An American A319 landing in Miami. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
American is among the many airlines readying for Hurricane Milton, which rapidly developed into a Category 5 storm on Monday. Various forecasts say it will make landfall near Florida’s Gulf Coast as early as Wednesday.
The airline will suspend operations at Tampa International Airport and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Oct. 8, in preparation for the storm. American says it is also assessing operations at other Florida airports based on the latest forecasts.
To allow people the opportunity to evacuate by air, American is adding over 2,000 seats on multiple extra flights departing late Monday evening and early Tuesday from Tampa and Sarasota. These flights will operate to the carrier’s hubs in Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago, Phoenix, and Washington D.C.
In a press release, the airline said those interested can book these additional flights by calling American Airlines Reservations at 800-433-7300. Passengers on these extra flights will be permitted to check two bags at no additional cost.
A full list of American’s evacuation flights. (Photo: American Airlines)
“American will continue tracking Hurricane Milton with customers’ and team members’ safety top of mind,” the carrier said in the release.
Airlines have already begun to scrap flights scheduled on Wednesday. Data from FlightAware shows nearly 1,200 flight cancellations so far with Southwest topping the list at nearly 400.
Tampa International Airport said it will halt flight operations on Tuesday at 9 a.m. ET. On Wednesday, Orlando International Airport plans to cease all commercial flights.
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.
An American 737-800 aircraft in Charlotte (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Allied Pilots Association (APA) president Captain Ed Sicher was recalled on Monday following a 15-5 vote by the union’s board of directors. The labor group represents approximately 15,000 American Airlines pilots.
Reports indicate that Sicher allegedly attempted to block certain local candidates who support a merger between the APA and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) from being elected. There are also claims that he threatened disciplinary action against various supporters of the merger being brought to a membership vote.
Other allegations include threats to publish the names of both voters and non-voters in local APA elections.
Last year, the APA’s board rejected a proposal that would have initiated the potential merger with ALPA. A group called AA Pilots for ALPA conducted a survey in 2022 which resulted in approximately 67% of the 53% American pilots who voted saying they strongly or mostly favored exploring a merger with the larger union.
ALPA represents over 78,000 pilots worldwide, including at Delta and United.
At the time of writing, Sicher’s bio was removed from the union’s website when comparing WayBackMachine snapshots. The APA did not immediately respond to AirlineGeeks’ request for comment.
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.
Delta is using drones for aircraft maintenance inspections. (Photo: Delta Air Lines)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has accepted Delta’s application to use camera-based small drones to conduct visual inspections of its aircraft.
According to a Delta news release on Friday, Delta TechOps, the carrier’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) division, was given the go-ahead earlier this year to implement drone inspections into its maintenance processes.
“These conditional visual inspections will initially be used following lightning strike events, and the use of drone inspections has been added to the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) for Delta’s entire mainline fleet,” the release stated.
Delta is the first U.S. commercial operator to receive FAA Certificate Management Office approval for plans to use drone inspections across its fleet. The airline’s small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) are semi-autonomous drones that can fly around an aircraft taking pictures without manual inputs from a pilot.
These images can be used by trained TechOps technicians and inspectors to determine airworthiness prior to returning the aircraft to service.
The release stated that the introduction of drones removes risks taken by technicians and inspectors working from heights while also improving inspection times.
“Along with reducing the risk of injuries, the technology will also help technicians and inspectors make decisions on aircraft conditions up to 82% faster,” the release stated. “Implementing drone technology enables aircraft to be returned to service more quickly and supports efforts to reduce delays and cancellations for our customers.”
In a post on LinkedIn about Delta’s FAA approval, Delta operations chief John Laughter said it was exciting to see drones inspecting an aircraft.
“If you are like me, nothing is cooler than watching a drone inspect an aircraft,” Laughter said. “Our two drones take hundreds of photos that our technicians can use to aid in analyzing potential aircraft damage, which also helps reduce the number of inspections our people do at heights and ensures we return the aircraft to service safely and more efficiently.”
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.
By the end of 2031, Southwest says it plans to retire its fleet of older Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 Next-Generation (NG) jets. Romo added that the airline’s average fleet age will be just five years old following the 737NG retirements.
According to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data, the airline’s current average fleet age is approximately 11.5 years. Southwest has 362 737-700s and 205 737-800s in active service, along with a fleet of 242 newer 737 MAX 8s.
A Southwest 737-700 in the ‘Canyon Blue’ livery. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
The airline is set to retire 35 aircraft in 2024, including 31 737-700s and four 737-800s. In addition, it expects to take delivery of 20 737 MAX jets.
