Sri Lankan Airlines Seeks to Restructure After Failed Privatization Attempt

With no suitable bidders to purchase the airline, the Sri Lankan government announced that it will instead restructure Sri Lankan Airlines.

Hemal Gosai

Monday, July 15, 2024 at 10:57 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Sri Lankan Airlines A330-300 lands at London Heathrow (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Sri Lanka had a significant financial crisis in 2022 that sparked a series of events seeking to bring financial discipline and stability to the country. Of the outcomes of this is the push by the government to privatize its flag carrier Sri Lankan Airlines.

Government-owned airlines are often plagued with inefficiency and commonly serve as a matter of national pride and prestige instead of a sound business. This comes at a significant cost since it is a direct drain of government and ultimately taxpayer pocketbooks. There will eventually come a time when the government decides that the expense is not worth it and will do its best to sell off part or all of the airline.

The Sri Lankan government, as they were reeling from an unprecedented financial crisis, had their moment of clarity and decided to privatize the airline. The plan was to issue a request for proposals in February 2024 and ultimately make the sale by June 2024. In the meantime, a political roadshow started to get potential buyers excited.

However, a bizarre incident with rats on aircraft resulting in flight delays soured the rosy picture the government was trying to paint. In order to keep the idea afloat, the Sri Lankan government decided to take a page from the Air India privatization book.

It agreed to take over more than a quarter of the airline’s nearly $2 billion in debt in March of 2024. The government also agreed to keep funding the airline until the sale could be made.

It was rumored that entities such as the Adani Group and Tata Sons were among the bidders. However, that would likely have posed foreign ownership challenges.

No Bidders Means Restructuring Instead

According to the Sri Lankan government, there were no suitable bidders and now the government will take a different approach. Instead of trying to sell the airline, the new strategy is to restructure it.

The government provided little to no details on what that would mean. One would imagine that this sort of restructuring would start with a way to reduce debt and increase operational efficiencies.

The country and the airline are also not in the greatest of places geographically to reboot their airline. The Middle Eastern airlines are large players in moving people in and out of the country and Air India is looking to join the big leagues in the near future.

The airline needs to find a niche where it can operate with relative success and minimal losses. The government is in no position to provide large investments into the airline given its financial troubles so it will need to come up with a way to fix the troubled airline in a way that doesn’t cost much money. It’s possible this may mean significant cost cuts and layoffs but all of that is unlikely to happen until after the Sri Lankan presidential election later this year.

Hemal Gosai

Hemal took his first flight at four years old and has been an avgeek since then. When he isn't working as an analyst he's frequently found outside watching planes fly overhead or flying in them. His favorite plane is the 747-8i which Lufthansa thankfully flies to EWR allowing for some great spotting. He firmly believes that the best way to fly between JFK and BOS is via DFW and is always willing to go for that extra elite qualifying mile. Hemal's opinions are his own and do not reflect those of his employer.

American Cuts Capacity on Some Long-Haul Routes

American is shaking up its long-haul network yet again, this time from the airline's Los Angeles (LAX) and Phoenix (PHX) hubs.

Ryan Ewing

Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 10:17 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American 777-200 in Phoenix. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American is shaking up its long-haul network again, this time from the airline’s Los Angeles and Phoenix hubs. The Fort Worth-based carrier plans to reduce capacity on some routes to London Heathrow beginning later this year.

According to this week’s Cirium Diio schedule update, American is cutting one of three daily flight from Los Angeles to London Heathrow. The additional flight was added last year.

The airline will continue to operate two daily flights between the cities with the change taking effect on Oct. 27, 2024.

Phoenix Reductions

In addition to capacity cuts between Los Angeles and London, American also plans to reduce service on its Phoenix to London Heathrow route. The carrier will pause the route during the winter season between October 27 and March 28.

The airline started service between Phoenix and London Heathrow in 2019. In March 2020, the route was discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the airline brought it back in April 2022.

Phoenix-London is American’s only long-haul international flight from its Arizona hub. British Airways also offers daily service in the market.

In a statement, a spokesperson from the airline confirmed the changes.

“As part of the continuous evaluation of our network, American Airlines will adjust service from London (LHR). Together with our partner British Airways, we will continue to operate service from more than 25 destinations across the United States to LHR. We’re proactively reaching out to impacted customers to offer alternate travel arrangements,” they said.

Ryan Ewing

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.

