FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts

A deadly engine failure prompted the agency to issue its airworthiness directive addressing the engine's unsafe condition.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Wednesday, March 05, 2025 at 01:54 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Engine damage to a Southwest 737 in 2018 (Photo: NTSB)

The FAA has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition of CFM56-7B engines on several different types of Boeing aircraft.

The AD applies to Boeing 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900 and -900ER series airplanes. It was adopted after two engine fan blade-out events caused the separation of engine inlet cowl and fan cowl parts from airplanes.

“In one event, fan cowl parts damaged the fuselage, which caused loss of pressurization and subsequent emergency descent,” the AD stated.

One passenger was killed in that particular incident during a 2018 Southwest flight from New York to Dallas.

Per the AD, operators are required to replace specified inlet cowl aft bulkhead fasteners for certain airplanes. Other airplanes will need to have their inlet cowl aft bulkhead fastener inspected and replaced if rivets are found.

Additionally, all airplane models addressed will need their crushable spacers – used to attach the inlet cowl to the engine fan case – replaced. Installing a serviceable inlet cowl is also permitted.

“The FAA is issuing this AD to address inlet cowls that are not strengthened, which could, in the event of an FBO occurrence, depart the airplane potentially damaging the airframe structure or striking the fuselage and windows,” the AD stated. “The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of control of the airplane, and a hazard to window-seated passengers aft of the wing.”

“In addition, the unsafe condition could result in significantly increased drag of the airplane, which, during an extended operations (ETOPS) flight, could lead to fuel starvation and a forced off-airplane landing,” the AD continued.

The FAA estimated that this AD affects 1,979 airplanes registered in the U.S. and could cost operators up to $18 million to conduct inspections and replace fasteners. Crushable spacer replacements are estimated to cost U.S. operators $32 million.

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.

Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes

Following several restructuring-related capacity cuts, ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit is slated to grow its network again this year.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, March 05, 2025 at 11:01 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Spirit A320 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Following several restructuring-related capacity cuts, Spirit is slated to grow its network again this year. The budget airline – which exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month – will add a new destination to its route map.

On June 4, the carrier will begin serving Chattanooga, Tennessee. The “Scenic City” will become Spirit’s third destination in Tennessee, joining Nashville and Memphis.

“We’re excited to expand our Tennessee network and welcome our CHA Guests onboard as we launch three new nonstop routes, just in time for a fun summer vacation,” said John Kirby, vice president of network planning at Spirit, in a news release. “Chattanooga is known as the Scenic City for good reason, and travelers from major East Coast cities can discover a new destination with southern charm, breathtaking views and endless outdoor activities.”

The airline will connect the city to Newark, New Jersey, along with Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida. Flights to Newark and Orlando will operate four times per week, while Fort Lauderdale will see thrice-weekly service beginning on June 5.

In addition, Spirit plans to resume service to Columbia, South Carolina. The airline will serve the same destinations, starting on June 5. Spirit last served Columbia in 2009, per Cirium Diio schedule data.

This year, Spirit plans to cut overall capacity by roughly 16% after posting a $1.2 billion loss in 2024.

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.

Startup Airline Eyes London–Freetown Flights

U.K.-based airline Zuri Sky has announced plans to add flights between London Gatwick and Freetown, Sierra Leone, starting in October 2025.

Victor Shalton

Wednesday, March 05, 2025 at 10:05 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Bombardier CRJ Series aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks / Fabian Behr)

U.K.-based airline Zuri Sky has announced plans to launch flights between London Gatwick and Freetown, Sierra Leone, starting in October 2025.

In a February 24 press release, Zuri Sky emphasized its commitment to providing a seamless travel experience for Sierra Leoneans, U.K. travelers, and international passengers. The airline is inviting potential travelers to subscribe to its website for exclusive updates and a 10% introductory discount on their first booking once ticket sales open.

