A Delta aircraft takes off from Washington DCA. (Photo: Shutterstock | Andrew Mauro)
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating a near-miss between a Delta jet and U.S. Air Force training aircraft near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The NTSB posted on X Monday that it would investigate Friday’s “loss of separation” between the Delta Airbus A319 and a group of Air Force T-38s.
NTSB is investigating Friday’s loss of separation between a Delta Airbus A319 and a group of Air Force T-38 Talon jets near DCA.
According to an NPR report, the incident happened while four T-38 Talons were heading to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia for a flyover. T-38s are supersonic training aircraft, according to the U.S. Air Force.
The NPR report, citing the Federal Aviation Administration, stated that Delta flight 2983 was flying from Washington D.C. to Minneapolis when a TCAS alert sounded off in the cockpit showing that another aircraft was nearby.
Air traffic controllers then gave corrective instructions to both aircraft, which averted a collision.
The close call came nearly two months after January’s fatal collision between a PSA Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter at the D.C. airport.
Increased stress following the crash has taken its toll on workers in the sector. A day before Friday’s near miss, two air traffic controllers at DCA reportedly got into a fight, leading to injuries.
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 United Express Embraer E175 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
United has obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate Starlink-equipped aircraft. The air carrier made the announcement Monday, adding that the first customer flights will begin in May of this year, which is less than eight months since the deal was first announced.
According to United, the FAA issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Embraer 175, and the airline expects the first commercial flight with Starlink will be a United Express Embraer 175.
The company noted that United will also run a “beta test” of the new technology on select flights between now and the first customer flight in May.
“We know customers are going to love this experience, and we think it will give them yet another reason to choose United,” said Grant Milstead, United’s vice president of digital technology. “We’re working closely with Starlink and the FAA to finish installs on our regional fleet this year and bring the best inflight experience in the sky to more and more people.”
Earlier this month, United unveiled the Starlink install process, underscoring the technical operations benefits associated with the equipment, including size and weight as well as the ease of install and maintenance. According to United, the Starlink system, when compared to non-Starlink equipment, allows for a faster and simpler install, is lighter requiring less fuel to operate and is more reliable and weather-proofed.
The airline is working with the FAA to acquire an STC to install Starlink on every United aircraft type getting the new equipment which includes more than 16 total regional and mainline aircraft models.
According to the FAA, the process to secure each STC can include design, installation, testing and submitting the package for FAA approval.
Starlink, engineered and operated by SpaceX is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit. Starlink delivers broadband internet capability that is 50 times faster than that which is currently in place on aircraft.
The airline’s roll-out of this new technology will continue to roll forward, with approximately 40 regional jet installs planned monthly. United expects that the entire two-cabin regional fleet, which consists of more than 300 planes – will be completed by end of year.
Editor’s Note: This story first appeared on FlyingMag.com.
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.
Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) President Capt. Jason Ambrosi delved into the debated pilot shortage and shake-ups in Washington during a Friday interview with AirlineGeeks.
In discussing what some say is a pilot shortage, Ambrosi likened it to a “supply chain issue.” He explained, “During COVID, nobody knew that a vaccine could be available that quick. Nobody knew that … the industry would successfully lobby for three rounds of payroll support.”
The unexpected speed of industry recovery after COVID-19 led to this bottleneck, he said. “It was a bottleneck because we need to get those pilots back to train the other direction,” he added.
Ambrosi emphasized that the real challenge was not in the number of pilots but in the logistics of retraining and repositioning them quickly enough to match the resurgence of air travel demand. “Give us 18 months, and you’ll see,” he remarked, noting that airlines have now reached full staffing capacity, with some even starting to furlough pilots as demand stabilizes.
In an April 2024 social media post, ALPA claimed the pilot shortage “isn’t real.” The union’s comments came as Congress was weighing whether to raise the mandatory pilot retirement age to 67.
“… In fact, there’s a surplus of airline pilots,” the post stated. “Yet Congress is considering raising the pilot retirement age to 67, which will hurt air travel.”