Southwest Strikes Deal With Archer for Electric Air Taxi Service

The airline signed an agreement with the manufacturer that will see the partners develop air taxi routes connecting Southwest terminals in California.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Friday, July 12, 2024 at 04:15 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

The agreement with Southwest Airlines sets the stage for Archer’s flagship Midnight air taxi to serve airports across California. (Photo: Archer Aviation)

Southwest Airlines is set to become the third major U.S. commercial airline to offer air taxi services using an unusual new design.

On Friday, Southwest and Archer Aviation, manufacturer of the Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a network of routes connecting Southwest terminals at California airports.

The airline is the state’s largest air carrier and owns key hubs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where Archer recently announced plans to construct eVOL infrastructure, such as takeoff and landing vertiports, at five airports.

Archer’s flagship aircraft, which takes off and lands like a helicopter but flies on fixed wings like an airplane, is designed for a pilot to fly as many as four passengers on 20 to 50 sm (17 to 43 nm) air taxi routes, cruising at up to 150 mph (130 knots).

\As soon as next year, it will begin ferrying customers to and from airports at a price the manufacturer claims will be cost-competitive with ground-based rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft.

“Integrating Archer’s electric aircraft into the travel journey potentially gives us an innovative opportunity to enhance the experience of flying Southwest,” said Paul Cullen, vice president of real estate for the airline.

Cullen also left the door open for an expansion of Southwest’s air taxi service to locations in other states.

Added Dee Dee Meyers, senior adviser to California Governor Gavin Newson and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development: “This initiative is designed to help revolutionize clean transportation with zero-direct emission and affordable options, enhancing the passenger experience, and supporting California’s climate action goals.”

The agreement with Southwest builds on Archer’s existing relationship with United Airlines, which in 2021 agreed to purchase 100 Midnight air taxis for an estimated $1 billion. Under that agreement, Archer will develop a software platform, mobile booking platform, and vertiport integration technology for a commercial service operated by United.

Delta Air Lines, the third major U.S. carrier with plans to launch an air taxi network, is working with Archer competitor Joby Aviation.

In addition, Archer in June signed a deal with Signature Aviation that would give it access to more than 200 FBOs, including those at New York Liberty International Airport (KEWR), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (KORD), and other airports the company intends to serve. The manufacturer also has an agreement with FBO network operator Atlantic Aviation to electrify Atlantic terminals in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco.

“With Archer’s Midnight aircraft, passengers will be able to fly above traffic to get to the airport faster,” said Nikhil Goel, chief commercial officer of Archer. “Southwest customers could someday complete door-to-door trips like Santa Monica [California] to Napa in less than three hours.”

Archer and Southwest will begin by developing a concept of operations for Midnight out of Southwest terminals, partnering with airline employees and union groups such as the Southwest Airlines Pilot Association (SWAPA).

The companies “plan to collaborate over the next few years as eVTOLs take flight,” which does not commit them to a 2025 or 2026 launch. Archer, Joby, and other eVTOL manufacturers such as Beta Technologies and Overair intend to enter commercial service during that time frame.

Adding Southwest as a partner could be key for Archer when considering the activities of its competitor overseas.

Both firms plan to fly in the United Arab Emirates, including the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. In February, however, Joby signed what it describes as an exclusive six-year deal with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority, giving it the sole right to operate an air taxi service in the emirate. Archer CEO Adam Goldstein has disputed the exclusivity of the agreement, saying it will have no impact on the company’s plans.

That dynamic has not yet played out in the U.S.—both companies plan to fly in New York, for example. But if Joby intends to replicate the strategy of gaining an edge over competitors with exclusive deals, partnerships such as that with Southwest become more important.

Notably, the companies have also butt heads on eVTOL infrastructure. Each is pushing for a different electric aircraft charging system to become the industry standard, similar to how Elon Musk fought for Tesla’s North American Charging Standard to supplant the widely accepted Combined Charging Standard (CCS) for electric ground vehicles (a fight Tesla ultimately would win).

Similarly, Joby wants its Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS) to replace a modified version of the CSS supported by Archer, Beta, and others, which could throw a wrench into their FBO electrification plans.

Among eVTOL manufacturers, Archer and Joby are the closest to being able to fly in the U.S. Each has achieved a full transition flight using a prototype air taxi and expects to begin the critical for-credit phase of FAA certification in the coming months.

In addition, both are qualified to perform eVTOL maintenance and repairs and are in the process of training an initial group of pilots to fly their respective aircraft.

The goal is for those activities to be complete in time for a 2025 launch. Whether Southwest will be a part of that occasion remains to be seen.

