An Air Canada Airbus A321 painted in the Star Alliance livery in Los Angeles.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
This week, Finnair announced that it would be moving the company’s loyalty brand to a spend-based model. This adds to the list of Airlines that have moved to the spend-based loyalty model. This announcement further demonstrates that the days of doing pure mileage runs are all but in the past.
Mileage runs are a weird quirk of the airline industry used by point hackers and business people that value the top-tier status that they use to get premium benefits that the world’s airlines offer to the very top of the elite spectrum. Typically a mileage run takes place in the later months of the year when a traveler may not be eligible for their current level of status for the following year. My personal longest mileage run began in Los Angeles saw me fly to New York then on to Houston followed by Rio De Janeiro then back to Houston and finally San Francisco. This trip allowed me to maintain top-tier status with my chosen airline and, while mildly excessive, was similar to what hundreds if not thousands of frequent fliers do every year.
Are Mileage Runs a Relic of the Past?
Spend-based frequent flier programs are becoming all too frequent and may very well end people’s desire to mileage runs. Having to spend $10,000 dollars is definitely a lot harder for most people than just spending a weekend on an airplane in economy racking up miles. These were the weekends that I got to fly with my dad to maintain his status and I just thought we were going to have a cool weekend of flying.
These days I’m sure you’re wondering why anyone would care about racking up status but as a trip reporter that spends 80 to 90 days a year on airplanes and in airports the luxuries that having top tier status with an airline in an alliance is incredibly helpful. From lounge access to upgrades, it helps like nothing else can. It allows one to get a bit more rest and should the worst happen and your flight gets canceled, you have a dedicated telephone number to call and get things figured out.
Spend-based loyalty programs are inevitable and eventually most airlines will adopt the program. With that, I’m sure the number of status holders will drop quickly. Airlines need to make money but status was a way for airlines and frequent fliers to acknowledge each other but if a single roundtrip ticket from Los Angeles to London can get you Platinum or very near to Platinum status with United, is it really about loyalty?
Rendering of Boom's Overture Aircraft. (Photo rendering: Boom)
Boom Supersonic announced that Scott Powell has joined as Senior VP of Symphony, the propulsion system for Overture. Powell will lead the development, industrialization, certification, and integration of Symphony, bringing four decades of propulsion leadership experience.
Powell spent 38 years at Boeing before joining Boom. He led the Engineering Propulsion team for the Dreamliner, overseeing design, development, test, build, and business management. He also managed propulsion-integrated product teams for airframes such as KC-46 Tanker and Joint Strike Fighter. Recently, he led the Propulsion Integrated Product Team for the B-52J Commercial Engine Replacement Program.
During the announcement, Blake Scholl, Boom’s founder, and CEO, shared that they have achieved significant progress on Symphony. He also expressed his excitement over including Scott, who brings valuable leadership and experience overseeing certifications for various civil and military propulsion systems. This addition further strengthens their path forward with Symphony, and they are looking forward to the positive impact he will bring to the team.
In December 2022, Boom announced the development of the Symphony propulsion system designed for its Overture supersonic airliner. The engine is designed to provide 25% more time on the wing and a 10% reduction in operating costs. Boom has partnered with Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT), GE Additive, and StandardAero to develop Symphony.
In a recent statement, Scott Powell, the new Senior Vice President of Symphony at Boom, expressed his excitement for the future of sustainable supersonic travel. Powell highlighted the importance of developing an engine customized specifically for Overture, acknowledging the enormous potential it holds for the industry. He also expressed his eagerness to work alongside the team responsible for developing the propulsion system to power this revolutionary form of travel.
Boom shared several milestones for its Symphony program at the June 2023 Paris Air Show. Boom unveiled the 3D printed 1/3 scale model of the Symphony, whose technical specifications include:
Two-coil turbofan engine, medium bypass, no afterburner
35,000 lb thrust
Optimized for 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
FAA Part 33 and EASA CS 33 compliant
ICAO Chapter 14 noise certification
Boom continues to make strides as it expands its global supplier network, which already includes Safran Landing Systems, Eaton, Collins Aerospace, Flight Safety International, GE Additive, and StandardAero, consolidates the configuration of the Overture systems and moves toward production. Additionally, Boom announced an expanded partnership with FTT to assemble initial production units for ground and flight tests and certification at its facility in Jupiter, Florida.
