Delta to Pull Back Capacity Growth

But the carrier continues to see strong demand and beat expectations with its first-quarter earnings.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, April 08, 2026 at 01:15 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Delta A320 in Austin (Photo: Shutterstock | lorenzatx)

Delta will put off plans to expand capacity in the second quarter as soaring jet fuel prices continue to hammer the airline industry.

In a statement released as part of Delta’s Q1 earnings report, CEO Ed Bastian said the carrier will adjust capacity “with a downward bias until the fuel environment improves.”

A reduction in capacity growth could increase already-elevated ticket prices. It was not immediately clear which routes or markets would be affected by the pullback.

Jet fuel prices have nearly doubled since the start of the war in Iran in February, and many airlines are scrambling to lessen the financial blow by raising ticket prices and fees and reworking their schedules to improve efficiency. In Europe, some carriers are even looking at temporarily grounding aircraft to conserve fuel.

But Delta said this week that it is in a stronger position than most of its peers. Executives cited the company’s solid financial foundation, well-regarded brand, and ownership of its own oil refinery, which is expected to save around $300 million in the second quarter alone. Most of Delta’s oil is shipped from the coast of West Africa, keeping it clear of the conflict in the Middle East.

Delta managed to outrun fuel prices and TSA-related challenges at some airports to deliver non-GAAP operating revenue of $14.2 billion and pre-tax income of $532 million in the first quarter. Earnings were in line with the carrier’s guidance, and beat expectations from industry watchers.

In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Bastian said consumer demand remains strong despite the upward pressure on fares.

“Our consumers, which sit at the top end of the ‘K,’ are continuing to invest in travel,” he said, referencing the idea of a bifurcated “K-shaped” U.S. economy. “It’s their priority, and they continue to invest in that experience.”

Effective Wednesday, Delta raised its fees for checked bags, joining competitors United, JetBlue, and Southwest. The airline said the hike was needed to keep ahead of “evolving global conditions and industry dynamics.”

Zach Vasile

Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.

Allegiant Exits Airport as Fuel Pressures Mount

The carrier cited rising fuel costs and shifting seasonal demand in the decision.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, April 08, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

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Edited By:

Zach Vasile

An Allegiant Airbus A320 (Photo: Shutterstock | Joe A. Kunzler)

Allegiant will shutter another station this spring, marking the end of its service in one South Carolina market less than a year after it launched flights there.

The ultra-low-cost carrier’s final flight from Columbia Metropolitan Airport is scheduled for May 4. Allegiant currently serves the airport from Orlando Sanford and Fort Lauderdale, according to Cirium Diio schedule data.

The airline first entered the market in May 2025.

In a statement to AirlineGeeks, an Allegiant spokesperson said the decision was tied to both demand trends and cost pressures.

‘Rising Fuel Costs’

“As a low-cost carrier focused exclusively on leisure travel, Allegiant’s business model is designed for flexibility. This allows us to adjust scheduled service based on consumer demand and offer affordable fares during peak vacation seasons,” the spokesperson said. “After careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to leave Columbia Metropolitan Airport. This decision reflects changes in seasonal demand patterns and operating conditions, including rising fuel costs.”

The Columbia exit is the latest in a series of network pullbacks at Allegiant. In recent months, the carrier said it would close its crew base at Bellingham, suspend four routes including Oakland-Kalispell and Las Vegas-Chattanooga, and previously exited five airports in one network shake-up last year.

An Allegiant A319 in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

In addition, the carrier is suspending its Huntington-Fort Lauderdale route in early May.

“Please know this decision was not made lightly but is unavoidable at this time,” the spokesperson continued. “Our network planning team continuously evaluates travel trends to ensure we’re flying when and where our customers want to go.”

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Southwest Brings New Airport Into Network

Service to and from four Western markets begins this week.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, April 08, 2026 at 10:35 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

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

Southwest on Tuesday officially launched operations at its 14th airport location in California.

The carrier now serves Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, located near Santa Rosa.

First announced in September, the expansion to Sonoma County brings connections to San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, and Burbank, California. The San Diego and Las Vegas routes are operating daily, with two roundtrip flights to San Diego on peak days. Service between Sonoma County and Burbank will initially operate five days per week, while service to Denver will operate on Saturdays only.

“We’re excited to open the door to more of California’s incredible destinations, especially the stunning wine region of Sonoma County, as we add our 14th airport to our already best-in-industry intra-California service,” Andrew Watterson, Southwest’s chief operating officer, said in a news release.

Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport is known for its decor celebrating the long-running comic strip Peanuts. It is named for the strip’s creator, who lived in Santa Rosa.

Coinciding with its arrival in wine country, Southwest said it is launching a new program, “Sip and Ship,” that will allow customers to check one case of wine at no cost from select West Coast locations. The program is expected to start on April 24.

Caribbean Service

Southwest also launched a connection to Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten on Tuesday.

The airline now offers one daily roundtrip flight between St. Maarten and Orlando, Florida. A second route to the island territory, from Baltimore, will start later this week.

Zach Vasile

Southwest Becomes Latest U.S. Airline to Raise Checked Bag Fees

Rates will go up for tickets purchased on or after Thursday.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, April 08, 2026 at 09:10 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Southwest 737 MAX 8 in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Following close behind some of its biggest competitors, Southwest said Tuesday that it will raise fees for checked bags.

“As part of an ongoing analysis of the business and against the evolving global backdrop, Southwest Airlines is increasing its fees on first and second checked bags by $10, effective on all reservations ticketed or voluntarily changed on or after April 9, 2026,” the carrier said in a statement.

The price of a single checked bag will increase from $35 to $45, while the price of a second bag will go up from $45 to $55.

Southwest A-List Preferred and Choice Extra customers will continue to get two free bags, and A-List and Rapid Rewards credit card members will continue to get their first checked bag free. There are no changes to active-duty military checked bag benefits, officials said.

Customers who purchased tickets prior to Thursday will not be affected by the price hike unless they voluntarily change their booking.

Airlines around the world are raising ticket prices and tacking on fees and surcharges in an attempt to at least partially offset the recent surge in jet fuel prices. In the U.S., United, Delta, and JetBlue have raised checked bag fees, with each blaming global economic trends and industry pressures.

According to the International Air Transport Association, the price of jet fuel globally has nearly doubled since the start of the conflict in Iran in late February.

Zach Vasile

Embraer Reports Increased Deliveries in Q1

The manufacturer handed off 10 commercial aircraft and 29 executive jets.

Lorne Philipot

Wednesday, April 08, 2026 at 06:30 AM ET

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Edited By:

Zach Vasile

An American Eagle E175. (Photo: Shutterstock | Ryken Papy)

Aircraft manufacturer Embraer delivered ‌44 aircraft in the first quarter of this year.

The total, made public in a securities filing last week, represents growth of 47% compared with the same period last year.

Deliveries in Q1 included 10 commercial jets and 29 executive jets. The increase in commercial aircraft represents a 43% expansion over last year, while executive jets are up 26%.

The manufacturer delivered five defense aircraft in ⁠Q1, compared with none in the first quarter of 2025.

Embraer expects ⁠to deliver between 80 and 85 commercial jets and between ⁠160 and 170 executive jets in 2026.

The Brazilian company is the world’s third-largest aircraft maker, after Airbus and Boeing.

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.

Transportation Secretary Says Admin Open to Airline Mergers

But Sean Duffy stressed that any deal would still be scrutinized for its potential impact on prices and industry competition.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, April 07, 2026 at 05:30 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. (Photo: Department of Transportation)

The Trump administration is open to mergers and acquisitions in the airline industry, even if they involve one of the Big Four carriers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday.

In an interview on CNBC, Duffy was asked if he’d like to see more mergers in the sector, given the rising cost of jet fuel and the gap in profitability between larger airlines and smaller ones.

“That’s going to come through us, but also President Trump, he loves to see big deals happen,” he replied.

Duffy noted that there’s “always chatter” in the industry about possible pairings, but said he believes there is room for “some mergers in the aviation industry.”

“Even here in the United States?” asked correspondent Phil LeBeau.

“Yeah, I think so,” Duffy said. “There’s a lot of chatter and a lot of different people are talking amongst themselves about what that would look like. I’m going to wait and see if there’s a deal brought to the table.”

Any potential merger would have to be evaluated based on its potential impact on consumers and the nation’s overall economic competitiveness, the secretary added.

When asked by LeBea if he would be OK with a deal that boosted a single airline’s domestic market share to something like 30% or 35%, Duffy said larger merging carriers would likely have to give up certain assets. The administration also wants to avoid a scenario that would hurt competition, he said.

“I’m not going to precommit to anything,” Duffy said. “I’ll look at anything that comes across my desk. I know the president will look at that as well.”

The Trump administration is generally considered friendly to mergers, though its attitude toward a major airline linkup has not yet been tested. Recent acquisitions in the industry have involved smaller regional carriers, including Republic and Mesa and Allegiant and Sun Country.

The Biden administration, which favored stricter regulation and was skeptical of corporate consolidation, intervened to block the merger of JetBlue and Spirit but permitted Alaska Airlines to acquire Hawaiian Airlines.

Zach Vasile

Contour Adds New Route

The airline will connect a small military-administered airport with a third destination.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, April 07, 2026 at 04:19 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Contour Embraer E135 nicknamed "Pride of Contour." (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

Contour Airlines announced another new route this week, with service set to commence later this spring.

Starting June 1, the independent regional carrier will connect Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, with Nashville International Airport in Tennessee. The short-haul service will operate five times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Contour will operate the route using a 30-seat regional aircraft.

Fort Leonard Wood is a U.S. Army installation. Waynesville-St. Robert is located on the base but open to the general public.

Contour currently connects the community with Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago.

“This new route makes it easier for travelers to connect beyond Nashville, opening access to a wide range of destinations across the country with greater convenience,” Contour President Ben Munson said in a news release.

The airline operates mainly in the Midwest, South, and Southwest, as well as the eastern Caribbean.

Zach Vasile

Delta Joins Wave of Airlines Raising Checked Bag Fees

The price change applies to tickets purchased from Wednesday onward.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, April 07, 2026 at 12:45 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Delta 767-300. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Delta on Tuesday became the latest U.S. airline to hike its fees for checked bags as the industry grapples with soaring fuel prices.

A Delta spokesperson said the price for first and second checked bags will increase by $10 on domestic and select short-haul international flights. The fee for a third checked bag will go up by $50.

The current fee is $35 for a first checked bag and $45 for a second.

The new rates apply to tickets purchased on or after Wednesday.

“These updates are part of Delta’s ongoing review of pricing across its business and reflect the impact of evolving global conditions and industry dynamics,” the spokesperson said.

Passengers in premium cabins, SkyMiles Medallion members, active-duty military customers, and travelers with eligible co-branded SkyMiles American Express cards “will continue to receive their allotment of complimentary checked bags,” the carrier added.

Delta has not raised its domestic baggage fees in two years.

Airlines around the world are increasing ticket prices, fees, and surcharges to help partially offset the recent surge in jet fuel costs. As of midday Tuesday, the price of oil, which jet fuel is primarily derived from, was around $114 per barrel.

United and JetBlue raised their checked bag rates last week.

Zach Vasile

Air Canada Expands Winter Schedule With New Destinations, Routes

Flights will operate through the winter 2026-27 season.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, April 07, 2026 at 10:35 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Air Canada announced a significant expansion of its winter 2026-27 schedule this week, including seasonal service to five new warm weather destinations.

The carrier will launch the only routes from North America to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, with service from Toronto and Montreal. The other new destinations are Roatán, Honduras (from Toronto and Montreal); Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (from Montreal); Mérida, Mexico (from Toronto); and Mazatlán, Mexico (from Vancouver).

The frequencies and start and end dates for these routes are:

Montreal to Tenerife: Saturdays to Tenerife, Sundays return, Oct. 31 – April 25, 2027
Toronto to Tenerife: Thursdays and Sundays to Tenerife, Mondays and Fridays return, Oct. 25 – April 30, 2027
Montreal to Roatán: Saturdays, Dec. 12 – April 10, 2027
Toronto to Roatán: Sundays, Dec. 13 – April 11, 2027
Montreal to Santo Domingo: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays, Dec. 10 – April 18, 2027
Toronto to Mérida: Mondays and Saturdays, Nov. 21 – April 17, 2027
Vancouver to Mazatlán: Tuesdays and Fridays, Dec. 15 – April 9, 2027

Officials said the routes to Tenerife will operate with Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

“We are further cementing Air Canada’s global network as one of the most far-reaching from the North American continent,” Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s executive vice president, chief commercial officer, and president of cargo, said in a news release.

The airline also announced 11 new seasonal routes to existing destinations. They are:

Vancouver to Liberia, Costa Rica: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays, Dec. 13 – April 12, 2027
Vancouver to Monterrey, Mexico: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, Dec. 3 – April 24, 2027
Vancouver to Puerto Escondido, Mexico: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Dec. 7 – April 10, 2027
Montreal to Aruba: Sundays, Dec. 6 – April 4, 2027
Calgary to Cancun, Mexico: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, Dec. 11 to April 11, 2027
Calgary to Puerto Vallarta: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, Dec. 10 to April 10, 2027
Edmonton to Montego Bay, Jamaica: Mondays through Sundays, Dec. 7 – April 4, 2027
Winnipeg to Montego Bay: Sundays and Mondays, Dec. 7 – April 5, 2027
Winnipeg to Punta Cana: Thursdays, Dec. 7 – April 8, 2027
Quebec City to Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe: Thursdays, Dec. 17 – April 8, 2027
Halifax to Bridgetown, Barbados: Thursdays, Dec. 17 – April 1, 2027

Zach Vasile

Malaysia Airlines to Resume Route to Southern Japan After 20-Year Gap

Flights will start in September.

Lorne Philipot

Tuesday, April 07, 2026 at 06:30 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A Malaysia Airlines A350. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)

Malaysia Airlines will relaunch service between Kuala Lumpur and Fukuoka, Japan, later this year.

Malaysia’s flag carrier will resume flights to Fukuoka starting Sept. 2 after a hiatus of nearly two decades. The airline last flew to Fukuoka in September 2006.

Malaysia Airlines will be the only carrier offering nonstop service on this route.

“The return to Fukuoka further enhances our network depth,” Nasaruddin A. Bakar, president and Group Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said in a news release. “As the only carrier operating direct flights on this route, we are proud to offer passengers a seamless nonstop experience that eliminates the need for transit. These developments demonstrate our ongoing commitment to optimizing our network and delivering a more integrated travel experience for our customers.”

Gateway to Japan

Several international airlines now offer nonstop service to Fukuoka, including Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, StarLux Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Tigerair, Air Asia, T’Way, VietJet, and Hong Kong Express. The city is fast emerging as an alternate gateway into Japan.

While most international tourists arrive in Tokyo or Osaka, an increasing number of visitors are coming through alternate gateways such as Fukuoka, Nagoya, and Sapporo. This is helping to improve the geographical spread of tourists across Japan, which has seen record growth in tourist numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of an East Asian expansion drive, Malaysia Airlines will also introduce flights between Kuala Lumpur and Shenzhen and Changsha in China. These routes will launch in July.

Lorne Philipot