Airbus Marks 500th U.S.-Built Jet

Airbus celebrated a significant milestone on Thursday, rolling out its 500th aircraft manufactured in the U.S. from the company's facility in Mobile, Ala.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, August 08, 2024 at 05:47 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Airbus' 500th aircraft made in Mobile (Photo: Airbus)

Airbus celebrated a significant milestone on Thursday, rolling out its 500th aircraft manufactured in the United States from the company’s facility in Mobile, Ala. The A321neo, destined for Delta, marks a key achievement for the European manufacturer since establishing its U.S. assembly operations in 2015.

The company is currently expanding its Mobile facility with a third A320 Family final assembly line, scheduled to open next year. This expansion is expected to further bolster the company’s global production capacity.

“This 500th aircraft milestone belongs to our Airbus employees. Their relentless passion and hard work made this achievement possible,” said Daryl Taylor, Senior Vice President of Commercial Aircraft Operations for Airbus in the U.S., in a press release. “Our journey has also been supported every step of the way by our community, and by our customers who have put their trust in Airbus. We look forward to continuing to build safe, quality aircraft for our customers in the U.S. and Latin America.”

Delta has acquired over 130 aircraft produced in Mobile. Kristen Bojko, the airline’s vice president of fleet, praised the partnership with Airbus and the positive impact of the U.S.-built aircraft on the airline’s operations.

Local officials also expressed their enthusiasm for the achievement. Mobile County Commission President Randall Dueitt and Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson highlighted Airbus’ significant contribution to the region’s economy and job creation.

“Airbus has been a valued addition to the City of Mobile and a model employer where many local families have launched long rewarding careers with the world’s commercial aerospace manufacturing leader,” Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said. “Congratulations to everyone at Airbus for achieving this significant 500 aircraft milestone.”

With over 2,400 employees in Alabama, Airbus is a major employer in the state.

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.

Qantas Scraps Nonstop Perth-London Service

The decision to shift the service was taken in the interest of safety and as a precaution due to rising tensions in the Middle East.

Lorne Philipot

Thursday, August 08, 2024 at 05:12 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Qantas 787 Dreamliner lifting out of Paine Field in Washington. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Australia’s flag carrier Qantas has decided to reroute its nonstop Perth to London flight. The decision to shift the service was taken in the interest of safety and as a precaution due to rising tensions in the Middle East.

The ultra-long service, launched in 2018, which previously operated nonstop through Middle East airspace will now operate via Singapore. The London flight, usually a 17-and-a-half hour service, will now refuel in Singapore. Then, as a precaution, the flight will follow an alternative route to London.

Return Flight Still Nonstop

The return flight from London Heathrow to Perth International Airport, however, will remain a non-stop service. The flight will take a readjusted route to Perth, avoiding flying over potentially risky areas. There will be no need to refuel en-route as prevailing winds will enable the aircraft to fly directly to Perth.

This is the second time this year that Qantas has been forced to reroute its flights due to tensions in the Middle East. In April, the Sydney-based carrier paused its nonstop route after Iran declared it would strike Israel for killing a senior Iranian commander in Syria.

The latest suspension follows Iran’s promise to retaliate for the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed by a suspected Israeli airstrike in Tehran on July 31.

Editor’s Note: This story was corrected on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 at 10:15 a.m. ET to properly reflect Qantas’ headquarters in Sydney.

Lorne Philipot

Lorne is a South Africa-based aviation journalist. He was captivated and fascinated by flying from the day he took his first airline flight. With a passion for aviation in his blood, he has flown to destinations in all corners of the globe. Lorne has traveled extensively and lived in various countries. Drawing on his travels and passion for aviation, Lorne enjoys writing about airlines, routes, networks, and new developments.

Frontier Abandons A321XLR Plans, Defers Aircraft Deliveries

Frontier Airlines is making significant changes to its fleet plan, including abandoning the A321XLR and deferring aircraft deliveries.

