An Icelandair Boeing 737 MAX.
(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.
Icelandair debuted a fresh look for its aircraft in 2022 as part of a wider brand refresh. The new livery boasts a clean and modern design that pays homage to Iceland’s natural beauty.
An Icelandair 737 MAX (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Focus on Bold Branding
The most noticeable change is the prominent placement of the Icelandair name in a bold typeface along the aircraft’s fuselage. This shift ensures clear brand recognition at a glance.
Gone are the previous yellow and gold accents. Instead, the tails showcase the true star of the show: five different accent colors will adorn different aircraft. Each represents different natural Icelandic elements.
The rest of the aircraft is largely painted white, a pivot from the previous dark blue belly.
Icelandair 767 and 757 aircraft (Photo: Icelandair)
Gradual Rollout
The new livery is being implemented gradually across Icelandair’s fleet. The first aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 named Jökulsárlón after Iceland’s famous glacier lagoon, sported the new look in January 2022. The airline anticipates all aircraft will eventually receive the fresh coat of paint as they undergo regular maintenance.
Icelandair’s new livery is a departure from its previous design, offering a more contemporary and nature-centric look that reflects the airline’s connection to its home country.
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.
An Emirates A380 arriving in London.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is forecasting total airline revenues for 2024 will reach a record high of $996 billion. This week, the airline trade association held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit in Dubai, hosted by Emirates Airline. Director General Willie Walsh delivered his report on the air transport industry and indicated how 2024 is shaping up. “With a record five billion air travelers expected in 2024, the human need to fly has never been stronger,” said Walsh.
Recognizing the industry’s current state in relation to the recent past, Walsh said: “The expected aggregate net profit of $30.5 billion in 2024 is a great achievement considering the recent deep pandemic losses.” However, Walsh added: “That’s not a record, unfortunately, and represents a net margin of just over 3%. But considering where we were just a few years ago, it is a major achievement.”
In addition to economic statistics, Walsh reinforced safety as the number one priority of the airline industry. Regarding 2023, Walsh stated: “There were no fatal accidents among our 336 members or the 433 IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) registered carriers. Globally, there was one fatal accident claiming 72 lives—a tragic reminder that safety must be earned with each and every flight.”
During his speech, Willie Walsh addressed a few of the challenges the airline industry has faced and may face in the future. He cited the decision by the government of the Netherlands to cut flights at Amsterdam’s Schiphol by at least 40,000 flights annually as “a major afront to global standards.” The Dutch government’s actions were about noise concerns, though Walsh cited the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Balanced Approach to Noise agreed in 2001 as a standard “enshrined in the Chicago Convention and carries the weight of law in the EU and elsewhere.”
“The Dutch paid no heed to (ICAO’s Balanced Approach to Noise) in their politically motivated effort to cut Schiphol’s slots, without consultation,” he said. “And they had no concern for the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines—a global standard that was never intended to accommodate such a retrograde and illegal action. We protested. And when the EU and US joined, the Dutch backed down.”
Further concern was raised at proposed changes to how airlines currently report their corporate tax, in the country where an airline is headquartered. The changes would require airlines to report “in each and every market where revenue is generated.” Addressing the proposals directly, Walsh stated: “Only the battalions of accountants needed to manage the reporting mess will be happy if the change is made. Fortunately, our arguments seem to be gaining resonance. But vigilance is needed to ensure that governments continue to understand that these value-destroying changes serve no purpose for aviation or for their economies.”
This was IATA’s 80th AGM with over 1500 attendees including airline representatives, industry leaders, and government officials. Pieter Elbers, chief executive officer (CEO) of Indian airline IndiGo, began the one-year role of Chair of the IATA Board of Governors. Elbers succeeds RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo as Chair, a role that Luis Gallego Martin, Chief Executive Officer, IAG (representing IBERIA) will assume at the 81st AGM in Delhi, India in June 2025.
John has always had a passion for aviation and through a career with Air New Zealand has gained a strong understanding of aviation operations and the strategic nature of the industry. During his career with the airline, John held multiple leadership roles and was involved in projects such as the introduction of both the 777-200 and -300 type aircraft and the development of the IFE for the 777-300. He was also part of a small team who created and published the internal communications magazines for Air New Zealand’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff balancing a mix of corporate and social content.
