JetBlue Expands Four Routes From Florida Hub

The changes will take effect in June.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 11:25 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A JetBlue A320. (Photo: Shutterstock | Markus Mainka)

JetBlue is once again expanding service at its hub in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The carrier said Thursday that it will convert one seasonal route to year-round and up frequencies on three existing year-round connections.

Service between Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville, Florida, currently limited to the spring break period, will switch to year-round and operate daily starting June 18.

Four flights per week between Fort Lauderdale and Cartagena, Colombia, will increase to daily service as of June 11. Connections to Dallas/Fort Worth and Tampa, Florida, both of which operate daily, will switch to twice daily on June 18.

“These additions reflect the strength of demand we’re seeing in Fort Lauderdale and our continued commitment to building depth in our South Florida focus city,” Daniel Shurz, JetBlue’s senior vice president of revenue, network, and enterprise planning, said in a news release. “We’re proud to continue investing in Fort Lauderdale with more year-round flying and added frequencies, ensuring it remains one of the strongest and most connected cities in our network.”

JetBlue has added 20 destinations from Fort Lauderdale over the last year.

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.

Delta Plans New Route to Asia

The airline is asking the U.S. government’s help to secure the connection, and could be setting up a clash with a foreign carrier.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 10:20 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Delta A350-900. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Delta disclosed this week that it is preparing to launch a new transpacific route, and its plans could cause complications for a foreign carrier looking to enter a new U.S. market.

In February, Philippine Airlines asked the U.S. Department of Transportation for permission to start service between Manila and Chicago. The carrier said the new service should be covered by the existing U.S.-Philippines air agreement, and will provide the only nonstop connection between the Philippines and the U.S. Midwest.

Delta weighed in on PAL’s application in a filing of its own on Wednesday. It asked the DOT to “defer action” on the proposed Manila-Chicago route until Delta’s entry into Manila is secured, disclosing in the process that it plans to connect Manila to Los Angeles in the summer of 2027.

Delta said it will operate the route with an Airbus A350-900.

The carrier told regulators that U.S. airlines “face significant barriers” obtaining commercially viable slots, gates, and related airport infrastructure in Manila. Delta wants to see those issues resolved, and its position in Manila solidified, before the DOT takes action on PAL’s request.

“Delta emphasizes that it is not requesting denial of PAL’s application at this time,” the airline wrote in its filing. “Rather, Delta respectfully asks the department to defer action until Delta and the U.S. government receive written assurances from the Philippine government that the slots and airport access necessary to implement planned Manila service will be available on commercially viable terms.”

If Delta launches its route to Manila as planned, it will compete directly with PAL, which currently offers the only nonstop connection between the Philippines capital and Los Angeles.

In the U.S., PAL also serves San Francisco, Seattle, New York-JFK, and Honolulu.

Delta does not currently fly to the Philippines.

While it is not clear if the DOT will follow through on Delta’s request, regulators have shown increased willingness to fight back over alleged access problems for U.S. airlines at foreign airports. Last year, the Trump administration cut off Mexican routes to the U.S. until the Mexican government ceded some slots at bustling Benito Juárez Mexico City International Airport to U.S. carriers.

Zach Vasile

Envoy Air Plans U.S. 250th Anniversary Livery for E175

The aircraft will receive the commemorative design in the coming weeks.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 07:00 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An American Eagle E175. (Photo: Shutterstock | Austin Deppe)

Envoy Air is getting in on its parent company’s celebration of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

Late last week, American Airlines became an official sponsor of America250, the congressional organization behind the semiquincentennial, and announced it will paint two of its aircraft in a special patriotic livery. Envoy said Wednesday that one of those aircraft will be an Envoy-operated Embraer E175.

The aircraft will receive the special design “in the coming weeks,” the carrier said.

A rendering of Envoy's U.S. 250th anniversary livery. (Credit: Envoy Air) — A rendering of Envoy’s U.S. 250th anniversary livery. (Credit: Envoy Air)

Envoy, which is based in Irving, Texas, is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group.

