JetBlue to Exit Northeast Airport

Service will end this summer, officials said.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 12:30 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A JetBlue A320. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

JetBlue will end service at an airport in New England this summer.

In a post on social media, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire confirmed the carrier will suspend operations there after July 8. JetBlue currently connects Manchester to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Fort Myers, all in Florida.

According to the airport, JetBlue said it had to “make a tough call as to how to best support national connectivity in a time of capacity crisis.” The problem was made worse by the recent surge in jet fuel prices, officials said.

“We know the community will also be disappointed to hear this news,” the post read. “However, we will continue to seek new carriers and routes and hope to welcome JetBlue back to MHT in the future.”

In its own statement to NBC10 Boston, JetBlue said it is “ending service on a small number of underperforming routes and redeploying aircraft to support growth on routes with stronger customer demand.” It confirmed its last day of operations at Manchester will be July 8.

The carrier did not respond to a request from AirlineGeeks for information about the other underperforming routes.

JetBlue launched service at Manchester less than two years ago, in January 2025. That summer it offered flights between Manchester and New York-JFK, in addition to the connections to Florida.

Zach Vasile

Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.

Emirates Starts Work on Massive $5B MRO Facility

The complex will be able to service 28 widebody aircraft simultaneously, the airline said.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 11:10 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Emirates A380 in Dubai. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Hisham Qadri)

Emirates on Monday broke ground on a new maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility that is expected to be among the world’s largest buildings by volume.

The $5.1 billion facility is being constructed at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. Beijing-based China Railway Construction Corporation, among the largest construction and engineering firms in the world, is handling the buildout, with French company Artelia serving as a consultant.

Once finished, the building will cover 1.1 million square meters, or about 11,840,301 square feet, making it the largest aviation engineering facility in the world and the largest steel structure in the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. Its hangar complex will be able to service 28 widebody aircraft simultaneously – a record for commercial MRO sites – with an additional two hangars for painting.

The installation will also have the largest dedicated landing gear workshop in the world, according to the airline.

The groundbreaking ceremony for Emirates’ coming MRO facility at Dubai South. (Photo: Emirates)

“The new facility strengthens Emirates Engineering’s vertical integration strategy by bringing more skills, infrastructure, parts production, and specialist capabilities under one roof, while positioning the airline to serve as a strategic engineering partner for the future requirements of the regional and global aviation industry,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates’ chairman and CEO, said in a statement.

Emirates also plans to put up new offices and a training center close to the MRO building.

The development is taking shape in Dubai South, a master-planned community built around Al Maktoum airport. The city houses numerous logistics, cargo, MRO, and business aviation companies, in addition to residential districts and a “free zone” set aside for foreign business interests.

Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2030. The hangar complex will initially handle heavy maintenance and spillover projects from Emirates’ operations at Dubai International Airport, officials said.

Zach Vasile

Allegiant Adds Eight New Routes

Flights will come online this fall as the carrier looks to capture market share left behind by the collapse of Spirit.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 09:35 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Allegiant Airbus A320. (Photo: Shutterstock | Joe A. Kunzler)

Allegiant will add eight new nonstop routes to destinations in Florida this fall.

The ultra-low-cost carrier on Tuesday announced upcoming connections to Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Orlando, and Punta Gorda.

Allegiant plans to link Fort Lauderdale with Boston, Omaha, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City, Missouri. Service between Boston and Fort Lauderdale will launch first, on Oct. 1, followed by Omaha, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City on Oct. 2.

Philadelphia and Columbia, Missouri, will see flights to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, near St. Petersburg in the Tampa area. The Philadelphia route will commence Oct. 2, followed by Columbia on Nov. 19.

On Oct. 2, Allegiant will start flying between Newark, New Jersey, and Orlando via Orlando-Sanford. The carrier serves both Sanford and Orlando International Airport but has a larger presence at the former.

A new connection between Punta Gorda and La Crosse, Wisconsin, will come online Oct. 1. Allegiant currently links La Crosse to Orlando-Sanford and Mesa, Arizona.

The airline hinted that it is looking to capture market share left behind by the recent collapse of Spirit Airlines. Spirit was a major player in Florida and the largest single carrier at Fort Lauderdale before its shutdown earlier this month.

“We’re excited to announce these new routes and believe it is an important time for Allegiant to increase travel options in these markets,” Drew Wells, Allegiant’s chief commercial officer, said in a news release. “Our mission is to offer service where it is needed most, and these additions ensure that affordable fares can remain available to consumers despite industry changes.”

Allegiant already has a substantial presence in Florida; its other destinations in the state include Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Sarasota/Bradenton, and Destin/Fort Walton Beach.

Zach Vasile

Southwest Bans Robots from Flights

The new restrictions apply to “human-like” and “animal-like” robots.

Zach Vasile

Monday, May 18, 2026 at 04:03 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

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

Southwest this week moved to ban certain types of robots from its aircraft after one such machine had its own seat booked on a recent flight.

“Southwest Airlines does not allow human-like or animal-like robots to be transported in the cabin or as checked baggage, regardless of size or purpose,” an update on the carrier’s online help center read.

The policy is meant to ensure compliance with existing rules for lithium-ion batteries, according to officials. If damaged, improperly stored, or defective in some way, lithium-ion batteries can overheat and cause smoke and fires.

The airline said other types of robots, including toys, “must be able to fit within a carry-on size bag and comply with existing battery restrictions.”

According to CBS News, the restriction came into effect just days after a business owner from Texas brought a humanoid robot onto a flight from Las Vegas to Dallas Love Field. The 3.5-foot-tall machine, nicknamed “Stewie,” had its own seat booked under a type of ticket used to transport especially fragile items on flights, such as a wedding dress, the outlet reported.

Videos and pictures of the robot on the flight were shared widely online.

It was not immediately clear if the episode directly prompted Southwest to revise its rules, or if the change in policy had been in the works beforehand.

The owner of the robot told CBS News that the battery inside Stewie does comply with airline regulations. He also said he hopes Southwest reconsiders its ban.

Zach Vasile

Landline, Massport Partner on Off-Airport Security Checkpoint

The facility will help reduce congestion at Boston Logan International Airport, officials said.

Zach Vasile

Monday, May 18, 2026 at 02:50 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

The Logan Airport Remote Terminal in Framingham, Massachusetts. (Photo: Landline)

Motorcoach company Landline and the Massachusetts Port Authority are coming together to run the first off-airport security checkpoint in North America.

The partners announced Monday that they will operate the Logan Airport Remote Terminal in Framingham, Massachusetts, about 25 miles west of Logan’s location in Boston. The remote terminal allows passengers flying with Delta or JetBlue to check in for their flight, drop off their bags, and clear TSA before boarding a bus directly to the airside gate area at Logan.

Officials described the new facility as “another secure front door to Logan” that will help shift traffic away from roadways, terminals, and security lines.

“Every passenger who starts their journey in Framingham is one less car at the Logan curb, one less person in the terminal security line, and one less pressure point inside the airport,” Landline said in a statement.

The company also emphasized that travelers at Framingham will undergo the same federally-approved screening process as passengers at Logan’s main checkpoints, with the only difference being location.

The port authority, also known as Massport, owns and operates Logan.

“With the Framingham facility, we’re not just building a bigger front door to Logan – we’re building a new one, closer to where people actually live,” David Sunde, CEO and founder of Landline, said in a news release. “Massport had the vision to see that the airport experience doesn’t need to be confined to a single footprint anymore, and together we’re taking the first step toward a future where the airport is directly connected to the communities it serves.”

Travelers can book the Framingham service at massport.com/remoteterminal.

Passengers flying with Delta will be dropped off airside at Terminal A, Gate A18, and passengers flying with JetBlue will be dropped off at Terminal C, Gate C8.

Zach Vasile

JetBlue Introduces ‘Blueprint II’ Livery

The design reimagines the carrier’s popular “Blueprint” exterior scheme, which was retired in 2024.

Zach Vasile

Monday, May 18, 2026 at 01:14 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

JetBlue's "Blueprint II." (Photo: JetBlue)

JetBlue has revived one of its most popular and looked-for aircraft liveries.

On Friday, a new JetBlue Airbus A220 entered service with a mainly blue design known as “Blueprint II.” The livery, meant to resemble a technical blueprint for an aircraft, produces a “see-through” effect by outlining interior structures, such as seats, doors, and overhead bins, in white.

JetBlue said the paint job was inspired by its original “Blueprint” livery, which was applied to an Embraer E190 in 2017. That design, which blended the airplane’s mechanical structure with illustrations of everyday items such as pizza slices and potted plants, was among the carrier’s most recognizable liveries, officials said, and fans noted its absence when JetBlue retired its E190 subfleet between 2024 and 2025.

Blueprint II features similar illustrations, distributed across the livery as “Easter eggs” for aviation enthusiasts. They include an oversized teddy bear sitting in its own passenger seat; a crown honoring JetBlue’s first European destination, London; a sextant in the flight deck; and fins, a mask, a snorkel, and a swimming pool float, nods to the carrier’s warm-weather network.

“Our aircraft liveries are an important expression of the JetBlue brand and the humanity that defines our customer experience,” JetBlue President Marty St. George said in a news release. “Blueprint II honors a design our customers and crewmembers have loved for years, while celebrating the personal journeys, memories, and sense of discovery that continue to shape the JetBlue experience.”

The airline did not say where the livery made its debut or which routes the Blueprint II A220 will be used on.

Zach Vasile

American Adds Flights, Capacity for Football Season

The carrier released a full list of temporary and upgraded connections, running from September to January.

Zach Vasile

Monday, May 18, 2026 at 10:45 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American A321 in Chicago. (Photo: Shutterstock | MKPhoto12)

American Airlines will operate numerous one-off flights and add capacity on existing routes this fall to help fans reach professional football games.

The carrier on Friday released an expanded September-to-January schedule with 23,000 additional seats.

The temporary and expanded connections for the season are:

For Detroit at Buffalo: Service from Detroit to Buffalo, New York, on Sept. 17, and from Buffalo to Detroit on Sept. 18.
For Philadelphia at Tennessee: Additional seats from Philadelphia to Nashville, Tennessee, on Sept. 19 and from Nashville to Philadelphia on Sept. 21.
For Tennessee at New York: Additional seats from Nashville to LaGuardia on Sept. 26, and from LaGuardia to Nashville on Sept. 28.
For Philadelphia at Chicago: Additional seats from Philadelphia to Chicago O’Hare on Sept. 28, and from O’Hare to Philadelphia on Sept. 29.
For Tennessee at Baltimore: Service from Nashville to Baltimore on Oct. 3, and from Baltimore to Nashville on Oct. 5.
For Seattle at Denver: Service from Seattle to Denver on Oct. 15, and from Denver to Seattle on Oct. 16.
For Buffalo at Las Vegas: Service from Buffalo to Las Vegas on Oct. 16, and from Las Vegas to Buffalo on Oct. 19.
For Dallas at Green Bay: Service from Dallas/Fort Worth to Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Oct. 17, and from Green Bay to Dallas/Fort Worth on Oct. 19. Also, additional seats from Dallas/Fort Worth to Appleton, Wisconsin, on Oct. 17, and from Appleton to Dallas/Fort Worth on Oct. 19.
For Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay: Service from Pittsburgh to Tampa, Florida, on Oct. 17, and from Tampa to Pittsburgh on Oct. 19.
For New England at Chicago: Additional seats from Boston to Chicago O’Hare on Oct. 22, and from O’Hare to Boston on Oct. 23.
For Carolina at Green Bay: Service from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Green Bay on Oct. 29, and from Green Bay to Charlotte on Oct. 30. Also, additional seats from Charlotte to Appleton on Oct. 29, and from Appleton to Charlotte on Oct. 30.
For Kansas City at Denver: Service from Kansas City to Denver on Oct. 31, and from Denver to Kansas City on Nov. 2.
For Green Bay at New England: Service from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Boston on Nov. 7, and from Boston to Milwaukee on Nov. 9.
For Seattle at Las Vegas: Service from Seattle to Las Vegas on Nov. 14, and from Las Vegas to Seattle on Nov. 16.
For New Orleans at Chicago: Additional seats from New Orleans to Chicago O’Hare on Nov. 21, and from O’Hare to New Orleans on Nov. 23.
For Tennessee at Dallas: Additional seats from Nashville to Dallas/Fort Worth on Nov. 21, and from Dallas/Fort Worth to Nashville on Nov. 23.
For Buffalo at Green Bay: Service from Buffalo to Green Bay on Dec. 12, and from Green Bay to Buffalo on Dec. 14.
For Indianapolis at Philadelphia: Additional seats from Indianapolis to Philadelphia on Dec. 12, and from Philadelphia to Indianapolis on Dec. 14.
For Chicago at Buffalo: Additional seats from Chicago O’Hare to Buffalo on Dec. 18, and from Buffalo to O’Hare on Dec. 20.
For New England at Kansas City: Service from Boston to Kansas City on Dec. 21, and from Kansas City to Boston on Dec. 22.
For Houston at Philadelphia: Additional seats from Houston to Philadelphia on Dec. 24, and from Philadelphia to Houston on Dec. 25.
For San Francisco at Kansas City: Service from San Francisco to Kansas City on Dec. 26, and from Kansas City to San Francisco on Dec. 28.
For Tennessee at Las Vegas: Service from Nashville to Las Vegas on Dec. 26, from Las Vegas to Nashville on Dec. 28.
For Buffalo at Miami: Service from Buffalo to Miami on Dec. 31, and from Miami to Buffalo on Jan. 4, 2027.
For Houston at Green Bay: Service from Houston to Green Bay on Jan. 4, 2027, and from Green Bay to Houston on Jan. 5.

American will also operate a temporary international connection, between Dallas/Fort Worth and Rio de Janeiro in late September. The timing of the flights lines up with a planned match between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens at Maracanã Stadium on Sept. 27.

Flights will be available for booking early this week, airline officials said.

Zach Vasile

Air Congo’s Rapid Rise Continues With ATR Deliveries and European Ambitions

The carrier plans to launch service to Brussels in July.

Victor Shalton

Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [Photo: Shutterstock | Issa Kashala]

Less than 18 months after its launch, Air Congo, the fast-growing Democratic Republic of Congo carrier, is pressing ahead with aggressive fleet growth and international expansion, highlighted by the imminent delivery of its first ATR 72-600 turboprop and plans to launch nonstop flights to Brussels in July.

The DRC Ministry of Transport announced on April 27 that the first 70-seat ATR 72-600 was expected to arrive on April 30, with the second aircraft following shortly. Both aircraft, ET-BCM, MSN 1719, and ET-BCO, MSN 1723, leased from Ethiopian Airlines via lessor Abelo, had already reached Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Airlines placed an order for the two new ATR 72-600s on behalf of Air Congo in November 2025 at the Dubai Airshow. The aircraft were originally expected to enter service in February 2026, though deliveries slipped due to manufacturer testing and other factors.

DRC Vice Prime Minister and Transport Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba met with Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew Bekele and Air Congo Director General Mesfin Biru Weldegeorgis in Kinshasa to discuss the two key pillars of Air Congo’s growth strategy: strengthening the domestic fleet with the incoming ATR 72-600s and accelerating international expansion. Participants specifically addressed the planned launch of Kinshasa-Brussels service starting in July 2026. The route is currently served by Brussels Airlines with an Airbus A330 aircraft.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s national carrier, a 51%-state-owned joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines (49%), was launched in December 2024 with two Boeing 737-800s provided by its Ethiopian partner. It quickly expanded its domestic network, now serving nearly 10 cities, including Lubumbashi, Mbuji-Mayi, Kisangani, Kananga, Mbandaka, and Gemena. The two turboprops will be deployed primarily on domestic routes to improve connectivity to remote regions across the vast country.

By March 2026, Air Congo had already begun its international rollout, announcing several African destinations using Boeing 737-800 aircraft under Ethiopian Airlines’ ET flight designator codes. The routes included Johannesburg (via Lubumbashi), Entebbe, Douala, Cotonou, and Dar es Salaam.

The partnership with Ethiopian Airlines continues to underpin Air Congo’s fast-paced development, providing technical expertise, aircraft leasing, and operational support. Longer-term plans include growing the fleet to eight aircraft, with additional Boeing 737s and eventual introduction of widebody aircraft such as the Boeing 787 to support long-haul operations to Europe and other intercontinental destinations.

The rapid rise of Air Congo also comes as the fully state-owned Congo Airways has remained grounded for much of 2026 due to operational challenges, positioning the newer carrier as the country’s primary active national airline.

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.

Southwest, San Antonio End Gate Dispute

The carrier signed a new lease agreement for space in Terminal C and Terminal B.

Zach Vasile

Friday, May 15, 2026 at 03:54 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Southwest 737 in Austin, Texas. (Photo: Shutterstock | lorenzatx)

Southwest and the city of San Antonio, Texas, have settled their dispute over gate allocations at San Antonio International Airport.

In a joint statement released on Thursday and posted to the city’s website, the two parties said Southwest signed a new airline use and lease agreement that retains “no fewer than six gates” at the airport – three in the new Terminal C, and three in the renovated Terminal B.

Southwest sued San Antonio and its airport director in 2024 after being denied gates in the $1.7 billion Terminal C, which is expected to be completed in or around 2028. The airline claimed that it was verbally promised gates in the new terminal, and that the airport later reneged and tried to keep Southwest in Terminal A.

A federal judge dismissed the case in 2025, finding that Southwest did not make a strong enough argument to proceed. The carrier at the time said it would look at other avenues to address its complaints.

On Thursday, Southwest said it will withdraw its pending litigation against the airport in both federal court and before the FAA.

“Together, Southwest and SAT look forward to a continued partnership that benefits San Antonio and supports the airport’s mission of providing travelers with an exceptional travel experience,” the statement read.

Zach Vasile

Air France-KLM Considers Rebrand

A new name may make sense as the company adds more brands to its portfolio, officials said.

Zach Vasile

Friday, May 15, 2026 at 12:39 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

KLM Boeing 787 aircraft (Photo: KLM | Patrick Kop)

One of Europe’s largest airline groups could be preparing for a name change.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that Air France-KLM is considering rebranding in light of its growing portfolio. Besides Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the company also owns Netherlands-based Transavia and has minority stakes in a number of other carriers. According to De Telegraaf, it is looking to become the majority owner of Scandinavian Airlines, better known as SAS, and a new name would help reflect an expanded focus beyond its core carriers.

Air France-KLM is also believed to be considering an acquisition of TAP Air Portugal.

Following the newspaper’s report, the company said in a statement that it would be “perfectly logical” to discuss a name change “given that we plan to add new brands to the Air France-KLM Group.”

As of Friday, no new name had been announced, but one contender is “The Blue Group,” reportedly championed by CEO Benjamin Smith.

Both Air France and KLM use the color blue as one of their official colors. Air France uses navy blue, as seen on the French flag, while KLM uses a distinctive light blue.

Air France and KLM merged in 2004, creating the existing airline group. The French and Dutch governments continue to own stakes in the company.

Zach Vasile