This bill ultimately failed and never ended up in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
“In my first hearing with Congress after taking this job in 2023, I was getting pummeled about, ‘Oh, we’re in pilot shortage. Pilot shortage. Raise the age. Pilot shortage. Pilot shortage,’” Ambrosi said. “I said, give us 18 months, and you’ll see. Well, 18 months later, everybody’s fully staffed.”
Despite some recent furloughs – including for pilots at Spirit, which are represented by ALPA – along with an overall slowdown in pilot hiring, Ambrosi said he had “a feeling that there’s going to be more pilot jobs here in the not-too-distant future, especially with all the flight schools cranking people out as fast as they can.”
Single-Pilot Operations
A hot topic last summer, Airbus and European regulators began initial discussions around reducing the number of pilots in the flight deck. This has prompted pushback from labor groups, and even some airlines, including Delta CEO Ed Bastian.
When it comes to single-pilot operations, Ambrosi strongly reiterated ALPA’s commitment to keeping a minimum of two pilots in the cockpit at all times.
He said, “We’ve successfully put a minimum of two pilots in the flight deck plan, which is already in nine of our agreements, including Delta’s and United’s.”
Despite robust support in the U.S., Ambrosi acknowledged potential economic pressures from international markets if single-pilot operations gain traction elsewhere. He stated, “I want to make sure that our airlines are healthy and we can compete on a global scale.”
Inside a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight deck at the Farnborough Airshow (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
He elaborated on ALPA’s measures in Europe to prevent single-pilot operations, particularly its role in influencing the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s shift toward a more deliberate approach. He noted, “They’ve retitled it to smart cockpits rather than the extended minimum crew operations or single-pilot crews, and they basically said they’re not in any hurry.”
However, he emphasized the importance of continued vigilance, asserting, “We have to keep our foot on the gas all the time and not fall asleep.”
“In his role as Republic CEO, he was a significant proponent for watering down the first officer qualification and training rules that came out of the 2010 FAA bill,” shared Ambrosi during the interview. “They put forth a proposal that was mostly lacking in what would be equivalent to military-type training.”
Republic CEO Bryan Bedford (Photo: Republic Airways | YouTube)
ALPA communicated its apprehensions to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, aiming for constructive dialogue with Bedford. Ambrosi remarked, “Rather than coming out and opposing Mr. Bedford, we just shared our concern … . [W]e look forward to hearing his opinions now that he’s a regulator. … [Y]ou have different motivations and you answer to different people if you are an airline CEO versus the regulator.”
Legislative and Safety Standards
On the topic of legislative changes, especially with a new administration now in office, Ambrosi recognized the possibility of revising pilot qualification and retirement age rules, yet he deemed it improbable given the lack of legislative push.
He staunchly defended the United States’ rigorous “1,500-hour rule,” declaring, “We shouldn’t feel bad because we have a higher standard than the rest of the world. We also have a higher safety record than the rest of the world by a long shot.”
The U.S. has among the highest qualification requirements for first officers. While the 1,500-hour rule is well known, many pilots join airlines via accredited educational programs and the military, each requiring fewer training hours.
“What we had in the ’90s was you could have a pilot in the right seat of an airliner with 200 or 250 hours, which was mostly unprepared for airline ops,” added Ambrosi. “I lived it as a captain in the regionals back in the ’90s. That stuff still happens in Europe. So just because they do it certainly doesn’t make it right.”
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.
China Airlines' Airbus A350-900 B-18918 in the world's first and only co-branded Airbus livery (Photo: Airbus)
Taiwan’s China Airlines inked a firm order with Airbus for ten A350-1000s. The new aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2029.
“We are confident that the A350-1000, with its superior range, fuel efficiency and comfort, will play a key role in transforming our long-haul operations,” Kao Shing-Hwang, chairman of China Airline, said in a statement.