According to Envoy, the other aircraft getting 250th anniversary colors is an American mainline Boeing 737-800.

American joined a number of other high-profile U.S. companies in sponsoring the anniversary celebrations, including Amazon, Coca-Cola, Lockheed Martin, and Walmart. The carrier will also serve as the official airline of America Innovates, a traveling showcase staged by America250 that will highlight the country’s ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit, according to organizers.

Zach Vasile

Delta TechOps Expands CFM LEAP Portfolio

The MRO provider is an increasingly important part of the carrier’s overall business strategy.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 03:45 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A LEAP-1A engine. (Photo: Delta)

Delta’s technical operations division is now the only airline MRO provider in North America licensed to support both CFM International LEAP-1A and -1B engines, officials announced on Wednesday.

The unit, known as Delta TechOps, recently added full overhaul capability for the LEAP-1A, which powers the Airbus A320neo family. The LEAP-1B is the exclusive powerplant for the Boeing 737 MAX.

“With LEAP engines now representing a significant and fast growing share of the global narrowbody fleet, adding full capability on both 1A and 1B models positions Delta TechOps squarely at the center of where the market is headed,” Alain Bellemare, executive vice president of Delta International and chairman of TechOps, said in a news release. “This milestone strengthens Delta TechOps’ global relevance and positions us as a trusted, operator-backed MRO partner in a market that will define commercial aviation for decades.”

CFM International is a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. Its LEAP family of engines includes the -1A, -1B, and -1C, the last of which is used only by China’s Comac C919.

Delta TechOps was named a CFM Premier MRO provider for LEAP-1B engines in 2022, becoming the first North American MRO to earn the designation.

Globally, deliveries of installed and spare LEAP engines have surpassed 8,000.

TechOps is an increasingly important part of Delta’s business. The carrier reported a 25% surge in MRO revenue in 2025, and is now reporting TechOps’ financial results separately to improve visibility. Officials have said they’re optimistic that the business will soon reach $1 billion in annual revenue.

In December, TechOps announced its first third-party LEAP-1B maintenance contract, which covers the engines powering Korean Air’s 737 MAX fleet.

Zach Vasile

FAA Proposes Fine for Avelo Over Drug Testing

Some crew members were not included in random testing pools, regulators said.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 02:30 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Avelo Boeing 737 aircraft. (Photo: Avelo Airlines)

The FAA on Tuesday proposed a civil penalty against budget carrier Avelo for allegedly violating drug and alcohol testing regulations.

According to the agency, Avelo failed to include 10 flight attendants and crew members in its required random drug and alcohol testing pool. The employees “performed safety-sensitive functions” between April 2024 and November 2024, the FAA said, and should have been subject to screening.

Regulators plan to impose a fine of $65,000. Avelo has 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond.

According to FAA rules, airlines must carry out random, unannounced drug and alcohol testing for “safety-sensitive employees.” That category includes not just pilots and flight attendants but all workers who perform safety-related functions.

Zach Vasile

Hawaiian Plans Another Round of Layoffs

The cuts will take effect in May and June.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 01:00 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Hawaiian Airlines plans to lay off 48 employees as it continues its integration with parent company Alaska Air Group.

In a filing with Hawaii’s Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the carrier said it will cut 41 positions at its corporate headquarters, three at its air cargo hangar, and four at Honolulu International Airport. Officials cited the merger with Alaska as the reason for the layoffs.

The cuts will take effect in May and June. None of the affected workers are represented by a labor union, Hawaiian said.

According to past filings with the state, Hawaiian carried out two rounds of layoffs in 2025. The first, announced in January of that year and scheduled to take effect in March, cut 61 positions, while the second, announced in July and effective in September, reduced the company’s headcount by around 252.

In both cases, the layoffs applied to non-union workers and were attributed to the Alaska merger.

Alaska officially closed its acquisition of Hawaiian in September 2024. The airlines received a single operating certificate in October 2025, allowing for further integration of operations.

Alaska has said it will maintain the Hawaiian brand and keep Hawaiian’s leadership in Honolulu.