Last month the Centennial, Colorado-based company announced structural supply agreements with three major aerospace companies for its Overture supersonic aircraft at the Paris Air Show 2023. Boom has signed agreements with Aernnova for Overture’s wings, Leonardo for the fuselage and wing box, and Aciturri for the tail.
Vincenzo graduated in 2019 in Mechanical Engineering with an aeronautical curriculum, focusing his thesis on Human Factors in aircraft maintenance. In 2022 he pursued his master's degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Palermo, Italy. He combines his journalistic activities with his work as a Reliability Engineer at Zetalab.
An Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX 8. (Photo: Air Canada)
Canadian airlines and the Royal Canadian Air Force are assisting in the evacuation of residents from multiple towns in the Northwest Territories and the province’s capital city Yellowknife. Following the declaration of a state of emergency on 15 August due to uncontrollable wildfires, a number of carriers that operate in the region such as Air Canada, WestJet and Canadian North amended schedules ahead of a noon Friday 18 August evacuation deadline. The Northwest Territories government stated that ‘only residents who do not have the option to leave the area by road are asked to register for evacuation flights.’
“Flights will be running 24/7”
CBC News reported that in addition to scheduled services, 1,500 residents were airlifted on Thursday on 10 evacuation flights. A further 22 evacuation flights were scheduled for Friday offering an additional 1,800 seats. The city of Yellowknife has an estimated population of 20,000 and government officials estimated a further 5,000 residents were looking to evacuate by air. Jennifer Young, emergency management organization information officer told CBC News “We will be running flights 24/7 until we have the population that is wanting to get out on flights are able to evacuate via those flights.”
Consideration was being given on flights for ‘more than 200 residents needing extra health care and attention, such as chemotherapy patients, people in late-term pregnancies, seniors, people with disabilities and vulnerable residents.’ Prisoners and corrections officers from correctional facilities would also be evacuated on specific flights.
Air Canada issued a statement advising: “For Thursday, August 17, we added two extra flights, doubling the normal frequencies to four. We have also substituted a larger 169-seat Boeing 737 for one of those flights to provide extra seat availability. For Friday, August 18, Air Canada has also added an extra B737 flight in addition to the usual two flights, and we will continue evaluating opportunities for adjustments. At this time, there will be no flights to or from Yellowknife on Saturday, August 19 due to the government evacuation order. We plan to operate as the situation permits.”
CTV News reported that WestJet ‘added an extra recovery flight scheduled for Thursday between Yellowknife and Calgary, and added larger aircraft to operate previously scheduled flights between the cities.’ The airline was implementing flexible guidelines for changes and cancellations and amending its policy on pets on board to assist residents.
Commercial airlines were accused of taking advantage of the situation by escalating fare prices from Yellowknife. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: “(there) would be no tolerance for opportunistic price escalation, including airfare and essential goods for those impacted by the wildfires” after images of exorbitant fares were shared on social media.
Air Canada denies allegations of price gouging
Air Canada addressed criticisms and alleviated concerns regarding alleged price gouging by categorically stating that the allegations were incorrect. In a statement, the carrier said: “The examples on social media are aggregated fares by websites which are not in line with what we are offering on our non-stop flights from Yellowknife. For example, some involve several stops and other carriers, with some trips lasting as much as 21 hours, when a normal non-stop Yellowknife-Calgary flight is two hours. We endeavor to get these aggregated fares corrected where possible – however, customers should always ensure they are purchasing the non-stop fares directly from the aircanada.com website or from a travel agent to avoid the multi-leg routings.”
