A Cathay Pacific A350-1000 at Washington Dulles (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)
Cathay Pacific has announced that it will expand its North America network in 2025 with a new service to Dallas/Fort Worth. The Hong Kong-based airline will deploy its Airbus A350-1000 to operate the four-times-a-week service starting on April 24, 2025.
“Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports. With our Cathay Pacific codeshares as well as other flight options, customers can connect to over 190 domestic destinations in the United States.” Lavinia Lau, Cathay Group Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, said in a news release.
Hong Kong is desperate to strengthen its position as an aviation hub. Earlier this year, the city rolled out a new campaign to attract international airlines focusing on American and European destinations. Airlines launching new routes will be rewarded with an incentive for up to two years.
At 8,123 miles, the carrier’s new Hong Kong-Dallas/Fort Worth route will become its longest by distance. Cathay’s current longest route is between Hong Kong and New York-JFK.
In addition, Cathay Pacific will ramp up its flight frequencies to North America, including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Vancouver, and Toronto in the next year.
The airline will be operating 108 return flights between Hong Kong and North America by May 2025, up from the current 88 per week. The carrier also plans to open a new lounge at New York-JFK.
Spreading Its Wings Again
After years of the pandemic, Cathay Pacific got into gear and announced that it would invest over HK$100 billion ($12.8 billion) over the next seven years. Earlier this year, Cathay Pacific announced that it would modernize its fleet by acquiring 30 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, expecting more than 100 new deliveries, with the rights to acquire over 80 additional aircraft in the future.
Meanwhile, the airline completed the buyback of all the warrants it had issued to the Hong Kong SAR Government during the pandemic.
Machinists Union Reviews Final Contract Offer From Boeing Amid Strike
Boeing has made what the company is calling its “best and final offer” for a renewed contract to 33,000 striking machinists and aerospace workers on Monday.
A Boeing 777X at the Dubai Airshow. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Boeing has made what the company is calling its “best and final offer” for a renewed contract to 33,000 striking machinists and aerospace workers on Monday.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has been on strike for nearly two weeks now after the union rejected Boeing’s offer for a renewed contract on Sept. 12.
The offer bumps Boeing’s previous general wages increase offer of 25% to 30% and doubles the ratification bonus for employees from $3,000 to $6,000. It also reinstates the AMPP performance and incentive plan for machinists while removing the proposed IAM 401(k) that was previously set to replace it.
Additionally, the offer increases Boeing’s 401(k) plan company match from 75% to 100% of the first 8% an employee contributes. The automatic 4% additionally contributed by the company remains the same.
Boeing stated that all other terms of the Tentative Agreement stay the same, and Monday’s offer is contingent on ratification by 11:59 p.m. this Friday.
In a news release emailed Monday afternoon, IAM International President Brian Bryant said that Boeing’s latest proposal shows that executives can do better.
“Right now, the latest proposal from the company is being reviewed. Some of the top priorities to achieve a settlement remain and always have been ensuring respect and fair pay, recognition of the sacrifices these workers have made, along with progress on retirement security and other key issues,” Bryant said in the release. “Boeing executives have always known they could do better and this proposal shows the company can do better. This news validates every step that hardworking Boeing employees have taken on the picket line thus far. Employees knew Boeing executives could do better, and this shows the workers were right all along. The proposal will be analyzed to see if it’s up to the task of helping workers gain adequate ground on prior sacrifices.”
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.
These specialized vehicles are designed to handle the unique challenges posed by aviation accidents, offering a level of capability that sets them apart.
An Oshkosh ARFF vehicle (Photo: Oshkosh Airport Products)
The city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is perhaps best known for the annual EAA AirVenture show, which makes Whittman Regional Airport the world’s busiest airport during a one-week period each July. The airshow attracts nearly a million visitors to the city each year.
But headquartered in the same region is Oshkosh Corp., which — among other functions — is a major player in fire truck manufacturing. The firm also specializes in aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) equipment with its line of specialized trucks.
A Niche
Oshkosh Corp. has carved a niche in the firefighting industry with its line of airport fire trucks. These specialized vehicles are designed to handle the unique challenges posed by aviation accidents, offering a level of capability that sets them apart.
Among these are water tanks that are significantly larger than those of traditional municipal fire trucks, ensuring that firefighters have ample water to combat large-scale fires without needing frequent refills. The fire trucks boast powerful pumps capable of delivering high-pressure water streams, essential for penetrating the outer skin of aircraft and reaching internal fires. Many of these vehicles are also outfitted with advanced foam systems that can create a blanket over fires, helping to suppress flames and reduce the spread of smoke.