“Having operated this route successfully before, I am delighted to once again be part of a credible organization to operate this flight,” said Robert Blick, Chairman of Zuri Sky, in the release. “We will be fully transparent and provide regular updates to our subscribers.” The London-based CEO of Zuri Sky highlighted the airline’s mission: “This is about much more than flights; it’s about building a bridge: we are the People’s Airline.”

The airline has not provided details about its agreements with the U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or Sierra Leone’s aviation authorities, nor its certification status. Furthermore, the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has stated that it is yet to receive a formal application from Zuri Sky for operating flights to Freetown. The frequency of the proposed flights has also not been disclosed.

British Airways operated non-stop flights between London Heathrow and Freetown until August 2014, when it suspended the route due to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. This suspension marked a significant gap in U.K.-Sierra Leone connectivity, with BA citing safety and commercial viability concerns at the time.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone has been working on launching its own private airline, Air Sierra Leone (ASL). Initially set to begin operations on December 2, 2024, with flights between Freetown and London Gatwick using a chartered Boeing 737 MAX 8 from Ascend Airways, ASL faced regulatory hurdles. Delays in obtaining approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA-UK) prevented ticket sales under its name, postponing the airline’s launch.

Following the setback, ASL finally took to the skies on January 22, 2025, operating under the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) of its parent company, Nigerian carrier Xejet, with backing from the Sierra Leone government. Sierra Leone carriers are banned from flying to the European Union.

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.

Allegiant to Close Base After 16 Years

Citing rising airport cost pressures, ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant says it will end base operations at this airport, which began in 2009.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, March 05, 2025 at 09:54 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Allegiant A319 in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Allegiant is shuttering another crew base, just months after it closed its Austin, Texas, domicile in January. A spokesperson from the airline confirmed the closure to AirlineGeeks on Tuesday.

The ultra-low-cost carrier will end base operations in Los Angeles, citing increasing airport costs. The base first opened in 2009, and the airline added a fourth aircraft to Los Angeles in 2021.

“Los Angeles is an important city to our network,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “… We will continue to serve Los Angeles with all flights operating as turns from other bases, providing our customers with the exceptional service they have come to expect from Allegiant.”

The airline’s Los Angeles base closure is set to take effect on Sept. 2. Both pilots and flight attendants were stationed in Los Angeles and will likely be displaced to other bases.

Route Cuts

On the heels of the base closure announcement, Allegiant will also end flights between Los Angeles and nine cities.

As first noted by Ishrion Aviation on X, these markets include Billings and Kalispell, Montana; Des Moines, Iowa; Laredo, Texas; Medford, Oregon; Memphis, Tennessee; Pasco, Washington; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Rockford, Illinois.

Ryan Ewing

American Petitions Supreme Court to Allow JetBlue Partnership

American has asked the Supreme Court to intervene and reverse a decision by a lower court invalidating an alliance with JetBlue Airways on antitrust grounds.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Tuesday, March 04, 2025 at 03:06 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An American 777 and JetBlue A320 (Photo: Shutterstock | NYC Russ)

American Airlines has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene and reverse a decision by a lower court invalidating an alliance with JetBlue on antitrust grounds.

In November 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit had upheld a lower court’s decision to nullify the airlines’ “Northeast Alliance” (NEA) – a joint venture between the carriers that allowed them to coordinate some routes and share revenue in Boston and New York.

American’s new 189-page petition asks the Supreme Court to review and reverse the appellate court’s decision, arguing that it misconstrued antitrust laws and threatens valuable collaborative ventures.

“The First Circuit’s decision affirming that injunction embraces the same hostility to collaboration and splits with other circuits in two fundamental respects,” the petition stated.

American said that the First Circuit held plaintiffs’ evidence of anticompetitive effects “based solely” on the fact that American and JetBlue coordinated their schedules to produce a broader network in the Northeast – resulting in the loss of some flight frequencies by American and JetBlue “on a small number of routes.”

