FAA Calls for New 787 Inspections

Errors in forward pressure bulkhead assembly and installation could ‘adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane,' the agency said.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 09:50 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Singapore 787-10 undergoing final assembly at Boeing South Carolina (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Ewing)

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Boeing 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft requiring they be inspected for design issues.

The FAA stated in its AD filed Thursday that the directive was prompted by reports of erroneous assembly and installation of the aircraft’s forward pressure bulkheads, located in the nose of the fuselage.

“This proposed AD would require an internal and external detailed inspection (DET) of the forward pressure bulkhead (FPB) for any damage and performing applicable on-condition actions,” the AD stated. “The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.”

The AD stated that the FAA has received reports of excessive gaps and pull-up found in the FPB, “caused by insufficient clamp-up and nonconference to the manufacturing process requirements.”

The agency added that existing gaps were found between the Y-chords and attach angles common to fastener joints, which can trap foreign object debris between the parts.

“This condition, if not addressed, could result in undetected fatigue cracks that can grow to weaken the primary structure where it cannot sustain limit load, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane,” the AD continued.

The FAA estimated that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 135 U.S.-registered airplanes, costing operators $114,740. The agency added that some of this cost could be reduced if covered under warranty.

This proposed AD comes just months after the FAA ordered inspections on 787 aircraft in August following a LATAM flight’s sudden descent.

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.

12 Injured After American 737 Engine Fire

The flight landed safely, but one of its engines caught fire while taxiing to the gate, the spokesperson added. Passengers evacuated the aircraft using slides.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 09:34 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

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

An American Airlines aircraft suffered an engine fire after landing in Denver on Thursday evening. The Boeing 737-800 ‒ registered as N885NN ‒ was operating flight 1006 from Colorado Springs to Dallas/Fort Worth.

After reporting engine vibrations, the crew opted to divert to Denver, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson said in a statement. According to the airport, 12 passengers were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries.

American 1006 diversion on Thursday (Photo: Flightradar24)

The flight landed safely, but one of its engines caught fire while taxiing to the gate, the spokesperson added. Passengers evacuated the aircraft using slides.

Social media posts show passengers on the aircraft’s wing with dense smoke and some flames.

Glad everyone is safe after what looked like jet fuel caught fire at Denver International… pic.twitter.com/pEPOdEXzHl

— Steve Schilsky (@steve_schilsky) March 14, 2025

“After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue,” an airline spokesperson stated. 172 passengers and six crew members were on board the aircraft.

Both the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 9:18 a.m. ET to include additional information.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Airline CEO Likely FAA Administrator Candidate

Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford is reportedly the top candidate to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, according to a report.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 02:33 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Republic Airways Embraer 170 in New York. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford is reportedly the top candidate to lead the Federal Aviation Administration.

According to a recent Reuters report citing unnamed sources, Bedford interviewed for the position in recent weeks. His appointment to FAA administrator would require approval by the U.S. Senate.

Bedford has served as the regional carrier’s president since 1999. According to Republic Airways’ website, he has over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry and holds commercial multi-engine and instrument pilot ratings.

Chris Rocheleau was appointed as the FAA’s acting administrator by President Donald Trump via executive order shortly after January’s tragic mid-air collision incident in Washington D.C.

Rocheleau was appointed to replace the previous administrator, Michael Whitaker, who served one year in the role before leaving in December 2024.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

airBaltic Prepares for Ukraine Return

airBaltic delegation visits Kyiv, solidifying commitment to resume service as soon as Ukraine's airspace reopens to commercial flights.

Tolga Karadeniz

Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 01:18 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An airBaltic Airbus A220 touches down. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

As Ukraine eyes the reopening of its airspace, Latvian carrier airBaltic is making tangible strides toward resuming commercial flights, underscored by a delegation visit to Kyiv this week. This move highlights the airline’s commitment to re-establishing vital air links, as the carrier prepares to reintegrate Kyiv and Lviv into its network.

Expanding Reach Beyond Direct Routes

In addition to preparing for direct flights, airBaltic says it is monitoring developments at nearby airports, such as those in Poland, which have become increasingly vital for Ukrainian travelers during the war. The airline has already launched new flights to Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport in Poland, located near the Ukrainian border.

The airBaltic delegation engaged in crucial discussions with key Ukrainian stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories, Boryspil International Airport, and the Embassy of Latvia. These meetings centered on the intricate logistical preparations necessary for resuming flights, alongside exploring opportunities to expand routes beyond Riga, potentially linking Kyiv with other Baltic capitals like Tallinn and Vilnius.

“We have consistently communicated our intent for airBaltic to be the first airline to return to Ukraine when it is safe, and we remain steadfast in that commitment,” stated Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic. “The safety of our employees, passengers, and operations is paramount, and following our second in-person visit to Kyiv, we are making significant strides in our return preparations.”

