A flydubai 737 MAX 8 performing a test flight at Paine Field. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)
UAE-based low-cost carrier FlyDubai has been looking at the acquisition of Indian airline GoFirst, reports Business Standard.
The move would be collaborative with Busy Bee Airways, in order to revive the brand. The company has claimed to have no interest in purchasing physical assets, such as aircraft or GoFirst’s large plot of land near Mumbai, but rather the branding and airport slots.
GoFirst, which filed for Bankruptcy in 2023, has faced offers from Busy Bee before. They originally offered to purchase the airline in March 2024, however withdrew their proposal, before citing that it could still be on offer. Now, the move looks more possible in a joint effort with FlyDubai.
GoFirst was originally founded in 2005, competing in the domestic market with airlines such as SpiceJet and Air India Express. It was the first airline to voluntarily seek bankruptcy in India and blamed American engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney for its downfall.
The offer currently stands at 10 Billion Rupees ($115 Million) for the complete purchase. Currently, according to the Indian government’s regulations, while 100% foreign investments in the Indian aviation industry are legal, any offer over 49% is subject to government approval and intense scrutiny.
This means that Busy Bee is currently waiting for approval from the NCLAT (National Company Law Appellate Tribunal) in order for the deal to go ahead.
Sam Jakobi is a young aviation journalist based in London, U.K. A lifelong Airbus fan, he has adored aviation for as long as he can remember. Sam writes articles and conducts interviews with members of the aviation community.
SkyWest Charter Gets DOT Nod
Starting under the Biden administration, the FAA began reviewing regulations governing public charter operators, with potential impacts for carriers like JSX.
A SkyWest Charter CRJ-200 aircraft (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has tentatively approved SkyWest Charter’s application to operate as a commuter air carrier, subject to certain conditions. This decision comes after nearly three years of regulatory challenges for the SkyWest subsidiary.
SkyWest Charter (SWC) plans to operate public charter flights using 30-seat CRJ-200 aircraft under Part 135 regulations. The carrier aims to serve small communities that have seen reductions in air service, potentially including Essential Air Service (EAS) markets.
In addition, the carrier currently offers on-demand charter services. It operates 18 aircraft and plans to serve 25 markets within the first year.
The DOT’s decision comes despite objections from the Air Line Pilots Association and other groups that argued that SWC’s proposed operations could undermine safety standards. However, the DOT noted that current FAA regulations allow public charter operations using aircraft with 30 or fewer seats under Part 135 rules.
In its filings, the carrier said it would exceed basic requirements for Part 135 operators. This includes operating with two ATP-rated captains, implementing safety management systems, and following Part 117 rest rules. The carrier also plans to only operate from airports with TSA checkpoints.
Continued Optimism
SkyWest CEO Chip Childs expressed optimism regarding the venture, stating the company is “reengaging” with the FAA on this “incredibly important strategic opportunity” to better serve communities.
Interested parties have 14 days to file objections to the DOT’s tentative findings. If no substantive objections are received, the agency will issue a final order, subject to SWC meeting all requirements.
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.
Saudia Will Add Over 10 New Destinations This Year
The Saudi Arabian national airline is growing its network at a significant pace. The new additions in 2025 are concentrated in Europe and the Middle East.
Airbus A321neo of Saudia, registered as HZ-ASAG (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Filip Kopec)
The national airline of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudia, will inaugurate more than 10 new routes in 2025.
The Double Hub Model
The airline is adding to an already large international network of more than 100 destinations. Most of the network is served from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s cultural capital. Still, some of the routes are being added to the carrier’s secondary hub, Riyadh. The latter is the country’s political capital and the future hub of the new airline in the making, Riyadhair.
Once the second Saudi national airline begins operations, a split in the business will most likely follow. The legacy Saudi airline will continue operations in Jeddah as the premium carrier serving cultural and religious inbound tourism and the growing local population opening up to the world. The newly established Riyadhair will concentrate on connecting the capital to the world, facilitating political and commercial connections.
Saudia network in 2025 (Photo: flightconnections.com)
The Magic Number
Following the successful marketing campaign of its local rival, Etihad Airways, Saudia engaged with its customers launching more than 10 routes in 2025.
The airline will add a significant number of short-haul routes including Larnaca (Cyprus), Heraklion (Greece), Antalya (Turkey), El Alamein (Egypt), Salalah (Oman), and Athens (Greece). All were added to the Jeddah hub, with Athens being added to Riyadh as well.
The Riyadh hub additions to Saudia’s network are concentrated in Europe. Five medium-haul routes launched from Riyadh include Malaga (Spain), Venice (Italy), Nice (France), and Vienna (Austria) with the latest being added to both hubs.