Editor’s Note: This story first appeared on FlyingMag.com.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

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.

Livery of the Week: United’s ‘Friend Ship’

In 2011, United Airlines unveiled a special livery on a single Airbus A320 aircraft to celebrate the carrier's 85th anniversary.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, July 12, 2024 at 04:09 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A United A320 in a retro livery landing in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

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.

In 2011, United unveiled a special livery on a single Airbus A320 aircraft to celebrate the carrier’s 85th anniversary. This special paint scheme wasn’t a new design, but a throwback to a past United livery known as “Friend Ship.”

The original “Friend Ship” design graced United’s fleet from 1972 to 1974. To choose the special livery for the A320, United employees were given the opportunity to vote on one of five classic designs, and “Friend Ship” emerged as the winner.

The eye-catching “Friend Ship” livery featured bold red and blue cheatlines along the fuselage along with four stars on the tail.

Registered as N475UA, the aircraft continues to operate in United’s fleet today. The Chicago-based airline also has a retro livery in Continental Airlines’ old colors on a Boeing 737-900.

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 Ewing

Delta Expects ‘More Normal Cadence’ of Aircraft Retirements

Delta executives told analysts to expect a "steady drumbeat" of aircraft retirements through next year as it continues to take delivery of new jets.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, July 12, 2024 at 03:46 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Delta Boeing 757-200 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Delta says it can start retiring additional aircraft this year as capacity growth slows. With an order book largely favoring Airbus, the Atlanta-based airline remains shielded from ongoing delivery and quality control woes at Boeing.

During a second-quarter earnings call with analysts and reporters on Thursday, the carrier said it expects to take delivery of approximately 40 aircraft and retire 20 this year. According to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data, Delta currently has over 300 aircraft on order, including 213 Airbus jets.

“And I think the opportunities for us, as things stabilize and…as new aircraft continue to deliver, will be…to resume the retirement of our older fleet, which we indicated we’re already starting to do,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said during the conference call. He added that additional retirements will increase parts availability for the airline’s maintenance team.

The carrier’s oldest fleet types include the Airbus A320, Boeing 757, and 767 with some aircraft nearing 35 years old. Earlier this year, Delta said it plans to retire the 767-300 from long-haul service by 2028.

“As we’ve been trying to grow, we haven’t been able to retire what we’re used to. This is the first time we’re actually meaningfully retiring aircraft over the last two to three years,” shared the carrier’s finance chief Daniel Janki. “And that then benefits us…because that is a material stream back into our maintenance operations that can use that…and improve efficiency.”

Janki told analysts to expect a “steady drumbeat” of aircraft retirements through next year. In 2020, the airline retired its MD-80 and MD-90 fleets; data from Cirium shows just a handful of additional retirements since 2021.

Posting a $1.31 billion profit last quarter, the airline expects modest fleet growth this year of less than 2%. “In 2025, I don’t anticipate us having any problems with the aircraft that we’re going to need for the capacity we’d like to fly,” Bastian added.

Ryan Ewing

Sun Country Could Lose Its Only EAS Contract

The airline now faces the loss of its only Essential Air Service (EAS) contract after a recent vote by the Chippewa Valley airport commission.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 04:55 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Sun Country 737 in Los Angeles (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Sun Country faces the potential loss of its only Essential Air Service (EAS) contract in Eau Claire, Wis., as the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport Commission has voted to recommend a different carrier. The decision comes as the current $6.5 million contract with Sun Country is set to expire on Nov. 30, 2024, and the airport is weighing proposals from a different carrier to serve the community.

The vote to recommend SkyWest in lieu of Sun Country is seen as an “exciting opportunity to return to daily scheduled service,” according to the airport’s director, Charity Zich. However, the final decision rests with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which will have the last say on what airline will serve Eau Claire.

With regular service to its Minneapolis hub along with seasonally-rotating routes to Orlando, Fort Myers, or Las Vegas, the carrier currently provides four-weekly round-trip flights to Eau Claire in 186-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft. In July 2022, the airline was selected by the DOT to provide service to the airport under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, replacing SkyWest at the time. It was the first and, so far, the only EAS contract for the airline.

The switch to Sun Country in 2022 was a significant change, as it marked the first time an aircraft this large operated an EAS route within the lower 48 states. However, the airport commission’s recent vote indicates a potential shift away from Sun Country.

A decision on whether to renew the Sun Country contract through September 2028 or sign a three-year contract with SkyWest now lies with the DOT. As part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, Congress placed limits on long-distance EAS flights, which would include the seasonal routes from Eau Claire.

