An SAS Airbus A320neo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
SAS announced on Sunday that it had officially joined the SkyTeam alliance. Five months after the initial announcement, the carrier completed the deal in what CEO Anko Van der Werff called “a new era for SAS.”
What’s Behind the Move?
SAS, the flag carrier for Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, claimed that the Star Alliance which it was formerly a member of didn’t bring enough to the table. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and restructuring the company, Mr. van der Werff said that SAS was looking for opportunities to start a joint venture or deeper integration, but the Star Alliance couldn’t provide this.
The move was largely predicted after Air France-KLM, a key player in SkyTeam, acquired a 19.9% stake in the company following financial troubles.
What Does the Move Bring to SAS?
The new move allows SAS to have an entirely different route network by connecting passengers to SkyTeam partners. In fact, the Scandinavian carrier has already started reshaping its routes, deploying aircraft to destinations such as Atlanta to allow for connection onto Delta.
SAS’ CEO announced in an Instagram post that the carrier would announce a new long-haul destination later this month. There are many possibilities as to what this might be, but some speculate that the destination could be a Delta hub.
The airline might not be the only carrier looking to join SkyTeam, with the Star Alliance potentially losing a second member. South Korea-based Asiana Airlines could make the move after talks of an acquisition by SkyTeam member Korean Air.
The planned merger is making slow process, despite facing backlash from regulatory bodies over worries of a potential monopoly in the Korean and East Asian markets.
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.
Delta Axes Two International Routes
Delta is cutting two international routes this winter, the Atlanta-based airline confirmed in a statement to AirlineGeeks on Friday.
A Delta 767-300. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Delta is cutting two international routes this winter, the airline confirmed in a statement on Friday. Markets in both Latin America and Europe are set to be affected by the changes.
Starting on Oct. 26, 2024, Delta says it will discontinue service to Stuttgart, Germany, which had just been resumed in March 2023. The airline served the German city from its Atlanta hub with four-times-weekly service on a Boeing 767-300.
Stuttgart is home to automakers Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, which also base their U.S. operations in Atlanta. Delta’s flight was Stuttgart’s only transatlantic route.
In a statement to AirlineGeeks, an airline spokesperson confirmed the market exit.
“Delta will discontinue service to and from Stuttgart on October 26, 2024, as we adapt our schedule to align with consumer demand,” they said. “Delta customers will have access to and from Stuttgart through Delta partners Air France and KLM. Delta’s service at Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin will continue.”
Latin America Cut
Farther south, Delta is also cancelling its daily service between New York-JFK and Bogota, the spokesperson also confirmed. The market exit will take effect on Oct. 26, 2024.
The airline also serves Bogota from Atlanta with twice-daily flights in addition to routes served by its joint venture partner LATAM.
Commenting on the carrier’s Latin America network during a first-quarter 2024 earnings call, Delta President Glen Hauenstein said profitability in the region “remains solid.”
“Unit revenues are expected to be down double digits due to pressure in short-haul leisure markets. These markets are expected to see healthy improvements in the second half of the year as supply and demand comes back into balance,” he added.
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.
There are three types of notices typically issued by the FAA. Ranging from a ‘complete prohibition to operate,’ to ‘prohibition below a certain altitude,’ and to ‘operate with caution,’ the FAA prohibitions and notices apply to U.S.-registered aircraft and airlines, as well as flights that carry the code of a U.S. carrier.
In practice, airlines avoid certain available airspaces out of precaution. The risk for civilian aircraft can be high and airlines are relying on themselves to assess the situation. For instance, the recent suspension of flights to Tel Aviv is an example of proactive suspension out of precaution.
Middle East
The FAA has issued no-fly orders for the Iranian, Syrian, and Yemeni airspaces, or the Tehran FIR (Flight Information Region). The agency has altitude prohibition for Iraqi airspace, banning operations under FL320 (32,000 feet).
Warnings for operating with caution have been issued for the Persian Gulf airspace below the Tehran FIR and the vicinity of the Damascus FIR of Syria. Airlines are advised to not fly close to those regions.
