The incident took place on May 6 when an American Eagle flight operated by Republic Airways had to cancel its takeoff because a taxiing United jet crossed the runway on its path. According to the AP, the Republic aircraft had to slam on its brakes to avoid a collision, throwing passengers forward from their seats. One woman who spoke to the outlet said she ended up in the emergency room the next day due to neck pain caused by the sudden stop.
“Sorry about that, I thought United had cleared well before that,” a controller told the Republic pilot in audio obtained from LiveATC.
The United flight, operated with a Boeing 737-800, had arrived earlier from Houston.
The two aircraft were about a quarter mile apart by the time the Republic jet came to a halt, CNN reported.
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.
United’s Kirby Backs Calls For Change at Heathrow
United CEO Scott Kirby told The Times that he supports an effort to give airlines operating out of Heathrow more input in how projects there are funded.
United CEO Scott Kirby is calling for changes at Heathrow Airport as the facility plans to pass on the costs of a new expansion effort to passengers.
Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world, is gearing up to build a third runway to relieve air traffic congestion. Estimates of the cost vary wildly, between £14 billion and £63 billion, or from $18 billion to $84 billion.
But no matter what the price tag is, because the airport operates as a regulated monopoly, it can pass on its expenses to airlines and customers, meaning travelers will see a rise in fees attached to their airfares.
Speaking to The Times of London, Kirby said United and other airlines operating at Heathrow should have some input in the way construction costs are passed on.
“Airlines should have a say because we’re the voice of the customer in what happens at all airports, whether it’s Heathrow, whether it’s Newark, whether it’s JFK,” he said. “Across the board, airlines need to have a seat at the table as an advocate for the customer.”
United flies between Heathrow and seven major U.S. cities up to seven times per day. It is the airline’s busiest station outside of North America.
Luis Gallego, the CEO of British Airways parent International Airlines Group, and Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss told The Times earlier this month that they want to see Heathrow opened up to competition by allowing third parties to operate terminal buildings. The practice is common in the U.S. but not in Britain, and Heathrow officials pushed back at the suggestion it would make their operations more efficient.
“No major hub airport has successfully implemented the model being advocated because it is the wrong approach for consumers,” the airport’s management told The Times. “It incentivises siloed, self-interested, and short-term decision-making that costs resilience while adding inefficient duplication and complexity.”
A Virgin Atlantic 787-9 departing London Heathrow. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Gallego and Weiss are also advocating for the creation of a capital investment committee to steer decision-making at Heathrow. They said every airline that operates at the airport would have a seat.
“A third runway, if you take the numbers that are quoted by Heathrow, will be anywhere between £20 billion and £64 billion,” Weiss told The Times. “Shareholders pay for it upfront. But then guess who pays for it in the long run? Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and the other airlines that operate at Heathrow.”
Regulation of Heathrow has faced criticism for some time, even before the proposal of the third runway, which seems likely to go forward under the current Labour Party government. Airlines, travel companies, and retailers told The Times that Heathrow has been on the “decline” for years, with certain terminals becoming increasingly run down and management growing unresponsive to emergencies, including a fire in March that shut down the airport for days.
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.
New York Airport Looks to Regain Air Service
The airport, located in southwestern New York state, has submitted a proposal to the Department of Transportation requesting reinstatement of EAS subsidies.
Chautauqua County Jamestown Airport in New York is seeking to regain scheduled commercial flights through the Essential Air Service (EAS) program after a seven-year pause in scheduled operations. The airport, located in southwestern New York state, has submitted a proposal to the Department of Transportation requesting reinstatement of EAS subsidies, with service potentially beginning as early as next month.
The airport states that it has maintained its FAA Part 139 certification, which is required to support scheduled service, despite lacking commercial service since 2018.
Service Proposal
The proposal calls for scheduled air service from Jamestown to Washington Dulles, including two daily round trips Monday through Saturday on Southern Airways Express.
Chautauqua County has identified Southern Airways Express as a strong candidate airline partner for the EAS contract. Southern Airways currently operates over 20 daily departures from Washington Dulles and maintains interline agreements with United. It also previously served the airport until 2018.
Southern Airways Express’ parking spot at F4 in Chicago (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
The current lack of local air service creates significant challenges for the region, including reduced business competitiveness, limited tourism accessibility, and healthcare access difficulties, said Brian Bates, interim manager of airports for Chautauqua County.
Federal Support Request
In its formal request to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Chautauqua County has asked for reinstatement of the community’s EAS subsidies to restore scheduled air service to Washington Dulles International Airport.
The county is also exploring opportunities for federal and state marketing assistance, public-private partnerships, and regulatory support to expedite the service restart. Based on the proposal’s operational analysis, annual compensation required would range from approximately $3.6 million to $4 million, depending on the service frequency.