Zach Vasile

Boeing Reports Wiring Defect on 737 MAX

Some deliveries will be delayed as repairs take place.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

737 MAX aircraft in Renton. (Photo: Shutterstock | Thiago B Trevisan)

Boeing on Tuesday flagged a wiring issue on certain undelivered 737 MAX aircraft and said deliveries of the type will be delayed while it makes repairs.

In a statement, the manufacturer said a machining error caused small scratches on the wires. Technicians are now in the process of redoing that work.

Some 737 MAX deliveries will be held up, Boeing said, and first-quarter delivery figures for the type could be affected.

The company did not say how many airplanes had the defective wiring installed.

Boeing is working to ramp up production after years of parts shortages and output limits imposed by regulators. The company said this week that it delivered 51 commercial aircraft in February, up from 46 in January and its highest monthly total in years.

The wiring issue is not expected to throw off Boeing’s year-end delivery targets for the 737 MAX.

Zach Vasile

American Adds Flights for Masters

The carrier announced extra flights on existing routes and temporary service from new destinations.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 11:10 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American A319 in Phoenix. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American is set to expand service to and from Augusta Regional Airport in Georgia next month for the Masters Tournament.

The carrier said Monday that it will increase flights on existing routes to Augusta and temporarily add connections to new markets to accommodate fans. The special flights will operate between April 5 and 13, before and after the tournament, which runs from April 9 to 12.

The new and expanded routes to and from Augusta are:

Austin, Texas: Round-trip service on April 10, one flight from Austin on April 5, and one flight to Austin on April 13
Boston: Round-trip service on April 5, 8, 10, 12, 13
Charlotte, North Carolina: Up to six round-trip flights per day on larger aircraft
Chicago O’Hare: Up to two round-trip flights per day
Dallas/Fort Worth: Up to six round-trip flights per day on larger aircraft
Miami: Daily round-trip service
New York-LaGuardia: Up to two round-trip flights per day
Philadelphia: Up to two round-trip flights per day
Phoenix: Round-trip service on April 8 and 10, one flight from Phoenix on April 5, and one flight to Phoenix on April 13
Reagan National: Up to three round-trip flights per day

American said it will be the only airline offering nonstop service to Augusta from Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Phoenix.

The carrier is also ramping up service to and from Louisville, Kentucky, for the Kentucky Derby in May.

Zach Vasile

British Airways Suspends Several Middle East Routes

The carrier cited instability in the region.

Lorne Philipot

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 07:00 AM ET

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Zach Vasile

A British Airways Airbus A380. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

British Airways said in an update on its website that it will not operate scheduled flights to various Middle East destinations for a few weeks or longer.

The airline has suspended service to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, and Tel Aviv until later this month.

The carrier has also canceled all service to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year.

“Due to the continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and airspace instability, we’ve had to temporarily reduce our flying schedule in the region,” British Airways said.

Officials said they are working with passengers affected by the disruptions.

“We’re keeping the situation under constant review and are in touch with our customers to offer them a range of options,” the airline continued.

British Airways is operating repatriation flights from Muscat, Oman, on March 9, 10, 11, and 12.

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.

Lufthansa Group Adds Extra Flights to Asia and Africa

The company said it is expanding service to meet high global demand following airspace closures in the Middle East.

Lorne Philipot

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 04:50 PM ET

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Zach Vasile

A Lufthansa Airbus A380 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Airlines under the Lufthansa Group umbrella are offering extra flights, mainly to Asia and Africa, to make up for travel disruptions in and around the Middle East.

In a statement, Lufthansa Airlines said it will add several extra flights on short notice in the coming weeks. Four extra flights between Munich and Singapore and two special flights between Frankfurt and Cape Town, South Africa, are already available for booking.

The carrier is also planning two extra flights connecting Frankfurt and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Austrian Airlines has set up 10 extra flights between Vienna and Bangkok.

All of the new extra flights can be booked through all sales channels.

Lufthansa Group said it is “constantly monitoring current market developments” and will announce any additional flights.

Much of the airspace in the Middle East has been closed to commercial traffic since Feb. 28.

Lorne Philipot