The airline further continued: “We also monitor the pricing on aircanada.com to ensure that the capped fares continue to display as intended. Sometimes it requires taking steps to correct fares manually when they may not display as they should due to certain technical factors. Rest assured, we get these corrected as soon as possible, and we refund passengers who inadvertently purchase a fare before it gets corrected by our team.”
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.
A LATAM Boeing 777 on approach to Amsterdam.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)
LATAM Airlines, the largest South American carrier, has announced new long-haul routes this year, including flights to Johannesburg and London.
LATAM Airlines Group has revealed a new long-haul flight route between Lima, Peru’s International Airport and London’s Heathrow Airport in the UK, set to begin on Dec. 2. As the largest South American carrier, LATAM operates 22 non-stop routes exceeding 3,000 miles, and plans to introduce two more in the coming months. LATAM currently operates ten routes between South America and Europe, with its main long-haul hub in Sao Paulo Guarulhos. Its longest non-stop flight is from Santiago, Chile to Madrid, Spain.
With the announcement of the new long-haul route between Lima and London Heathrow, it’s time to explore LATAM’s extensive long-haul route map, destinations, and aircraft.
New Route To London
LATAM Airlines revealed its plan to bolster its international offerings with the launch of the new London to Lima route. This route will operate five times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. LATAM’s second non-stop route to London Heathrow, the new flight will originate from Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil. The route will be serviced by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, whereas the service between São Paulo and London uses LATAM Brasil’s Boeing 777-300. This route represents a significant milestone for LATAM Airlines, as it is the only direct connection between Peru and the U.K.
The airline operates a fleet of over 300 aircraft and has passenger subsidiaries in Chile, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. According to data from Cirium, LATAM runs 22 non-stop routes over 3,000 miles (2,606 nautical miles or 4,828 kilometers). A flight is generally considered long-haul if it covers at least 3,000 miles.
LATAM plans to launch two long-haul routes of over 3,000 miles in the coming months. The first, set to begin next month, will connect Guarulhos to Johannesburg’s Tambo International Airport in South Africa and covers 4,630 miles. The second is the new service between Lima and London, spanning 6,301 miles.
Long-Haul Routes To Europe
LATAM Airlines currently operates ten routes between South America and Europe, with distances ranging from 5,400 to 6,700 miles. The airline serves six European countries – Spain, Portugal, the U.K., France, Italy, and Germany. LATAM’s longest non-stop flight is the Santiago de Chile-Madrid route, covering 6,647 miles with eight weekly frequencies as of August 2023. Sao Paulo Guarulhos is LATAM’s main long-haul hub, offering flights to several European cities such as Frankfurt, Milan, London, Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon. LATAM also operates a European route from Lima, flying daily to Madrid (5,915 miles long).
Besides Europe, the recently launched Sao Paulo to Los Angeles service is established under the LATAM and Delta Air Lines Joint Venture Agreement. From Sao Paulo, LATAM offers long-haul flights to Boston, New York, Mexico City, Orlando and Miami. LATAM also operates long-haul routes from Lima, Fortaleza, and Santiago de Chile, flying to destinations such as Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Auckland, Mexico City, Cancun, and Punta Cana.
Parth Jain is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with a rich background in general and commercial aviation. Over the years, Parth has consistently demonstrated a deep fascination with the aviation industry, his interests spanning from the workings of small general aviation aircraft to the complexities of large commercial jets. Parth's interest in aviation sparked at a young age when he first set foot in an airplane. Since then, he has dedicated much of his time to gaining first hand experience, achieving his private pilot license and currently working towards his instrument rating. Parth's education and experience are a testament to his dedication and commitment to this field. As a private pilot, he has navigated complex airspace, developed an understanding of the intricate details of aircraft operations, and consistently demonstrated safe and proficient flying skills.
United 787 Dreamliner is field with Sustainable Aviation Biofuel at San Francisco International Airport (Photo: San Francisco International Airport)
Sustainable aviation fuels have been getting a lot of attention recently as the world starts focusing more on aviation-related carbon emissions. Alternative propulsion systems like electric motors are still far in the future. In the meantime, the world is turning to sustainable aviation fuels as a necessary measure to reduce emissions while other more environmentally friendly technologies are developed.