The First Circuit called this evidence of “reduced output,” but American asserted this is merely an observation of American and JetBlue’s output in NEA markets – not marketwide output or output among all airlines in the relevant market.

“This was clear legal error,” American stated in its petition. “Intra-venture reductions in competition (and consequently in the joint venturers’ output) often occur in joint ventures precisely because such collaboration makes the joint venture work in the first place. Joint ventures typically present a tradeoff: while collaboration necessarily reduces to some degree the preexisting competition between the parties to the joint venture, the fact of collaboration holds the promise of improving products, increasing competitive pressure in the market as a whole, and ultimately leaving consumers better off.”

American further stated in the petition that the NEA was designed to enhance its competitive position against other major airlines like Delta and United without significantly harming competition.

“This Court’s intervention is needed to resolve these conflicts and ensure that the interests of consumers—not a hostility to collaboration among competitors—governs in Sherman Act cases,” American stated.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Southwest to Shutter Two Crew Bases

This move, Southwest said, is part of the carrier’s ongoing efforts to “further maximize our operational efficiency and reliability.”

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, March 04, 2025 at 01:53 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Southwest Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Less than a month after announcing its first-ever mass layoff, Southwest said Tuesday that it will close two flight attendant bases. The Dallas-based airline cited complexities around reserve coverage for the closures.

The two affected bases are in Austin, Texas, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These satellite bases opened in 2018 and were each staffed with approximately 150 flight attendants.

These closures are slated to take effect on July 1. Displaced flight attendants will be moved to Southwest’s 12 main crew bases, an airline spokesperson told AirlineGeeks.

Currently, the carrier has bases in Atlanta; Baltimore; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Houston; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Nashville, Tennessee; Oakland, California; Orlando, Florida; and Phoenix. No pilots are based in Austin or Fort Lauderdale.

This move, Southwest said, is part of the carrier’s ongoing efforts to “further maximize our operational efficiency and reliability.” In January, the airline shared plans to downsize pilot head counts at several bases.

“This change will ultimately help strengthen our Crew network and support a more reliable operation for our Employees and Customers,” the spokesperson added.

The Transport Workers Union – which represents Southwest flight attendants – said it is supporting “our Members who are affected by this decision.”

Facing pressure from activist investor Elliott, Southwest laid off 1,750 corporate workers last month.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. to add a statement from the TWU.

Ryan Ewing

Frontier Expands Network With New Airports

Ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier has announced the addition of two new airports to its route network starting this summer.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, March 04, 2025 at 01:12 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Frontier Airbus A320neo. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Frontier has announced the addition of two new airports to its network. Starting this summer, the ultra-low-cost carrier will add service to Paine Field Airport in Everett, Washington, and Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

Beginning on June 2, the airline will launch service from Paine Field to Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. Each route will operate three times per week.

The expansion at Paine Field is intended to complement Frontier’s existing operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Opened to commercial flights in 2019, Paine Field is currently served by Alaska Airlines with just a handful of flights; both United and Southwest pulled out of the airport.

An Alaska Airlines E175 receives a water canon salute after arriving at Paine Field as the airport’s first commercial flight. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

More Caribbean Service

Frontier is also growing its Caribbean service with a new nonstop route between Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Puerto Plata. This service, subject to government approval, will begin on June 19 and operate twice weekly.

Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design at Frontier Airlines, emphasized the company’s continued growth in a news release. “We are proud to continue our rapid network growth, providing affordable travel to more people in more places both domestically and internationally,” he said.

The airline recently announced new service to Oranjestad, Aruba, and San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Both routes will operate from Atlanta.

Ryan Ewing

Air Canada Plans High-Density 737 MAX Service

An airline spokesperson told AirlineGeeks on Monday that these aircraft will be operated in their current configuration, primarily on shorter routes.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, March 04, 2025 at 01:02 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Air Canada 737 MAX (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Starting in April, Air Canada plans to add a handful of flights on high-density Boeing 737 MAX 8s. These aircraft were acquired from defunct ultra-low-cost carrier Lynx Air.