He is optimistic about the future after the airline is seeing a double-digit growth in the Asia-Pacific region. China Airlines currently operates 15 A350-900s on long-haul routes.
New Aircraft to Serve North America and Europe
The A350-1000s, featuring Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, could carry 346 to 348 passengers in a three-class configuration. The new aircraft are expected to serve North America and Europe, such as New York and London.
Also, the Taiwanese carrier has been given an option to acquire five more aircraft, according to local media.
In addition, the carrier hasn’t stopped enhancing its fleet. Boeing is also expected to make a deal with the airline for ten 777-9 jets in April or May.
A Virgin Atlantic A350-1000. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
British carrier Virgin Atlantic Limited, owned 51% by Virgin Group and 49% by Delta, published on Monday its financial results for the year ending on Dec. 31, 2024.
The company reported revenues for £3.3bn ($4.26bn) resulting in an Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) of £230m ($297.14m), and almost five-fold increase compared over the £48m ($62m) profit posted in 2023 and almost double the profits delivered in 1999, which was so far the best year in the airline’s 40-year history.
The company attributed its strong performance to the 7.6% growth in capacity and to the launch of its Unlimited Availability reward seats for members of its frequent flyer program Flying Club.
Virgin Atlantic Holidays, the company’s tour operator, has regained its leadership in the Florida market where it re-established itself as the number one carrier, generating £517m ($668m) of revenue, equal to more than 15% of its total turnaround.
The carrier’s cargo unit delivered a £236m ($305m) revenue, helping the airline achieve a cash position of £443m ($572m), including a £174m ($225m) pandemic-related debt repayment.
A Modern Fleet and New Destinations
In July 2024, the airline completed its fleet transformation: now, the company flies 45 long-haul aircraft (19 Airbus A330-900s, 12 A350-1000s, and 14 Boeing 787-9s) with an average age of 6.9 years. During 2024, the airline experienced some reliability issues due to the reduced availability of Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines powering its Boeing 787 aircraft, however, it achieved a 98.6% dispatch reliability.
The airline generates almost one-third of its revenue (£1bn or $1.29bn) in the United States, where it flies to 11 destinations from London Heathrow, Manchester, and Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. Virgin Atlantic flies to a total of 26 seasonal or year-round destinations in 13 countries and is planning to expand its network in 2025 with four more destinations.
At the beginning of the IATA 2025 Northern Summer season, on Mar. 30, the airline is launching for the first time flights to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and will resume flights to Toronto, Cana; da, after a hiatus of over a decade. Later in the year, Virgin Atlantic is also planning to resume flights to Tel Aviv, Israel, and Cancun, Mexico.
Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, commented“Our performance in 2024 marked a big step forward in our mission to become the ‘most loved travel company and sustainably profitable’, with record revenues and operating profit achieved in our fortieth year. We returned to profitability for the first time since the pandemic, repaid a large chunk of debt and faced into operational challenges by taking decisive action. […]
“2024 was a turning point for Virgin Atlantic and the culmination of our transformation. We have a plan in place for 2025, with much to look forward to including a new app, new routes to Toronto, Riyadh and Cancun, a new clubhouse in Los Angeles and greater stability for our operation.”
Vanni fell in love with commercial aviation during his undergraduate studies in Statistics at the University of Bologna, when he prepared his thesis on the effects of deregulation on the U.S. and European aviation markets. Then he pursued his passion further by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Air Transport Management at Cranfield University in the U.K. followed by holding several management positions at various start-up carriers in Europe (Jet2, SkyEurope, Silverjet). After moving to Canada, he was Business Development Manager for IATA for nine years before turning to his other passion: sports writing.
Ethiopian Airlines Enters VIP Market
Ethiopian Airlines has ventured into the premium aviation market with the acquisition of its first Boeing aircraft dedicated to VIP travel.
An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Parker Davis)
Ethiopian Airlines has ventured into the premium aviation market with the acquisition of its first Boeing aircraft dedicated to VIP travel. On March 17, the airline unveiled a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 Business Jet, an addition to its fleet that will serve dual purposes: supporting Ethiopia’s governmental needs and offering exclusive charter services to high-end private clients.