Even with these new limits coming into play, the community’s airport commission still thinks a network carrier would be better for both business and leisure travelers.

“With SkyWest Airlines no longer constrained by the previous shortage of pilots, their proposal will allow us to capture some of both the returning business travel market and serve those with continued interest in leisure travel,” Zich said in a July 8 letter supporting SkyWest’s proposal. The regional carrier’s plan includes CRJ-200 service to Chicago O’Hare under the United Express brand.

Since Sun Country was awarded the contract, other non-regional airlines have recently proposed EAS service as well, including JetBlue in Presque Isle, Maine and Breeze in Ogdensburg, N.Y.

Responding to the airport commission’s letter, a Sun Country spokesperson said in a statement that all of its flights were “well-received.” The airline added, “We’ll now wait for the response from [the] DOT.”

Ryan Ewing

Why Airline Pilots Love Flying to Certain Cities

Pilots fly all around the world and many aviators are drawn to the profession in part due to the opportunity to consistently travel.

Andrew Chen

Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 03:01 PM ET

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Edited By:

Steve Spears

Pilot executing pre-flight procedures in a commercial airliner cockpit before takeoff. (Photo: Shutterstock | l i g h t p o e t)

Pilots fly all around the world and many aviators are drawn to the profession in part due to the opportunity to travel.

Airline pilots bid for different trips and schedules, and it is unsurprising that some cities are more popular than others.

Do Pilots Get to Explore Cities They Fly To?

Sometimes, pilots will only spend an hour or two at a particular airport and then continue flying to another city. In these cases, pilots cannot leave the airport, and sometimes do not even leave the aircraft.

However, when a pilot has a layover, they are given free time in the city. A pilot’s ability to explore the destination depends on the layover though. Layovers can be as short as 10 to 12 hours but can last up to 72 hours. A pilot with a 12-hour overnight layover likely will not have the time to do much exploring, but 48 hours in a city gives a pilot plenty of time to see the sights.

Why Pilots Love Particular Cities

There are many factors that draw pilots to particular cities, and they naturally vary from one pilot to another. However, there are some common elements that pilots tend to prefer.

Cities with a centralized downtown or entertainment district tend to be very popular among crew members. Pilots do not have their own transportation during layovers, and walkability is an important factor. Similarly, having convenient public transportation or taxi and rideshare services can also increase the attractiveness of a city to airline crews.

Layovers in warm destinations like Hawaii, the Caribbean and Mexico are also loved by many pilots. The reason is obvious, and these trips can be especially popular for pilots based in cold cities during the winter months.

A Hawaiian A330-200 (Photo: Shutterstock)

Some of the factors that make a particular city popular among pilots have nothing to do with the city itself. For example, a particular may offer a longer layover in Tokyo than in Seoul. While a pilot may enjoy spending time equally in both cities, they may prefer the city with the longer layover. Along the same lines, the location of the crew hotel and its proximity to activities can also impact how much a pilot likes a given destination.

What Are Pilots’ Favorite Things To Do in a City?

Pilots enjoy many of the activities that any traveler would. Some pilots like to explore the food and beverage scene or enjoy the nightlife, while others like to stay fit and find places to go for a run or hike.

There are also times when pilots will spend most of their layover at their hotel getting rest, but pilots can also pack their layovers full of sightseeing and exploring.

Cities That Pilots Love Flying To

While a pilot’s list of favorite cities depends greatly on their airline’s network, their aircraft type, and personal preferences, there are some destinations that are widely cited as favorites among pilots.

New York

Anyone who has visited New York knows that there is always something to do. The hustle and bustle of the Big Apple offers something for every type of traveler. It is easy to get around on public transit, and those who have a crew hotel in Manhattan have easy access to the city by foot.

Washington, D.C.

Layovers in Washington – and particularly one at the centrally located Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport – are also popular among pilots. The city has a beautiful downtown area and many of the museums and activities are free.

An American Airlines aircraft at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA). (Photo: Shutterstock)

Houston

Texas’ largest city has lots to offer to visitors, including airline crews. The city is favored by pilots for its world-class galleries and museums, urban parks and high-quality diverse food scene.

Hawaii

It’s no surprise that Hawaii layovers are a favorite among airline pilots. Whether it’s the bustling city life in Honolulu or the relaxing beaches of Maui, this sun-filled domestic layover destination is loved by airline crews.

Tokyo

Japan is a hot travel destination and that extends to airline pilots. The Japanese capital is rich in culture while also being a massive modern metropolis. Getting around on public transit is also exceptionally easy and affordable.

Amsterdam

With its distinctive canals and iconic bicycles, Amsterdam is a beautiful city to visit. As one of the most walkable cities, Amsterdam is a favorite among pilots and tourists alike.

Any New Destination

Whenever an airline adds a new layover city – and particularly when they add a new international destination – it is typically very popular in its first few months, as pilots want to try it out. While trips to some of these cities remain in high demand, others dwindle in popularity over time.

Andrew Chen

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.

Fiji Airways Plans New U.S. Route

Fiji Airways has recently announced its plans to launch a new nonstop route from Nadi to Dallas/Fort Worth as it looks to become a full oneworld member.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 12:33 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Fiji Airways A350-900XWB (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Fiji Airways has recently announced its plans to launch a new nonstop route between Nadi (NAN) and American Airlines’ hub at Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW). The airline filed a request with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the service, which is expected to operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The exact schedule for the flights has not yet been published. In the U.S., the airline currently serves Honolulu, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

This new route will be operated using Fiji Airways’ Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The airline currently has four of these aircraft in its fleet, each named for a major island in Fiji.

The launch of this new route is part of Fiji Airways’ ongoing efforts to expand its network and increase connectivity between Fiji and the United States. Last month, the carrier announced plans to join American’s AAdvantage frequent flyer program. The airline is also in the process of becoming a full member of the oneworld alliance, which is expected to be finalized in 2025.

Ryan Ewing

Dnata Secures Multi-Year Ground Handling Contract

Dnata, a global air and travel services provider, has secured a multi-year contract to service Azul Airlines' flights in Orlando.

Tolga Karadeniz

Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 12:00 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Azul's first A330-900neo at the gate in Sao Paulo. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | João Machado)

Dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has secured a multi-year contract with Azul Airlines at Orlando International Airport (MCO), further solidifying its presence in the Florida travel hub. This strategic partnership not only expands Dnata’s service portfolio in Orlando but also strengthens its long-standing collaboration with Azul Airlines.

“We are delighted to welcome Azul Airlines, a valued customer in South America, to Orlando,” said David Barker, Dnata’s Regional CEO of Airport Operations – Americas, in a press release. “This new contract strengthens our long-standing partnership, which was recently recognized by Azul’s PEXX award for Best Punctuality. We remain committed to providing the highest levels of quality and safety to Azul and its passengers.”

Under the agreement, Dnata will provide ramp services for Azul’s twice-daily flights between Orlando and Recife, Brazil. Dnata’s team of 150 in Orlando will play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient and safe handling of over 600 Azul flights annually, the company noted.

The collaboration between Dnata and Azul Airlines began in 2016. Since then, their partnership has expanded, currently spanning 22 airports across Brazil and the United States.

A Major Player in the U.S. Market

Dnata’s presence in the U.S. extends far beyond its new partnership with Azul Airlines. The company boasts a suite of services, including ground handling, logistics, and cargo solutions to over 70 airlines across the nation. In the past financial year (2023-24), the company handled a remarkable volume – over 60,000 flights, 18 million passengers, and a staggering 200,000 tons of cargo within the U.S. alone.

Established in 1959, Dnata has grown into a global leader in air and travel services. The company offers a wide portfolio, encompassing ground handling, cargo, travel, catering, and retail services across more than 30 countries on six continents.

Tolga Karadeniz

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.

Which Airlines Are Eyeing New Service From Washington-DCA

Airlines are competing for additional slots to service flights at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 03:48 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Delta aircraft takes off from Washington DCA. (Photo: Shutterstock | Andrew Mauro)

Following the FAA Reauthorization Act’s passing earlier this year, airlines are competing for five pairs of additional slots to operate flights at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) near Washington, D.C.

President Biden signed the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act into law on May 16. The 1,083-page bill reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through fiscal year 2028, including activities and programs related to airport planning and development, facilities, equipment, and operations.

Section 502 of the bill adds 10 total one-way airport slot exemptions at DCA. These 10 extra flights –which grant airlines the ability to exceed the airport’s 1,250-mile perimeter rule – will be divided in pairs to five applying airlines that meet the criteria outlined in the bill.

Four of the slot pairs will be available to non-limited incumbent air carriers at DCA as of May 16. The remaining slot will be available to one airline carrier qualifying for status as a limited incumbent carrier at DCA.