From Toronto, the 189-seat aircraft are scheduled on a handful of routes, including to Moncton and Fredericton, New Brunswick; St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador; Thunder Bay, Ontario; Quebec; and Kingston, Jamaica. The jets are in an all-economy class configuration, unlike the airline’s typical 737 MAXs, which have 16 business class seats.

Air Canada Express

Last year, Air Canada secured eight more 737 MAXs after Lynx Air halted operations in February 2024. According to one Reddit post, these aircraft will be placed under the Air Canada Express brand.

Air Canada Express 737 MAX 8
byu/itmeMEEPMEEP inaircanada

An airline spokesperson told AirlineGeeks on Monday that these aircraft will be operated in their current configuration, primarily on shorter routes. The only major change is the addition of high-speed Wi-Fi.

Eventually, Air Canada plans to configure these ex-Lynx 737s in a standard Rouge configuration. The airline plans to shift its entire fleet of over 40 MAX jets to the low-cost Rouge brand in the coming years.

Ryan Ewing

Silver Reduces Fleet, Leaves Trade Group

In addition, the carrier is no longer a member of the Regional Airline Association. Silver had just rejoined the trade group in 2022.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, March 04, 2025 at 11:51 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Silver Airways ATR 42 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Silver Airways has abruptly halted service to Orlando, Florida, as it spars with an aircraft lessor. Orlando was the regional airline’s fifth-largest station with up to six daily flights.

In late 2024, Silver filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which revealed debts exceeding $500 million. In a statement to the Sun Sentinel, an airline spokesperson said the restructuring effort “has been going exceedingly well.”

However, one of the airline’s aircraft lessors, TrueNoord, “reversed its previously stated position” and demanded Silver pay to keep these aircraft, the spokesperson added.

According to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data, TrueNoord owns three Silver aircraft, including one ATR 72 and two ATR 42s. These aircraft have since been taken out of active service.

“In addition to this last-minute financial demand, TrueNoord ordered the immediate grounding of the aircraft, giving us no chance to operate the flights our customers were relying on,” the carrier stated. “We are working with our customers to rebook itineraries and minimize inconvenience for travelers. We are continuing to operate our schedules from our Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and San Juan gateways.”

A Silver Airways ATR 72 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

FlightAware data shows that 16% of Silver’s flights on Monday were canceled, while 34% were delayed.

Exits Trade Group

In addition, the carrier is no longer a member of the Regional Airline Association. Silver had just rejoined the trade group in 2022.

The association was founded in 1975 and represents most U.S. regional airlines, including large operators such as SkyWest and Republic. Currently, 14 regional airlines are members of the RAA.

Ryan Ewing

Over 2,000 Spirit Workers Left Airline Last Year

Last year, the ultra-low-cost carrier reported a net loss of nearly $1.23 billion, an increase from $448 million in 2023.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, March 04, 2025 at 10:20 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Spirit Airbus aircraft (Photo: Shutterstock | Carlos Yudica)

Spirit lost 2,192 employees in 2024, the ultra-low-cost carrier said in its annual report published Monday. This equates to an overall turnover rate of nearly 17%, including both voluntary and involuntary terminations.

Since 2022, nearly 7,000 workers have left the beleaguered airline, which has reported continued quarterly losses following the COVID-19 pandemic. In November, Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which it exited on Feb. 20.

The carrier had an average of 11,941 employees in 2024, down from 12,798 in 2023. 84% of which are represented by labor unions.

Earlier this year, the airline detailed an $80 million cost savings plan, which was largely driven by workforce cuts. This included 200 nonunion jobs.

In addition, Spirit has furloughed around 500 pilots in the past several months as it looks to sell 23 Airbus A320 and A321 jets.

Last year, the carrier reported a net loss of $1.23 billion, an increase from $448 million in 2023.

Ryan Ewing