The Boeing 737-800, now registered as ET-BBH, is a customized business jet designed to deliver an unparalleled travel experience. Featuring a spacious cabin with premium seating, enhanced privacy, and top-tier amenities — including advanced entertainment systems, Wi-Fi connectivity, and gourmet dining options — the aircraft is tailored for small, elite groups.
This acquisition marks a new chapter for Ethiopian Airlines as it taps into the burgeoning business aviation segment. Group CEO Mesfin Tasew hailed the aircraft as a milestone in the airline’s strategy to diversify its portfolio and meet the needs of Africa’s investors and business community.
“As Africa’s leading carrier, we are always looking for ways to enhance our offerings and meet the unique demands of our diverse clientele. With the addition of this Boeing 737-800 Business Jet, we are elevating our charter service to new heights, ensuring that our customers enjoy unparalleled luxury, convenience, and world-class service. This is yet another step in our commitment to fostering business and investment opportunities across Africa and beyond,” Tasew said.
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.
A third airport in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is one step closer to reality. Last week, the McKinney National Airport received $52.4 million in funding.
This funding will go towards readying the airport for commercial service, including a 45,000-square-foot passenger terminal. Back in January, the city said the terminal would initially feature three gates, with the ability to expand to five.
Taxiway, fuel farm, and landside improvements are also planned with the new funding. The airport is located roughly 30 miles north of Dallas and has only received general aviation traffic.
The project is slated to start in May, finishing by July 2026. Commercial flights are scheduled to begin at the airport in late 2026, according to Community Impact.
One airline is already interested in serving the airport. McKinney Mayor George Fuller told Star Local Media that the city is under a nondisclosure agreement with a carrier.
He said it flies from smaller markets to major cities in the U.S., exclusively operating 737 aircraft.
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.
A Delta A220 at Paine Field. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)
An attorney for Delta has served one of the carrier’s former pilots with a cease and desist letter over “false and defamatory” statements posted on social media about last month’s Endeavor Air crash.
According to a March 7 blog post by the retired Delta pilot, Karlene Petitt alleged that the airline was trying to “silence” her and published the letter from Delta attorney David Balser.
Balser’s letter, sent to Petitt on Feb. 27, demanded she stop making false statements regarding the experience of the captain on Delta Connection flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air.
Following the crash in Toronto, Petitt posted several times on X questioning Delta’s training. In one post, she said the airline CEOs “should be fired.”
Endeavor Air CRJ-900 wreckage (Photo: TSB of Canada)
“Flight 4819 was involved in a single-aircraft accident at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) around 2:15 PM ET on Monday, February 17, 2025,” the cease and desist letter stated. “Since that date, you have published false and defamatory information related to Flight 4819’s Captain.”
The letter then lists several specific posts made by Petitt.
“These statements about the Flight 4819 Captain are false,” the letter stated. “As Delta stated on its website on February 20, 2025, ‘[a]ssertions that he failed training events are false’ and ‘[a]ssertions that he failed to flow into a pilot position at Delta Air Lines due to training failures are also false.’”
“These statements are defamatory and harmful to Delta’s reputation because they falsely allege that Delta knowingly allowed a captain with inadequate skill, deficient credentials, or insufficient training to pilot aircraft for Endeavor Air,” it continued. “Delta demands that you correct or clarify the false statements identified above … . To the extent you have made other similar false statements in other places of publication not identified herein, Delta further demands that you correct or clarify those statements as well.”
Additionally, the cease and desist demanded that Petitt retain all documents and other materials related to her discussion of Flight 4819 “in anticipation of potential litigation.”
“Assertions that [the pilot] failed training events are false. Assertions that he failed to flow into a pilot position at Delta Air Lines due to training failures are also false,” the carrier said in a news release.
AirlineGeeks reached out to Delta’s attorney for comment.