Tolga Karadeniz

Thursday, August 08, 2024 at 04:57 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Frontier Airbus A321neo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Frontier Airlines announced a major shift in its fleet strategy on Thursday. According to Reuters, the airline is abandoning plans to acquire the long-range Airbus A321XLR and deferring the delivery of several planned aircraft.

The airline previously held options to convert 18 A320neo aircraft into the longer-range A321XLR model. However, Frontier has opted to convert these orders into standard A321neo configurations.

In addition to this shift in aircraft type, the carrier has decided to delay the delivery of 54 Airbus aircraft scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2028. The airline will now receive these planes between 2029 and 2031.

This news comes from Frontier exceeding analyst expectations for second-quarter profits. The airline reported a strong financial performance, driven by cost-cutting initiatives like network simplification and successful sale-leaseback deals. Additionally, Frontier achieved a lower cost per available seat mile (CASM) of 8.98 cents, a 6% year-over-year improvement.

Ongoing global economic uncertainty, coupled with rising fuel prices and inflationary pressures, necessitates a more cautious approach. The airline industry continues to grapple with supply chain disruptions and labor shortages that impact aircraft production and delivery timelines. Pushing back deliveries, Frontier says, mitigates risks associated with these challenges.

This decision aligns with similar moves by other carriers in a competitive market. Notably, JetBlue recently announced plans to delay the delivery of 44 Airbus aircraft.

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.

First Day at the Office for New Boeing CEO

Kelly Ortberg starts his new role with a message to employees about ‘restoring trust’ with the public.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Thursday, August 08, 2024 at 01:44 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Kelly Ortberg started his new role as president and CEO of Boeing on Thursday. (Photo: Boeing)

Thursday marked the first day on the job for Kelly Ortberg, the new president and CEO of Boeing. Ortberg began the role with a message to Boeing employees acknowledging that the company will have to work hard to regain the public’s trust.

“Restoring trust starts with meeting our commitments, whether that’s building high-quality, safe commercial aircraft, delivering on defense and space products that allow our customers to meet their mission, or servicing our products to keep our customers running 24/7,” Ortberg’s message said. “It also means meeting our commitments to each other and working collaboratively across Boeing to meet our goals. People’s lives depend on what we do every day, and we must keep that top of mind with every decision we make.”

Boeing’s reputation took a tumble in the wake of the 2018 and 2019 737 Max crashes that were attributed to a design flaw, resulting in a 20-month FAA grounding of the aircraft and the January 2024 loss of a door plug during an Alaska Airlines flight.

The latter has been the topic of two days of hearings before the National Transportation Safety Board. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy noted that the agency still needs to determine how the jet (Alaska Airlines Flight 1282) left the Boeing factory in Renton, Washington, missing four crucial bolts that held the door in place.

Ortberg will be based in Seattle, stating that it is important to be close to the place where the bulk of Boeing’s aircraft are made. William Boeing, the founder of the company, chose the Puget Sound because the first airplanes were made of spruce, and the area was rife with spruce forests. When aircraft manufacturing turned to metal, Boeing adapted, creating Washington factories in Everett, Renton and Seattle.

In 2001 when Boeing moved its headquarters to Chicago, and later Virginia, many industry experts suggested the aerospace giant’s focus had shifted from turning out quality products to increasing profit, even if it meant cutting corners. They also predicted that having the headquarters so far from the main factories would result in a degradation of product quality.

Ortberg announced he would be spending his first day on the job on the factory floor in Renton, “talking with employees and learning about challenges we need to overcome, while also reviewing our safety and quality plans.”

Ortberg, who brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role, vowed to be transparent with Boeing employees.

“Soon I’ll be visiting many of our sites and I look forward to meeting with teammates around the world,” his message to employees said. “In speaking with our customers and industry partners leading up to [Thursday], I can tell you that, without exception, everyone wants us to succeed.”

In addition to winning back the trust of the air traveling public, Ortberg will be faced with improving Boeing’s financial situation. The 737 Max crashes and door plug accident have sent the company’s stock prices into a nosedive.

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.