“So first of all, we are looking to retire our entire NG fleet. As I mentioned, that’s 571 aircraft. That’s through the end of our order book, which is 2031,” Romo added. “So we are trying to balance all of that. Obviously, we want to meet our network needs, but we do have excess aircraft.”
Despite ongoing delivery delays and a machinist strike at Boeing, Romo said the airline has “ample flexibility with [its] retirement schedule.” Southwest had planned to receive the 737 MAX 7 this year but removed the type from its near-term fleet plan.
The airline has 286 737 MAX 7s on order along with 109 options for either the MAX 7 or MAX 8 variants. Boeing has yet to receive FAA certification for the 737 MAX 7.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
A Frontier Airbus A321neo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
U.S. ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Frontier said that it will once again be operating flights to Burlington, Vermont from Florida. The airline revealed last week that passengers would have the opportunity to directly fly to two Floridian destinations, namely Tampa and Orlando.
During a press conference at the Northeastern airport reported on by Valley News, Burlington International Airport’s director of aviation, Nic Longo, said that these flights would begin operation on December 20.
While low-cost competitor Breeze Airways also flies to the area using its fleet of Airbus A220s, Frontier seems confident that it can quash any worries at this affecting its ticket sales. Longo said that Fronteir will be able to use up demand due to Florida being the airport’s “number one destination.”
Passenger numbers are currently on the rise for the small airport, with Longo noting that Sunday, September 28 was the busiest day in the airport’s history, seeing 3,500 passengers walk through security. This is in contrast to just before the pandemic when Frontier had to cancel its flights to Florida due to a fall in demand and financial issues.
This wasn’t the only harsh cut to come to the city, with JetBlue announcing earlier this year that it would stop serving Burlington. This meant that a twice-daily flight to New York City was cut.
Also discussed at the press conference in Burlington was the airport’s $50 million extension, tying in nicely with the new routes. This plans to add a new three-story terminal to the airport, complementing the existing one which was expanded back in 2022.
The new terminal is slated to be 30,000 square feet, allowing for greater passenger capacities and larger aircraft. It’s expected to be completed in two years’ time, although Longo said that disruption caused would be minimal.
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.
Gulf Air CEO’s Recipe for Profitability
Jeffrey Goh, Gulf Air's CEO, explains to the delegates of Routes World 2024 how he plans to deliver profits in the next two years.
Jeffrey Goh, Gulf Air's CEO, during the opening day at Routes World 2024 in Bahrain (Photo: Facebook | @Routesonline)
At the Exhibition World Bahrain in Manama, currently hosting the 29th Edition of the Routes World Conference, the opening day was focused on the host nation of Bahrain and its role in the crowded commercial aviation landscape in the Middle East.
After the welcome notes of the Transport Minister His Excellency Mohamed bin Thamir AlKaabi and the Tourism Minister Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaffer AlSairafi, the role of keynote speaker was played by Gulf Air’s CEO Jeffrey Goh, who has been at the helm of the Bahrani flag carrier for the past 18 months after a long career in aviation spanning over two decades.
Goh has more recently assumed the role of CEO for the entire Gulf Air Group, which includes the airline Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Bahrain Airport Company, which manages and operates Bahrain International Airport, Gulf Aviation Academy, and Hala Bahrain Hospitality.
“I have a phenomenal opportunity to bring the airline and the airport together – said Goh while answering the questions of the moderator from Routes – usually these entities fight with each other all the time about all sort of issues,” he said.
Connectivity and Customer Service
Gulf Air currently represents approximately 75% of the operations for Bahrain airport, and one of the main KPIs (Key Performance Indicator) for the group is how products within the group are exported outside Bahrain. “Today 70% of our traffic is connecting traffic: we want to recalibrate that, we want people to visit Bahrain. And we want to do that focusing on achieving stability in our operations and aiming to become a profitable airline,” Goh added.
He says his airline is targeting profitability at the end of 2026 or the latest at the beginning of 2027. The pillars that will make Gulf Air a profitable carrier are connectivity and attention to customer service.
“We want to expand our network maintaining a calibrated ambition”, continued Goh, suggesting that far too many airlines have bitten off more than they could chew resulting in paying the price for their overreach. “We have 60 destinations, some of them seasonal, and we are planning to have 25 more in the next few years, if aircraft availability allows it.”
There have been rumors during the past weeks about Gulf Air’s intention to return to the United States in 2025 after an almost 30-year hiatus, but the CEO, while confirming that a flight to JFK is being considered, did not confirm the timeline. “When considering international routes, especially to the United States, there are many bureaucratic hurdles to be overcome, and they will affect the ability to launch a route. Fingers crossed, we’ll be able to start next year, but the regulatory environment is difficult.”
At the moment Gulf Air has 10 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, of which only eight operate at any given time due to restrictions caused by maintenance or engine issues. The narrowbody fleet sees 32 aircraft, all Airbus, with nine on order.
Gulf Air’s first A320neo (Photo: Airbus)
“Seven Minutes from Curb to Gate”
“Our onboard product offers free WiFi to all passengers, and to those who travel long-haul in business class we have introduced the option to select their meals in advance at least 24 hours before the flight. And our business class seat is the longest in the industry,” the CEO said.
Gulf Air needs to compete with some large carriers in the region, but “bigger is not always better,” says Goh. “My personal record is seven minutes from the curb to the gate: and we can do that because our airport is small and efficient. Our minimum connecting time at the moment is 60 minutes, but we are planning to reduce it, possibly even considerably reduce it, and we are confident we can deliver on the product.”
And in the current climate, it is not possible to discuss the performance of an airline without considering its plans to achieve sustainability. “I think the 2050 target is a good target for aviation, but it’s not a target that airlines can meet by themselves. We need help from airports, and we need help from governments. The key to [meeting] that target is the availability and cost of SAF, which right now is just not where it should be. It’s up to the government to make sure airlines are in a position to do their part.”
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.
Delta Expands CRJ-550 Operations to a Third Hub
Delta is adding more CRJ-500 flights to its network, with the SkyWest-operated aircraft now flying out of Delta’s hub in Detroit.
A Delta Connection CRJ-700 aircraft (Photo: Shutterstock)
Delta is adding more CRJ-500 flights to its network, with the SkyWest-operated aircraft now flying out of Delta’s hub at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
Expanding CRJ-550 Operations
Over the last few months, Delta Air Lines has introduced the Bombardier CRJ-500 on flights out of its hubs at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). The aircraft are operated by SkyWest Airlines under the Delta Connection brand.
Detroit will be the airline’s third CRJ-500 hub. Starting this month, Delta is introducing the aircraft type on flights to three small Michigan airports from Detroit: Alpena, Iron Mountain, and Sault Ste. Marie. All three routes are subsidized through the Essential Air Service (EAS) program.
SkyWest’s Delta-branded CRJ-550s already fly from Delta’s Salt Lake City hub to destinations including Butte, Mont., Casper, Wyo., and West Yellowstone, Mont. Routes from Minneapolis include International Falls, Minn. and Bemidji, Minn.
As reported by AeroRoutes, Delta will be adding additional CRJ-500 routes out of its Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul hubs starting on November 1, 2024:
Detroit – Delta County Airport (Escanaba, Mich.)
Detroit – Pellston Regional Airport, Mich.
Minneapolis/St. Paul – Aberdeen Regional Airport, S.D.
Minneapolis/St. Paul – Delta County Airport (Escanaba, Mich.)
Minneapolis/St. Paul – Range Regional Airport (Hibbing/Chisolm, Minn.)
Minneapolis/St. Paul – Rhinelander–Oneida County Airport, Wis.
In January of 2025, the carrier will also add CRJ-550 flights on the following routes:
Detroit – Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport, Mich.
Minneapolis/St. Paul – Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport, Mich.
Minneapolis/St. Paul – Williston Basin International Airport, N.D.
A Delta Connection CRJ-200 in Iron Mountain, Mich. Flights to this Essential Air Service (EAS) Community have are now operated by the CRJ-550. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
Growing CRJ-550 Fleet
The CRJ-550 is a modified version of the CRJ-700 with a configuration of 10 seats in first class and 40 seats in economy class for a total of 50 seats. SkyWest began operating CRJ-550s for Delta in July and expects to convert 19 CRJ-700s to the 50-seat setup.
According to data from Planespotters.net, there are currently five SkyWest CRJ-500s operating for Delta: N656CA, N707EV, N708EV, N709EV, N710EV. The aircraft type is largely being deployed on routes previously operated by the CRJ-200.
Delta retired the CRJ-200 in late 2023 before returning one aircraft to service this summer. That aircraft – N936EV – was flown back to Tucson International Airport for storage on September 28.
Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.
A Gulf Air Boeing 787-9 in a retro livery. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)
This year’s Routes World event is happening in the Kingdom of Bahrain. During the conference, the top industry stakeholders and experts will discuss route development at an international level.