The flight path of United 82 from Newark to Delhi, circumvented Afgan and Iranian airspaces. (Photo: flightrader24)
The Afgan airspace is slightly more complicated, with one navigational route, the P500-G500, being available at FL300 and above while the rest of the country is available at FL320 and above. Looking at the routings used by U.S.-based carriers in the past several months, the Afgan airspace is avoided altogether despite being available at higher altitudes.
The flight path of British Airways 142 using P500-G500 over Afghanistan. (Photo: flightrader24)
The Middle Eastern airspace bans by the FAA have directly impacted flights between the U.S. and India, with increased flight times. Despite the relatively low number of U.S. flights in the region, many carry codes of U.S. carriers. Earlier this year, Emirates was fined by the DOT for using the Bangdad FIR, or Iraqi airspace while carrying the JetBlue code, and Virgin Atlantic has also been fined for using the same airspace when carrying the Delta code.
An Emirates Airbus A380 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Africa
Due to the ongoing civil war in the country, operation in Libyan airspace is prohibited. This does not have an impact on U.S. airlines, but flights between Europe and Southern Africa require rerouting.
For Somalia, operations are only permitted at FL260 and above. An exception is given to flights in and out of Dijoubti (HDAM/JID), presumably for chartered civilian flights serving the US military installations at the airport.
Europe
The restricted national airspaces in Europe are the result of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Ukrainian airspace is currently unavailable to all commercial aircraft regardless of nationality, while Russian and Belarusian airspaces are unavailable for some countries, including the U.S., due to political reasons. The FAA has issued a NOTAM prohibiting the use of the entirety of Belarusian, Russian, and Ukrainian airspace.
U.S. carriers’ transpacific networks have been severely impacted by the inaccessibility of Russia. Specifically, flights from the East Coast to easterm Asia are impossible to fly non-stop, while flights from the West Coast, as well as flights to India, need to take significant detours to avoid Russian airspace, adding hours of journey time and cost.
An Air China 747-8i (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
For both the transpacific and Euro-Asia markets, there are ongoing debates around an ‘unleveled playing field’ as various Asian countries, including China, India, Vietnam, the UAE, and Qatar, still permit their airlines to fly over Russia and Belarus, creating an unfair advantage. The ban has contributed to several flight cancellations, while airlines such as Iberia did not resume flights to the Far East after the Russian invasion.
Outside of the abovementioned regions, the sole prohibition is on North Korea. A total prohibition on operation in the airspace is in place and has mainly resulted in minor detours on flights to East Asia.
Editor’s Note: All the NOTAMs can be updated regularly. EASA and other agencies also have guidelines and warnings that may differ from the FAA.
Anthony is an aviation enthusiast who grew up around the world from St. Louis to Singapore, and now lives in Amsterdam. He loves long-haul flying and finds peace in the sound of engine cruising. He aspires to share his passion for the sky though writing and providing another angle on the stories.
Livery of the Week: EVA Air’s Latest ‘Hello Kitty’ Design
EVA Air has unveiled its newest Hello Kitty-themed aircraft, the ‘Hello Kitty Besties Jet,' which debuted on the carrier's Chicago route.
EVA Air recently unveiled a new special livery (Photo: EVA Air)
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.
EVA Air has unveiled its newest Hello Kitty-themed aircraft, the ‘Hello Kitty Besties Jet.’ The jet’s inaugural flight, BR55, departed from Chicago O’Hare International Airport on August 29, bound for Taiwan. Passengers on this special flight received commemorative gifts.
The newly designed aircraft will operate the Chicago-Taipei route regularly, with flights scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during the summer and Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the winter season.
“Chicago is a vital leisure and commercial hub in the United States, and we’re excited to launch Hello Kitty Besties Jet on the Chicago-Taipei route. Our Hello Kitty jets have earned a range of awards and accolades, and we look forward to continuing to deliver the exceptional care and high standards our passengers have come to expect when flying with EVA Air,” said EVA President Clay Sun in a press release.