Earlier this year in April, the European Union introduced new environmentally friendly measures to tackle aviation emissions. Their goal was to have two percent of aviation fuel supplied at European Union airports to be comprised of sustainable aviation fuels by 2025, growing to seventy percent by 2050.
In the United States, the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law in August of 2022 aims to spur the growth of lower-carbon aviation fuel by providing hefty tax credits to those developing sustainable aviation fuels.
More airlines are catching on to the trend of sustainable aviation fuels but it’s not going to be a cheap trend. Sustainable aviation fuels are currently not widely available and often more expensive than conventional fuel. It’s expected that as the fuel gains in popularity, costs will eventually come down. However, this is going to require significant investment.
Shell Aviation and American Express
This is why American Express Global Business Travel and Shell Aviation teamed up to help finance the growth of these fuels. Major companies such as Bank of America, and JetBlue have all joined on to take part in the effort. Most recently, Google has joined on as well seeking to use sustainable aviation fuel supplied by Shell as a way to help cut emissions from its corporate flying, according to GreenBiz.
The goal of this partnership is to bring more businesses into the program to leverage scale to increase the production of these new fuels.
Shell is working on a massive sustainable aviation fuel facility in Rotterdam that is expected to deliver 820,000 tons of biofuels a year using a technology that refines vegetable oils, waste oils, and fats using hydrogen. The goal of the company is to leverage corporate partnerships to have at least ten percent of its global aviation fuel sales be sustainable fuels by 2030.
Blockchain plays a part in all of this as well by acting as a ledger that can track sustainable fuels delivered across the aviation fueling network allowing businesses to report verifiable data on the amount of emissions reduced.
While we wait for electric and hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft to become reality, sustainable aviation fuels are the only realistic way to reliably reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry beyond measures such as more fuel-efficient engines and flight paths.
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.
FLYING Media Group has acquired AirlineGeeks. Delivering the latest airline and aviation news around the globe in real-time, AirlineGeeks offers a unique vantage point for the “AvGeek.” With more than 25 contributors, AirlineGeeks is trafficked by aviation enthusiasts, as well as airline industry executives and analysts.
AirlineGeeks is the 20th aviation-related brand that FLYING Media Group has purchased in the past two years, in a strategy to expand the world’s leading aviation content platform and serve an audience that spans from light sport to space and vintage to frontier.
“As a young boy, I fell in love with aviation while watching airliners take off and land near my house in Tennessee. I would make my parents drive me to Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport (ICAO: KATL) to watch the commercial aircraft and stood in awe as they seemed to defy the laws of gravity. I am an AvGeek myself, and can’t wait to build on the AirlineGeeks brand,” stated Craig Fuller, CEO of FLYING Media Group.
FLYING Media Group has been very active in acquiring brands that service the general aviation (GA) industry. While commercial aviation and general aviation are often thought of as distinct and separate markets, in recent years they have become more interdependent.
Commercial pilots often start their careers as general aviation pilots, and many of them retain their love for flying in small GA aircraft their entire lives. GA is also a test-bed for new technologies and airframes that eventually make their way into commercial applications. With the emergence of air taxis and urban air mobility offerings that will blend commercial aviation with personal aviation, the two markets have never been more connected.
FLYING Media Group is not just focused on the enthusiast side of the market, but plans to use AirlineGeeks as a foundation to build a premier B2B data, news, and market intelligence platform for the commercial aviation industry.
The global market size for the airline industry is more than $840 billion and is expected to grow by a compound annual growth of nearly 4% over the next decade.
“As people around the world become wealthier, they wish to travel. Commercial flight is unmatched in its ability to link the world and offer experiences that are only possible because of the efficiency of the global airline industry. Additionally, as supply chains continue to build resilience into their operations, global air cargo will experience exponential growth over the next few decades. This is what’s driving fast growth on an unprecedented scale,” Fuller concluded.
With an audience of nearly 3 million monthly visitors and subscribers, the broad reach of the FLYING platform is unmatched by any other aviation media source.
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.
Aircraft at London Gatwick Airport (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Andrew Chen)
Runway movements at London Gatwick Airport were halted for nearly an hour on Wednesday afternoon after the main runway was temporarily closed for emergency repairs. The closure led to numerous flight diversions and delays throughout the afternoon and evening.
Closure Due to Reported Fuel Leak
Initial reports indicate that an aircraft experienced a fuel leak on Runway 08R/26L. Emergency equipment attended the scene and the runway was subsequently shut down for repairs. Reports of the closure began appearing on social media shortly before 4:00 p.m. Data from Flightradar24 shows that the last flight to use the runway before the closure was TUI Flight 321, which landed at the airport at 3:37 p.m. at the end of its flight from Kavala International Airport in Greece.
According to an airport spokesperson, “the main runway was closed for a short time today (16 August) due to emergency repairs. Four flights were diverted. The runway is now open and operating as normal. Safety is our top priority and we apologise for to passengers for any inconvenience.”
A screenshot from Flightradar24 at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 showing emergency and other airport vehicles on the main runway at London Gatwick Airport (Photo: Flightradar24)
Dozens of Delays and Diversions
Although the airport stated that only four flights were diverted, data from Flightradar24 and FlightAware appears to show that a total of ten inbound flights diverted to other airports in the area during the runway closure. These flights are listed below in the order of their scheduled arrival time at Gatwick:
EasyJet Flight 8240 from Santorini (Thira) International Airport in Greece performed a go-around at Gatwick at 3:39 p.m. before diverting to Bournemouth Airport.
EasyJet Flight 8326 from Rome Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport turned for a final approach to Runway 08R at Gatwick at approximately 3:39 p.m. before turning away from the airport and diverting to London Southend Airport.
TAP Air Portugal Flight 1336 from Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon, Portugal diverted to London Heathrow Airport, landing at 4:15 p.m.
Aurigny Air Services Flight 606 from Guernsey Airport diverted to Southampton Airport, arriving at 4:20 p.m.
EasyJet Flight 8198 from Kefalonia International Airport in Greece diverted to London Luton Airport, arriving at 4:25 p.m.
British Airways EuroFlyer Flight 2813 from Corfu International Airport in Greece diverted to London Stansted Airport, arriving at 4:23 p.m.
British Airways EuroFlyer from Flight 2833 from Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia diverted to London Stansted Airport, arriving at 4:36 p.m.
EasyJet Flight 804 from George Best Belfast City Airport in Northern Ireland diverted to London Luton Airport, arriving at 4:23 p.m.
EasyJet Flight 8216 from Heraklion International Airport in Greece diverted to London Luton Airport, arriving at 4:29 p.m.
Turkish Airlines Flight 1997 from Istanbul Airport diverted to London Heathrow Airport, arriving at 4:34 p.m.
The first flight to use the runway after it reopened was Vueling Flight 6225 to Rome Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, taking off from Runway 08R at 4:20 p.m.
As of 9:00 p.m., data from FlightAware showed that a total of 410 flights have been delayed at London Gatwick on Wednesday, representing 42% of flights throughout the day.
Gatwick’s Runway Operations
Despite being the United Kingdom’s second busiest airport, Gatwick Airport uses a single-runway operation. The main runway – Runway 08R/26L – is in use most of the time, with the parallel northern Runway 08L/26R used only for emergencies or when the main runway is closed. The northern runway is shorter and is used as a taxiway during normal airport operations. It is unclear why the northern runway was not used during this latest runway closure.
Earlier this year, Gatwick Airport announced that it is planning to expand its northern runway to allow it to be used regularly. The airport is expected to submit its application for the expansion project soon, with an anticipated construction start date in 2025. As Gatwick reached capacity before the COVID-19 pandemic, the runway expansion would add much-needed capacity to the airport.
Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.
Asiana will be sending its A350-900 XWB to New York starting Oct. 28, 2018. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)
As the airlines around the globe recorded a profit after the pandemic, South Korea’s Asiana Airlines wasn’t left behind and posted a net profit of 1.8 billion won ($1.36 million) in the second quarter of 2023.
The sales reached 1.57 trillion won in the second quarter, but operating profit still dropped 48.5% year-on-year due to rising cost and foreign exchange loss. After lifting the travel restrictions, the sales of the airline recorded a 112% increase year-on-year from passenger travel. The cash-strapped airline recorded a loss of 54.36 billion in the first quarter of the year.
It came days after Korean Air’s second quarter finance result. The flag carrier posted an operating profit of 468 billion won. Korean Air is optimistic about the third quarter of the year and enhances its services by increasing flight operations to meet the travel demand.
Merger With Korean Air
Korean Air and Korea Development Bank (KDB), the main creditor of Asiana, are working to acquire Asiana Airlines. However, Korean Air slowed its stride after submitting its request to the US and EU.
“We will do our best to win the final approvals after finishing negotiations with the antitrust authorities,” Korean Air said.
The acquisition is by no means a done deal. Earlier, Korean Air requested the EU extend the deadline to October, trying to offer more remedies to get the approval. The EU originally decided to deny the merger in early August and raised concerns over the competition. The merger has continued to undergo scrutiny by the bloc.
In addition, US is concerned that a merger with Korean Air could have a monopoly on cargo transportation services. The decision potentially could affect the stability of the supply chain, such as with semiconductors. The two Korean airlines currently have a combined market share of 95%.
In response to the concerns about the monopoly, KDB says it will consider offloading Asiana’s cargo section to boost the acquisition. The potential buyer could be T’way Air, a budget carrier in the country. The no-frills carrier currently operates without cargo services. Asiana Cargo owns a wide variety of aircraft, ranging from Airbus A320 to Boeing B747-400SF.
“There have been talks, but nothing has been decided,” T’way Air said after a meeting.
But KDB is reluctant to sell the cargo section and believes the valuation of Asiana will drop. Asiana could maximize synergy with the cargo section. Meanwhile, KDB denied the rumor of selling Asiana to a third party.
After nearly three years of announcing the merger, Korean Air got 11 green lights from competitors’ authorities, including the UK, Australia and Singapore. The acquisition needs three more approvals from the US, EU, and Japan to be done.
An Azman Air 737 (Photo: Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)
A month after resuming scheduled operations, the Nigerian airline Azman Air has once again halted its flights. Known for its domestic services and Hajj charters, the Nigerian carrier temporarily halted all operations due to ongoing aircraft maintenance issues. The carrier’s troubles have led to the grounding of its fleet, leaving it unable to continue its services. This suspension comes after a series of setbacks, with significant implications for the airline and its employees.
Ch-aviation writes that Azman Air suspended its operations, including domestic flights and Hajj charters to Saudi Arabia, based on ADS-B data. The airline’s A340-600, which had been operating Hajj charters for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), conducted its last flight in July. Subsequently, Azman Air’s domestic schedules were suspended in June, with the last recorded flight occurring between Abuja and Kano.
Reports suggest that the airline’s maintenance issues have led to an unexpected delay, forcing them to send the majority of their staff on unpaid leave on August 1. A memo from the Human Resources Manager explained that the decision was due to extended maintenance timelines. It also stated that only eight senior staff members are exempt from unpaid leave. The memo stated that Azman Air’s domestic operations were on hold due to the necessary aircraft C-checks, with completion dates pushed back.
This is not the first time Azman Air has faced operational challenges. In March 2021, the airline suspended all of its flight services to review safety and regulatory compliance. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) involvement aimed to identify the causes of previous incidents and recommend solutions.
These aircraft are currently undergoing C-checks at various Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. The process has taken longer than initially anticipated, causing the airline to take the drastic step of putting most of its staff on unpaid leave.
Despite the setbacks, the airline remains optimistic about its future. The circular issued by management assured employees that they would be recalled to duty once everything was resolved. Azman Air’s Public Relations Officer, Nurudeen Allyu, indicated that the aircraft would return to service in October.
Azman Air was founded in 2010. The airline operated domestic routes and flew charter flights to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season. The fleet consists of four Boeing 737-500s, two 737-300s, and one Airbus A340-600.
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.
A private jet aircraft (Photo: https://unsplash.com/photos/kZfdHrUoB3U
)
Private jet flights have seen a massive increase in popularity over the past few years. It has left the realm of being reserved only for the rich and famous, with “regular” people now choosing to fly private when they need to travel. Here are a few reasons why.
Fast & Efficient
The entire process of flying private is fast and far more efficient than flying commercially. Not only are you in an aircraft that can get you anywhere, but traveling by private jet has multiple benefits before you even get on the plane.
You can park at the private terminal or right next to the aircraft, passport control takes seconds, you don’t have to wait in the baggage lines when you land, and the experience — in general — is substantially faster.
Work Efficiency
A private jet charter has also become the best way to travel for business people because some jets are designed for work and productivity. All private jets are quiet, but some have a few extras that create an office in the sky.
Some are fitted with phones, monitors, and the internet, with the bigger aircraft having mini board rooms. This creates a space that is ideal for work or hosting clients.
Comfort
There is no question that a private jet is far more comfortable and luxurious when compared to a commercial aircraft. For example, those luxurious “apartments” on Qatar Airways flights will look quite basic and underwhelming compared to what some private jets can offer.
Some private jets will also have incredible extras like bedrooms, fully fitted kitchens, and bathrooms that look like they were plucked out of a 5-star hotel.
One of the most significant advantages of flying private is the amount of flexibility it offers you. You can get a flight almost whenever you want and fly almost anywhere, as private jets don’t require the same level of infrastructure as commercial airliners.
Destination Choice
Speaking of being able to fly anywhere, this is another big part of why private flying has become so popular. As mentioned, commercial aircraft need airports and airport infrastructure, while private jets just need a well-paved landing strip.
While the world has countless airports, there are still several remote destinations that you can’t get close to by flying commercially. However, a private jet will get you to places that a commercial flight can’t.
Fewer Baggage Restrictions
While there is a bit of a myth that you can take whatever and however much luggage onto a private jet, you will have fewer baggage restrictions when compared to a commercial flight. The most significant sticking point is that private jets don’t have that much luggage storage space.
However, if you are flying with your partner or in a small group, you can still bring several bags just for yourself, as long as they can all fit in the hold.
Affordability
Another significant factor driving private jet charter popularity is how relatively affordable it has become. While it is by no means exceptionally inexpensive, many are surprised by how little it can cost to choose affordable options.
Travel With Friends or Family
If you want to travel privately for a family event, birthday party, or a family holiday with your friends, splitting the cost of a charter can drastically reduce it. Depending on the type of aircraft you choose and how many people there are, there is a good chance your private jet seat will cost less than a commercial ticket.
Empty Legs
Private jets also have something called “empty legs,” which you can take advantage of. Since these jets have a home base, they don’t wait at the airport or landing strip and will fly back relatively quickly.
However, if the passengers they brought don’t fly back with them, they will have an empty aircraft and typically offer “empty leg” rates. These are lower rates that are used as a way to recoup some money and can be shockingly inexpensive.
A private jet aircraft (Photo: https://unsplash.com/photos/n7pLpkhwXFk )
Jet Options
Finally, another driving factor behind private jet popularity is the number of options, especially for interiors and optional extras. Nowadays, you can choose anything from a jet with twelve comfy seats to one that looks more like a penthouse apartment than a private jet.
Bedrooms aren’t the only thing that changes either; private jets have varying kitchens, bathrooms, entertainment options, and almost everything in between. There is arguably no better way to travel, especially for long-haul journies.
Conclusion
As you can see, while private jets are still one of the best ways to display luxury and opulence, they are no longer reserved for the ultra-wealthy. Private jets have become something for everyone and are now one of the most popular ways for people to travel.
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.