Routes World 2024
Over the course of the event, these key decision-makers will take part in over 10,000 planned meetings with airport and destination representatives, all with the aim of forging new route development strategies and partnerships.
Expected to participate are representatives from major airlines from all continents, including International Airlines Group, Emirates, Air Canada, Etihad, Air China, Royal Air Maroc, Air France-KLM, and Air New Zealand. The other part of the equation, airport management representatives will also join from entities like Rome Airports, Incheon International Airport, GAP Airports Mexico, Istanbul Airport and other from across the world.
The meeting group will also include aviation authorities such as the International Air Transport Association, national travel associations, technology providers, and top industry media.
Bahrain Airport Company CEO Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah said: “We are honored to host Routes World 2024 and welcome aviation leaders from across the globe to experience Bahrain’s exceptional hospitality and connectivity. This event aligns with the kingdom’s vision to establish Bahrain as a global aviation and tourism hub, leveraging its strategic location and world-class infrastructure.”
“This is also in line with Bahrain’s vision and our five-year strategy to connect the Kingdom to 100 new flights by 2025. Routes World provides a significant platform for industry leaders to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of aviation,” he stated.
Bahrain Airport in 2024 (Photo: Droodkin | Wikipedia)
Bahrain’s Vision
The venue for the event, Bahrain International Airport, is a postcard for the country. Completed in 2021, a $1.1 billion investment, now has the capacity to serve 14 million passengers or 130,000 air traffic movements annually. Gulf Air, the main airline operating at the airport, reported carrying 3.1 million passengers in the first half of the year. As it would take up less than half of the airport’s capacity there is an expectation of growth in the coming years.
Like other countries from the Gulf Cooperation Council, Bahrain is intending to use the oil industry profits to develop its country and diversify. The outlined Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 is a plan for growth with sustainability, competitiveness, and fairness as key principles for the country’s economy. Not without controversies, but with perseverance, major events like Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix are drawn by the place’s capability to host and convenient location in the Gulf region, between Europe and Asia.
The country is investing to make Manama, the capital city of Bahrain, a major hub for the world’s commerce. The ambitious task gains context when considering that Bahrain’s airport is located only 150 kilometers from Doha, another hub with global reach, and mere one-hour long flight from the United Arab Emirates, where both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are known for growth and ambition as well.
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.
Spirit Reportedly Considers Bankruptcy Filing
Spirit has reportedly engaged in talks with bondholders and other creditors to support a Chapter 11 filing for “reorganization” bankruptcy.
Spirit Airlines is considering filing for reorganization bankruptcy, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Per the report, the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) seeks to address impending debt maturities within its reported $3.3 billion debt load, including more than $1.1 billion of secured bonds that are due in less than a year.
“Spirit also faces a deadline from its credit card processor to refinance or extend those notes by Oct. 21,” the report stated.
The airline has engaged in talks with bondholders and other creditors to support a chapter 11 filing. The filing is not expected to be imminent.
A case filed under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, frequently referred to as a “reorganization” bankruptcy, would allow for Spirit to continue to operate its business and borrow new money with court approval. For this to happen, a plan of reorganization would be proposed, and creditors whose rights are affected would vote on it. The court would then be in charge of confirming the elected plan.
When asked for a statement on the possible bankruptcy filing, Spirit emailed the following comment from CEO Ted Christie during the carrier’s August earnings call:
“Before we get into the results, I want to note that we are engaged in productive conversations with the advisors of our bondholders to address the upcoming debt maturities. Because those conversations are ongoing, we are not going to go into detail or take any questions on this topic or speculate on potential outcomes. Needless to say, it is a priority, and we are focused on securing the best outcome for the business as quickly as possible, while staying focused on driving performance and implementing our new travel options and elevated guest experience.”
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.
China Airlines first Airbus A321neo. (Photo: Airbus)
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.
China Airlines, Taiwan’s national flag carrier, has been synonymous with the island’s aviation industry for decades. Its distinctive livery, featuring a vibrant plum blossom against a backdrop of blue, purple, and white, has become a recognizable symbol of Taiwan’s international presence.
The plum blossom, a cultural icon in Taiwan representing resilience and beauty, was chosen to adorn the airline’s aircraft.
A China Airlines Airbus A350 on approach into Amsterdam. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)
Over the years, China Airlines has made minor adjustments to its livery to reflect changes in the airline’s branding and operations. However, the core elements of the plum blossom and blue and white color scheme have remained consistent, ensuring that the airline’s identity remains recognizable.
The airline also has a few co-branded liveries with both Airbus and Boeing.
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
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.