John is educated to postgraduate level achieving a masters degree with Distinction in Airline and Airport Management. John has held the positions of course director of an undergraduate commercial pilot training programme at a leading London university. In addition he is contracted as an external instructor for IATA (International Air Transport Association) and has been a member of the Heathrow Community Fund’s ‘Communities for Tomorrow’ panel.
Cascade of Events Led to Last Year’s Austin Incursion
A series of critical events led to a near collision involving a Southwest Boeing 737 and FedEx 767 last year in Austin, Texas.
A Southwest aircraft taxis in Austin. (Photo: Shutterstock | Ceri Breeze)
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that a near-collision between a Southwest Boeing 737-700 and a FedEx Boeing 767-300 at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport last year stemmed from a combination of factors, including limitations in air traffic control technology and miscommunication.
The incident occurred on a foggy February morning in 2023. The air traffic controller, unable to see the Southwest aircraft due to dense fog, cleared both aircraft to use the same runway. While the FedEx flight was on its final CAT III ILS approach, the Cancun-bound Southwest flight was still performing an engine run-up procedure due to icing conditions. The FedEx crew narrowly avoided a collision by initiating a go-around.
“I’d first like to acknowledge that this incident could have been catastrophic, if not for the heroic actions of the FedEx crew,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said during a Thursday hearing on the incident. “As a result, none of the 131 people onboard both aircraft was injured.”
In a statement, FedEx said, “We greatly appreciate NTSB’s recognition of the heroic actions of our crewmembers in responding to the event that occurred upon landing FedEx Flight 1432 at Austin Bergstrom International Airport on February 4, 2023. We remain extremely proud of and grateful for the exemplary efforts of our flight crew in handling the situation.”
NTSB investigators pointed to the lack of surface detection equipment at the Austin airport as a major contributing factor. This technology would have provided the controller with real-time information on aircraft locations and was credited with preventing another incursion at New York’s JFK airport. The agency reiterated its recommendation to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that all qualifying airports be mandated to install such systems.
The investigation also highlighted potential shortcomings in communication. The Southwest flight crew, aware of the approaching FedEx 767, did not inform the controller of the additional time needed on the runway for an engine run-up procedure. The NTSB emphasized the importance of clear communication between pilots and air traffic control, especially in low-visibility conditions.
Investigators said there was no evidence that low visibility training was ever conducted at the Austin air traffic control tower.
NTSB animation of the February 2023 near collision incident in Austin.
Visibility was poor at the time of the incident and the FedEx aircraft was on a CAT III ILS approach. AUS has no surface detection equipment. pic.twitter.com/hCMR8Ppw7C
“One missed warning, one incorrect response, even one missed opportunity to strengthen safety can lead to tragedy and destroy public confidence in our aviation system, which is precisely why we must learn from near misses such as these,” Homendy added in a statement. “We are once again calling on the FAA to use technology to prevent runway incursions — something we’ve been doing for decades — because we must back up the humans operating in our aviation system at every level. That is how we save lives.”
As part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, the FAA has announced plans to equip certain airports, including Austin, with surface detection systems by the end of 2025.
NTSB recommendations include:
Equipping all qualifying airports with surface detection systems to provide real-time aircraft location data to controllers.
Collaboration between the FAA, aircraft manufacturers, and avionics companies to develop on-board traffic alert systems for pilots.
Implementing additional low-visibility operations training for air traffic controllers.
According to FAA data cited by the NTSB, serious incursiona were at their highest level in over a decade last year. In 2023, there were roughly 54.3 million takeoffs and landings in the U.S. and a total of 1,760 runway incursions, the NTSB shared.
“Bottom line: We’re trending in the wrong direction,” Homendy added.
The final investigation report, including findings, causes, and recommendations, will be available in the coming months.
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.
NTSB: Interruptions, Multitasking Cause of JFK Near Collision
The incident prompted a call from the safety agency for cockpit voice recorders to be required to cover the last 25 hours of audio instead of two hours.
A Delta 737-900ER in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Interruptions and multitasking resulted in distractions that caused a Boeing 777 crew to cross a runway and nearly collide with a Boeing 737 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York last year, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
In a preliminary report released Tuesday detailing the January 2023 near collision, NTSB said confusion on the part of the crew of a London-bound Boeing 777 led to mistakenly crossing a runway occupied by the Delta 737 that had been given clearance for takeoff. The aircraft came within 1,000 feet of each other.