A cherry on top is the Denpasar route (Indonesia). The destination is growing in popularity, especially among Middle Eastern carriers. Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world though, so the connection makes sense from both ends.
10+ routes added by Saudia in 2025 (Photo: Great Circle Mapper @ gcmap.com)
Saudia quotes 16% of passengers carried growth in 2024, a record-breaking year for the carrier. The airline is gearing up for another impactful year and that seems to be just the beginning. Saudia’s planned delivery of 118 new aircraft during the upcoming years will further increase the capability for growth. What remains to be seen is if any of the delivery slots are going to be transferred to Riyadhair.
Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, director general of Saudia Group, said: “Following last year’s operational success, we’ve implemented a strategic plan for 2025 to ensure continued excellence and meet rising international travel demand. Our destination selection is based on comprehensive feasibility studies and guest preferences. We are committed to providing our international guests with exceptional travel experiences that combine comfort, efficiency, and authentic Saudi hospitality.”
A passionate aviation enthusiast that started off his career as an aerospace engineer, but found his true calling on the commercial side of the airline business. Now as a finance guy among avgeeks and an avgeek among finance guys, he has experience working in the Revenue Divisions of three airlines. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, but admittedly sometimes is more about the journey than the destination.
Delta Expands in Raleigh
The addition comes as the airline's regional subsidiary, Endeavor Air, said it would open a crew base in the North Carolina city.
Regional aircraft at New York LaGuardia Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Delta is growing in Raleigh/Durham with a new route. The addition comes as the airline’s regional subsidiary, Endeavor Air, said it would open a crew base in the North Carolina city.
Brand-new daily service to Kansas City, Missouri, will begin on May 7, per this week’s Cirium Diio schedule update. Flights will operate daily with a 76-seat Endeavor CRJ-900 aircraft.
The airline will compete with Southwest, which flies between Raleigh and Kansas City twice per week. The schedule for Delta’s new service is as follows:
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.
A crane removes airplane wreckage from the Potomac River (Photo: ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said there may have been an altitude discrepancy between both aircraft involved in a fatal collision over the Potomac River during a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Friday afternoon.
The press briefing comes just over two weeks after a midair collision occurred between a PSA CRJ-700 and U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Jan. 29.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy detailed several key factors in the collision during Friday’s briefing.
Altitude Discrepancy
Homendy said that the crew aboard the Black Hawk helicopter were on an Army “check ride,” which utilized night vision goggles. She said that NTSB believed the crew was all wearing these night vision goggles.
During the check ride, the helicopter was operated by a pilot and instructor. Homendy said that at 8:43 p.m. ET, five minutes before the collision, the Black Hawk’s pilot indicated the helicopter was at 300 feet, while the instructor pilot said they were at 400 feet.
“Neither pilot made a comment discussing an altitude discrepancy,” she added. “At this time, we don’t know why there was a discrepancy between the two. That’s something that the investigative team is analyzing.”
The radio altitude of the Black Hawk was 278 feet, though Homendy cautioned that this is not what the crew may have seen on their instruments.
In addition, the helicopter was equipped with ADS-B Out capabilities, but investigators do not know why it wasn’t transmitting.
Investigators examine wreckage from the CRJ-700. (Photo: NTSB)
Transmission Trouble
Homendy said at 8:46 p.m., a radio transmission from the air traffic control tower was audible on the CRJ’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR) informing the Black Hawk that traffic just south of the Wilson Bridge was a CRJ at 1,200 feet “circling” to Runway 33.
“CVR data from the Black Hawk indicated that the portion of the transmission stating the CRJ was ‘circling’ may not have been received by the Black Hawk crew,” she said. “We hear the word ‘circling’ in ATC communications, but we do not hear the word ‘circling’ on the CVR of the Black Hawk. The recorders group is evaluating this right now.”
At 8:47 p.m., 17 seconds before impact, the Black Hawk was directed by air traffic control to “pass behind” the CRJ. Homendy said that this radio transmission was audible on both CVRs.
“CVR data from the Black Hawk indicated that the portion of the transmission that stated ‘pass behind the’ may not have been received by the Black Hawk crew,” she said. “Transmission was stepped on by a 0.8-second mic key from the Black Hawk. The Black Hawk was keying the mic to communicate with [air traffic control].”
Homendy added that the NTSB is seeing “conflicting information in the data,” which is why the agency isn’t releasing altitude for the Black Hawk’s entire route.
Last week, the remains of all 67 victims from both aircraft were recovered and identified. Recovery efforts by Unified Command in the Potomac River were completed earlier this week, and all airport runways were reopened as of Monday.
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.
ITA Airways' Airbus A350-900 EI-IFA "inspired by Alitalia" (Photo: ITA Airways)
Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result.
Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line.