British Airways ‘Pauses’ Beijing Route

British Airways said Thursday that it would "pause" service between London Heathrow and Beijing effective Oct. 26, 2024.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, August 08, 2024 at 11:43 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A British Airways Boeing 777 at London Heathrow. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

British Airways is the latest airline to scale back service to China. The carrier said Thursday that it would “pause” service between London Heathrow and Beijing effective Oct. 26, 2024.

According to the Financial Times, the IAG-owned airline expects to suspend the route for at least a year. British Airways’ service to Beijing Daxing currently operates four times per week on a Boeing 777-200.

The London-based carrier will continue to serve Shanghai and Hong Kong. Last year, British Airways resumed service to both Beijing and Shanghai after a nearly three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Western airlines continue to face woes in the Chinese market, largely due to the closure of Russian airspace. Flights are forced to deviate around the airspace, which extends block times.

Last month, Virgin Atlantic announced plans to axe its only China route, citing these airspace constraints. The carrier served the market since 1999.

Ryan Ewing

Fiji Airways Introduces New Flights to Dallas/Ft. Worth

Fiji Airways introduces new flights to Dallas/Ft. Worth, slated to begin in December, and will become its fifth destination in North America.

Benjamin Pham

Thursday, August 08, 2024 at 10:56 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Fiji Airways Airbus A350 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Fiji Airways — the flag carrier for the South Pacific island of Fiji — recently announced new, nonstop flights between Nadi and Dallas/Ft. Worth. Flights are expected to begin on December 10 and will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The carrier plans to utilize one of its Airbus A350-900XWB on this 13-hour service.

Fiji Airways Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen, said, “Introducing a direct service between Fiji and Dallas is a really exciting milestone for Fiji Airways, as we continue to increase Fiji’s connectivity with the United States and beyond offering our guests more travel options.”

Currently, the airline operates to Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver, and with the addition of flights to Dallas, the Fijian carrier will fly to five destinations in North America.

“The new Fiji-Dallas service is set to bring more than 1,000 passengers a week into Fiji alone, helping to bolster the nation’s tourism industry. The overnight flight will also offer our customers increased connections to North America from the South Pacific and beyond,”Viljoen added.

Airline’s Oneworld Alliance Membership

Fiji Airways’ introduction of flights to Dallas/Fort Worth comes roughly two months after the carrier announced it would be officially joining the Oneworld airline alliance in 2025. The carrier would be the alliance’s 15th full member, after previously holding status as an Oneworld Connect partner since December 2018.

Dallas/Ft. Worth is a major hub for American Airlines, a notable member of the airline alliance, and the new flight operations will allow the South Pacific to build upon its partnership with American.

Benjamin Pham

Benjamin has had a love for aviation since a young age, growing up in Tampa with a strong interest in airplane models and playing with them. When he moved to the Washington, D.C. area, Benjamin took part in aviation photography for a couple of years at Gravelly Point and Dulles Airport, before dedicating planespotting to only when he traveled to the other airports. He is an avid, world traveler, having been able to reach 32 countries, yearning to explore and understand more cultures soon. Currently, Benjamin is an Air Transporation Management student at Arizona State University. He hopes to enter the airline industry to improve the passenger experience and loyalty programs while keeping up to how technology is being integrated into airports.

CommuteAir Expands Charter Services With New E170 Aircraft

CommuteAir, celebrating its 35th anniversary, announced on Wednesday the launch of its charter service utilizing a newly certified Embraer E170.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, August 07, 2024 at 05:14 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

CommuteAir's Embraer E170 aircraft (Photo: CommuteAir)

CommuteAir, celebrating its 35th anniversary, announced on Wednesday the launch of its charter service utilizing a newly certified Embraer E170 aircraft. The 76-seat jet has received FAA approval and is now available for booking, the company shared.

The regional airline typically operates 80 Embraer E145 aircraft on behalf of United Express. It has bases in Washington, D.C. and Houston.

“CommuteAir recognized a significant opportunity in the market for charter aircraft that bridge the gap between small regional jets and larger narrowbody aircraft,” said Captain David Fitzgerald, the carrier’s Senior Vice President of Flight Operations, in a news release. “With its 76-seat capacity, the E170 offers a cost-effective and appropriately sized solution for various client needs.”

CommuteAir’s first E170 receives a water canon salute at the carrier’s Houston hangar (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Ewing)

The aircraft features a 2×2 seating configuration, two flight attendants, and dual lavatories. CommuteAir anticipates demand from sports teams, VIP travelers, entertainment groups, and corporate clients.

Registered as N780NC, the carrier’s first and, so far, only E170 was purchased in June 2023 and is just over 15 years old. Over the last 10 months, CommuteAir says it has been working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify the new jet as part of its fleet.

“So this aircraft allows us to move from a small commuter certificate to a much larger public convenience and accessibility certificate. And that paves the way for future opportunities for CommuteAir, operating much larger gauge aircraft,” the airline’s CEO Rick Hoefling told AirlineGeeks during a September 2023 interview. “The Embraer 170 and 175 fleet, the 76-seat market in the United States, is underserved from a charter perspective.”

Ryan Ewing

Best Jobs in Airport Management

From the biggest airports in the world to the small strip down the street, managers are essential to ensuring safe and smooth operations around the clock.

John McDermott

Wednesday, August 07, 2024 at 04:43 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Terminal D at DFW Airport (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Besides operating aircraft, airports are also of course an important part of aviation. Airports must run smoothly around the clock each and every day to allow aircraft to come and go with ease. From the biggest airports in the world to the small strip down the street, managers at each are essential to ensuring safe, consistent, and smooth operations around the clock.

Airport managers do everything from ensuring that taxiways and runways are clear of objects and debris to verifying that terminal areas are clean, navigational aids are functioning, and all regulations are complied with.

How to Become an Airport Manager

Airport managers are often required to have a degree in aviation management or an equivalent field. However, some managers instead have relevant experience managing Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), which themselves provide services to small transient aircraft such as training flights and business aircraft. Other airport managers come from federal jobs with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Many airport managers are Accredited Airport Executives. To become one, applicants must take a multiple-choice exam; complete a research project or advanced degree; and complete an interview. Enrollees in the training program must, among other requirements, have already worked at a public use airport for at least one year and have a four-year college degree or equivalent public airport management experience.

Working in management at a smaller airport may be a good stepping stone for those who eventually want to graduate to larger operations. Though on a smaller scale, managing a smaller airport may give the opportunity to handle a wider array of tasks, from airfield painting and cleaning to regulatory issues and working directly with the FAA.

A major benefit of FBO employment is that FBOs are often the main managing organization of smaller public-use airports, giving prospective candidates airport employment opportunities with a relatively easy point of entry.

Other leadership roles at bigger airports, such as leading a certain department or company at the airport, may help make the transition to full-on airport management easier. Such would make it easier to build connections with people in higher positions to seek mentorship, recommendations, and promotions.

How Much Do Airport Managers Earn

The salary of an airport manager can vary depending on location and the size of the airport managed. However, the average salary for an airport manager in the United States is $46,280, with a range from about $30,000 to nearly $70,000; managers of larger airports, and airport systems, may make over $100,000.

Airport salaries can vary widely across the country. Many airports are taxpayer-funded, so employee salaries come out of a government budget. However, some airports are entirely self-sustaining and make money from facility fees, concessions, fuel sales, and flight instruction to fund themselves.

Airport management is a high-quality career for aviation enthusiasts and those uninterested in flying or airline operations. Airport operations tend to be quite unique on a day-to-day basis, offering consistent challenges and opportunities for growth. Working for an airport can be an effective method of growing your passion for aviation and earning a high income over time.

Looking for pilot jobs? FindaPilot.com posts new openings every day. Get a 20% discount on any plan. Just use the promo code AG20 when purchasing a plan. You’ll get a 20% discount on your first three months as a member.

