Boeing’s 2023 Orders and Deliveries

Both the narrowbody and widebody goals were met by the manufacturer but those were already revised since the start of the year.

Filip Kopeć

Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 04:14 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A 777X test aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

As American aircraft manufacturer Boeing is battling yet another 737 MAX crisis, its annual update on the orders and deliveries is also concluded.

Deliveries On Point

The U.S. planemaker delivered 528 aircraft in 2023. This is an increase from the 480 units delivered in 2022 but a significant underperformance when compared to the prepandemic, pre-MAX-grounding high water mark of 806 units in 2018.

The number further splits into 396 narrowbody 737 jets and 73 787 Dreamliners. Both met their goals of 375 and 70-80 deliveries, respectively. At this point, it is worth mentioning that the narrowbody target was already downgraded in October after manufacturing flaws were detected and accredited to a fuselage supplier, Spirit AeroSystems. Additional inspections slowed the deliveries and caused the initial target of 400 to 450 units to be deemed unfeasible.

Southwest 737 MAX 8 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Fourth Biggest Year on Orders

According to data provided by the manufacturer, 2023 was the fourth best year in Boeing’s history when it comes to net orders. The pandemic slowdown made the clients hesitant to put orders on the books, as airlines had plenty of unused capacity to put into schedules. Now that most carriers have reached and surpassed 2019 traffic records, getting more planes into the fleet has become a priority again.

2023 ended with Boeing netting 1314 orders after considering cancellations and conversions. This is the fourth-best result in Boeing’s history, worse only than 2007, 2013 and 2014 when accounting for the cancellations. It is a fair result given that, in 2007, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner prototype was rolled out, sparking a wave of 369 orders, which is a considerable number for a widebody aircraft.

This brought the total number of aircraft units ordered in 2007 to 1413. Orders increased in 2013 and 2014 after the manufacturer announced the new 737 line, the MAX, and clients rushed to secure a spot in line. With 708 and 891 MAX orders respectively, the final number of orders got to 1355 and 1432 in those years, so not that far above the 2023 result.

Given the very weak years of 2018 through 2021, when Boeing netted close to 0 new orders, 2023 could still be considered a release of the pent-up demand for the jets.

A Boeing 777F on test flights before delivery.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

The Competetive Comparison

Boeing’s main rival, European manufacturer Airbus, has also published its official 2023 numbers. It was already visible throughout 2023 that it would be a strong year for Airbus. With deliveries standing at 735 unit level and 2094 net new orders, the competitor has beaten its U.S. counterpart by 39% and 59% respectively, which is a symptomatic difference summarizing a story of the recent consecutive troubles Boeing had to battle with. This is the fifth year in a row that the European manufacturer is holding the prime spot when it comes to aircraft manufacturing.

Filip Kopeć

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.

Disruptions Continue as 737 MAX 9 Remains Grounded

Airlines continue to feel operational pains as Boeing’s 737 MAX 9 remains grounded following Friday’s door plug loss and explosive decompression incident.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 11:31 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

John McDermott

A 737 MAX 9 in the Boeing livery landing at Paine Field. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Airlines continue to feel operational pains as Boeing’s 737 MAX 9 remains grounded following Friday’s door plug loss and explosive decompression incident. Even with Boeing admitting its mistake, there is still no clear timeline for the aircraft type to return to service.

In the U.S., United and Alaska are the largest operators of the type with 79 and 65 in service respectively, according to Cirium fleet data. Copa and Aeromexico also operate a substantial portion of the 215 737 MAX 9s in service worldwide.

Alaska

After Friday’s incident, Alaska proactively grounded its fleet of 737 MAX 9 aircraft pending maintenance inspections. On Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive to ground the type at all operators.

According to Cirium Diio data, approximately 25% of Alaska’s planned schedule in January 2024 is set to be operated by the 737 MAX 9 variant. The carrier uses the jet in a variety of markets, including over-water operations to Hawaii.

As of Wednesday morning, Alaska has canceled 487 total flights since January 5, per FlightAware data. While not all cancellations are necessarily correlated to the 737 MAX 9 grounding, this figure represents almost 17% of Alaska’s planned flights.

“As these steps remain pending, we continue to experience disruption to our operation with these aircraft out of service,” the airline said as part of a statement.

United

While United is the largest operator of the 737 MAX 9 worldwide, the type makes up a smaller portion of the carrier’s larger fleet. In January 2024, the 737 MAX 9 is set to operate 10.5% of the carrier’s planned schedule.

Earlier this week, the airline said it found loose bolts in the door plugs of at least five 737 MAX 9 aircraft. Inspections are ongoing at the carrier.

In the same period, FlightAware’s data reports that United has canceled 650 total flights, representing just over 6% of its planned flights. However, weather has battered several of the carrier’s hubs in recent days. In a statement, the airline said it canceled 180 737 MAX 9 flights during the weekend.

Other Airlines

Both Copa Airlines and Aeromexico have canceled their 737 MAX 9 flights. In a statement earlier this week, Copa said, “The airline’s team is working to minimize the impact on our passengers, although some delays and cancellations are expected due to this situation beyond the airline’s control.”

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.

Airbus Beluga Transport Receives Air Operator’s Certificate

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has announced that Airbus Beluga Transport, its air cargo service, has received its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

John McDermott

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 07:37 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Beluga #3 takes off from Novosibirsk Airport in Russia on its final destination to Kobe, Japan. (Photo: Airbus)

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has announced that Airbus Beluga Transport, its air cargo service, has received its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC), Airbus said in a statement. This effectively makes this cargo arm its own standalone airline.

Since Airbus Beluga Transport was founded a couple of years ago, its flights have been operated by Air Transport International, similarly to how Atlas Air operates the Boeing Dreamlifters. As the change in operators takes place, aircraft will transfer from Air Transport International’s fleet register to Airbus Beluga Transport’s. Legally, the aircraft are considered to be on lease from Airbus.

A Boeing Dreamlifter aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Airbus Beluga Transport started the process to receive its own certificate in June 2023. Its documentation was approved in September, and the operator subsequently had to receive a Continuous Airworthiness and Maintenance Organisation certificate.

This allows Airbus Beluga Transport to schedule and control continuing airworthiness activities on aircraft and their own parts; in other words, it allows Airbus Beluga Transport to do its own maintenance.

The operator will be headquartered close to the Blagnac airport, and its operating base will be at the Francazal near Toulouse. From there, the iconic Airbus Beluga aircraft will prepare for missions, including loading and unloading transport pallets. Aircraft maintenance will also occur at this base.

Pilot Hiring and Training

Airbus Beluga Transport is starting flights on the existing Airbus network. Company management says it wants to get its crews experienced with short-haul flights, to places such as Saint Nazaire, Hamburg, Bremen, and Sevilla, which are already relatively familiar and routine. The company will also test internal procedures and train new crewmembers.

“The ramp-up of both the operations and the crew training and also the ground support team training is a big challenge,” said Olivier Schneider, who will serve as head of flight operations for Airbus Beluga Transport. “We’re learning ‘on-the-fly’ since this type of operation is something brand new for many of the team.”

“Moreover, even if Beluga has been flying from time to time on external long-haul missions, it’s one thing to plan and undertake one long mission, but it’s quite different to perform several of them in the same week,” Schneider continued.

Airbus Beluga Transport will focus on flying Airbus parts around Europe. It hopes to get certified to carry a wider range of Airbus products, most notably helicopters and military aircraft. This will allow it to transport cargo for both Airbus and external customers that operate these types of aircraft.

For the moment, the operator is looking for pilots with experience on Airbus A300 and A310 jets to apply for positions with the company. Pilots will need specific training in Beluga operations due to the unique challenges of flying such a particular aircraft. Airbus Beluga Transport is looking to take to the skies this fall.

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.

EVA Air Orders A350-1000s and A321neos

EVA becomes the third airline in Taiwan to order the A350 and the A321neos set the stage for Airbus domination in Taiwan's single-aisle market.

Anthony Bang An

Tuesday, January 09, 2024 at 06:21 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A mockup of EVA's A350 (Photo: Airbus)

European manufacturer Airbus has started 2024 with a major commercial order. Taiwanese carrier EVA Air has selected the Airbus A350-1000 and A321neo for its fleet renewal. The order contains 18 long-haul A350-1000s and 15 A321neos for regional flying.

The order was first announced on Nov. 7, 2023 and was finalized on January 9. The firm orders will pave the way for EVA Air to replace its aging long-haul and regional aircraft and introduce more efficient jets with less emissions and fuel consumption. EVA Air will also become Taiwan’s third A350 operator, an impressive feat for Airbus and a testament to the type’s success.

EVA Air flies its fleet of Boeing 777-300ER jets on non-stop services between Taiwan and the U.S. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Parker Davis)

The new Airbus aircraft are expected to replace EVA’s aging Boeing 777-300ERs on high-density connections in Asia and intercontinental routes, while the new narrowbodies will take the places of the existing fleet of A321-200s flown by EVA Air and previously its subsidiary UNI Air on domestic and regional flights.

Commenting on the new order, Clay Sun, President of EVA Air, said: “We have selected the Airbus aircraft following a thorough evaluation of the various models in each market segment. In both size categories we have selected the most modern and fuel efficient types, that offer the highest levels of passenger comfort.”

Replacing the 777-300ER

According to planespotters.net, EVA currently operates 34 777-300ERs with an average of 10.8 years, and all with configuration suitable for long-haul flying. The type is currently the backbone for EVA’s intercontinental network, flying to EVA’s eight destinations across the United States and to Toronto and Vancouver.

It is expected that the new A350-1000s will fly on routes that the 777-300ERs currently fly, though the firm order for 18 of the type is not enough to replace the current 777 fleet, which stands at 34.

An EVA Air Boeing 777-300ER taxiing in San Francisco. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The 777-300ERs also fly to destinations in Europe, including Paris, London, and Amsterdam. Some popular routes within Asia see the deployment of the type as well with the type flying on multiple daily flights to Singapore, Bangkok, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

EVA Fleet Renewal

EVA is also an operator of Boeing’s Dreamliners, operating a total of 15 787s with 11 of the 787-10 variant and four being the 787-9. Ten more Dreamliners will eventually join its fleet and these airplanes will replace the A330s, which are set to be phased out by 2029.

The A321neos will replace EVA Air’s A321s, which have an average age of 8.6 years. The relatively young fleet flies on domestic routes within Taiwan and many destinations to Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. The order is expected to be delivered progressively starting from a later date.

EVA Air’s first 787-9 Dreamliner rolls out of Boeing’s North Charleston paint shop (Photo: Boeing)

EVA will have 43 firm orders to be delivered from Airbus and Boeing after the latest deal with Airbus. The airline currently has a fleet of 79 passenger jets in 2024 and an average age of 8.6 years.

Not Taiwan’s First A350 Operator

EVA Air’s rival in Taiwan, China Airlines, has operated A350-900s for seven years and has a fleet of 15 at the time of writing, with one more expected to join. China Airlines also recently placed an order for its fleet renewal, though with Boeing for 24 Dreamliners.

The rising startup, Starlux, on the other hand, has orders for both the A350-1000 and A350-900. A total of 18 A350s will be delivered to the airline with four already delivered and used on transpacific flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco.

A320neo Family Dominates Taiwan Market

Airbus’ A321neo has seen incredible success in Taiwan in recent years. China Airlines will have a fleet of 25 A321neos and replace the 737-800s with the new Airbus jets. Starlux already operates 13 of the type with more coming and EVA will take at least 15 of the type.

Boeing’s 737 MAX family currently has zero orders in Taiwan. Out of the 66 single-aisle jets in Taiwan in service in 2024, 10 are Boeing 737s, or 15% of the market. With the new orders for the A320neos piling up, Boeing’s market share is expected to dip to zero while Airbus dominates.

Anthony Bang An

Anthony is an aviation enthusiast who grew up around the world from St. Louis to Singapore, and now lives in Amsterdam. He loves long-haul flying and finds peace in the sound of engine cruising. He aspires to share his passion for the sky though writing and providing another angle on the stories.

Major U.S. Airlines Hire Fewer Pilots in 2023

Major U.S. airlines hired 6.2% fewer pilots year-over-year in 2023, according to data from pilot career advisory firm FAPA.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, January 09, 2024 at 02:06 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Vanni Gibertini

Inside the cockpit of a Boeing 737 MAX. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

Major U.S. airlines hired fewer pilots year-over-year in 2023, according to data from pilot career advisory firm FAPA. In total, the 13 U.S. major airlines that FAPA tracks recorded 12,335 new hires, a 6.2% decrease from 2022 figures.

This decrease comes on the heels of some airlines halting pilot hiring altogether. In October 2023, ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Spirit indefinitely suspended hiring. Both FedEx and UPS have advised pilots already on property to look at flying at regional carriers, while also significantly pulling back the throttles on hiring.

Despite the year-over-year reduction, 2023 was the second-highest year on record for pilot hiring at major U.S. carriers.

Record Year for Some

A handful of airlines reported record hiring years for new aviators. Allegiant, American, Delta, and Southwest all had a banner year, according to FAPA’s data. Southwest had the largest year-over-year increase with 776 more pilots joining its ranks compared to 2022. The Dallas-based carrier is nearing a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with its pilots pending a vote.

The so-called ‘big three’ airlines – American, Delta, and United – recruited 57% of all pilots hired last year. Even as it looks to expand its training facility in Denver, United hired 62 fewer pilots year-over-year.

These record-setting hiring rates tie into the U.S.’s continued production of Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificates. Overall, ATP-certified pilots exceed pre-COVID figures by more than 6,500 individuals, per the Aero-News Network.

Lucrative Opportunities Still on Offer

While FAPA only tracks pilot hiring for major carriers, the firm acknowledges that it is likely regional carriers also hired at a similar rate. “While these numbers only reflect the pilot hiring efforts at the thirteen major airlines…it’s important to recognize that pilot hiring at regional and the private/business aviation carriers would at least equal but more likely exceed these values,” it said in a January 2024 edition of its bulletin.

As many airlines — especially regional carriers — struggled to retain captains, many regional airlines are continuing to offer lucrative bonuses for direct-entry captains. For example, American Airlines’ wholly-owned regional subsidiary PSA is offering captains from FedEx and UPS a $250,000 signing bonus.

2024 Projections

U.S. airlines are starting to look at 2024 hiring and, according to FAPA’s data, projections for pilot hiring are at 75% of the last two years’ figures. While a decrease, these figures are likely to still eclipse hiring trends prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Atlanta-based Delta was the first of the ‘big three’ airlines to announce its plans to reduce pilot hiring in 2024. The airline said it intends to hire slightly over 1,000 pilots in 2024, which represents half of its numbers from the last two years.

Ryan Ewing

South African Airways Resumes Flights to Perth

South African Airways (SAA) has officially announced the return of its flights to Perth, Australia after a four-year long hiatus.

Victor Shalton

Tuesday, January 09, 2024 at 12:54 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A South African Airways A340-600 on approach to Frankfurt. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

South African Airways (SAA) has officially announced the return of its flights to Perth, Australia. After a four-year hiatus, bookings are now open for the inaugural flight scheduled on April 28, 2024, establishing a key link between Johannesburg and Perth.

Under the leadership of CEO John Lamola, SAA is navigating a path of recovery and growth, emerging stronger from the challenges of the pandemic and creditor protection proceedings. The return of the Perth route comes just six months after the successful launch of the Sao Paulo, Brazil route on October 31, 2023.

“Besides the global interconnectivity potential of this route, Perth has long been a favoured destination for South African and Australian travellers, with approximately 80% of our target market being visiting family and friends,” adds Lamola in a press release. “The recommencement of the route provides an easier and direct passage for both leisure and business travellers, promoting trade and cultural exchange between South Africa and Australia.”

Southern Hemisphere Connections

The Perth route complements SAA’s Sao Paulo route, creating a Southern Hemisphere travel package that seamlessly connects Perth to Sao Paulo via Johannesburg.

With Perth being a favored destination for South African and Australian travelers, the route is set to facilitate seamless travel for leisure and business purposes, promoting trade and cultural exchange between the two nations. The Perth route facilitates seamless travel into and out of Australia for customers of the 25 airlines that are co-members of the Star Alliance.

South African Airways’ reinstated Perth route carries unique significance as it positions the airline as the sole carrier to offer flights between Africa and Western Australia. Notably, Qantas operated between Perth and Johannesburg for a short period (November 2022 to March 2023), making SAA the exclusive provider of this air link.

For the launch phase of the route, SAA will operate the Airbus A340-300, offering a total seat capacity of 253, including 38 business class seats and 215 economy seats. Flights on the Johannesburg-Perth route (SA 280) are scheduled three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, departing at 8:55 p.m. local time from OR Tambo International Airport and arriving at Perth International Airport the following day at 12:20 p.m.. The return flights from Perth (SA 281) are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, departing at 2:40 p.m. local time and arriving the following day at 7:35 p.m. in Johannesburg.

The reintroduction of the Perth route aligns with SAA’s broader growth strategy, driven by CEO John Lamola’s vision. The airline aims to build a fleet of 21 airplanes by the end of 2025, with long-term plans envisioning a fleet size ranging between 38 to 40 jets.

SAA’s global ambitions are further bolstered by partnerships, including the collaboration with SunExpress, a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. SunExpress’s involvement in a multi-year agreement to fly aircraft for SAA during the European winter season reflects a deepening alliance, aiming to send four aircraft to South Africa in the 2024-25 European winter season.

Victor Shalton

Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.

Russia Buys 92 Foreign-Owned Aircraft

To combat continued sanctions, Russia forcefully re-registered foreign aircraft. The buy out will allow airlines to use the seized aircraft internationally.

Filip Kopeć

Monday, January 08, 2024 at 04:47 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Aeroflot narrowboies at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fangzhong Guo)

Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine put much of the aviation industry under pressure. Western airlines are now banned from overflying Siberia, the most optimal route possible between Europe and Far East Asia. On the other hand, Russian airlines in turn are banned from Western aviation supplies, assets, and maintenance.

The Industry Links

Russian airlines tied heavy knots of cooperation with the global aviation industry to fuel the growth and modernization of its fleets using Airbus and Boeing airplanes. At the beginning of the Ukrainian war of 2022, Reuters reported that Russian carriers were operating 980 passenger jets, of which 777 were leased. Of these, 515 jets with an estimated market value of about $10 billion were rented from foreign firms such as AerCap and Air Lease.

The Western sanctions quickly revealed themselves as a double-edged sword. As per their provisions, the aircraft leases between the Western-based leasing companies and the Russian airlines were set to be terminated by March 28, 2022, barely a month after the start of the invasion. This led to some aircraft being grounded in foreign countries and not seeing Russian soil to this day.

The consequence is that Russian airlines severely reduced their foreign destinations portfolio. The freed-up jets were used then to keep the ones flying in a working condition, as foreign maintenance and spare parts were no longer available for the sanctioned entities.

Aeroflot’s 2024 network (Photo: www.flightconnections.com)

Manufacturing

Nowadays, a budding aviation sector is key to a prosperous economy. Nowhere is this statement more apparent than in a country that spans eleven time zones like Russia. It takes an 8-hour-long flight to link the capital which lies close to the western border of the country with airports on the eastern side of the country such as Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport.

Russia, once a nation pioneering aviation, is now heavily reliant on Western technology. The most common Russian jet currently in production, the Sukhoi Superjet 100, is infamous for its accident history despite still being a limited number in operation. On top of that, the only possible engine powering the plane is produced by the PowerJet joint venture between Snecma (Safran) of France and NPO Saturn of Russia, which is not possible to sustain production given the scope of the sanctions.

Aeroflot airplane on ramp — An Aeroflot A330 at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fangzhong Guo)

Russian State Commitment

The light on the horizon is the Irkut MC-21, which is an aircraft type set to compete with the common Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families. President Vladimir Putin expressed his optimism at the combined Direct Line Q&A session and year-end press conference.

“We need to develop our own aircraft production. I hope all plans, and we plan to make more than 1,000 our own airplanes by 2030 [….] will be implemented; specialists, pilots, and passengers will have on what to fly,” Putin said.

As a temporary solution to the issue, the Russian state has bought out another 92 airplanes from foreign leasing companies. Russia’s National Welfare Fund has laid out 190 billion roubles ($2.06 billion) for the purpose. Airlines will receive the aircraft through Russia’s state insurance company NLK-Finance which took the temporary ownership. The national carrier, Aeroflot, will secure 28 units while another airline, S7, will get as many as 45 of its formerly foreign-owned planes. Additionally, Ural Airlines will receive 19 units.

Filip Kopeć

Loose Bolts Found on 737 MAX 9 Aircraft

Loose bolts were found on the plug doors of at least five United 737 MAX 9 aircraft during mandated inspections, per reports.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, January 08, 2024 at 04:19 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A United 737 MAX 9 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Loose bolts were found on the plug doors of at least five United 737 MAX 9 aircraft during mandated inspections. As first reported by The Air Current, the issue was discovered following Friday’s incident involving Alaska flight 1282.

All U.S.-based 737 MAX 9 operators have been mandated by the FAA to complete inspections. 737 MAX 9 aircraft at both United and Alaska – two of the variant’s largest operators worldwide – remain grounded pending the completion of these checks.

“Since we began preliminary inspections on Saturday, we have found instances that appear to relate to installation issues in the door plug – for example, bolts that needed additional tightening. These findings will be remedied by our Tech Ops team to safely return the aircraft to service,” United said as part of a statement.

Plug Door Found

Roughly 48 hours after the Alaska flight returned to Portland, NTSB officials said Sunday that the missing plug door was located in an Oregon man’s backyard. Described as a “key missing component” in the NTSB’s investigation, the 63-pound plug door survived a nearly 16,000-foot drop relatively intact.

NTSB investigators locate missing plug door from Alaska flight 1282 (Photo: NTSB)

Flight 1282 suffered an explosive decompression following the loss of the plug door. According to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy in a Sunday evening press conference, the decompression’s force was violent enough to damage various components throughout the 737 MAX 9’s cabin, including the loss of headrests and tray tables. No serious injuries were reported as a result.

Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems builds the fuselage for the 737 family, which includes the plug door. The plug door is widely used for lower-density configurations that do not require an added emergency exit.

Ryan Ewing

New Turkish Airlines Subsidiary Receives Air Operator Certificate

John McDermott

Sunday, January 07, 2024 at 03:01 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Vanni Gibertini

An Airbus A321 is painted in AJet's future livery. (Photo: Turkish Airlines)

AJet, a proposed low-cost airline owned entirely by Turkish Airlines, has received its Air Operator’s Certificate. This allows the carrier to launch operations as its own standalone company.

“All application processes of our subsidiary AJet for obtaining an Air Operator Certificate within the framework of the Regulation on Commercial Air Transport Enterprises was completed and AJet was granted an Air Operator Certificate by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) on 02.01.2024,” Turkish Airlines said.

The company is the successor to AnadoluJet, which launched operations in April 2008. The distinction between the two is that AnadoluJet is an incorporated brand name – AnadoluJet’s branding notes that it is “A Trademark of Turkish Airlines” – whereas AJet will be an entirely new, standalone airline that simply happens to be owned by Turkish Airlines.

Launching the new carrier will allow AJet to simplify its services by consolidating into an all-economy-class configuration. Turkish Airlines hopes that this distinction will make air travel accessible to more people by using operational efficiencies to lower ticket prices.

“After years of enjoyable travel under the AnadoluJet name, the AJet brand is not just a new name; it is also the name of a transformation that carries the promise of serving passengers with modern and accessible prices,” AJet wrote on its social media channels when this change was initially announced last year.

“In line with our goals for the next 10 years, we are proud to have started the establishment process of our AJet. The efforts and dedication we have put in for a long time have paid off, and we will introduce AJet to the skies with the summer schedule at the end of March 2024,” Turkish Airlines’ Board Chairman, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, said in November, when the rebrand was announced.

“We fully believe that AJet, with its new name, will become an important part of the cost-effective aviation industry on global scale,” Bolat continued.

Practical Questions for AJet’s Operation

Turkish Airlines hopes it will be able to grow AJet to a fleet of 200 narrowbody aircraft by 2033; AnadoluJet currently operates 87 aircraft. This will help AJet to become a major player in the low-cost market in the region and around the world.

It is not entirely clear which fleet Turkish Airlines will choose for AJet. AnadoluJet operates a mix of Airbus and Boeing narrowbody jets. Historically, a defining feature of successful low-cost carriers is fleet commonality, or flying just one family of aircraft. This reduces cost by reducing the complexity that would otherwise come with training pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, ground handlers, and more on multiple different types of aircraft.

Turkish Airlines has confirmed that AJet will benefit from a recent order Turkish placed for 220 aircraft last month. That order includes 150 Airbus A321neos, potentially hinting at what may comprised the backbone of AJet’s fleet.

A Competitive Low-Cost Market

AJet’s most notable competitor will be Pegasus Airlines, currently the largest low-cost airline in Turkey. Pegasus appears on the brink of a significant expansion, having just received its first Airbus A321neo. The carrier will likely be receiving A321neo jets into the 2030s, putting it in position for a long-term modernization and expansion that will pose significant challenges to a new market entry.

Also in the market is SunExpress, a holiday airline founded by a joint venture between Turkish Airways and German counterpart Lufthansa. SunExpress primarily focuses on bringing passengers to beach destinations for holidays.

Major flag carriers have historically struggled with creating low-cost subsidiaries. In the United States, each of the big three airlines has tried and failed to create a low-cost subsidiary that was viable long-term. However, Turkish Airlines’ version has some benefits, most notably its focus on fleet and cabin standardization. Equally important is the route network it creates for AJet; being able to offer cheap flights to niche markets has proved one of the most effective ways to succeed in the low-cost space, and if Turkish can identify the proper markets to send AJet to, the carrier may prove quite successful.

John McDermott

FAA Orders Grounding of 737 MAX 9 Aircraft

John McDermott

Saturday, January 06, 2024 at 02:13 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

John McDermott

An Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 sits in Seattle prior to delivery. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered the temporary grounding of 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets after a decommissioned emergency door blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight last night. The agency is calling for the inspection of these aircraft before return to service.

“The FAA is requiring immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 Max 9 planes before they can return to flight,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said. “Safety will continue to drive our decision-making as we assist the NTSB’s investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.”

The groundings will most heavily affect United Airlines, which operates 80 737 MAX 9s, and Alaska, which flies 60 of the type.

Alaska’s Self-Grounding

Alaska Airlines had already self-grounded its fleet of 737 MAX 9 aircraft, which operate roughly a quarter of its flights. The decision caused the cancellation of over 100 flights early Saturday, or about 13% of its schedule; the carrier surely has other aircraft that can cover some of flights that would have otherwise been canceled. Alaska expects inspections to take a few days to complete, and aircraft are currently expected to be back flying soon.

“Each aircraft will be returned to service only after completion of full maintenance and safety inspections,” said Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci. “I am personally committed to doing everything we can to conduct this review in a timely and transparent way.”

Passengers traveling on Alaska Airlines are currently allowed to change or cancel their trips without an extra fee, and the carrier will move affected passengers onto the next available flight.

An Alaska Air 737 MAX 9 decorated with Orca whales.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

It is unclear how or why the emergency door, and its associated wall paneling, detached mid-flight. However, we already know that the Alaska aircraft in question had encountered multiple pressurization issues on January 4, the day before Friday’s explosive decompression. That caused Alaska to revoke the aircraft’s ETOPs approval, which allows the plane to fly over large bodies of water.

“My heart goes out to those who were on this flight – I am so sorry for what you experienced,” Minicucci said in a statement about the failed door. “I am so grateful for the response of our pilots and flight attendants.”

What Could Have Caused The Incident?

Focus is already beginning to center on a plug that seals the emergency door halfway between the wing and the aft part of the cabin. Use of the door is required only for operators who have at least 200 seats on the 737 MAX 9. Alaska does not, so they cover the door with wall paneling to prevent it from ever being opened.

This plug is also present on the 737-900ER, part of the 737 NG line that precedes the MAX, as well as the 737 MAX 8-200, which is used for high-density flights, and the MAX 10, which is undergoing testing for certification to enter service.

The plug is not present on the smaller 737 MAX 7 or 737 MAX 8 fleets.

An Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 on a test flight at Paine Field.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

There is no explanation as to why the plug might have failed on Alaska 1282. The aircraft structure around the blown door appears intact in passenger photos and videos; the brackets that latch the plug appear clean with no visible breaks or deformations.

The potential for metal fatigue will be explored in the structures around the missing door. The NTSB will need to search for where the door fell onto Portland to get a more holistic picture of what happened.

The 737 MAX’s Storied History

The traveling public is certainly aware of the last time the 737 MAX encountered a mass grounding. After multiple crashes involving the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), Boeing took years to update the hardware and software that prevents stalls on the airplane family.

A go-team from the National Transportation Safety Board has been dispatched to Oregon to investigate the Alaska Airlines blowout. Though nobody was hurt, this incident will do further damage to the 737 MAX’s relatively poor reputation. Regardless of said reputation, the type is unlikely to disappear for decades. It is Boeing’s most popular commercial aircraft, representing 20% of all Boeing orders since the 1950s, and the backlog is years long.

This incident came soon after Boeing asked the FAA to inform operators of a possible defect with missing bolts on 737 MAX jets. It is unclear at this time whether a missing bolt was to blame for the Alaska incident last night, though investigators will certainly be highly focused on the seal intended to keep the emergency door in place.

How this incident will play into the entire 737 MAX saga has yet to be seen. One possible fix would be a requirement to retrofit emergency door seals to prevent further incidents like this in the future. However, it is also possible that Boeing, the NTSB, or an airline will identify a systemic issue that must be remedied.

John McDermott