EVA Air’s latest Hello Kitty livery (Photo: EVA Air)
Passengers stepping aboard the aircraft will be surrounded by a branded atmosphere, with Hello Kitty elements adorning the entire cabin. The aircraft’s interior and exterior designs feature beloved Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty, My Melody, and the ever-popular Kuromi. Passengers can also expect specially designed headrests and custom tableware during meal service.
With the addition of the livery, EVA Air now has four routes featuring Hello Kitty-themed aircraft. The Chicago route will be served by the Hello Kitty Besties Jet, while the Clark route will continue to be flown by the BAD BADTZ-MARU Travel Fun jet. The Celebration Flight and Joyful Dream jets will continue to alternate service on the Bali and Cebu routes.
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 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.
On Thursday, the New York-based airline told employees it would reduce capacity by roughly a quarter at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) this winter.
A JetBlue Embraer E190 in Boston. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
JetBlue is further reducing capacity in an ongoing effort to cut costs. On Thursday, the New York-based airline told employees it would reduce capacity by roughly a quarter at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) this winter.
As first noted by xJonNYC on Twitter/X, JetBlue will scale back its daily flights from the slot-controlled airport to 20, down from 27. In a memo, the carrier said the cuts would take effect between Oct. 27, 2024 and March 29, 2025.
The airline currently serves Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Nassau, Orlando, San Juan, and West Palm Beach from DCA along with seasonal flights to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
Flights between DCA and Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, along with West Palm Beach will all see daily service reductions. The carrier’s route from the Nation’s Capital to Fort Myers will be axed altogether.
In addition, the airline does not plan to resume service from Washington to New York-JFK as originally planned; the route had been paused since early 2024. Earlier this year, JetBlue applied for one of five newly available slot pairs at DCA, seeking to add a second daily flight to San Juan.
Pilot Buyouts
Along with the capacity cuts, JetBlue is reportedly looking at plans to offer voluntary early buyout offers to its pilots, according to several sources familiar with the matter.
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.
United Airlines' Airbus A321neo cabin (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Andrew Chen)
United Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike on Thursday.
According to an AFA news release, flight attendants voted 99.99% yes to a strike should management fail to agree to several demands including: a double-digit pay increase, pay for time at work on the ground, retroactive pay to the amendable date, schedule flexibility and work rule improvements, job security, retirement benefits and more.
“We deserve an industry-leading contract,” said Ken Diaz, president of the United chapter of AFA, in the release. “Our strike vote shows we’re ready to do whatever it takes to reach the contract we deserve. We are the face of United Airlines and planes don’t take off without us. As Labor Day travel begins, United management is reminded what’s at stake if we don’t get this done.”
The release states this is the first time since bankruptcy negotiations in 2005 that flight attendants at United voted on strike authorization.
Thursday’s strike authorization comes after the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) prepared for a strike during labor contract negotiations with American Airlines earlier this summer. The APFA and American eventually reached a tentative agreement.
Now that the AFA has authorized a strike, the union could request a release from the National Mediation Board (NMB) leading to a 30-day “cooling off” period and strike deadline.
“The United management team gives themselves massive compensation increases while Flight Attendants struggle to pay basic bills,” Diaz continued in the release. “The 99.99% yes vote is a clear reminder that we are unified in the fight against corporate greed and ready to fight for our fair share of the profits we create.”
AFA states that it has a trademarked strike strategy known as CHAOS or Create Havoc Around Our System. With CHAOS, a strike could affect the entire system or a single flight. The release states that the union decides when, where and how to strike without notice to management or passengers.
United flight attendants filed for federal mediation with NMB over eight months ago and have been working under an amendable contract for nearly three years.
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.
An Avelo Boeing 737 aircraft. (Photo: Avelo Airlines)
On Monday, Avelo operated its last flight to Redding, Calif., one of the airline’s first routes since it began flying in 2021. The ultra-low-cost airline previously served its Burbank base from the Northern California city, along with Las Vegas.
Avelo confirmed plans to exit the Redding market in June, citing a change in ground handling contractors.