This isn’t Petitt’s first time tangling with Delta’s legal department.
While still a pilot at Delta, Petitt sued the airline for retaliation in 2016 after she raised safety issues about its flight operations. In 2022, a Department of Labor administrative law judge approved a settlement between the two parties.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she later retired from the airline in January 2023.
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.
On March 14, Air Mauritius Board Chairman Kishore Beegoo, who assumed the role in January, addressed the press to outline the dire state of Air Mauritius.
On March 14, Air Mauritius Board Chairman Kishore Beegoo, who assumed the role in January, addressed the press to outline the dire state of Air Mauritius. According to reports from that conference, he described the airline as being in a critical financial condition, with accumulated losses that have severely undermined its stability.
Specifically, he highlighted that the financial statements for the year ending March 2024 showed losses amounting to Rs 15.5 billion (approximately 317 million euros).
Beegoo painted a grim picture, noting a deficit in shareholder equity of Rs 9.5 billion (195 million euros) and a “negative equity” situation approaching Rs 10 billion. He attributed this to a decade of mismanagement, including strategic missteps like retaining an Rs 8 billion (163.6 million euros) loan from Airport Holdings Ltd (AHL) as debt for two years instead of converting it to equity earlier, which damaged the airline’s credit profile. “It hurt our standing with banks and suppliers,” Beegoo said, noting it blocked smart moves like fuel hedging to cut costs.
This loan was finally converted to equity by February 2025, allowing the 2024 financials to be finalized. He also criticized past decisions, such as selling aircraft only to lease back older, less efficient Airbus A330s, and locking into unfavorable contracts, including an over-order of Airbus A350s under unfavorable contracts, locking the airline into long-term financial burdens.
Operationally, Beegoo pointed to a disorganized structure with a lack of cohesion and accountability across departments. The commercial division, for instance, had been selling tickets at a loss due to poor cost oversight, while the technical department’s budget ballooned to Rs 5 billion annually (102.25 million euros), 19% of total expenses, exacerbated by a Rs 442 million (9.04 million euros) stock of obsolete spare parts. He also flagged organizational issues, including excessive politicization—famously quipping about “a doctor giving instructions to pilots.”
To address the situation, Kishore Beegoo outlined a restructuring plan launched under his leadership. This included reinstating Laurent Recoura as Chief Commercial Officer. Recoura stepped down in July 2024 after being suspended in May 2024 amid allegations of misconduct and a dispute with the ousted CEO, Charles Cartier. Beegoo also recruited three financial experts to overhaul cost management, as well as planning to hire 12 technicians and 16 engineers in April 2025, supported by a technical agreement with Airbus.
Beegoo emphasized a goal of reaching a break-even point within a year and profitability by the second year, though he cautioned that reversing a decade of damage would take time. “We will not be able to change in three months what has been done wrong in 10 years, we are working on the restructuring of the company,” said the new Chairman of Air Mauritius.
For aircraft purchased in excess, Air Mauritius is in discussion with Airbus to explore options to modify or postpone the purchase, so that the burden of paying for an aircraft that the company does not need immediately does not penalize, the chairman said.
Air Mauritius signaled a new direction with the appointment of a fresh Board of Directors on January 13. Kishore Beegoo succeeded Marday Venketasamy as Chairperson, leading efforts to restore the airline’s financial health.
The airline is owned by Airport Holdings Ltd (AHL), a holding company controlled by the Government of Mauritius (51%) and the Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC), a subsidiary of the Bank of Mauritius (49%).
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.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock | TJ Brown)
A fight broke out between two air traffic controllers inside the tower at Reagan National Airport on Thursday. According to a Daily Mail report, the controllers were on duty at the time.
After a heated argument, one controller threw a punch at the other, per the report, which cited unnamed sources. Others intervened to break up the fight, but blood was found on a console in the tower’s cab.
“That facility is out of control. People are cracking because of what happened in January,” one source told the Daily Mail, referring to the D.C. airport’s tower.
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.