The company’s Striker 8×8 model can hold up to 4,500 gallons of water and 630 gallons of foam at a time. In comparison, a normal municipal fire truck can hold around 1,500 gallons of water alone.
In addition to their water capacity and firefighting capabilities, these vehicles are designed to handle various terrain, including runways, taxiways, and grassy areas. Some of Oshkosh’s Striker models can go from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 35 seconds.
Over 5,000 Oshkosh Striker vehicles have been made and shipped to airports around the globe. The company is also rolling out an electric fire truck called Volterra, which has already been adopted by some airports.
AirlineGeeks had the opportunity to visit Oshkosh’s manufacturing facility in its namesake city. A video from the tour is below:
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 Denver Air Connection Embraer E145 at Chicago O'Hare (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
Denver Air Connection, or DAC for short, has been modestly growing over the past couple of years, now having 19 destinations and 18 routes.
In early August, DAC was chosen for the EAS contract in Jackson, Tenn., and subsequently contracted to serve Atlanta, both of which are new destinations for the carrier. That contract is scheduled to start on December 1, 2024 and will run for four years until November 30, 2028.
Just a few days ago on September 17, the airport in Jackson asked for an alternate service pattern due to popular demand, requesting DAC to fly a route to Chicago as well as Atlanta. Both routes are slated to start on the same day. This will also enable passengers to fly between Atlanta and Chicago O’Hare on DAC, with a short connection in Jackson.
In the middle of August 2024, the carrier announced service to Dubuque, Iowa, from Chicago O’Hare, which will start on November 14, 2024 and will operate daily with the carrier’s 50-seat Embraer jets. This Iowan city will be its second non-EAS contract route after Telluride, Colo., and the company’s first city in the state of Iowa.
And a few days ago, on September 19, 2024, the airline was awarded the EAS contract for the Michigan community of Muskegon. Currently, Muskegon is served by Southern Airways Express on board its nine-seat Cessna 208 from Chicago three to six times a day depending on the season.
Muskegon County Airport out of the left side of the plane just before landing (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
DAC’s service to Muskegon will begin on November 1, 2024, and the contract is going to run for the next four years, until October 31, 2028. Flights from Muskegon on DAC will operate on its 50-seat Embraer E145 aircraft from Chicago O’Hare with 12-weekly flights. Muskegon to Chicago will also become the airline’s shortest flight by distance at only 118 miles.
These new additions will bring the carrier’s Chicago O’Hare operations up to five destinations and will make it the airline’s second busiest airport after its home in Denver. Atlanta and Muskegon are also the airline’s first two destinations in the Eastern Time Zone.
With the five new routes between the four destinations, the airline will serve 18 routes across its network by December 1 which does not include Kearney, Neb. as the carrier lost that EAS contract.
Joey has always been interested in planes for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Central New York during the early 2000s when US Airways Express turboprops ruled the skies. Being from a non-aviation family made it harder for him to be around planes and would only spend about three hours a month at the airport. He was so excited when he could drive by himself, the first thing he did with his driver's license was get ice cream and go plane spotting for the entire day. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2022 with a B.S. in Aviation Management & Operations and a Minor in Business, and currently works for a major airline in his hometown.
British Airways Resumes Route After 11-Year Hiatus
Last week, British Airways announced that it would start operating flights to the Georgian capital of Tbilisi in Summer 2025.
A British Airways A320neo landing. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Last week, British Airways announced that it would start operating flights to the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.
The carrier revealed in a press release that it will serve the route using its Airbus A320neos, which, according to Flightradar24, comprise 26 of its 170 aircraft short-haul fleet.
The outbound flights will be red-eyes, departing at 21:25 local time for four nights a week and arriving at 5:30 the next morning. The return flights will depart at around 7:00 local time and arrive at 10:00 the same day, with British Airways saying that the decision behind these timings was to allow passengers to connect to flights to the U.S.
Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, said in the release: “We’re delighted to welcome Tbilisi back into our route network, after our last scheduled service in 2013. We expect this to be a popular route with the leisure market, which has seen a strong comeback since 2019, as well as with those looking to enjoy direct flights to visit friends and family. We look forward to improving the connectivity between our two capital cities next year.”
British Airways joins easyJet, which also just announced new service to the capital city. Tbilisi was last served by British Airways in 2013.
The new route is slated to begin on March 30, 2025 from London Heathrow.
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.
Seaplane Operator Gets Wheels
Harbour Air, North America's largest seaplane airline, announced on Friday the launch of its first-ever wheeled flight service.
The world's first fully electric commercial aircraft takes flight. The Harbour Air ePlane is magnified by the magniX magni500, a 750-horsepower electric propulsion system. (Photo: MagniX)
Harbour Air, North America’s largest seaplane airline, announced on Friday the launch of its first-ever wheeled flight service between Vancouver International Airport and Victoria International Airport in Canada.
The new route, which begins on November 4, 2024, will offer up to three daily round-trip flights between the two airports. This marks a significant expansion for Harbour Air, as it has traditionally only operated seaplanes.
“We’re very excited to launch our first-ever wheeled flights between YVR’s South Terminal and YYJ Victoria International Airport and provide passengers with new flexible early morning and late evening commuting options,” said Chris Fordyce, Harbour Air Group’s commercial chief, in a news release.
The airline’s new aircraft are converted Twin Otter seaplanes that have been equipped with wheels and de-icing equipment, allowing them to operate in a wider range of conditions.
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.
737 MAX aircraft in Renton. (Photo: Shutterstock | Thiago B Trevisan)
Brian Bryant, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) international president, joined picket lines this week as some 33,000 Boeing workers went on strike in the Pacific Northwest.
Boeing workers walked off the job at midnight on Sept. 12 after more than 94% of union members rejected a tentative contract offer by the company.
After joining several picket lines in Washington and Oregon on Wednesday and Thursday, Bryant told FreightWaves in a phone interview that union members were resolved to achieve fair pay and better benefits.
“The beginning of this week we wanted to visit with many of our members on the picket lines all the way from Everett [Washington], all the way down here to Portland to let them know they have the complete support of their union, the 600,000 active and retired IAM members both in the United States and Canada,” Bryant said. “… [W]hat it’s really about is, they’ve had 10 years of stagnant wages, 10 years where they’ve lost their pension, 10 years of continual increases in their health insurance. … [T]he workers here have just said enough is enough. We’ve got to go, we’ve got to get a contract that truly respects us and recognizes the value that we do for the Boeing Company.”
Bryant said support for the strike has been overwhelming.
“We’ve talked to people who have 45 years in this plant, and we’ve talked to people that just started two months ago, and they’re all on the same page,” he said.
Bryant said that while Boeing does offer a 401(k) matching program, most workers can’t contribute to retirement because their wages aren’t high enough.
“They can’t afford both their mortgages, the rent payments, the vehicle payments, the gas, the fuel to get to work, the food to feed them and their families and their other utilities,” he said. “By the time that’s all done, they don’t have enough income to be able to even participate in the 401(k). It’s on Boeing; they’ve got to correct that. What they did 10 years ago with the pension was just ridiculous and uncalled for, but they’ve got to move forward. They’ve got to do something that gives people income security when they retire.”
“If they want to get serious about what they’re spending on executive salaries and if they’re overstaffed, they could have been dealing with that all [along],” Bryant said. “It’s a cheap shot to make it look like they’re blaming the workers out here on strike because it’s their fault. Look, the workers are on strike here. None of Boeing’s problems have anything to do with these workers. In fact, all of the things that are wrong with Boeing right now are all attributed to bad decisions from corporate … . They’re the ones that have made the bad decisions that are putting Boeing in the position that they’re in. And it’s unfortunate that they’re trying to make this look like it’s the union’s fault. It’s just smoke and mirrors.”
He said it will take a fair contract to resolve this strike, and that members are resolved to wait as long as necessary to get that.
“I’m absolutely amazed and impressed with the solidarity and the commitment that our members of the Boeing workers have made to improve their situation,” Bryant said. “This isn’t only happening with the Boeing Company. This strike is being followed all across – not just the U.S. – but in Canada also. This is being followed because the same thing that is happening and has happened to these workers here is happening at many different corporations.”
Boeing did not immediately respond to FreightWaves’ request for comment.
Editor’s Note: This story first appeared on FreightWaves.
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.
American Eagle CRJ-900 aircraft in Charlotte. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
PSA Airlines and Frontier Airlines flight attendants, both represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), have voted overwhelmingly to authorize strikes at their respective carriers.
Over 1,300 flight attendants at American’s wholly-owned regional subsidiary PSA Airlines voted 99.2% to authorize a strike after months of rejected proposals from PSA management during contract negotiations, according to a news release from the AFA published on Tuesday.
PSA flight attendants are fighting for a double-digit base pay boost, and increased pay for time at work including boarding, sick leave, work rule improvements, and more. They filed for federal mediation in January, and management’s new contract proposal seven months later fell short of the union’s expectations.
Of the 1,300 flight attendants sent a strike ballot, 86.5% cast a vote in the nearly month-long decision to strike. Negotiations are scheduled to resume next week with oversight from the National Mediation Board.
“Our 99.2% vote shows PSA and American management that we will do whatever it takes to get the contract we have earned,” said Lee Wilkes, president of the PSA chapter of AFA-CWA, in the release. “We can’t afford to wait any longer. We’ll be back at the table next week with a message for management: it’s time to Pay Us or CHAOS™. PSA Flight Attendants need improvements now!”
“Flight Attendants at PSA and other regional airlines across the industry fly the same routes and provide the same service as mainline Flight Attendants,” said Sara Nelson, international president of AFA-CWA, in the release. “It’s time they get paid like it. Regional Flight Attendants deserve pay and benefits that reflect the value of their hard work.”
PSA Airlines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group operating 500 daily flights to nearly 100 destinations. Roughly 28,000 Association of Professional Flight Attendants members voted last week to ratify the union’s tentative agreement with American Airlines after years of bargaining.
Frontier Flight Attendants Also Authorize Strike
PSA flight attendants weren’t the only group to authorize a strike on their carrier this week. Flight attendants at Frontier Airlines, also represented by AFA, voted 99.6% to authorize a strike with 92.7% participating on Wednesday.
According to a news release from AFA, the results come as management refuses to negotiate over the impact of the carrier’s business model change. AFA stated that Frontier management has a legal obligation to bargain over that impact, separate and distinct from their obligation to engage in regular contract negotiations – but the airline isn’t engaging in mediation through the National Mediation Board.
The AFA filed for federal mediation with the National Mediation Board in May after issuing a formal notice to management on April 3, 2024, that its “turn” plan constitutes a dispute under the Railway Labor Act, separate from regular contract negotiations.
A Frontier Airbus A320neo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
“Frontier Flight Attendants are struggling to earn a living because of management’s new ‘out-and-back’ model,” said Jennifer Sala, AFA Frontier president, in the release. “The impact of this change has turned our lives and our paychecks upside down. The harm is real and happening right now. We’re ready to do whatever it takes to bring management to the table.”
AFA stated that Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle boasted in a virtual conference last week about operational changes resulting in real cost savings. The union stated that those savings are partially being paid for by flight attendants, and it called for the situation to be addressed by management and corrected immediately.
“Frontier management is putting their ‘cost savings’ plan on Flight Attendants’ backs,” Nelson said in the release. “It’s a gross example of corporate greed that devalues the contributions of these Flight Attendants to the airline and creates incredible instability for the people who make Frontier fly. Frontier must negotiate to reflect the impact of their completely new business model.”
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.
Vintage aircraft at DFW Airport (Photo: Dream Flights)
With its top speed of 124 mph, the Boeing Stearman wasn’t exactly built for the hustle and bustle of a major international airport in 2024. The over-90-year-old aircraft were first developed in the 1930s and became widely used as trainers throughout World War II.
Nearly 11,000 Stearmans were built, but only around 1,000 are still flying. Earlier this week, a handful of these biplanes descended on Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport for a special mission.
Dream Flights provides veterans with a flight in a vintage biplane. (Photo: Dream Flights)
Founded in 2011, a charity called Dream Flights provides veterans with the “adventure of a lifetime” flying in a Stearman biplane. The nonprofit organization conducts these flights all around the U.S. free of charge.
The group’s visit to DFW was even more special, flying its 7,000th participant in 99-year-old WWII veteran Carlyle Hayes, who joined three other senior veterans.
Stearman aircraft at DFW Airport (Photo: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport)
“I’ve never ridden in an open cockpit aircraft, so this will be [the] first time,” U.S. Air Force veteran Jerry Brown told KTVT-TV.
The flights lasted around half an hour, arriving and departing from DFW, which is the world’s third-busiest airport. Both American Airlines and the Allied Pilots Association (APA) sponsored the event.
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.
Photos: Austin Airport Debuts New Virtual Ramp Control Program
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has launched a temporary virtual ramp control program designed to enhance safety on the airport’s 34-gate apron.
Inside Austin's new ramp control facility (Photo: City of Austin Aviation Department)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has launched a temporary virtual ramp control program designed to enhance safety and efficiency on the airport’s 34-gate apron. This initiative comes in response to the airport’s growing passenger volumes in 2022 and 2023, a spokesperson said.
The program, developed following research and collaboration with airport teams, airlines, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), involves the hiring and training of dedicated virtual ramp controllers. According to the airport, these controllers utilize technology, including cameras, aircraft tracking systems, and air-to-ground radios, to safely instruct pilots on maneuvering their aircraft around the ramp area without a physical tower.
Austin’s Aviation Department, which operates the airport, noted that this version of the program is an interim solution.
The airport is currently working with Saab Inc. to develop a permanent virtual ramp control program. This partnership was authorized by the Austin City Council in July.
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.