The Secretary of Transportation is to consider the following criteria when awarding the slot exemptions to applicants:

The exemptions must enhance options for nonstop travel to “beyond-perimeter airports” that do not have nonstop service from DCA as of the signing of the bill.
Or they must have a positive impact on the overall level of competition in the markets.

Airlines Applying

A post on X/Twitter by aviation reporter Ishrion Aviation names eight airlines that have applied for the DCA slot exemptions so far. Of these airlines, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United are non-limited incumbent carriers and will compete for one of four available slot pairs.

American has applied to serve a route for daily nonstop service between DCA and San Antonio International Airport (SAT). The flight is scheduled to be operated by an Airbus A321.

“American is proud to submit an application to provide the only nonstop service between San Antonio and Washington, D.C.,” said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, in a news release published by the company. “This new service will expand American’s industry-leading domestic network connecting customers to the places they want to visit most.”

Delta applied to operate a new flight between DCA and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

“Seattle is a crucial hub for Delta,” said Delta President Glen Hauenstein in an article published on Delta News Hub. “With today’s [June 6] Taipei launch, we are further solidifying Seattle’s role as our leading Pacific gateway. And by adding a direct flight to our nation’s capital in Washington, D.C., Seattle customers will have the additional competition and choice they deserve.”

According to Ishrion Aviation’s X/Twitter post, Delta is proposing a second daily flight to Salt Lake City (SLC) as a backup.

JetBlue announced its application to operate a second daily flight between DCA and Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“JetBlue looks forward to submitting our application to enhance the connection between Reagan National and our focus city, San Juan, with convenient double-daily low fare roundtrip flights between the two capitals,” said Robert Land, JetBlue’s head of government affairs and associate general counsel, in a news release published by the company. “Puerto Rico, known as ‘La Isla del Encanto,’ relies on air service to maintain and enhance its connection with the mainland United States, and to Washington, D.C. in particular.”

JetBlue also proposed a new route to Los Angeles (LAX) as an alternative route option for the DCA slot.

In a news release, Southwest said it is planning a new route between DCA and the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.

“Southwest has a long history of connecting people across the nation with important moments in their lives through competitive airfares, friendly and flexible policies, and the unmatched Hospitality of our People,” said Bob Jordan, President & Chief Executive Officer at Southwest Airlines, in the news release. “We look forward to demonstrating to the DOT that Southwest’s proposal will maximize benefits to the traveling public.”

Earlier this week, United announced its application to provide a second daily route between DCA and San Francisco.

“With our hub in San Francisco, United is well positioned to serve the strong customer demand for air travel between Washington National and the Bay Area,” said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances at United Airlines, in the news release. “If awarded by the DOT, this new service will give customers a unique morning departure from Washington National and a unique afternoon departure from San Francisco, as well as more connectivity for both domestic and international travelers via SFO.”

United has included a second daily flight to Los Angeles (LAX) as an alternative route in their application.

Limited incumbent carriers Alaska, Frontier, and Spirit, will compete for the last slot, though Ishrion Aviation notes that Frontier and Spirit weren’t included in the Department of Transportation’s list of eligible airlines.

As of July 9, Alaska announced it has formally submitted an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate a new round-trip flight between San Diego International Airport (SAN) and DCA.

Spirit has also applied, stating its intention to operate routes between San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) in San Jose, Calif. and DCA. The ultra-low-cost carrier ended service to DCA in 2012.

“Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C., share significant ties in the technology industry,” said Matt Klein, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Spirit Airlines, in a news release published by the company. “New nonstop flights between the airports that sit at the heart of these two communities would make travel easier and foster opportunity for better collaboration between these influential markets. Our San José Guests have truly embraced Spirit during our first year of service at SJC, and we appreciate the support from the SJC team and our community partners in pursuing this new service.”

Frontier has yet to make a public announcement regarding its application, though its DOT application can be read here. Frontier seeks to operate a route between Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico and DCA. The airline currently flies to Denver from the airport.

Breeze Calls Foul

Breeze Airways, an airline not already flying routes at DCA, is calling the reauthorization legislation unfair and anti-competitive because it excludes non-incumbent airlines.

In a media statement emailed by Breeze, the three-year-old airline states that they would have welcomed the opportunity to apply for the new DCA slots by “exploring potential service to service to several underserved destinations,” including Reno, Boise, Sacramento, and Albuquerque.

“By filing these public comments today, we are highlighting the unfair and anti-competitive nature of the FAA’s 2024 reauthorization legislation that excludes Breeze from applying for the new DCA slots,” the company’s media statement says.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff