Porter Airlines Adds Las Vegas to Expanding Toronto Pearson Network

Almost one million Canadians traveled to Las Vegas in 2022 according to H. Fletch Brunelle, the vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

John Flett

Friday, October 20, 2023 at 01:14 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Porter Airlines Embraer 195-E2. (Photo: Embraer)

Canadian short-haul carrier Porter Airlines continues to expand its network from Toronto’s Pearson International (YYZ) since beginning operations from the airport in February of this year. Porter continues to operate from its traditional hub of the downtown Toronto Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ) but now touts Toronto Pearson as its ‘second hub.’

The airline announced this week that Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) would become the seventeenth route from YYZ. Porter Airlines will begin a daily service between YYZ and LAS from March 5, 2024 utilizing the airline’s new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.

Kevin Jackson, Porter Airlines’ executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in a press release: “It takes something exceptional to stand out in Vegas, and we intend to do just that by bringing our elevated economy experience to this popular destination. From the runway to the Strip, passengers start their special getaway the moment they board our aircraft.”

Porter’s ‘elevated economy experience’ on the 132-seat, all-economy, two-by-two configuration E195-E2 includes free wifi for all passengers along with a ‘selection of premium snacks, and free beer and wine.’ The airline also offers those customers purchasing an all-inclusive ‘PorterReserve’ fare a meal service. Those customers who purchase the ‘PorterClassic’ fare can purchase an inflight meal.

Porter E195-E2 cabin with dimmed mood lighting (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Andrew Chen)

Almost one million Canadians traveled to Las Vegas in 2022 according to H. Fletch Brunelle, the vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “The ability to access affordable and convenient flights, like Porter Airlines’ new route from Toronto, is key to ensuring more travelers can experience everything Las Vegas has to offer,” said Brunelle.

Porter’s scheduling of the flights to and from LAS will suit those Canadians visiting the ‘entertainment capital of the world.’ The five-hour flight from YYZ to LAS will have an early afternoon departure and will arrive just after 3 p.m. local time. This will allow passengers visiting Vegas to check in to their accommodations immediately after arriving at Harry Reid International. The return flight from LAS will depart at 4 p.m. so visitors can go straight from checkout to the airport without a long delay, arriving back at Toronto Pearson a little after 11 p.m.

In addition to the Toronto Pearson-Las Vegas route, Porter Airlines also announced this week that the Embraer E195-E2 would commence service on Feb. 14, 2024 from Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to Calgary International Airport (YYC). The service from Canada’s capital to the largest city in the province of Alberta will depart late in the afternoon with a return flight departing in the morning. Porter Airlines already operates from YOW to the capital of Alberta, Edmonton, and further west to Vancouver in British Columbia.

John Flett

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.

Livery of the Week: Qantas’ Emily Kame Kngwarreye Dreamliner

The airline’s trademark red tail was adapted to match the earthy red tones and white dotting technique of the original piece, according to Qantas.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, October 20, 2023 at 12:59 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Qantas' latest livery in its Flying Art Series (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is excited to launch 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.

Qantas is certainly no stranger to artfully designed aircraft liveries. Since 1994, the Australian airline has developed a series of liveries that seek to recognize indigenous works. So far, Qantas has painted five aircraft in striking liveries, all of which are designed by leading Indigenous Australian-owned design agency Balarinji, according to the airline.

Aptly named the Flying Art Series, Qantas has painted a variety of both widebody and narrowbody aircraft in these special designs. The latest one is on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which bears the name Emily Kame Kngwarreye. The livery was inspired by the 1991 ‘Yam Dreaming’ piece, painted by Emily Kame Kngwarreye.

Registered as VH-ZND, the six-year-old 787-9 can regularly be seen across Qantas’ long-haul network.

A Qantas 787-9 Dreamliner called Yam Dreaming, the only Qantas special livery 787. (Photo: Qantas)

Honoring a Late Artist

Born in 1910, Emily Kame Kngwarreye was a prominent Aboriginal Australian artist known for her pivotal role in contemporary indigenous art. She belonged to the Utopia community in the Northern Territory. Kngwarreye commenced her artistic career later in life and gained recognition for her abstract works, often depicting landscapes, cultural narratives, and indigenous flora.