Numerous Factors
On the evening of Jan. 13, 2023, Delta Flight 1943 bound for the Dominican Republic was cleared for takeoff from Runway 4L at KJFK. The jet was carrying 145 passengers and 14 crew. Runway 4 is perpendicular to Runway 31.
Shortly before 9 p.m., the B-777 moved along a taxiway when it approached the area where two runways cross perpendicularly, Ross Feinstein, a former spokesman for both the Transportation Security Administration and American Airlines, said at the time after reviewing radar and audio recordings.
An audio recording of an air traffic controller can be heard telling the B-777 to “cross Runway 31 Left,” which would require it to turn right before coming around to line up for departure on Runway 4 Left behind the Delta B-737.
The B-777 made a wrong turn, putting it on Runway 4.
As the B-737 accelerated, Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X) issued aural and visual alerts in the ATC tower, warning of a potential collision. Five seconds after the alerts, the controller canceled the takeoff clearance of the Delta B-737, which quickly decelerated from its top speed of 121 mph as the American Airlines B-777 was crossing in front of it.
The NTSB investigation found the ground controller who provided the taxi instructions to the American B-777 crew didn’t notice the aircraft turned onto the wrong taxiway because he was performing a lesser priority task that involved looking down. The ATC tower team, which was involved with operations related to switching runways, also didn’t prioritize its duties to continuously scan the airport operations environment and did not notice the B-777 on the runway.
NTSB investigators cited numerous factors that contributed to the American captain’s mistake in continuing along the wrong taxiway and crossing the occupied runway without a clearance, including interruptions and multitasking that were happening on the flight deck during critical moments of ground navigation. The other two flight crewmembers didn’t catch the captain’s error because they were both engaged in tasks that diverted their visual attention from outside the airplane.
The investigation also identified safety issues with air traffic control.
NTSB Safety Recommendations
As a result of the event and subsequent investigation, the NTSB made the following recommendations to the FAA to address the risks identified in this investigation:
Encourage flight crews to verbalize the number of the runway they are about to cross, unless an automated system already provides an advisory.
Encourage air carriers to use their safety management systems to identify flight crew surface navigation errors and develop effective mitigation strategies.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the activation logic for runway status light systems, and update the logic as necessary to improve its effectiveness.
Collaborate with aircraft and avionics manufacturers to develop a system that would alert flight crews of traffic on a runway or taxiway and traffic on approach to land, and require that both newly manufactured and existing transport category airplanes have such a system installed.
Update a long-standing recommendation to require all airplanes be fitted with a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) capable of covering the last 25 hours of audio, up from the current standard of two hours.
The CVR information was not available for this incident because the data was overwritten. As a result, the NTSB had to rely exclusively on flight crew recollections about the incident, however, these were not documented until a month after the incident occurred.
A cockpit voice recording would likely have provided additional details about the content and timing of crew communications, shed light on the crew’s minute-by-minute focus of attention, and revealed any unreported, nonpertinent conversations or other distractions.
“The whole reason U.S. aviation has such an exemplary safety record is because we’ve built in extra layers of protection, which is why we need lifesaving technology at more of the nation’s airports,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said in a statement. “Our investigation also makes clear why we’ve long supported systems that warn flight crews of risks directly: because every second matters. Thankfully, the controllers acted quickly in this case, but safety shouldn’t be all on their shoulders. Instead, we must back up every single component of the system; direct crew alerts do just that.”
The investigation abstract is available here. The NTSB expects the final report to be published later this year.
Editor’s Note: This story first appeared on FlyingMag.com.
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.
A Cathay Pacific A350 in San Francisco (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Cathay Pacific Airways announced an expansion of its network this week, unveiling new non-stop flights to Riyadh, the capital and financial center of Saudi Arabia. These flights, commencing in October 2024, are expected to bridge the gap between Hong Kong and the Middle East, fostering trade, cultural exchange, and overall connectivity with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.
The announcement was commemorated with a signing ceremony in Hong Kong, attended by high-level officials from both Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.
Strengthening Partnerships and Regional Ties
The agreement marks a significant milestone for the growing aviation partnership between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. Hong Kong Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung expressed his optimism, stating the new route will expand Hong Kong’s reach in the Middle East, solidifying its position as a premier international aviation hub.
Similarly, the Consul General of Saudi Arabia in Hong Kong SAR, Hamad Aljebreen, emphasized the potential for increased cooperation. He described the route inauguration as a “pivotal step” in strengthening economic, tourism, and cultural ties between the two countries. He further noted its alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Cathay Pacific Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam highlighted the strategic importance of the new route. Mr. Lam lauded Cathay Pacific’s commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative, noting the airline currently serves 21 destinations in 14 participating countries. He pledged continued development of flight services, focusing on both existing major routes and those connecting Hong Kong with Belt and Road countries.
The route will be operated by the carrier’s Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft, offering Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins to cater to diverse traveler needs. Flights will operate three times a week, providing a regular connection between the two economic hubs.
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.
Etihad Airways, China Eastern Tie-Up in New Joint Venture
After signing a MOU in December 2023, the two carriers are ready to proceed further with the new cooperation in the coming years.
China Eastern Airlines and Etihad Airways officials sign joint venture documents at Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi (Photo: Etihad)
On Wednesday, Etihad Airways published an announcement about inking an agreement on a joint venture with China Eastern Airlines. The event follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both airlines in December 2023 in Shanghai.
The Strategic Alliance
Present at the ceremony Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways Antonaldo Neves, Chairman of Etihad Aviation Group His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, and China Eastern Airlines Chairman Wang Zhiqing all expressed their content with the next step of the cooperation between the airlines.
A joint venture is a special kind of airline cooperation. It goes beyond the scope of interlining and codeshare agreements which are the most popular ways for airlines to offer interoperability. The carriers are able to closely cooperate on deploying capacity and managing traffic.
Etihad and China Eastern will implement the joint venture cooperation in early 2025 when both secure all necessary regulatory clearances. Additionally, both airlines will introduce full reciprocity to their existing frequent flyer programs in the final quarter of 2024, allowing passengers to seamlessly earn points and redeem rewards when flying with either airline.
The Chinese Mega Carrier
China Eastern Airlines is one of the big three Chinese carriers with a strong domestic network in China as well as a global presence in Asia, Europe, the United States, and Australia. With a fleet of more than 600 airframes serving a portfolio of more than 200 destinations, it is one of the biggest carriers in the world measured by fleet size.
The airline operates out of many airports in mainland China, including both Shanghai–Pudong and Shanghai–Hongqiao airports in Shanghai, where its headquarters is also located. The partnership will allow China Eastern to offer seamless connectivity between any major Chinese city to all significant destinations in the Middle East, India, and other regions.
China Eastern Airlines network in June 2024 (Photo: flightconnections.com)
Middle Eastern Champion of Growth
Etihad Airways operates out of its hub in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. After the pandemic, it is looking to strengthen its presence in one of the key growing markets, which is China. Likely, the Shanghai–Pudong airport that the airline is currently serving will become a major gateway for the carrier to channel the Middle Eastern local traffic to China, including China domestic, and other destinations in the proximity.
Etihad Airways network in June 2024 (Photo: flightconnections.com)
A passionate aviation enthusiast that started off his career as an aerospace engineer, but found his true calling on the commercial side of the airline business. Now as a finance guy among avgeeks and an avgeek among finance guys, he has experience working in the Revenue Divisions of three airlines. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, but admittedly sometimes is more about the journey than the destination.
United to Resume New Pilot Classes While Slowing Overall Hiring
While pilot hiring is set to resume, the Chicago-based airline expects to hire fewer new employees overall than previously planned.
A United 737 MAX 9 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
United Airlines has confirmed that it will be resuming new hire pilot classes in July, following a two-month pause. However, the airline also expects to hire fewer employees across the company in 2024 than originally planned per an Associated Press report.
United Resuming New Hire Pilot Classes
Back in March, United revealed that it would be pausing new pilot classes for the months of May and June in response to Boeing delivery delays. A month later, the airline also offered unpaid leave to its pilots, once again citing delayed deliveries of Boeing aircraft.
This week, United Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations Kate Gebo confirmed that new pilot classes would resume in July. The news comes amid a slowdown in pilot hiring at major airlines in the United States, and shifting hiring trends in the industry more broadly.
Despite the resumption of pilot hiring, United expects to bring on fewer new employees across the company than expected this year. Gebo stated that the Chicago-based company expects to hire approximately 10,000 employees in 2024, compared to a previously planned 13,000 to 15,000 new employees. The airline once again cited Boeing delivery delays for the reduction in hiring.
The airline also revealed how competitive it can be to be hired at the airline. According to Gebo, United has received 260,000 job applications this year, including over 40,000 applications for 300 internship positions.
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.
An American 787 Dreamliner in Los Angeles. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
American is offering a 17% raise to its flight attendants as contract negotiations continue to heat up. The Fort Worth-based airline told flight attendants that the raise comes with no strings attached and also includes a change to increase flight attendants’ profit-sharing.
“We will be back at the table with APFA leadership next week and a deal is within reach, but I don’t know how long it will take to get to the finish line and I don’t want another day to go by without increasing your pay,” the airline’s CEO Robert Isom told flight attendants in a video message on Wednesday.
Isom said the airline presented the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) – the union representing American’s 28,000 flight attendants – with the proposal on Tuesday. In a statement, the APFA called the offer a “PR move in the face of a strike deadline.”
“This means we’ve offered increased pay for all flight attendants and are not asking your union for anything in return,” added Isom. “This is unusual. But these are unusual times.”
The APFA board is set to review the offer on Wednesday. “We believe that AA management underestimated the determination and resolve of Flight Attendants to achieve the contract we deserve,” a statement from the union said.
On Wednesday, the APFA’s board unanimously rejected American’s offer, adding that the company should focus on reaching a full agreement.
“The APFA Board of Directors unanimously rejects management’s proposal and encourages, in the strongest way possible, the company to put all of its attention towards reaching an agreement with our Union and avoiding a crippling strike,” the union said in a statement.
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.
Gaborone-based Air Botswana has announced that it will take delivery of three Embraer aircraft in an attempt to grow its fleet. The airline’s CEO Lulu Rasebotsa said that the expansion is part of a broader strategy to transform Botswana’s national carrier. Furthermore, Rasebotsa also said that it was likely that the airline would need a fourth new aircraft.
“We have identified three aircraft, all fully paid for, and we are in the market for the fourth,” Rasebotsa said.
New Embraer Aircraft
The three new aircraft will supplement the airline’s existing fleet. Currently, Air Botswana’s fleet consists of one Embraer E-170 and two ATR 72-600 aircraft. These are used to service the airline’s flights between Gaborone, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Kasane, Maun, and Francistown. Rasebotsa said that the airline would not dispose of its older ATR aircraft as these would be used to prevent delays in Air Botswana’s flight schedule.
“They’re (the three new aircraft) all Embraer Jets. For the time being, ATRs will remain part of the fleet as the aim is to keep delays to a minimum,” she said.
More Air Botswana Routes
Air Botswana aims to introduce new routes. The new aircraft will enable it to expand its route network. Rasebotsa said that the airline is doing its homework with regard to new route expansion.She said Air Botswana is benchmarking, to ensure that new routes are implemented effectively, with the aim of meeting customer needs and expanding Air Botswana’s market reach.
“The airline views the acquisition of the Embraer jets and the expansion of routes as crucial steps towards achieving financial stability and operational efficiency,” Rasebotsa added.
Botswana’s state-owned airline has experienced financial difficulties for several years. The airline has struggled to make a profit due to low sales and high maintenance costs. The government has tried to privatize the airline several times. However, these attempts have failed as investors withdrew or the government rejected the terms offered.
Creating Employment Opportunities
Rasebotsa said that the addition of the new aircraft would create employment opportunities in the country’s aviation sector. According to Mmegi.bw, new employment opportunities would include positions for cabin crew, pilots, and other aviation personnel.
Furthermore, in an effort to support young entrepreneurs, Air Botswana has also begun serving snacks produced by locals on its flights. The initiative aims to provide greater exposure to local businesses while offering passengers a taste of Botswana’s culinary offerings.
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.
As Major Airlines Scale Back Pilot Hiring, Regional Carriers Still Face Headwinds
Some regional carriers are working to 'build up some momentum' as pilot hiring trends continue to shift at U.S. airlines.
Regional aircraft at New York LaGuardia Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Even as most U.S. major airlines drastically reduce pilot hiring numbers this year, regional airlines aren’t completely out of the woods yet. Major airlines have hired nearly 40% fewer pilots in Q1 2024 compared to the same period last year, according to data from FAPA.aero.
Many regional carriers continue to shell out lucrative sign-on bonuses, mostly for direct-entry captains. In April, United Express operator GoJet announced a new bonus structure for direct-entry captains worth up to $200,000. According to the carrier, a captain could make over $400,000 in their first year.
The U.S.’s largest regional airline SkyWest offers direct-entry captains up to $40,000 in bonuses and a so-called year-for-year pay match. While a far cry from some of the signing bonuses offered in 2022 and 2023, many regional airlines remain poised to attract talent to the left seat.
All of this comes as the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) – which represents over 77,000 pilots – has said the pilot shortage “isn’t real.” The union also represents pilots at most U.S. regional carriers.
The Regional Airline Association (RAA) and ALPA have clashed over this narrative. In its Q1 2024 report, the RAA added that changes in pilot hiring were “temporary,” attributing them to aircraft delivery delays at Airbus and Boeing. The trade group further alleges that the pilot supply/demand balance will “rapidly worsen” as deliveries get back on track.
With some airlines scaling back service to small communities coming out of the pandemic, the RAA claims they could still face the brunt of network cuts. Congress bolstered programs designed to attract and retain small community air service as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act.
“So, I think the good news is that if we got the equipment and retirements continue and the economy is strong, we could be back into a shortage situation immediately,” said Kit Darby, President of KitDarby.com Aviation Consulting, in an interview with AirlineGeeks.
Getting Back Into Balance
While captains are largely the flavor of the month at regional carriers now, Darby noted that most are likely to hire first officers again as companies work to rebalance their flight decks.
“But they should catch up and be back in balance and be able to hire [first officers] again if they’ll stop hiring their captains. And they probably have a year or two reprieve right now, which should slow down the off-the-street captains and increase the [first officer] demand,” he added.
Many pilots left regional carriers in droves to chase higher pay at the major airlines between 2021-2023. American, Delta and United set pilot hiring records during this period, But now, regional airlines have been left to catch up and rebalance their captain-to-first officer ratios.
Speaking to AirlineGeeks, GoJet President and CEO Rick Leach said, “There was a major supply and demand issue of pilots just in general, and the barrier of entry was very, very high over the years.” GoJet operates over 60 CRJ-550 aircraft on behalf of United Express.
United Express CRJ aircraft in Newark (Photo: Shutterstock)
“So we as an industry have done some things. Some people would say crazy things by many multiples of salaries that have gone up at this really crazy rate; I mean, nobody’s crystal ball would have been able to totally dictate what has happened,” Leach added. “But nonetheless, it’s done and it’s created a major return on investment that has started to get interest into the profession. And so that’s good…but there’s other symptoms that have been a result of the pilot shortage that [are] still creating problems.”
Reductions in pilot hiring at the major airlines, Leach said, is just a ‘band-aid’ for the St. Louis-based regional carrier as it tries to retain pilots in the left seat.
“We’ve been very short on our regionals,” said Delta’s President Glen Hauenstein during the company’s earnings call. “We still have probably at least 50 regionals either not flying or underutilized, probably almost 100 when you include the underutilization.”
American expects to add between 20 and 25 fully-utilized regional aircraft each quarter in 2024, noting improvements in the pilot supply at its wholly-owned operators Envoy, PSA, and Piedmont.
In a 2023 slide deck, the RAA said that 76% of U.S. communities saw some service cuts due to regional productivity constraints.
“If we don’t start getting healthier…I think you’ll just continue to see what we’ve seen, which is some under production,” Leach continued. “But look, I think we as an industry are all very focused on doing everything we can, which is why we’re aggressive in the program that we’ve put out there to attract direct-entry captains, trying to sort of get our classes full and build up some momentum.”
Major airlines hired 2,357 pilots in Q1, which far eclipses pre-pandemic levels. During the same period in 2019, airlines hired 1,395 pilots, representing an over 50% difference.
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.