With ITA Airways now officially part of the Lufthansa Group following the E.U.-approved purchase of 41% of the shares last November, the long-troubled Italian flag carrier can now start looking at the future and plan to strategically utilize all of its assets.
One of the remnants of the past is the Alitalia brand, which ITA Airways chose to maintain during the liquidation process of the former flag carrier. For a “bargain” price of 90m Euros (over $100m at the time), ITA Airways retained the right to use the IATA two-letter code for its flight numbers (AZ) and the IATA accounting code (055) for its ticket stock as well as the use of the iconic red, white and green stylized “A” that had been the symbol of Alitalia for almost half a century.
And while the codes were transferred almost seamlessly from Alitalia to ITA Airways for continued operational use, the Alitalia logo is only now making a return to the skies. After several weeks of unconfirmed rumors following a vague announcement last September, on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), the Italian company confirmed in a press release the introduction of an “inspired by Alitalia” sticker on three new generation aircraft of its fleet.
Honoring Italian Aviation History
The first aircraft to showcase this phrase on its livery will be the Airbus A350-900 aircraft “Valentino Rossi,” registered as EI-IFA, on its flight between Rome Fiumicino and Tokyo Haneda.
ITA Airways Airbus A350-900 EI-IFA “inspired by Alitalia” (Photo: ITA Airways)
In Summer 2025, the “Inspired by Alitalia” sticker will appear on an Airbus A321neo aircraft, usually deployed on medium-range routes, as well as an Airbus A220-100 aircraft, primarily operated on short-haul flights.
ITA Airways Airbus A350-900 EI-IFA “inspired by Alitalia” (Photo: ITA Airways)
“In this way, ITA Airways continues to work towards being the airline of choice for those not only wishing to fly to Italy but also carrying Italy in their hearts. The Alitalia brand, a key asset owned by ITA Airways, honors the history of aviation and the country with its pioneering excellence in air transport. Through this concrete and ambitious project, ITA Airways aims to associate the Alitalia brand with its own distinctive ‘ITA Airways’ logo, reinforcing its values of excellence in air transport that are universally recognized worldwide”, says the press release.
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
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.
CommuteAir Starts Using VR Headsets for Pilot Training
Regional airline CommuteAir has begun using virtual reality headsets for its Advanced Qualification Program pilot training curriculum.
Virtual reality headsets being used for pilot training (Photo: CommuteAir)
CommuteAir has begun using virtual reality headsets for its Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) pilot training curriculum.
By implementing Visionary Training Resources’ (VTR) FlightDeckToGoTM advanced pilot training systems, the regional airline says it will remain at the forefront of pilot education.
In a Feb. 6 news release from VTR, the virtual reality software company stated its program was designed for use with the Meta Quest 3 headset to provide pilots with an “unmatched training experience.”
FlightDeckToGoTM gives pilots the ability to practice ground-based flows with eye-tracking in real-time, anytime.
“The use of VR is relatively new to the commercial aviation industry; however, it has been used in heavy industry, medical, and the military with good results,” said Lance Lau, director of training at CommuteAir, in the release. “We believe that through the use of virtual reality in pilot training, we will be able to greatly enhance the technical proficiency of our pilots.”
CommuteAir, a United Express partner airline, partnered with VTR and the Federal Aviation Administration to detail the training program’s usage and expected outcomes.
A CommuteAir Embraer E145 aircraft (Photo: CommuteAir)
Once the program is approved, CommuteAir will be one of the few airlines on the planet to incorporate VR training with FAA acknowledgment.
“This groundbreaking virtual reality training device along with our partnership with VTR has enabled us to revolutionize how we prepare new pilots for their transition to the ERJ145 flight deck,” said CommuteAir CEO Rick Hoefling, in the release. “This technology allows for safe, effective, hands-on learning that is paving the way for a future where training isn’t just effective, but transformative.”
The release stated the program will grant CommuteAir pilots a unique opportunity to continuously refine their skills in a VR Embraer 145 flight deck with a near identical aspect ratio.
“Many of our trainees have grown up with this technology and its use is almost second nature with them,” Lau said. “Our plan is to supplement normal procedures by using VR and establish the proof of concept in an effort to certify this as a training device. Upon certification, we expect to greatly increase its use in a variety of procedures.”
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 Boeing 737 on approach (Photo: Photo: Faina Gurevich | Shutterstock)
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced its plans to audit the National Airspace System (NAS) to evaluate issues surrounding flight delays and cancellations.
NAS, overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration, is made up of American airspace, navigation facilities, airports, and other related components. According to a DOT memorandum issued Tuesday, the department will audit NAS to assess flight delays and NAS performance.
The DOT stated its objectives are to assess the FAA’s efforts to analyze flight delay data and identify inefficiencies in NAS, as well as assess how the agency uses the data to address inefficiencies and make operational improvements.
“This audit is next in a series of audits to evaluate issues surrounding flight delays and cancellations,” the memorandum stated.
The DOT will begin its audit in February at FAA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., as well as other FAA field offices that use flight delay data.
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 Flair Airlines 737 overruns the runway in 2022 (Photo: TSB Canada)
On Nov. 25, 2022, a Flair Airlines Boeing 737-800 overran the runway while landing at the Region of Waterloo International Airport in Ontario. The aircraft was arriving from Vancouver, British Columbia, with six crew members and 134 passengers on board. There were no injuries.
In its final report issued on Thursday, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigation found that several factors contributed to the incident.
During the landing approach, the captain inadvertently pressed the takeoff/go-around (TO/GA) switch instead of disengaging the autothrottle as intended. This caused the autothrottle to increase engine thrust.
Investigators stated that the flight crew did not notice the change, as they were focused on looking outside the cockpit at this point.
After touchdown, the captain removed his hand from the left thrust lever to activate the right engine thrust reverser. With the aircraft still in go-around mode, the right engine produced reverse thrust while the left engine began advancing to maximum forward thrust. This deactivated the automatic braking and speed brake systems.
The captain managed to keep the aircraft on the runway using manual braking, but there was not enough runway remaining to stop. The aircraft overran the runway by approximately 500 feet, coming to rest on a grassy area beyond the runway’s end.
Pilot Fatigue
Investigators determined that pilot fatigue likely played a role in this incident. The captain had accumulated “significant sleep debt” in the days before the flight and had been awake for nearly 18 hours at the time of the incident.
The overrun happened during the nighttime “window of circadian low” when human performance tends to be at its worst.
Maintenance Delays
Investigators also found that a defect with the aircraft’s left thrust reverser had been reported repeatedly over the previous six months, with 23 related defects logged. However, the issue did not meet the regulatory definition of a recurring defect, so it was not flagged in the airline’s maintenance tracking system.
After the incident, Flair updated its procedures to reinforce the existing requirement for pilots to disengage the autopilot and autothrottle simultaneously during an approach.
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.
Riyadh Season is one of Saudi Arabia’s largest entertainment festivals, bringing together culture, sports, and other events in the heart of the capital. Launched in 2019 by the General Entertainment Authority, it is part of the broader Saudi Seasons initiative, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 by boosting tourism and diversifying the economy.
Running from October to March, Riyadh Season transforms key districts like Boulevard City, Boulevard World, and Bouldevard Runway into entertainment hubs. With a mix of local and international attractions, it aims to elevate Saudi Arabia’s status as a global entertainment destination.
Festival’s entrance to the BLVD Runway Zone in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Photo: Filip Kopec)
Aviation Geek’s Paradise
A 12-day spectacle captivated audiences as three retired Saudi Arabian Airways aircraft were transported overland from Jeddah to Riyadh—a remarkable logistical feat. Led by H.E. Turki Alsheikh, the journey became a viral sensation, with each city along the route hosting welcoming ceremonies that showcased Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and coordination capabilities.
The event was meticulously documented, with videos and photos flooding social media and news outlets, drawing widespread attention.
This means that for the first time in 2024, the Riyadh Season has become a pilgrimage site for aviation enthusiasts. Following the operation, the three Boeing 777s became a centerpiece for the unfolding entertainment area called The Boulevard Runway.
One of the Saudia’s retired Boeing 777 airframes serving as a restaurant at The BLVD Runway Zone in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Photo: Filip Kopec)
Something For Everybody
Each of the three aircraft at Boulevard Runway has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind attraction, offering visitors distinctive entertainment experiences. One of the most anticipated is an aviation-themed restaurant with a red carpet entrance, located inside a Saudia retro-livery Boeing 777. The surrounding area offers additional dining options, including a burger restaurant atop an ATC tower, providing panoramic views of the site.
The second airframe, also painted in Saudia’s retro livery, is all about high-energy fun. Designed like a jump city, it features trampolines and a climbing wall, allowing visitors to scale the aircraft’s towering tail.
For thrill-seekers, the final airframe — painted in desert camouflage — hosts an immersive laser tag experience. Players are split into attack and defense teams, with attackers storming the aircraft through stairs or a cargo door, allowing them to explore a real-life scaled battlefield.
Entertainment, including a climbing wall, built into one of the retired Boeing 777 airframes at The BLVD Runway Zone in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Photo: Filip Kopec)
A passionate aviation enthusiast that started off his career as an aerospace engineer, but found his true calling on the commercial side of the airline business. Now as a finance guy among avgeeks and an avgeek among finance guys, he has experience working in the Revenue Divisions of three airlines. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, but admittedly sometimes is more about the journey than the destination.
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