According to the National Museum of Australia, it is estimated that she created over 3,000 paintings in her eight-year-long artistic career, which started in 1988. Her signature style featured vibrant colors and intricate dot-painting techniques. Notably, her art was showcased at the Venice Biennale in 1992, marking a pivotal moment for indigenous Australian art on the world stage.

Kngwarreye’s legacy endures in the global art community, with her pieces displayed in major art institutions. Now, her artistic style graces the skies thanks to Qantas. Kngwarreye passed away in 1996 at age 86.

Qantas’ latest addition to its Flying Art Series (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

The Livery

While VH-ZND largely maintains Qantas’ standard livery, the fuselage and bottom portion of the tail feature the special design. The livery itself is inspired by the yam plant, which was ‘an important symbol in Emily’s Dreamtime story, and an important food source in her home region of Utopia, 230 kilometres north east of Alice Springs,’ according to Qantas.

Similar to other liveries in the airline’s Flying Art Series, this design was also brought to fruition by Balarinji. On its website, Qantas says that the tail was incorporated into the design for the second time in the series’ nearly 30-year history.

The airline’s trademark red tail was adapted to match the earthy red tones and white dotting technique of the original piece, according to Qantas.

Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.

Ryan Ewing

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.

As Airline Capacity Shrinks, Travelers Look for Other Israel Evacuation Options

The United States Department of State offered U.S. citizens evacuating from Israel an alternative way to leave the war-stricken country.

Hemal Gosai

Friday, October 20, 2023 at 11:35 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Ben Gurion airport in 2008 (Photo: Pilettes, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

The Israeli-Hamas war has caused significant air traffic disruptions in the area. Since the start of the conflict, the big three United States airlines have ceased service to Israel. There is no expected resumption of service as the war continues.

This poses a challenge for the many U.S. citizens that are in Israel and wish to leave the country. While Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport is operating as scheduled and open for flights for all airlines options are limited. El Al continues to operate flights along with Turkish Airlines, Etihad, and a couple of other European carriers.

The United States Department of State has been providing charter flights for the evacuation of American citizens regularly. So far over 7,000 U.S. citizens have departed Israel and the West Bank according to a State Department spokesperson. Flights and buses have been the typical mode of transportation, but earlier this week the State Department came up with a relatively unconventional evacuation method: a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

On Monday, Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas set sail from Israel to the island nation of Cyprus carrying U.S. nationals and their immediate family members. While the massive cruise ship can normally accommodate over 2,400 passengers, the number of passengers on this voyage was less than two hundred.

Rhapsody of the Seas (Photo: Royal Carribean)

Evacuees began lining up at Israel’s Port of Haifa, the country’s largest international seaport, as early as 6 a.m. on Monday even though the ship was not scheduled to depart the port until 5 p.m. that day. The journey was a quick overnight with the ship docking in Cyprus early on Tuesday morning with passengers disembarking by 8 a.m. They were met by local U.S. Embassy staff, military personnel, and the U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus.

From there, many were bused to the airport and some were offered a charter flight to Vienna. It’s expected that many were also offered transportation to Athens where many U.S. airlines have increased capacity in order to facilitate the return of citizens from the Middle East.

Evacuation Comes at a Cost

The evacuation, like many organized by the U.S. Department of State, was not free. All passengers had to sign a promissory note agreeing to repay the United States Government the cost of the evacuation. Something last seen in large numbers during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic when the Department of State assisted over 100,000 U.S. citizens and permanent residents in returning to the U.S.

The cost of the cruise evacuation is expected to be upwards of $500. If the passengers do not pay within 30 days of receiving the bill from the government, they may face interest charges, and penalties, and be deemed ineligible to renew their passports in the future until the outstanding bill has been paid.

Hemal Gosai

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

U.S. Major Carriers with 865 Aircraft Ordered in Three Years

The three major U.S. carriers have placed orders for 865 new aircraft over the past three years. Boeing will deliver 74% of the market share.

Zach Cooke

Friday, October 20, 2023 at 02:30 AM ET

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Edited By:

Vanni Gibertini

A Boeing 737 MAX 10 on a test flight. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

The past three years have brought significant changes in the airline industry. Airlines are looking towards the future for more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly fleets. The Big Three have placed orders with both Airbus and Boeing to expand and replace existing fleets.

United Airlines

According to UK-based aviation valuation firm, AviationValues, Boeing has won the majority of the order market share over the past three years accounting for 74% of the market share between the big three major carriers in the United States. Chicago-based United Airlines accounts for the majority of these orders, with 508 placed with Boeing alone in the past three years. The makeup is broken down between 737 and 787 aircraft. While United has shown that the carrier will operate a predominantly Boeing fleet, the Star Alliance carrier also placed orders for 130 Airbus A321 series aircraft.

Delta Air Lines

While United currently dominates the industry in terms of aircraft orders, Delta has plans to grow its fleet with orders placed in the past three years. Since taking delivery of the carrier’s first A321NEO in 2022, Delta has continued to grow its NEO fleet. According to AV, in the past three years, the carrier has added 57 orders from Airbus to the books in addition to another 36 A220s. The Atlanta-based carrier also has 100 Boeing 737-10 aircraft on order which will enter the fleet beginning 2025. This brings the total number of aircraft ordered since 2021 for the Atlanta-based carrier to 193. These aircraft will build on and replace examples of an already existing fleet of 973 aircraft spread across Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

American Airlines

American on the other hand has held strong with the orders the carrier had made in the past. In the past three years, the carrier has ordered just 34 new aircraft, 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that were converted to firm orders in 2022, and an order for four aircraft from Airbus. Additionally, as reported in the third-quarter earnings call by Alaska Airlines, American will take delivery of ten Airbus A321neo aircraft bought from the SeaTac, Wash.-based carrier. These ten examples are not included in the number of aircraft on order directly with manufacturers. In August of this year, talks of a significant aircraft order to replace an aging narrowbody fleet were announced publicly as reported by ch-aviation. However, a solution has yet to be found and talks are still in progress to find a replacement.

Orders by the three major U.S. carriers between 2021 and 2023. (Graphic: AviationValues)

Airbus currently has a backlog of 975 aircraft for North America alone. As for Boeing, in December of 2022, the Arlington, VA-based manufacturer had a back order of 4,758 jets. This is of significance because it determines how long an airline will have to wait before receiving an aircraft from the manufacturer. The larger the backlog, the longer the period of time from order to delivery is.

Looking into the fleet future of the U.S. Big Three based on orders from 2021 to the present, United has an order book three times the size of Delta and nearly 20 times that of American. While all three have had orders placed prior to this time frame, United will see more jets arrive than America and Delta.

Zach Cooke

Zach’s love for aviation began when he was in elementary school with a flight sim and model planes. This passion for being in the air only intensified throughout high school when he earned his Private Pilot Certificate. He then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earning his certificates and ratings to later flight instruct and share his passion for aviation with others. He now resides in the North East living out his dream as an airline pilot.

Biden Nominee For FAA Administrator Notches Bipartisan Senate Support

With more than a year and a half since there was a Senate-confirmed head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it looks like the streak is about to end.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 12:43 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An American Eagle E175 taxis at Reagan National with a "monumental" backdrop. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Ewing)

With more than a year and a half since there was a Senate-confirmed head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it looks like the streak is about to end. On Wednesday, the uniquely bipartisan U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously agreed that Michael Whitaker is the right person for the job. The rare consensus means that full Senate approval is likely.

Words of praise for Whitaker came from both sides of the aisle. Even though Whitaker served under the Democratic Obama Administration as Deputy FAA Administrator under Administrator Michael Huerta, Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, lauded Whitaker’s “extensive aviation experience.”

At a confirmation hearing earlier this month, Whitaker, who holds private pilot and BasicMed certificates, voiced his opinion that bringing quality candidates into the FAA and the aviation industry, overall, will be a top priority. He said, “I would view my role as administrator, as chief recruitment officer, certainly for FAA, but also for the industry.”

But a high-profile string of “close calls” in the preceding months—despite an exemplary safety record, overall—have placed aviation safety front-and-center in the public’s attention. “If confirmed,” Whitaker said, “my priority will be the safety of the flying public. They have put their trust in the FAA to keep aviation the safest way to travel. And the world has looked to us for decades as the gold standard.”

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on AvWeb.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.

Alaska to Begin 737 MAX 8 Service in Early 2024

The Seattle-based airline plans to add the smaller 737 MAX variant to its fleet by the end of 2023, a spokesperson confirmed.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 10:38 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Alaska Boeing 737 MAX 9 approaches Paine Field. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

Now an all-Boeing operator, Alaska is on track to begin service with Boeing’s smaller 737 MAX variant in Q1 of 2024. The Seattle-based carrier phased out its last remaining Airbus aircraft – relics of the 2016 Virgin America acquisition – on Sept. 30, 2023.

According to ch-aviation, the airline has ordered 146 total 737 MAX jets, holding an additional 105 purchase rights. Since taking delivery of its first 737 MAX in January 2021, Alaska has only operated the larger 737 MAX 9 variant. The carrier has 56 737 MAX 9s in service.

Alaska has 737 MAX deliveries planned through 2030, including ten 737 MAX 8s, 737 MAX 9s, and 48 737 MAX 10s. The airline expects to receive its first 737 MAX 8 by year-end, a company spokesperson confirmed.

The airline’s first 737 MAX 8 flight is slated for Feb. 15, 2024 from Los Angeles to Portland with two daily flights, according to Cirium schedule data. At the time of writing, there are no additional flights available in the schedule.

Nearly a year ago, Alaska made its largest-ever order. The October 2022 announcement added 52 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2027.

The airline’s 737 MAX 8 will seat 159 passengers with 12 premium seats and 147 in economy, per Cirium equipment data. The type will seat 19 fewer passengers than the larger 737 MAX 9.

Ryan Ewing

Enjoy a Beer Inside an Old Air Traffic Control Tower

Would you climb eleven flights of stairs to tour an old air traffic control tower? One brewery is opening the door to a once abandoned tower.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 08:43 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Flyteco has repurposes the Stapleton tower space (Photo: Flyteco)

Not too often can you tour an air traffic control tower, let alone enjoy an adult beverage in one. Even if no longer active, towers are notoriously difficult to repurpose as venues. Municipal fire codes and the like create challenges about crowding the cab area and lack of egress.

Nevertheless, a Denver-based brewery is opening the doors to a now-retired air traffic control tower, according to Westword. Located at 3120 Uinta Street, the 164-foot-tall structure once belonged to Denver Stapleton Airport, which preceded Denver International Airport. The entire space has been closed since 2020, but the actual tower has always been off-limits.

FlyteCo Brewing started occupying the space in 2022. The aviation-themed brewing company previously only occupied the first three floors of the building, but will now also offer tours of the tower space.

How to Visit

Starting on November 15, those interested can tour the tower for only $10. The brewery says that tours will be available every Wednesday. Given that the facility lacks a working elevator, patrons will need to climb eleven flights of stairs. And of course, some brews will be available upon reaching the top for those over 21 years old. Attendees must be at least ten years old to attend.

“Our knowledgeable guides will provide fascinating insights into the role of air traffic control in the world of aviation. Learn about the critical work that happens within the tower, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of aircraft in and out of the airport,” the brewery’s Eventbrite page says. While there are no airplanes anymore, the tower offers panoramic views of the region.

Originally opened in 1929 as Denver Municipal Airport, Stapleton served the Mile High City until 1995. Boasting six runways and five terminal concourses, most of Stapleton’s remnants have been removed and turned into a local park. The tower is a largely standalone reminder of the well-known airport.