“The reinstatement of commercial air service at JHW would represent a transformative economic development opportunity for Chautauqua County and the broader Southern Tier of New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania,” Bates added in the proposal.
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.
An American Eagle E175. (Photo: Shutterstock | Austin Deppe)
American plans to bolster its intra-Florida network with the return of a route last served in 2009. The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier plans to link these two cities beginning in late 2025.
On Nov. 3, the airline will resume flights between Miami and Sarasota. This 178-mile trip will be operated by an Embraer E175.
The airline’s flights between Miami and Sarasota – last served in January 2009 per Cirium Diio schedule data – will operate on a daily basis.
“American is pleased to connect Sarasota with our Miami hub,” said Jordan Pack, American’s director of domestic network planning, in a news release from the airport. “Miami is our gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, and with this service, customers will be able to connect to more than 60 destinations in the region to explore vibrant Puerto Rico, relax on the beaches of Aruba, or taste the coffee in Colombia, and much more.”
The carrier also connects Sarasota with its hubs in Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas/Fort Worth; Washington Reagan National; Chicago O’Hare; and Philadelphia.
Editor’s Note: Data referenced in this article was provided by aviation analytics company Cirium.
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.
Switzerland business news organization Awp Finanznachrichten (AWP) broke the news Friday, citing a spokesperson from the carrier who confirmed the decision. According to reporting by SwissInfo.ch, the cancellations will impact long-haul, medium-haul, and short-haul services.
The cancellations are reportedly being caused by “an unusually high number of long-term absences.” Capacity is also being held up by retraining pilots for the new Airbus A350.
The 1,400 flights make up about 1.5% of the total volume of the carrier’s flights between April and October, the SwissInfo report stated.
A new collective labor agreement with the airline’s union has also increased demand for staff by about 70 full-time positions due to reconfigured working time regulations.
With some older pilots delaying their retirement to ease the short-term burden on the carrier, SWISS reportedly plans to expand its cockpit training capacity and hire up to 110 new pilots a year.
SWISS’ parent company, Lufthansa Group, stated earlier this year that it aims to recruit around 10,000 new employees across various aviation professions in 2025. Of these new employees, around 800 pilots are expected to be brought onboard.
Over half of this recruitment is planned to take place in Germany, where Lufthansa is headquartered.
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.
A Mesa Airlines CRJ-900 in Phoenix. (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)
Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group, the parent company of regional carrier Mesa Airlines, reported a net loss of $114 million in the first quarter of 2025, according to a financial statement released Monday.
The company’s earnings report showed a decline in operating revenue from $118.8 million in Q1 2024 to $103.2 million in Q1 2025. Contract revenue fell from $101.1 million to $80.7 million over the same period.
The airline attributed the results to a decrease in the number of aircraft it is flying under contract for United as part of its regional airline network, United Express. Mesa recently retired its remaining CRJ-900s and sold several Embraer aircraft to United in an effort to reduce its debt and restructure its fleet solely around the Embraer E175. A net loss on those sales further hurt the carrier’s bottom line.
Also a factor is the termination of a partnership between Mesa and DHL Express in 2024. The deal between the two companies ended one year earlier than expected because of a reduction in cargo demand. Mesa had used three Boeing 737s to transport DHL’s cargo.
In a statement, Mesa Air Group CEO Jonathan Ornstein highlighted the airline’s strong operational performance during the quarter, including a 100% controllable completion rate for the United flights it handles.
2024 Results
Last week, the company reported its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings for 2024, including an adjusted net loss of $23 million for the year. Reduced block hours, fewer aircraft under contract, and the cancellation of the DHL deal were the main causes.
Mesa Air Group is in the process of merging with Republic Airways Holdings, the parent company of Republic Airways, a fellow partner in the United Express network. The all-stock deal was announced in April and would leave Republic shareholders with 88% of the combined company’s common shares. Mesa Air Group shareholders will own a minimum of 6% and up to 12% of the new common shares, depending on Mesa meeting certain requirements before the closing date.
If approved by shareholders and regulators, the tie-up is expected to be completed in the third or fourth quarter of 2025.
The new merged company, which will use the Republic name, will have a fleet of about 310 Embraer 170s and 175s flying 1,250 departures daily.
Republic is currently a partner of United, American, and Delta.
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.
United Extends E145 Contract to 2028
Regional airline CommuteAir will remain an exclusive partner of United through at least 2028, the carrier announced last week.
A CommuteAir Embraer E145 aircraft (Photo: CommuteAir)
Regional airline CommuteAir said it has extended its exclusive contract with United through 2028.
CommuteAir operates over 200 daily flights with its fleet of 59 Embraer ERJ-145s as part of the United Express network. The 50-seat jets mainly fly to and from United hubs at Washington Dulles and Houston, serving destinations across the Northeast and South, as well as Canada and Mexico. CommuteAir became the sole operator of United Express’ E145 fleet in 2020 after United ended a previous contract with the now-defunct ExpressJet.
The interior of CommuteAir’s E145 with its 1-2 configuration. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Craig Fischer)
The airline also operates a standalone charter service using a 76-seat Embraer E170.
The United Express network connects travelers from small markets to large cities served directly by United. The network includes CommuteAir, GoJet, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways, and SkyWest Airlines.
CommuteAir has been a United partner since 2010. It was previously affiliated with Continental Airlines and, before that, US Airways.
CommuteAir officially opened its new headquarters in Westlake, Ohio, outside of Cleveland, last week. The airline said it had outgrown its former offices in North Olmsted, Ohio, and needed more collaborative working space. The move brings about 200 jobs to the Westlake area.
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.
Qatar Airways Posts Strongest Year In Its History
Qatar Airways produced its strongest ever financial results in the 2024-25 fiscal year, mainly due to continued strong demand in its market.
Profits grew by 28% over the prior year, the airline said, mainly due to continued strong demand from travelers and investments in digitization and data analysis that have begun to pay off. The carrier’s cargo division, Qatar Airways Cargo, saw revenue climb by 17%, contributing to its best overall year since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Qatar Airways’s fiscal year ends on March 31.
In a statement, CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said the airline has taken a number of steps to protect itself against possible volatility linked to disruptions in global trade, including diversifying its holdings and forming strategic partnerships throughout the commercial aviation, cargo-handling, and hospitality industries.
Historic Deal
Outside of commercial flights and cargo, Qatar Airways Group operates an in-flight catering service, oversees facilities management at its home base at Hamad International Airport in Doha, and runs duty-free stores, restaurants, and hotels in Qatar.
In the last fiscal year, Qatar Airways acquired a 25% stake in Virgin Australia and a 25% stake in South African regional airline Airlink. It also completed an expansion at Hamad that added 17 new aircraft gates.
The airline was in the news last week after placing an order for 160 Boeing twin-aisle jets, with options to acquire 50 more. The order is the largest ever for widebody Boeing aircraft and the biggest in Qatar Airways’ history. The airline also placed orders for 400 aircraft engines from GE Aerospace.
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.
South African Airways to Launch and Revive Various Routes
Speaking at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, SAA’s Interim Chief Commercial Officer, Tebogo Tsimane, said that the airline has route expansion plans.
A South African Airways A340-300. (Photo: Shutterstock)
South African Airways will resume services on several routes and introduce some new ones.
Speaking at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, a tourism event on the African continent, SAA’s Interim Chief Commercial Officer, Tebogo Tsimane, said that the airline has route expansion plans.
South African Airways intends to start flying to the coastal cities of George and East London. Furthermore, it will relaunch flights between Durban and Cape Town. Johannesburg – George flights are set to resume in April 2026. The date for the relaunch of services between Johannesburg and East London has yet to be announced. The resumption of Cape Town – Durban flights will also be announced soon, the carrier stated.
South African has two new cross-border routes in the pipeline. It intends to start flying between Johannesburg and Gaborone (Botswana) in October this year. Then, the airline also intends to introduce a seasonal service between Cape Town and Mauritius. The route will commence in November this year.
That said, the launch of these new and revived services is subject to aircraft availability. South African Airways has been rebuilding its fleet recently.
The restructured airline resumed scheduled services in 2021 after an extended business rescue process. South Africa’s national carrier now operates scheduled services on over 17 routes.
The airline relaunched scheduled flights in 2021 with just one domestic route: Johannesburg – Cape Town. It has subsequently resumed domestic services between Johannesburg and Durban as well as between Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
Lorne is a South Africa-based aviation journalist. He was captivated and fascinated by flying from the day he took his first airline flight. With a passion for aviation in his blood, he has flown to destinations in all corners of the globe. Lorne has traveled extensively and lived in various countries. Drawing on his travels and passion for aviation, Lorne enjoys writing about airlines, routes, networks, and new developments.
Latest Gadgets and Accessories for Airline Pilots
Explore some of the most recent gadgets and accessories that have entered the market for airline pilots.
Pilot prepares aircraft for departure (Photo: Shutterstock | Demkat)
Aviation is an industry that constantly evolves with ongoing updates in technology and equipment. Let’s explore some of the most recent gadgets and accessories that have entered the market for airline pilots, along with some essential everyday tools that can assist you in other areas of your life. Discover some familiar products and new tools to keep you ahead in this ever-changing field.
Quick Look: 10 Latest Gadgets and Accessories for Airline Pilots
10 Latest Gadgets and Accessories for Airline Pilots
Here is a list of the latest gadgets and accessories to include inyour flight bag or carry-on for your next work trip.
Stealth Premier Multi-Purpose Cube
Best of: Flight bags for airline pilots
Stealth Premier Multi-Purpose Cube [Courtesy: Crew Outfitters]TheStealth Premier Multi-Purpose Cube is the best-in-class multi-purpose flight bag with ultimate functionality. The bag measures 12 inches by 16 inches by 9 inches and weighs 4.25 pounds. The reinforced pockets protect all your valuables during travel, including headsets, laptops, and tablets. At the same time, the insulated cooler allows you to bring along food from home to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Also included in the purchase price is a Luggageworks flashlight with an attachment strap to enable you to see inside the flight bag during low-visibility operations.
Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset [Courtesy: Sporty’s]If you’re searching for a headset in a class of its own, look no further than the Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset. This sturdy noise-canceling headset is constructed with a stainless steel frame and tangle-free wires. It features a built-in carbon monoxide detector and customizable audio profiles. The headset’s battery lasts up to 30 hours on a single charge or 15 to 20 hours with AA batteries. Retailers like Sporty’s Pilot Shop often offer you the option to purchase and take advantage of a risk-free 30-day trial to experience the headset’s unparalleled quality before making a long-term commitment.
Price: $1,199.00
Timex Waterbury Heritage Chronograph
Best of: Watches for airline pilots
The Timex Waterbury Heritage Chronograph is a fantastic aviator’s watch option with timeless elegance to help you stay on time with your busy schedule. This watch is highly durable, as it is built out of stainless steel and measures 39 millimeters in diameter and 13.5 millimeters thick. The lens is made of anti-glare mineral glass, and the leather strap is perforated for ultimate breathability. The watch comes in brown and stainless steel or black and stainless steel.
Price: $259.00
Apple iPad Air 11-inch with M3 Chip
Best of: Tablets for airline pilots
The Apple iPad Air 11-inch with M3 Chip is the ultimate personal iPad for pilots who require ultrafast 5G internet and advanced graphics. The liquid Retina display offers ultralow reflectivity and true color balance, providing clear animations and images. Storage options range from 128 GB to 1 TB. Available in four colors: blue, space gray, purple, and starlight, this iPad is compatible with various accessories that enhance user experience.
Price: $599.00
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds
Best of: Headphones for airline pilots
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds [Courtesy: Amazon]For ultimate noise-cancelling comfort during those long layovers, the Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds are the apparent choice for pilots. These AirPods are sweat, water, and dust-resistant, and offer a battery life of up to 30 hours. Adaptive audio customizes the noise from your environment so you can immerse yourself in the world around you while engaging in conversations or listening to music. Apple promotes the AirPods 4 as a smart earbud featuring H2 chip technology that enables users to interact with Siri.
Price: $179.00
Flight Gear Giant Backup Battery
Best of: Power banks for airline pilots
The Flight Gear Giant Backup Battery offers serious backup power. With a storage capacity of 20,000 milliampere-hours, you can charge your personal devices through two 3-amp USB ports. The unit features an auto-shutoff function that protects against high temperatures and high voltage outputs. Purchasing this slim and durable battery pack is essential for any pilot on the go.
Price: $79.95
Charter Ops Flashlight
Best of: Flashlights for airline pilots
Charter Ops Flashlight [Courtesy: Flight Outfitters]For pilots and avid outdoorsmen, the Charter Ops Flashlight provides several features that place it ahead of the competition. The flashlight includes four light modes: red, white, blue, and green, along with a zoomable top. It has a built-in SOS mode that flashes when the user activates it. The flashlight is waterproof and impact-resistant, up to one meter. When fully extended, it measures 6.75 inches and weighs half a pound.
Price: $59.95
Kinder Fluff Window Shades
Best of: Sunshades for airline pilots
To help beat the heat and UV rays, Kinder Fluff Window Shades are the ultimate product in the window shade market. Marketed as the only product certified to block 99.79% of UVA and 99.95% of UVB rays, these window shades come in standard or jumbo size and can fold into a transportable pouch. Bring them to the airport to create a comfortable environment on the flight deck.
Price: $18.99
Pilot Wallet
Best of: Pilot wallets for airline pilots
Pilot Wallet Passport Holder [Courtesy: Amazon]Ideal for international pilots, the Pilot Wallet provides exceptional organization and quality. It offers ample space for passports, licenses, medical certificates, and other essential documents. Crafted from leather and weighing just three grams, it presents unbeatable value for this product.
Price: $29.99
Add These Gadgets to Your Virtual Cart Today
All the listed products are available online and, in most cases, allow customization to fit your preferences. Most of these accessories are designed to help ease your workload, while others serve fashion and personal purposes. Either way, explore, purchase, and put these fantastic products to use.
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.