Serhiy Derkach, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Development of Communities and Territories, acknowledged airBaltic’s dedication. “We highly value airBaltic’s ongoing cooperation and commitment to restoring Ukraine’s connectivity as soon as conditions permit, and we welcome their readiness to expand operations and reconnect Ukraine with Europe as we rebuild our aviation sector,” Derkach affirmed.

Tolga Karadeniz

Tolga is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with years of experience in the industry. From an early age, his fascination with aviation went beyond a mere passion for travel, evolving into a deliberate exploration of the complex mechanics and engineering behind aircraft. As a writer, he aims to share insights , providing readers with a view into the complex inner workings of the aviation industry.

Southwest Teases Different Aircraft

Southwest CEO Bob Jordan hinted at a “different aircraft” amid ongoing delivery woes at Boeing during a recent conference.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 08:36 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Southwest 737 MAX 8 in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Southwest CEO Bob Jordan hinted at a “different aircraft” amid ongoing delivery woes at Boeing. The airline is still awaiting delivery of the long-delayed 737 MAX 7, which is pending Federal Aviation Administration approval.

At a J.P. Morgan investors conference on Tuesday, Jordan said he sees progress at Boeing. The Dallas-based carrier has over 100 MAX 7 jets on order.

“I see [Boeing] looking at the right questions. On the MAX 7, that’s a certification question with the FAA, so I really can’t opine on the timing,” he added.

Despite these delays, Southwest leadership still expressed interest in the MAX 7.

“We certainly need the MAX 7 in certain markets, short airfield, places like Chicago Midway, maybe underlying Hawaii,” he continued. “So there is a need for that gauge aircraft. And so if you’re thinking about, [if] there is a chance that we don’t need the MAX 7, I see a need for that smaller aircraft.”

Also during the conference, Southwest Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson added: “The MAX 7, as you mentioned, does have very high performance. So certain long, thin routes [are] where we’d like it. Part of the original desire was to have an aircraft suitable for high-frequency business markets, which is less a market now than it was pre-pandemic. So the percentage of our fleet that would be Max 7 is less today than it would have been, when we first ordered it, but it’s not zero.”

Fleet Diversification

Southwest has been an all-Boeing 737 operator throughout its nearly 60-year history. But with radical changes happening at the airline – including assigned seating and a pivot to paid checked bags – that could change.

“But as we look to serve everything that our customers want in places that we really dominate, the Nashvilles and the Austins and Kansas City, etc., we need to be able to serve more and more of what a customer wants. That can mean more out of the network, more destinations. That could mean more about the product,” Jordan added.

Some of these markets, he said, could require “different aircraft,” though he noted that the company is “not anywhere close to ready to talk about that.”

“But just know that beyond what you saw today, this is a bill to the next thing that we will be talking to you about in the future,” Jordan concluded.

Ryan Ewing

$10M Bill Proposed to Rename Nashville Airport After President Trump

The Tennessee General Assembly is considering legislation requiring the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority to adopt the name change.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 04:36 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Trump gets off an aircraft (Photo: Shutterstock | Ringo Chiu)

Legislation proposed to the Tennessee General Assembly aims to change the naming of the Nashville International Airport to the “Trump International Airport.”

Tennessee House Bill 217 (HB0217) and Senate Bill 265 (SB0265), jointly filed in January 2025, propose spending over $10 million to redesignate BNA under the new name after President Donald Trump. The House bill is sponsored by State Rep. Todd Warner and State Sen. Joey Hensley.

The legislation requires the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) to put up signs or markers reflecting the new name. It also requires the MNAA to “amend, surrender or abandon any established trademark,” as well as revise any bylaws or governing documents and update contracts with third parties.

The $10.34 million price tag is broken down into four expense categories: administration/operations ($2.25 million), branding ($2.22 million), infrastructure/signage ($3.59 million) and trademark/legal ($2.28 million).

HB0217 has received a negative recommendation from the Tennessee House Naming & Designating Committee with four votes in support of the renaming and six votes against. SB0265 is expected to be reviewed by the Tennessee Senate Transportation and Safety Committee on March 19.

It is currently unknown when either bill will go to an official vote.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

United Says Government Travel Down 50%

United has seen “a pretty material” short term impact on its government business, its CEO said this week, as the administration slashes costs.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 04:09 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A United Boeing 757-200 aircraft (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)

United has seen “a pretty material” short term impact on its government business, according to company leadership speaking at the J.P. Morgan 2025 Industrials Conference.

United CEO Scott Kirby said during Tuesday’s conference that 2 to 3% of the carrier’s business comes from the U.S. government – including accompanying consultants and contracts.

“That’s running down about 50% right now,” he said. “So [that’s] a pretty material impact in the short term. … And we’ve seen some bleed over to that into the domestic leisure market.”

“We have seen government at some low-end consumer leisure weakness, which also appears consistent to me with a lot of other data that I look at,” Kirby continued. “We’ve had a fuel price benefit from that, but our internal costs are also better. You put all that together and we now expect to be at the low end of our guidance range.”

Kirby said that capacity changes have allowed United to take more leisure bookings, offsetting much of that 50% drop in government business. He also said he expects “modest supply changes in the very near term” as summer approaches.

Additionally, Kirby said United will be retiring 21 aircraft for a “cash positive this year” and to avoid $100 million in expenses on engine overhauls for those airplanes.

“[W]e built a plan with optionality and flexibility that if we see short term headwinds, we can make short term responses,” he said.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Southwest CEO: Employees ‘Want’ Assigned Seating, Paid Bags

Southwest will shift away from its beloved two free checked bags policy, a move that CEO Bob Jordan said many employees prefer.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 09:36 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Southwest Boeing 737 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Southwest will shift away from its beloved two free checked bags policy, a move that CEO Bob Jordan said many employees prefer.

During a recent J.P. Morgan investors conference, Jordan added that there’s “a lot of excitement” among its workforce about the airline’s recent changes. This also includes a move to assigned seating later this year.

“Our employees wanted to move to assigned seating because it clears up the job in the gate of policing boarding and policing pre-boards and those kinds of things,” he stated.

Beginning in May, only select Southwest passengers will be able to check bags for free, including Southwest credit cardholders. The airline has never charged for the first two bags in its nearly 60-year history.

The Dallas-based carrier highlighted research that showed 97% of customers were aware of the policy.

“A lot of the policy changes that we’re making, it’s very clear that our employees want them,” Jordan said. “… Our employees want to move – many of them – want to move to a bag fee because they’re dealing with the 2X bag volume as an example. So many of the policies that we’re implementing are exactly what our employees are looking for the company to do.”

Last month, the airline – facing ongoing pressure from activist investor Elliott – announced its first-ever mass layoff: 1,750 corporate jobs were axed. “Now you take something that’s difficult like the layoff, obviously very difficult or just the pace of change at Southwest Airlines,” Jordan added.

“… I wear the heart on my lapel, but it’s deeply embedded in who I am at the time that I’ve been at Southwest for 37 years. We love our people. We love each other. We’re a family,” he said.

Ryan Ewing

Dublin Airport Sees Passenger Slump on St. Patrick’s Weekend

Dublin Airport will see a decrease in passenger volume on the coming St. Patrick’s weekend as a result of the passenger cap.

Pete Ainsley

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 08:02 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Aer Lingus is the largest carrier at Dublin Airport. (Photo: Dublin Airport)

Dublin Airport will see a decrease in passenger volume on the coming St. Patrick’s weekend. As a result of the passenger cap, the Irish hub will welcome around 400,000 passengers, compared to more than 410,000 last year. The airport said that the cap is “an impact.”

The airport also saw a decrease in passengers in February, while other European airports saw an upward trajectory. However, Cork Airport stands to benefit from the cap, seeing an increase in passengers.

Earlier, Kenny Jacob, head of the Dublin Airport Authority, hasn’t stopped criticizing the policy and has spoken to two U.S. airlines who “can’t get their head around the winter cap.” But Jacob forecasts the passenger volume can rise to 40 million before 2030.

Back in 2007, Fingal County Council set a 32 million passenger cap in exchange for building the new terminal, considering the large number of passengers using the airport could cause gridlock in the area.

Dublin Airport urges the government to relax the cap in the next six months.

“Numbers coming to Ireland for St Patrick’s Day will be a little more subdued this year due to the passenger cap, which is currently limiting the number of flights that airline can operate,” Graeme McQueen, the airport’s media relations manager, said in a statement.

Ryanair Urges the Government to Relax Cap

Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, is also taking a firm line on lifting the cap, believing it could hinder the economic growth in Ireland. In addition, the council gave a green light to the second runway in 2017 with no concern about the traffic.

“We’re going to take 330 aircraft over the next 10-year and the only question in my mind is, how many of those aircraft can we put in Dublin?” O’Leary told Newstalk.

Pete Ainsley

American Sees ‘Big Impact’ at Washington Hub

American CEO Robert Isom said that January’s mid-air collision had a “big impact” on its operations at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 06:40 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An American Airlines aircraft at Washington Reagan National Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock | The Bold Bureau)

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said that January’s mid-air collision between its PSA subsidiary and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter had a “big impact” on its operations at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington.

Speaking during the J.P. Morgan 2025 Industrials Conference on Tuesday, Isom said DCA is a center for a lot of corporate and government-contracted business.

“[T]here are government contractors that have been affected,” Isom said. “Anyone as well in that area is [also] feeling the concerns of uncertainty. We know that there’s some follow-on effect in terms of leisure travel associated with that as well.”

Despite setbacks, Isom said that Reagan National has historically been one of American’s most profitable hubs.

“We have an enviable position there, and over the long run, I’m confident that it will return to its full share of profitability,” he said.

Isom outlined that the D.C. airport makes up roughly two percent of the carrier’s total available seat miles.

“I’d love to get it back to that profitability level that we had seen,” Isom said. “We’ve taken some actions to address capacity. But over the long run, that’s going to work out really well for us. Government travel has a way of coming back.”

AirlineGeeks.com Staff