Several abandoned air traffic control towers exist across the U.S. Just to name a few, both Austin’s Robert Mueller Municipal Airport and Washington’s Dulles International Airport original towers still stand tall, but are no longer functioning.

Ryan Ewing

Air France Plans To Cut All Flights From Paris Orly by 2026

By Summer 2026, eleven of the 14 routes currently operated by Air France from Orly will be terminated, but a few exceptions might be made.

Vanni Gibertini

Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 12:17 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Air France 777-300 landing (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

In a move consistent with the direction taken by French lawmakers wanting to cut carbon emissions by 40% by the end of this decade, flag carrier Air France has announced it is planning to terminate almost all services from Paris-Orly (ORY) airport, relocating all routes to its main hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG).

By Summer 2026, eleven of the 14 routes currently operated by Air France from Orly will be terminated, with the possible exception of the three services operated to Bastia (BIA), Calvi (CLY), and Figari (FSC), which are currently operated under a Public Service Order (PSO). These three airports are located in the island of Corsica and the connection to Paris is considered vital to local communities. Air France has renewed its bid for the essential service for 2024 together with Air Corsica and has confirmed it would maintain its commitment to these routes should the bid be successful.

All other Air France services from Orly will be taken over by Air France’s low-cost counterpart Transavia that will operate a fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft that “offer a 15% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, as well as a 50% reduction of the noise footprint,” Air France said in a press release.

An Air France aircraft in Paris. The airline and its pilot union have agreed to amendments that will allow Transavia, Air France’s low-cost subsidiary, to take over certain domestic routes. (Photo: Air France)

Competition from high-speed trains

The French flag carriers currently operates three domestic routes to mainline France: Marseille (MRS), Nice (NCE) and Toulouse (TLS). These routes are under intense competition from high-speed trains (TGV, Train à Grande Vitesse) operated by state-owned SNCF. These trains can operate at up to 200 mph (320 km/h) and have caused a 40% reduction of passengers on those routes from Orly, which increases to 60% if only day-return trips are considered.

Air France does not operate an extensive network from Orly, therefore those services cater almost exclusively to point-to-point traffic that is attracted by travel times by train that, on a door-to-door basis, can be competitive with air transport. In 2021 the French Government approved a law aimed at eliminating all point-to-point domestic services that could be replaced by a train trip shorter than two and a half hours, but traveling by train from Paris to Marseille requires more than three hours, while Toulouse and Nice are more than four hours away.

Other short-haul services from Orly see connections to main cities in Northern Africa (Algiers, Algeria; Tunis, Tunisia; Casablanca, Morocco) operated by a mix of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. Air France also operates some long-haul services to the French overseas territories (DROM-COM, Départements et Régions d’Outre-Mer et Collectivités d’Outre-Mer) of Guadeloupe and Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea, to French Guyana in South America, as well as to the Island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean.

All these long-haul services, currently operated by a fleet of specially configured high-density Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, have been operated from both Orly and Charles de Gaulle since 2020, and therefore will not be deprived of the vital link with Paris.

Vanni Gibertini

Vanni fell in love with commercial aviation during his undergraduate studies in Statistics at the University of Bologna, when he prepared his thesis on the effects of deregulation on the U.S. and European aviation markets. Then he pursued his passion further by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Air Transport Management at Cranfield University in the U.K. followed by holding several management positions at various start-up carriers in Europe (Jet2, SkyEurope, Silverjet). After moving to Canada, he was Business Development Manager for IATA for nine years before turning to his other passion: sports writing.

Air India Express Debuts First 737 MAX

The much-anticipated merger of Air India Express with AirAsia India entered a new phase, with the airline revealing its striking new brand identity.

Vihaan Kushwaha

Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 03:59 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

The first 737 MAX 8 for Air India Express (Photo: Air India Express)

Air India Express has unveiled a fresh new livery and brand identity in a dynamic move to transform the airline, following Air India. On Wednesday, Tata Group held a grand event to reveal the new identity at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai.

The much-anticipated merger of Air India Express with AirAsia India entered a new phase, with the airline revealing its striking new brand identity. The airline’s branding debuted on a brand new aircraft in the fleet – the Boeing 737 MAX. It is a bold and significant transformation that will undoubtedly catch the eye of travelers at the airport.

New Livery and Tail Art

Labeled as ‘India’s New Smart Connector,’ Air India Express revealed Express Orange and Express Turquoise as the primary colors and Express Tangerine and Express Ice Blue as secondary colors for the airline’s new color palette.

One of the most captivating features of the new Air India Express brand is the striking artwork displayed on the aircraft tail.

Air India Express’ first 737 MAX (Photo: Air India Express)

The livery was unveiled with a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft flown from Hyderabad to Mumbai for the launch. The airline will maintain the popular tail art on the aircraft’s tail and portray ‘patterns of India’ inspired by the art and crafts heritage of the country.

To start with, the design of the first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft draws inspiration from the well-loved Indian textile artistry of Bandhani. As Air India Express expands its fleet, passengers can anticipate seeing a rich tapestry of traditional textile patterns like Ajrakh, Patola, Kanjeevaram, Kalamkari, and more adorning the tail art of their aircraft.

Future Plans

As the Air India Express and AIX Connect (AirAsia India) merger takes visible shape, the airline’s chairman highlighted that Air India will now, on average, receive deliveries of a new aircraft every six days till the end of 2024. The airline has about 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8s on order, which will be delivered through the next 15 months.

Air India Express also aims to expand its footprint in the Indian aviation market with new domestic destinations in the Gulf, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and CIS Countries.

Vihaan Kushwaha

It all started at the age of five when Vihaan got a Qantas 747 model from Sydney Airport. Since then, he has been an AvGeek, collecting aircraft models, safety cards, and even magazines! He has flown over 120 flights to more than 25 countries worldwide. Vihaan shares his passion for photography and aviation by spotting at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and wherever flights take him. Apart from being an AvGeek, Vihaan is currently an undergraduate business management student and aims to pursue a career in aviation consulting and analysis. You can check out some of his spotting work at @aviation.del on Instagram.

Global Crossing Airlines One of Few to Make Israel Cargo Flights

Two freighter aircraft operated by Global Crossing Airlines, a startup charter airline based in Florida, are on their way to Israel.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 12:24 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Two Airbus A321 passenger-to-freighter aircraft sit on the tarmac at Miami International Airport. (Photo: FreightWaves/Eric Kulisch)

Two freighter aircraft operated by Global Crossing Airlines, a startup charter airline based in Florida, are on their way to Israel with more than 50 tons of relief supplies as the country prepares for war. Global X, in shorthand, is the only known U.S. all-cargo operator and one of only a handful worldwide still operating to the Middle East war zone, where even FedEx and UPS have suspended flights.

The two Airbus A321 converted freighters are hopscotching their way to Tel Aviv, currently en route to Frankfurt, Germany, according to aircraft tracking site Flightradar24. The flights originated in Tampa and stopped at Portsmouth International Airport in New Hampshire and in Reykjavik, Iceland. The A321 is a narrowbody plane typically used for short-to-medium-haul routes and needs to stop for fuel on a transcontinental flight.

Global Crossing Airlines (USOTC: JETMF) Chairman and CEO Ed Wegel announced the aid flights on LinkedIn Monday evening, and that the two aircraft will carry medical supplies and gear for first responders. A third freighter will soon be dispatched with more supplies for Israel, he said.

“Today, we stand with Israel,” he said.

Company officials declined to provide further details about the mission to Israel, including the customer.

Miami-based Global Crossing entered revenue service two years ago with A320-family passenger jets providing charter flights for airlines, cruise lines, casinos, and hotel and resort destinations. The carrier earlier this year received its first two A321 leased freighters, which spent more than two decades ferrying passengers before being converted for dedicated cargo operations. The planes typically operate in the Caribbean (Miami – Kingston, Jamaica – Port-au-Prince, Haiti) and the Texas-Ohio corridor in the United States.

Global X is the only U.S. airline so far to operate the A321 converted freighter. It’s third aircraft, leased from Air Transport Services Group in Wilmington, Ohio, was delivered a week ago. The cargo jet has not had its operating specifications — the set of rules that an airline agrees to operate by — approved yet by the Federal Aviation Administration and isn’t authorized to fly yet.

Global X participates in the Defense Department’s commercial airlift program and deployed passenger aircraft to evacuate 1,500 refugees from Afghanistan in August 2021, shortly after receiving its aircraft operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport is less than 40 miles from the front lines of Israel’s war with Gaza, and a large majority of international airlines have canceled flights to the city while the country is still under rocket attack. United Airlines, Delta Air LInes and American Airlines have all temporarily paused direct flights to Tel Aviv. The State Department has sponsored charter flights with other carriers to repatriate American citizens who want to leave the country.

Only a handful of cargo airlines are still operating to Tel Aviv. Of the three global express carriers, only DHL is operating once or twice a day to the city from its hub in Leipzig, Germany. FedEx and UPS have suspended flights with their own aircraft, although they are still offering international parcel service by booking shipments on commercial passenger planes and other third-party carriers.

Israel-domiciled airline CAL Cargo Airlines, part of the Challenge Group, is flying regularly to Ben Gurion airport from its European hub in Liege, Belgium, according to the company and flight data.

Other all-cargo operations identified in recent days flying into Tel Aviv include Azerbaijan’s Silk Way West Airlines (Boeing 747-400), Lufthansa Cargo, Poland’s SkyTaxi and Turkey’s MNG Airlines (Airbus A300).

Also identified on the ground at Tel Aviv was a Boeing 777 freighter operated by Michigan-based Kalitta Air. Kalitta Air operates 25 Boeing 747-400 freighters, as well as four 777s.

But the aircraft in Israel was not part of the regular fleet. It’s a used passenger aircraft that was converted by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to a main-deck cargo configuration and returned for more testing, said Heath Nicholl, Kalitta’s deputy chief operating officer.

IAI is starting its second series of post-conversion evaluation flights as the company works to get its aircraft modification approved by Israeli and U.S. civil aviation authorities so the plane can be certified for commercial flying. IAI has previously indicated it expects to receive the supplemental certificate for changing the original design of the aircraft type later this year.

Kalitta is leasing the aircraft from AerCap, which acquired GE Capital Aviation Services and the 777 freighter program in November 2021. GECAS opted to repurpose older feedstock for cargo and is the launch customer for IAI’s conversion program. Kalitta Air will be the first operator of the 777 converted freighter. The only 777 freighters currently in operation around the world are factory-built by Boeing.

Last month, IAI reached an agreement with Ascent Aviation Services in Marana, Arizona, to set up a conversion site for the 777-300. Ascent is building two widebody hangers to support production, which is expected to start next year.

Safety Risk

One of the steps Israeli authorities have taken to protect aircraft is to change the direction of approach to Ben Gurion airport so they avoid the conflict area near Gaza. Libby Bahat, head of aerial infrastructure for the Israel Civil Aviation Authority, said in a Wall Street Journal video report, that aircraft now take a more northern route than usual, bypassing Haifa. Military and civil air traffic controllers work closely together to ensure that missiles from the country’s Iron Dome defense system don’t impact civilian aircraft when they are intercepting Hamas missiles.

The government has also limited the number of passenger aircraft at the gate loaded with fuel and passengers. And when aircraft are ready to depart they are cleared immediately, with no waiting in line on the runway, according to the WSJ explainer.

Israeli officials insist their airspace is safe to operate in despite concerns from some experts that conditions for an accidental shootdown exist, including from nonstate actors on Israel’s northern border. Air traffic controllers have over 90 seconds to maneuver aircraft when a missile is fired, during which time the aircraft can cover about 10 miles, according to the officials. And Israeli interceptors are technically incapable of mistaking an aircraft, they add.

Other aviation experts have also raised concerns about Hamas using GPS jamming technology to interfere with military communications network, which has the potential to disrupt commercial traffic.

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on AirlineGeeks’ partner publication FreightWaves.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff