Southwest Lawsuit Against San Antonio Moves to Federal Court

Southwest and officials with the city of San Antonio, Texas, met in federal court on Tuesday in an attempt to settle a dispute over gate allocations.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 05:30 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Southwest Boeing 737s at Paine Field. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Southwest and officials with the city of San Antonio, Texas, met in federal court on Tuesday in an attempt to settle a dispute over gate allocations at San Antonio International Airport.

Southwest sued the city in 2024 after it allegedly reneged on an agreement to give the airline 10 of the 17 gates in the airport’s new, $1.7 billion Terminal C, expected to be completed in or around 2028. The city wants to keep Southwest in a refurbished Terminal A, where it currently operates, but the carrier has complained that the building is too small and inferior in quality.

KENS-TV reported that the two sides were meeting at the federal courthouse in San Antonio to work out a solution and could reach a settlement by Tuesday afternoon, though as of press time no deal had been announced.

Southwest alleges that San Antonio’s director of airports, Jesus Saenz, verbally promised the airline gates in Terminal C, even though airport officials had no intention of giving Southwest space in the new facility.

The carrier is intent on securing gates in Terminal C because it will offer a more modern, spacious concourse for passengers and larger holdrooms. The airport also plans to concentrate its international flights at Terminal C, which Southwest is hoping to add more of as it looks to compete with United, Delta, and American Airlines.

Question of ‘Fit’

City officials have denied Southwest’s claims and maintain their decision was based on the needs and requests of the airlines that serve San Antonio, as well as their projected growth and “fit” with the market.

Delta, American, and United requested space for airline clubs, the city said, and the footprint of Delta and American’s clubs meant they had to be located in Terminal C. Those allocations reduced room for other carriers, and the airport determined that adding Southwest to Terminal C would overwhelm the facility’s baggage system and security checkpoints.

Southwest does not have lounges and did not request space for one in San Antonio.

Southwest has claimed that the airport’s gate allocation system is flawed and violates a federal law concerning airline regulation. It also argues that it will suffer harm to its operations and reputation, and that San Antonio officials knew this when they devised their allocation plan.

“The City was well aware that requiring Southwest to remain in Terminal A would present significant obstacles to Southwest but brushed aside these concerns, stating that the airport ‘could partner with [Southwest] to make the most of the airline’s substantial and focused use of Terminal A,’” the airline’s lawsuit states. “This was further evidence that the City recognized that it was treating Southwest as a second-class citizen at SAT.”

Southwest declined to re-sign its lease with San Antonio International Airport as a result of the dispute and is paying extra to continue operating there.

The city has clarified that Southwest has no plans to leave San Antonio.

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.

Alaska Ending Five Routes

Alaska Airlines is reducing parts of its route network. The changes affect flights to select destinations in both the U.S. and Mexico.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 05:39 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Alaska Airlines 737-800. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Alaska Airlines is reducing parts of its route network. The changes affect flights to select destinations in both the U.S. and Mexico.

Among the routes being cut are Los Angeles to Monterrey, Fresno to Guadalajara, Kansas City to Puerto Vallarta, Boise to Orlando, and Sacramento to Orlando.

Station Exit

Service between Los Angeles and Monterrey will end on Oct. 3, while the remaining routes will not return after operating during the previous winter season.

These network changes were first shared by Ishrion Aviation and validated by Cirium Diio schedule data. An airline spokesperson did not respond to AirlineGeeks’ request for comment.

With the Los Angeles-to-Monterrey route ending, Alaska will completely exit the Mexican airport. The airline had just begun serving Monterrey this year.

This development arrives amidst a broader period of network adjustment for Alaska, which finalized its merger with Hawaiian Airlines in 2024. Earlier this year, the carrier announced the termination of four domestic and international routes — such as Los Angeles and San Francisco to Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco, and Los Angeles to Nassau, Bahamas—set to end in the coming weeks.

At the time, the airline cited decreasing demand, including a drop in government-related travel on the Washington routes, and competitive pressures in markets like Chicago, as reasons for these changes.

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.

Envoy Air Marks National Aviation Day with Simulator Event

American Airlines regional subsidiary Envoy Air marked National Aviation Day with an event at Avenger Flight Group’s simulator facility in Irving, Texas.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 01:48 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Flying an E175 simulator (Photo: Envoy Air)

American Airlines regional subsidiary Envoy Air marked National Aviation Day with an event at Avenger Flight Group’s simulator facility in Irving, Texas, in partnership with AirlineGeeks on Friday.

The celebration brought together 12 aviation enthusiasts selected through a nationwide application process. Participants traveled from across the country, including California, Kentucky, Utah, and Washington.

Attendees were divided into groups of four and spent about an hour each in an Embraer E175 full-motion flight simulator. Envoy Check Airman Captain Dennis Long, who led the sessions, said, “I love any opportunity to connect with and encourage aspiring aviators. This is the third year I’ve had the privilege of participating, and it’s always rewarding to see the excitement when the SIM takes off.”

Envoy Air sim — Attendees fly an E175 simulator (Photo: Envoy Air)

In addition to the simulator experience, participants toured the facility and met with Envoy recruiters and pilots, including Talent Acquisition Recruiter Dakota Carpenter, First Officer Mitch McKie, and Air Operations Recruitment Manager Kipp Swannie.

Envoy summarized the day by noting, “This year’s National Aviation Day celebration was about more than time in the flight deck – it was a chance to inspire, connect, and celebrate aviation. A special thank you to AirlineGeeks and Avenger Flight Group for helping us create another unforgettable event, and to all who traveled from near and far to join us!”

Ryan Ewing

Qatar Airways Plans Terminal Move at JFK

The airline operates multiple outstation lounges across the world in key markets such as Paris, Beirut, Singapore, Bangkok, and London.

Hemal Gosai

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 10:23 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER in a oneworld alliance livery. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Qatar Airways has announced a new home at New York’s JFK airport. The airline, currently operating out of Terminal 8 at JFK, will move operations to the new Terminal One in 2026.

This comes as a surprise to many, given that over the years, oneworld airlines have been consolidating operations at American’s Terminal 8. The several oneworld lounges and easier connections made the terminal a natural choice for carriers in the alliance.

However, a new terminal is too great an opportunity to pass up, especially when it comes to building out new lounge space.

New JFK Lounge

Qatar operates multiple outstation lounges across the world in key markets such as Paris, Beirut, Singapore, Bangkok, and London. These lounges maintain a consistent experience with the renowned Qatar Airways business and first class lounges at the airline’s home airport, Doha’s Hamad International Airport.

Qatar Airways will expand its outstation lounges by opening a lounge at JFK’s Terminal One when the airline moves over. This marks the first dedicated lounge for Qatar Airways at JFK.

The lounge will feature direct access to the boarding gate and will provide an overall elevated experience featuring premium food and beverage options, VIP check-in services, relaxation zones, prayer rooms, children’s play areas, premium dining options, and duty-free shopping for business class passengers.

The new lounge at the airport highlights the airline’s commitment to the New York market since it started service to the city in 2008. It serves the city with 18 weekly flights offering connections to over 170 destinations worldwide through Doha.

Hemal Gosai

Hemal took his first flight at four years old and has been an avgeek since then. When he isn't working as an analyst he's frequently found outside watching planes fly overhead or flying in them. His favorite plane is the 747-8i which Lufthansa thankfully flies to EWR allowing for some great spotting. He firmly believes that the best way to fly between JFK and BOS is via DFW and is always willing to go for that extra elite qualifying mile. Hemal's opinions are his own and do not reflect those of his employer.

Air Canada Strike Ends

Air Canada and the union representing its flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement, ending a three-day strike that grounded thousands of flights.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 09:48 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX 8. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Air Canada and the union representing its flight attendants have reached a tentative labor agreement, ending a three-day strike that grounded thousands of flights and impacted over half a million customers.

The deal, first announced early Tuesday morning by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, came after Air Canada’s roughly 10,000 flight attendants defied two government-issued return-to-work orders, opening the door to what could have been Canada’s worst labor crisis in decades. Instead, the flight attendants will return to work Tuesday, allowing for a partial restoration of service by Tuesday evening.

Air Canada and its low-cost subsidiary Air Canada Rouge have been effectively shut down since early Saturday morning, when the strike began.

CUPE members will have to vote on and approve the settlement before it can take effect. If the proposal is rejected, the strike could resume.

In a statement, Air Canada said it could take a week or more to fully restore its schedule, which ordinarily consists of around 700 flights per day.

“The suspension of our service is extremely difficult for our customers,” said Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau. “We deeply regret and apologize for the impact on them of this labour disruption. Our priority now is to get them moving as quickly as possible.”

CUPE sounded a more triumphant note, calling the tentative deal “transformational.”

An Air Canada A220-300 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

“We have reclaimed our voice and our power,” the organization said. “When our rights were taken away, we stood strong, we fought back — and we secured a tentative agreement that our members can vote on.”

Neither side has provided details of the deal, though CUPE suggested it accomplished at least one of its major goals by writing, “Unpaid work is over.”

The union has argued that Air Canada’s flight attendants should be paid for work they perform before takeoff and after landing, including helping passengers board and carrying out safety checks. Currently, they are paid only for work done while an airplane’s doors are closed.

Air Canada had agreed to start paying the flight attendants for those tasks, but at half the normal rate, which CUPE rejected.

Back In The Air

According to The New York Times, Air Canada and CUPE returned to the negotiating table on Monday, even as tensions between the two sides appeared to be escalating.

The union ignored a return-to-work order issued by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board on Saturday, and on Monday defied a second ruling that declared the strike unlawful. This decision could have resulted in fines for CUPE and jail time for its leaders and members.

CUPE President Mark Hancock indicated that he and other union officials were willing to go to jail to keep the strike going in the absence of an acceptable agreement.

Prime Minister Mark Carney weighed in the same day, urging Air Canada and CUPE “to resolve this as quickly as possible.”

Air Canada estimated that, as of Monday, over 500,000 people had been affected by the cancellation of its flights. The carrier has been contacting passengers with affected flights and offering refunds and, where possible, alternate arrangements with other Canadian and foreign airlines. While this system has allowed some travelers to continue on to their destinations, others remain stranded, some in foreign countries and in remote parts of Canada.

Zach Vasile

Ravn Alaska Shuts Down

It was at one time the state’s largest rural airline, and a key player in the patchwork of carriers that ties together Alaska’s many remote cities and towns.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 06:30 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A Bombardier Dash 8 Q100 flown by Ravn Alaska landing in Anchorage. (Photo: Shutterstock | Michael Rosebrock)

Regional carrier Ravn Alaska has ceased operations after years of financial struggles.

The airline, a subsidiary of commuter service FLOAT Alaska, flew its last flight on Aug. 5. It was at one time the state’s largest rural airline, and a key player in the patchwork of regional carriers that ties together Alaska’s many remote cities and towns.

“We appreciate the years of service we were able to provide to Alaska communities,” a message on the airline’s website read. “While we are no longer operating flights in Alaska, we’re grateful for the trust you placed in us during our time serving the region.”

CEO Tom Hsieh confirmed to the Anchorage Daily News that Ravn Alaska’s future flights “have been canceled.” When asked, he could not say how many employees would be out of work as a result of the closure.

Ravn Alaska had its main hub at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and, within the last several years, served locations such as Homer, St. Mary’s, St. Paul Island, and Valdez.

The carrier was part of a chain of companies and subsidiaries that descended from Economy Helicopters, founded in Anchorage in 1948. The business was eventually renamed Era Aviation and reorganized as Ravn Alaska. At its peak, the airline served larger cities like Fairbanks alongside dozens of smaller villages in Alaska’s interior and coastal regions.

This incarnation of Ravn Alaska filed for bankruptcy in 2020 after a collapse in demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline ceased operations, laid off around 1,000 workers, and sold off its assets.

Later that year, though, the brand was revived by FLOAT Alaska, and flights resumed.

Despite an initially sunny outlook, Ravn Alaska continued to struggle. According to the Anchorage Daily News, it slashed many rural routes and in 2024 laid off 130 employees from a total staff of over 400.

A recent route map shows that by the time of the shutdown, Ravn Alaska was only flying between Anchorage and Valdez.

Zach Vasile

Former Governor Named New Airlines for America CEO

Airlines for America, the trade association that represents the major U.S. air carriers, has named former governor Chris Sununu as its next president and CEO.

Zach Vasile

Monday, August 18, 2025 at 02:57 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

JetBlue and Delta aircraft in Los Angeles. (Photo: Shutterstock | Markus Mainka)

Airlines for America, the trade association that represents the major U.S. air carriers, has named its next president and CEO.

Former New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu will take over the position from longtime Airlines for America leader Nicholas Calio on Sept. 9, the trade group announced Monday.

Calio, a former Citigroup executive, has served as president and CEO since January 2011.

“I am honored to join Airlines for America during this critical moment for an aviation industry that supports over 10 million jobs and serves as a key economic driver in communities big and small across the country,” Sununu said in a statement. “I look forward to working closely with our board, President Trump and Secretary Duffy, Congress, and other aviation stakeholders to support the ongoing investment and overhaul of our air traffic control infrastructure.”

“Strengthening and modernizing our system is vital for making the safest mode of transportation even safer and more efficient and maintaining the global competitiveness of the U.S. airline industry,” he added.

Sununu served as governor of New Hampshire from 2017 to 2025. A Republican, he considered running for president but decided against seeking his party’s nomination ahead of the 2024 election.

Airlines for America officials highlighted Sununu’s economic record in New Hampshire, including tax cuts, relief for small businesses, and increased investment in education.

“I’ve personally long admired Gov. Sununu, and now that he’s left politics, we’re honored to have him as the new president and CEO of A4A,” said Board Chairman and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. “The airline industry is one of the most essential enablers of strong economic growth here in the U.S. and for connecting and sharing American culture and values around the world. Chris is absolutely the right leader for this crucial industry in the years to come.”

The former governor also received praise from American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, who serves as board vice chairman.

“Chris has consistently demonstrated strategic vision, operational expertise, and a knack for getting hard things done,” Isom said. “At this pivotal moment for U.S. aviation, he’s the right leader for Airlines for America, and I look forward to working with him to advance aviation safety, modernize our air traffic control system, and ensure U.S. aviation continues to fuel the American economy.”

Calio is expected to stay on as “CEO emeritus” with Airlines for America through the end of the year.

Zach Vasile

Delta Joins Wave of Carriers Cutting Tulum Routes

The adjustment follows a broader trend among U.S. carriers, many of which are trimming schedules to Tulum less than two years after the airport opened.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, August 18, 2025 at 02:09 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Delta Boeing 737-900ER (Photo: Shutterstock | Markus Mainka)

Delta has removed two planned nonstop routes to Mexico’s Tulum International Airport.

The flights from Minneapolis–St. Paul and Detroit, which were scheduled once per week on Saturdays, have been withdrawn from the airline’s schedule.

“Delta routinely adjusts its network to best meet demand,” the airline said in a statement. “For any customers that are booked on flights to Tulum that are impacted by this reduction, we will work to rebook them on an alternative itinerary. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience that schedule changes may cause.”

Despite the changes, the airline says it will continue to offer daily service to Tulum from its Atlanta hub.

The adjustment follows a broader trend among U.S. carriers, many of which are trimming schedules to Tulum less than two years after the airport opened. American, United, JetBlue, and Spirit have each reduced or canceled routes as demand has not met initial expectations.

Tulum International opened in December 2023 and quickly attracted service from major U.S. airlines. The airport was seen as an alternative to Cancun for leisure travelers, located roughly 80 miles from each other.

Ryan Ewing

Union Battles American Over Alaska Codeshare

The Allied Pilots Association has filed a grievance over American Airline’s alleged plan to use a partner carrier, Alaska, for long-haul international routes.

Zach Vasile

Monday, August 18, 2025 at 12:34 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American 777-200 in Phoenix. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

A dispute over a codeshare agreement is putting American Airlines at odds with the labor union that represents its pilots.

In a message to members, Nick Silva, president of the Allied Pilots Association, said American plans to use its codeshare deal with Alaska Airlines to offer long-haul international service across the Pacific and to Europe, which would keep American pilots off those routes. Such an arrangement would violate the contract between American and the APA, he said, and exceed the limits of the American-Alaska codeshare protocol.

According to Silva, the codeshare provisions included in the first section of the pilots’ contract, known as the scope clause, “never contemplated codesharing with a domestic airline to destinations across East Asia and Europe.”

Scope clauses define the flying to be done by union members and limit the size and number of aircraft that may be flown by an airline affiliate, mainly to prevent the outsourcing of pilots’ jobs.

“Alaska Airlines recently announced even more new European routes, which prompted my request to meet with senior management,” Silva wrote. “In those discussions, management revealed plans to ignore our contract by codesharing on Alaska Airlines’ new long-haul international routes.”

The APA also pointed out that Alaska plans to operate the international routes using Boeing 787s owned by Hawaiian Airlines, making the aircraft subject to scope limits on Hawaiian and its successors.

Alaska and Hawaiian are in the process of integrating operations after completing a $1.9 billion merger in 2024.

Alaska 787-9 livery — Alaska’s new 787-9 livery (Photo: Alaska Airlines)

“So, why is this so harmful to the pilots of American Airlines?” Silva continued. “The introduction of American Airlines’ code onto Alaska Airlines’ international network will provide another way for American Airlines to farm out widebody flying to other airlines — flying that pilots on our seniority list could and should be performing.”

American did not immediately reply to a request for comment from AirlineGeeks.

Silva said he has filed an expedited scope grievance with American that will be heard in late October.

“Our Scope Committee, Legal Department, outside counsel, subject-matter experts, and I will continue preparing for the arbitration and defending our contract’s scope protections,” he said. “It’s the first section for a reason.”

The APA represents about 15,000 pilots at the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier.

Zach Vasile

American Adds New Route, Bolsters Another

Later this year, the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline will add a new service while also adding more flights on another East Coast route.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, August 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American Boeing 737-800. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American plans to expand its domestic network this winter. Later this year, the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline will add a new service and add more flights on another.

Starting on Dec. 20, the carrier will add daily service between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Palm Springs, California. Flights will operate on Saturdays using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft through April 18.

These network changes were loaded in last weekend’s Cirium Diio schedule update and confirmed by an airline spokesperson.

Service Increase

In addition to American’s new Saturday-only flight to Palm Springs, the airline plans to extend its Boston to Orlando, Florida, service.

This route – which was previously planned to operate around the holidays only – will now be extended into May 2026. It was initially slated to end in early January.

Boston-to-Orlando flights will operate once per day using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Ryan Ewing