“We recently learned the business partner supporting Avelo’s airport operations at Redding Regional Airport (RDD) will no longer be serving RDD. This decision also enables us to better utilize our resources elsewhere in Avelo’s system.” a spokesperson for the carrier told the Record Spotlight.
The airline reportedly contracted with ground handler Trego Dugan Aviation, a family-owned Nebraska-based firm that provides various services to commercial and general aviation operators. Trego Dugan handles both above and below-wing activities for its clients, including baggage loading, passenger boarding, etc.
At a June Shasta County Board of Supervisors meeting, Trego Dugan general manager Jared Culver explained that the company would be leaving California altogether. According to the Record Spotlight, Culver did not know why the company was pulling out of the state.
Trego Dugan joins a growing list of companies leaving California. Earlier this month, oil giant Chevron announced plans to leave the state.
The ground handling provider did not respond to AirlineGeeks’ request for comment. An Avelo spokesperson did confirm the market exit was related to the ground handling change.
Per several news reports, Avelo attempted to find a new contractor to handle its Redding flights, but was unsuccessful. Both Alaska and United continue to serve Redding with flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.
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.
SpiceJet Faces Continued Disruptions in Dubai Over Unpaid Dues
Indian budget airline SpiceJet is facing mounting pressure from financial woes and regulatory scrutiny as it continues to experience operational issues.
A SpiceJet Boeing 737 MAX jet (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)
Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet has once again encountered operational setbacks in Dubai, following an issue with unpaid airport charges. This is the second such incident in August, highlighting ongoing financial troubles for the airline.
According to The Hindu, on Aug. 29, 2024, SpiceJet was forced to operate empty flights from Dubai after passengers were unable to check in due to the airline’s unpaid airport dues. This disruption adds to a series of challenges that SpiceJet has faced over the past year.
Despite multiple attempts to raise funds, SpiceJet has struggled to restore its operations fully and is facing continuous financial difficulties. A spokesperson for SpiceJet attributed the flight cancellations to “operational issues” and reassured affected passengers that they had been accommodated on subsequent SpiceJet flights, with other airlines, or had received full refunds per Reuters. The spokesperson also emphasized that all scheduled flights from Dubai operated as planned.
However, the problem of unpaid airport dues continues to be a significant issue for the airline. Some of SpiceJet’s lessors have pursued legal action to recover outstanding payments, with some seeking to deregister their aircraft. This situation has resulted in the grounding of some of SpiceJet’s planes, negatively impacting the airline’s financial performance, including in the first quarter of the year.
Earlier in August, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported that several SpiceJet flights in Dubai had been cancelled due to outstanding airport charges. While the airline attributed the cancellations to “operational reasons,” the underlying financial difficulties were evident. Even though SpiceJet had recently settled a minor financial matter with Mumbai airport, the repeated disruptions in Dubai underscore the persistent financial pressures that the airline is facing.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Investigations
In addition to its financial woes, SpiceJet has been under regulatory scrutiny. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator, has launched investigations into the airline over safety concerns and operational irregularities. In response to these concerns, the DGCA has placed SpiceJet under enhanced surveillance with immediate effect.
This enhanced surveillance includes an increase in the number of spot checks and night surveillance to ensure the safety of operations. These probes have further strained SpiceJet’s reputation and exacerbated its financial difficulties.
To address these challenges, SpiceJet has implemented various measures, including cost-cutting initiatives, fleet restructuring, and fundraising efforts. However, the ongoing operational disruptions and regulatory hurdles continue to pose significant challenges to the airline’s recovery.
Tolga is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with years of experience in the industry. From an early age, his fascination with aviation went beyond a mere passion for travel, evolving into a deliberate exploration of the complex mechanics and engineering behind aircraft. As a writer, he aims to share insights , providing readers with a view into the complex inner workings of the aviation industry.
Qantas Reveals A321XLR Interiors
Qantas has unveiled details of the cabins that will be installed on its future Airbus A321XLR fleet with the first delivery slated for next year.
Qantas Airbus A321XLR Business Class cabin rendering (Photo: Qantas)
Qantas has unveiled details of the cabins that will be installed on its future Airbus A321XLR fleet. The airline expects to take delivery of its first A321XLR next year.
Qantas A321XLR Cabin Details
The Australian flag carrier’s A321XLRs will feature 197 seats across two cabins. 20 recliner-style Business Class seats will be arranged in a 2-2 configuration.
Qantas A321XLR Business Class rendering (Photo: Qantas)
Business Class seats will feature a six-way adjustable headrest, as well as calf rests and footrests. There will be no built-in seatback entertainment, but personal device streaming entertainment will be available. The seats will have a tablet shelf on each seatback, as well as a built-in tablet holder on the tray table. Three charging options will be available: USB-A, USB-C and a wireless charging pad.
A rendering of the Business Class cabin on Qantas’ future A321XLRs (Photo: Qantas)
The Economy Class cabin will have 177 seats in a 3-3 configuration. These seats will be similar to those found on Qantas’ Airbus A220 fleet.
A rendering of Economy Class seats on Qantas’ future A321XLR fleet (Photo: Qantas)
Economy Class seats will feature the same streaming entertainment and charging options as Business Class seats, with the exception of wireless charging.
Economy Class cabin rendering for Qantas’ A321XLR fleet (Photo: Qantas)
Qantas has noted that the first three A321XLRs to be delivered will have a slightly different configuration, with three extra Economy Class seats and a total of 200 seats. The three additional seats will be replaced by an additional lavatory across the rest of the fleet.
The new aircraft will replace Qantas’ aging Boeing 737-800 fleet. Qantas touts that the A321XLR has a wider cabin and large overhead bins that allow for 60 percent more bags than their 737s. There will also be an increase in seating capacity, as Qantas’ Boeing 737-800s only have 174 seats.
Additional A321XLR Plans: Routes and Possible Lie-Flat Seats
Qantas’ current 737s fly domestically and to destinations in the region such as New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. However, the additional range of the Airbus A321XLR will bring opportunities for other short-haul international routes to places like Southeast Asia and islands in the Pacific Ocean.
A rendering of a Qantas Airbus A321XLR (Photo: Qantas)
Although the A321XLR cabin that Qantas has unveiled is consistent with a short-haul narrowbody product, the airline has also floated the possibility of a sub-fleet with a different cabin. As reported by Executive Traveller, a Qantas executive stated that the airline is considering the option of installing lie-flat seats on a set of A321XLRs that will be focused on international routes.
Qantas expects to take delivery of its first A321XLR in April of 2025. The airline has 28 frames on order, with nearly 100 options across the Airbus A220 and A320neo families.
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.
Denver Air Connection airplanes lined up in Denver. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
A city of less than 60,000 people is slated to again receive scheduled daily air service for the first time since 2022. Dubuque Regional Airport in Iowa announced on Tuesday that a new carrier will begin serving the city this fall.
Dubuque is located just over 200 miles east of Des Moines and saw a sharp decline in air service coming out of the pandemic. It joins a long list of about 70 other similarly-sized markets that American, Delta, and United also dropped since 2020.
American was the only carrier serving the airport, ending its daily route from Chicago O’Hare in September 2022. At the time, the airport’s director said the airline’s decision to leave the market was due to the “national pilot shortage.”
Regional carriers bore the brunt of the post-pandemic pilot shortage as major airlines hired new aviators at record-setting rates. This rapid movement within the pilot ranks caused some markets — including Dubuque — to lose daily service altogether.
Six months after American exited the market, ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Avelo started flights from Dubuque to Las Vegas and Orlando. These flights were operated less-than-daily and eventually became seasonal.
Earlier this week, Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh announced that Denver Air Connection will launch flights to Chicago O’Hare on Nov. 4, 2024. The new route is slated to operate daily on an Embraer E145.
“The return of daily flights to and from a major hub is cause for celebration,” said Cavanagh in a press release. “We are excited to welcome Denver Air Connection to the Dubuque Regional Airport, and I encourage all travelers, whether for leisure or business, to take advantage of the convenient connections across the country and around the world that this service will provide.”
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.
