dakota.

The NTSB’s investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

Ryan Ewing

NTSB: Delta 757 Crew Saw No Fire Indications Before Evacuation

Flames were reported by passengers and airport staff after a rejected takeoff that injured eight people.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, October 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Delta 757-300 (Photo: Shutterstock | Austin Deppe)

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its final report on a January 2025 rejected takeoff involving a Delta Boeing 757-300 in Atlanta. Investigators said the flight crew did not receive any fire indications in the cockpit before ordering an evacuation following a right engine failure.

According to the report, Delta flight 2668 was departing Atlanta for Minneapolis on Jan. 10 when the crew aborted takeoff at around 100 knots after noticing directional control issues. Engine indication and crew alerting system messages showed a failure of the No. 2 engine, and the captain requested assistance from airport firefighters.

A Delta 757 evacuates on the runway (Photo: Matt Cochran)

While the crew completed shutdown checklists, airport personnel on the ground and passengers reported flames near the right engine, though cockpit indicators did not confirm a fire.

The captain then initiated an emergency evacuation. Eight passengers were injured while exiting the aircraft, including one who sustained a serious back injury. The Boeing 757-300, registered N589NW, suffered minor damage, and no fire damage was reported.

Ryan Ewing

Grounded: People Express

The low-fare pioneer that changed how Americans fly — and paid the price for overreach.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, October 10, 2025 at 11:13 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

People Express Boeing 747 (Photo: MercerMJ, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Grounded is AirlineGeeks.com’s look back at airlines that once shaped the industry but no longer take to the skies. Each story revisits a carrier that influenced routes, fleets, or fares—and explores what ultimately led to its final descent.

When People Express took off in April 1981 from Newark, it did so with a simple mission: offer ultra-low fares, no frills, and maximum efficiency. Founded by former Texas International executive Don Burr, the airline aimed to transform U.S. aviation with a model of lean operations and unbundled pricing.

The first flights used three Boeing 737-100s, and tickets were sold onboard in lieu of traditional ticket desks.

Rapid Growth and Bold Ambitions

People Express expanded fast. In just a few years, it scaled its network from a handful of Northeast routes to dozens of U.S. cities and even London. The airline added Boeing 727s and 737-200s, and later 747-100s to launch transatlantic service. At its peak around 1985–86, it was carrying over four million passengers annually.

People Express also experimented with human resources innovation. Employees were cross-trained to help in multiple roles — pilots might help with baggage, ticket agents assist with ground handling, etc. — a tactic intended to reduce overhead and increase flexibility.

Cracks in the Model

But the very traits that made People Express novel also sowed vulnerabilities. As route density and fleet types multiplied, the lean system’s strain became evident. The acquisition of Frontier in 1985 brought new debt, staff, and operational complexity.

Service quality and on-time performance began to suffer, and margins tightened under fierce competition. The airline’s signature low-fare approach left little room for absorbing negative shocks. In late 1984, People Express posted a roughly $14 million operating loss in one quarter, after months of profitability.

People Express 737 (Photo: Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

By 1986, the problems mounted: expensive debt, integration headaches, rising costs, and underperforming routes. The only viable path forward became a merger.

Merger and Aftermath

In 1986, the People Express brand was bought by Texas Air Corporation and later folded into Continental. The integration absorbed its routes, assets, and many of its employees, but People Express as a brand vanished.

In 2014, a new startup attempted to revive the name using 737-400s out of Newport News, Virginia, but the venture lasted only months before shutting down.

Though short-lived, the People Express model left a lasting imprint on the airline industry. It pushed legacy carriers to rethink pricing, schedule density, and service unbundling. The ideas of low base fares, ancillary charges, and high utilization endure in today’s ultra low-cost carriers.

Its tale also serves as caution: growth without structural resilience breeds instability. But for airline history, People Express remains a founding chapter in the democratization of air travel.

Ryan Ewing

Trump Admin Proposes New Limit on Chinese Airlines

The U.S. Transportation Department said it wants to even the playing field between Chinese and U.S. carriers.

Zach Vasile

Friday, October 10, 2025 at 10:02 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Air China Boeing 787-9 in Los Angeles. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The Trump administration moved this week to ban Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on routes to and from the U.S., arguing that those carriers have an unfair advantage over U.S. airlines, which cannot use Russian airspace.

In a tentative decision issued by the U.S. Transportation Department on Thursday, officials said Chinese flag carrier Air China, Beijing Capital Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines could lose permission to operate in the U.S. unless they agree to stop flying over Russia.

The most efficient route to connect certain locations in the U.S. and China involves flying over Russia, the department noted. Because Chinese carriers can use those routes, they can offer their customers shorter flight times, and they burn less jet fuel, giving them a clear edge over U.S. airlines serving the same destinations.

U.S. and other Western airlines have been prohibited from flying over Russia since 2022, when Russia launched its ground invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. banned Russian carriers from using its airspace, and Russia retaliated by imposing bans of its own on the U.S., NATO nations, and other U.S. allies. The prohibition has been particularly damaging to Eastern European and Scandinavian airlines, which must take much longer routes and use more fuel to reach destinations in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

The Transportation Department said it is giving “interested parties” two days to comment on its proposed rule. If the measure is ultimately finalized, the Chinese carriers would have a 30-day grace period to adjust operations before it takes effect.

The ban would not apply to Chinese all-cargo carriers, the department said, because existing U.S.-China trade agreements provide for “far more liberal” cargo route rights.

Notably, Hong Kong-based airlines, including Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines, were not mentioned in the tentative decision, even though Hong Kong is part of China.

Zach Vasile

Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.

These Aviation Gear Deals Didn’t Expire After Amazon’s Big Deal Days

Here are some flight-inspired gifts and gear on sale right now.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Friday, October 10, 2025 at 07:57 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Steve Spears

The Stuhrling Aviation Watch is on sale for almost 80 percent off. [Courtesy: Amazon]

Amazon Prime’s Big Deal Days swept over us earlier this week, offering aviation enthusiasts and professionals alike hefty discounts on a range of essential gear and aviation-themed gifts. But here’s the interesting part: Many of the deals remain in effect after the Oct. 7-8 sale expired. So it’s not too late to grab some new equipment or unique collectibles at unbeatable prices.

Savings on Essential Pilot Gear

Stuhrling Aviation Watch

Upgrade your wristwear with the Stuhrling Aviation Watch, now an incredible 80% off. This stylish timepiece combines elegance with user-friendly functionality, featuring a Quick-Set Day-Date function encased in a durable stainless steel case. Get it for just $89.99, down from $395.

Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

Expand your aviation expertise with the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. This comprehensive guide, essential for pilots at any stage, is now available for $14.95, reduced from its regular price of $24.99.

Rugged Air RA200 Aviation Headset

The Rugged Air RA200, a top choice for student pilots thanks to its affordability and performance, now has a price of $93.99, a drop from $105. This passive headset features 24 dB of noise reduction and a robust construction, making it a reliable choice for anyone just starting in aviation.

Perfect Gifts for Aviation Enthusiasts

Aircraft: The Definitive Visual History

For history buffs, Aircraft: The Definitive Visual History is a must-have. This captivating book offers a journey through the evolution of aircraft across decades, available now for $22.14 instead of its usual $40 price tag.

Aviation Travel Mug

Keep your beverages at the perfect temperature with the Judian 20-Ounce Aviation Tumbler Coffee Travel Mug. With a price cut to $10.49 from $20.99, it boasts an aviation-themed design and double vacuum insulation to maintain your drink’s temperature during any adventure.

Flight Simulators and Drones

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Premium Deluxe SteelBook Edition

Dive into the world of flight simulation with Microsoft’s Premium Deluxe edition, celebrated for its realism and depth. It’s priced at $62.99, a significant reduction from the regular $129.99.

Holy Stone HS210T Drone

For budding drone pilots, the Holy Stone HS210T is available for just $48.99. Though it lacks a camera, it provides an excellent platform for those learning to fly, featuring several preprogrammed modes for a rich piloting experience.

AirlineGeeks may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.

SWISS Receives First Airbus A350

The aircraft will enter commercial service later this month.

Zach Vasile

Friday, October 10, 2025 at 06:30 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

SWISS' first Airbus A350 aircraft receives a water salute. (Photo: SWISS)

Zurich-based SWISS on Thursday took delivery of its first Airbus A350 aircraft.

The widebody jet, registered as HB-IFA, flew from Airbus’ facility in Toulouse, France, to Zurich Airport, where it landed around 3:30 p.m. local time.

SWISS plans to train its pilots on the aircraft with short flights around Europe. It will enter revenue service with a scheduled flight between Zurich and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on Oct. 25, then start long-haul service between Zurich and Boston on Nov. 20.

SWISS’ A350s are being fitted with a new cabin design concept known as SWISS Senses, which incorporates a dark red-gray-beige color scheme, lighting synced to passengers’ circadian rhythm, and entertainment systems with larger screens.

SWISS’ first Airbus A350 at Zurich Airport. (Photo: SWISS)

“This aircraft represents everything we aim to be moving forward: efficient, advanced, and clearly positioned as a premium airline, from Switzerland and for Switzerland,” said SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger in a news release. “With the A350 we’re taking a huge leap forward – technologically, ecologically, and in terms of our passengers’ inflight experience. It’s a very special thing to welcome a brand-new aircraft with a completely new cabin – something that will probably happen only once in anyone’s airline career.”

The A350 delivered on Thursday sports a special livery known as “Wanderlust.” The design incorporates renderings of iconic Swiss landmarks and cultural motifs.

SWISS has ordered a total of 10 A350-900s.

SWISS’ A350 cabins are divided into four classes – SWISS First, SWISS Business, SWISS Premium Economy, and SWISS Economy.

SWISS First seats come with lie-flat capability, sliding privacy doors, a personal wardrobe, a seat table, seat heating and cooling, a wireless charging station, and an extra large screen. The section also has its own restroom.

Some seats in SWISS Business also offer sliding doors.

The SWISS Senses concept will eventually be extended to the airline’s current fleet of A330-300s and Boeing 777-300ERs.

Zach Vasile

TAAG to Transfer All International Flights to New Luanda Airport

New airport is part of the airline's broader renewal strategy.

Victor Shalton

Friday, October 10, 2025 at 05:30 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

TAAG's first Boeing 787 (Photo: TAAG)

TAAG Angola Airlines has confirmed the full transfer of its international flight operations to the new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ), effective October 19, 2025.

The new airport, located in Bom Jesus, Icolo, and Bengo Province on the outskirts of Luanda, will now serve as TAAG’s central hub for both domestic and international operations.

Beginning Oct. 19, all TAAG flights to Lisbon, Porto, São Paulo, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos, Windhoek, São Tomé, Maputo, Nairobi, and Havana will operate exclusively from NBJ. Domestic services and regional routes to Brazzaville and Kinshasa have already been transitioned to the new airport.

To ease the transition, TAAG will offer a shuttle service between the old airport and the new facility for transit passengers connecting with airlines not yet based at NBJ. The airline has also advised passengers to plan their travel in advance, considering the airport’s location outside Luanda’s city center.

This relocation comes amid a broader wave of transformation within TAAG and Angola’s aviation ecosystem. In September 2025, TAAG, Menzies Aviation, and the airport operator Sociedade Gestora de Aeroportos (SGA) established a joint venture — Menzies Aviation Angola, Lda. — aimed at modernizing ground handling, cargo, and airport operations nationwide.

Inaugurated on November 10, 2023, the airport is currently managed by the Airport Temporary Operator (ATO) as it undergoes phased activation. Meanwhile, the Angolan Ministry of Transport continues the process of selecting a permanent operator. On July 8, two international consortia submitted bids for a 25-year concession to manage the $3 billion facility, built by China. Under Presidential Decree No. 222/23, the concession period begins once the selected operator assumes control of the airport’s assets, with an option for a 15-year extension.

The bidding consortia include one led by Corporacion América Airports S.A. (CAAP), Mota-Engil Engenharia e Construção S.A. of Portugal, and Angola’s BestFly Lda., and another comprising China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Corporation (CAIEC) and Yunnan Airport Group Co., Ltd.

New Aircraft

Meanwhile, TAAG continues to renew and expand its fleet under its 2024–2029 strategic plan. Earlier this month, the airline took delivery of its second Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (D2-TER), joining D2-TEQ, which entered service in January.

The airline’s widebody renewal program includes four Boeing 787 Dreamliners (two 787-9s and two 787-10s), financed through support from Afreximbank, Absa Bank, and the U.S. Export-Import Bank. The first 787-10 is expected to arrive before the end of 2025. These new aircraft will gradually replace TAAG’s aging Boeing 777-200s, which have been in service for an average of 18 years, while complementing its fleet of five Boeing 777-300s, one of which is currently grounded.

TAAG’s broader growth vision targets doubling its fleet size from 28 to 50 aircraft by 2027. This includes the integration of 15 Airbus A220-300s for regional and domestic operations, three of which have already been delivered. These jets will progressively replace the airline’s Boeing 737-700s and Dash 8-400s on shorter routes. On the cargo side, TAAG currently operates a Boeing 737-800BCF and a converted 737-700, with plans underway to further expand its freight operations.

Victor Shalton

Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.

Southwest Tells Workers to ‘Remain Vigilant’ Amid Government Shutdown Uncertainty

The carrier said it has not faced major disruptions to its operations.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, October 09, 2025 at 05:19 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 on approach to Baltimore. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)

Southwest said it has not faced any major disruptions to its operations since the federal government shut down over a week ago.

In a message sent to employees, the airline said that while it has experienced a few “manageable delays and cancellations” linked to shortages of air traffic controllers, “our performance continues to rank among the best in the industry.”

Southwest thanked its employees for their dedication and professionalism, singling out employees at Hollywood Burbank Airport in the Los Angeles area and Nashville International Airport in Tennessee, where air traffic control problems have been particularly acute.

Nashville is a hub location for Southwest.

The carrier also cautioned its staff to “remain vigilant in ensuring operational reliability,” since the government funding situation and its influence on the controller workforce are “dynamic and could change rapidly at any ATC facility.”

Southwest said it is working with industry peers and its government affairs team to advocate for “adequate and reliable funding” to support the nation’s air transportation system.

Southwest’s message somewhat echoed comments from Delta CEO Ed Bastian, who told CNBC on Thursday that the government shutdown has not had a significant impact on operations. Bastian cautioned that could change if the shutdown continues for another 10 days or longer.

A number of major airports, including Chicago O’Hare, Denver, and Newark, New Jersey, have seen periodic flight delays as more air traffic controllers call out sick. Controllers are required to keep working during a government shutdown even though they are not being paid, and in past shutdowns, some have protested with so-called “sick outs.”

Democrats and Republicans in Congress remain far apart on key issues in their proposed funding resolutions. Separate Democratic and Republican measures to reopen the government failed to pass the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

Zach Vasile