John McDermott

John McDermott is a commercial pilot pursuing a career in professional flight. His passion for aviation began in an Ann Arbor bookstore with a tale of enemy pilots during World War 2, and he hasn't looked back. Besides flying and writing for AirlineGeeks, John volunteers with Professional Pilots of Tomorrow and travels whenever he gets the chance.

Royal Air Maroc Set to Launch New Canada Service

As part of the airline’s ambition to strengthen its network in the Americas, Royal Air Maroc will launch nonstop flights between Casablanca and Toronto.

Lorne Philipot

Wednesday, August 07, 2024 at 12:03 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Royal Air Maroc at Washington Dulles International Airport. (Photo: J. David Buerk: www.jdavidbuerk.com www.facebook.com/jdbphoto)

As part of the airline’s ambition to strengthen its network in the Americas, Royal Air Maroc will launch nonstop flights between Casablanca and Toronto.

New Toronto Service

Morocco’s national carrier Royal Air Maroc will offer flights to Toronto from the end of the year. The airline will launch this route on December 8. Royal Air Maroc will offer the trans-Atlantic route three times a week with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Moroccan Community in Canada

The new nonstop Toronto service will benefit the sizable Moroccan expat community living in Canada. The airline’s CEO Hamid Addou said that the new service comes as a result of high demand for flights from Moroccans residing in Ontario, Canada.

“It will significantly enhance the existing service offered by the airline, which has had the historic Casablanca-Montreal route since 1975 and currently operates two flights per day,” the airline’s chairman Hamid Addou said.

The new service will be the second nonstop route operated by Morocco’s flag carrier into Canada. The carrier already flies from Casablanca to Montreal.

Royal Air Maroc also operates flights from Casablanca to several destinations in North America, including Montreal, New York, Washington Dulles, and Miami.

Lorne Philipot

Cathay Pacific Orders 30 A330-900s

Cathay Group announced that it will invest HK$100 billion ($12.8 billion) over the next seven years to enhance its customer experience.

Pete Ainsley

Wednesday, August 07, 2024 at 11:51 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Airbus A330neo demonstrator aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Cathay Group announced that it will invest HK$100 billion ($12.8 billion) over the next seven years to enhance its customer experience.

The Hong Kong-based airline group said it will acquire 30 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft with the right to purchase an additional 30 aircraft in the future. The new aircraft are expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2031 and will serve Asian destinations.

The new order comes months after the acquisition of new Airbus A320neos. Cathay currently expects more than 100 new aircraft deliveries, with the right to buy an additional 80 airplanes in the future. The new aircraft include narrowbody, regional widebody, long-haul widebody, and large freighter aircraft.

In addition, Cathay Pacific says it will cooperate with Boeing, redesigning its 777-300ER with an all-new Aria Suite (business class) later this year. Also. the first Boeing 777-9 is slated to be delivered in 2025.

Cathay Pacific and HK Express, its low-cost subsidiary, currently serves 80 destinations worldwide with plans to increase to 100 destinations in 2025.

“With the Three-Runway Systems soon to propel Hong Kong’s aviation sector into a new age, the coming years are going to be an incredibly exciting time for Hong Kong and Cathay with ample new opportunities to grow,” Patrick Healy, Cathay Group Chair, said.

Route Map Expansion

In the meantime, the group has reported an attributable profit of HK$3.8 billion in interim results for the first half of 2024. This is compared to HK$4.8 billion in 2023 as a result of the normalization of ticket prices.

After 18 months of reopening its border, Hong Kong’s aviation industry is gradually returning to normal. Earlier, the airline fully repaid the HK$19.5 billion preference shares to the government. The government offered a financial lifeline to the group in response to the pandemic. Meanwhile, the group’s last aircraft in long-term parking has returned, expecting to reach full pre-pandemic operations within the first quarter of 2025.

However, the full recovery is far from over. Hong Kong is desperate for new flight operations to North America and Europe. Recently, the aviation hub launched a campaign to entice airlines to operate long-haul services.

Pete Ainsley