JetBlue Starts Service to New Destination

Flights from New York-JFK and Boston began on Thursday.

Zach Vasile

Monday, March 09, 2026 at 09:47 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A JetBlue Airbus A320. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

JetBlue last week brought a new destination into its route network.

The carrier on Thursday started service to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport near Valparaiso, Florida, from New York-JFK and Boston. The flight from JFK was the first to land at Destin-Fort Walton Beach on Thursday, officials said.

Each route will operate five times weekly.

“With nonstop access to both JFK and Boston, we’re making it easier than ever for customers to travel between the Northeast and one of Florida’s most sought-after beach destinations, while also giving local residents convenient connections to JetBlue’s broader network,” Dave Jehn, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning and airline partnerships, said in a news release.

The airline plans to temporarily increase the frequency of flights between Boston and Destin-Fort Walton Beach to two per day on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between April 17 and 26 to accommodate spring break travel.

JetBlue now serves 11 destinations in Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.

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.

Lufthansa to Reintroduce Kuala Lumpur Service

Flights will start in October, the carrier announced.

Lorne Philipot

Saturday, March 07, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A Lufthansa Boeing 787 Dreamliner. (Photo: Lufthansa Group)

German flag carrier Lufthansa will resume flying to Kuala Lumpur later this year.

The airline previously offered flights to the Malaysian capital more than 10 years ago.

Lufthansa will launch scheduled service between Frankfurt and Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 25. Flights will operate five times per week, year-round, using a Boeing 787-900 aircraft. The aircraft will feature 287 seats across three classes.

Building Southeast Asian Footprint

Lufthansa is aiming to build its business in Southeast Asia, a region with strong tourism and business interests.

The airline already offers service to other key destinations in the region, including Bangkok, Phuket, and Singapore.

Lufthansa will be the only carrier offering nonstop flights to Malaysia from the Lufthansa Group’s home markets.

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.

American Plans U.S. 250th Anniversary Livery

The carrier became an official sponsor of America250 on Friday.

Zach Vasile

Friday, March 06, 2026 at 03:30 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

American 737 with an America 250 special decal (Photo: American Airlines)

American Airlines will give two of its aircraft a patriotic makeover ahead of upcoming U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations.

America250, the congressional organization behind the semiquincentennial, named American as an official sponsor on Friday. As part of its sponsorship, the carrier will paint two aircraft in a special anniversary livery, “ensuring the celebration quite literally takes flight across the country and around the world,” officials said.

American did not say which type of aircraft will get the new design or when they will reenter service with their updated colors.

“Our history is deeply intertwined with the country’s own story – one of ingenuity, resilience, and a belief that connecting people and places makes us stronger,” American Chief Marketing Officer Caroline Clayton said in a news release. “Partnering with America250 is a meaningful way to honor that legacy and to help inspire the next generation as we look toward the future together.”

The carrier joined a number of high-profile U.S. companies now backing the anniversary celebrations, including Amazon, Cisco, Coca-Cola, Lockheed Martin, and Walmart.

American will also serve as the official airline of America Innovates, a traveling showcase that will highlight the country’s “creativity, progress, and pioneering spirit,” officials said.

According to America250’s website, American Innovates will include tech expos and a competition for startup companies. So far, the program has one event scheduled in San Francisco, with another planned for Washington, D.C.

Zach Vasile

Livery of the Week: Azores Airlines

A sweeping marine motif connects the Atlantic carrier’s aircraft to the islands it calls home.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, March 06, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

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Edited By:

Zach Vasile

An Azores Airlines A330 (Photo: Shutterstock | Skycolors)

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present 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.

Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line.

Azores Airlines’ standard livery centers on a stylized whale tail graphic that stretches across the vertical stabilizer and rear fuselage, reflecting the airline’s identity as the international arm of the Azores archipelago’s flag carrier. The design references the islands’ long-standing connection to the Atlantic Ocean and their modern reputation as one of the world’s premier whale-watching destinations.

The whale motif is rendered in a dark blue gradient against a white fuselage, forming a clean silhouette that resembles the fluke of a whale emerging from the water. The graphic flows forward from the tail, creating a sense of motion while maintaining a relatively simple overall layout.

Forward of the wing, the fuselage carries bold “Azores” titles in dark blue lettering, with “Airlines” appearing in smaller type beneath. The placement emphasizes the destination branding of the islands themselves rather than the airline alone, reinforcing the carrier’s role in connecting the Portuguese archipelago to North America and mainland Europe.

Azores' first A321LR lifts off from the Airbus factory. — Azores’ first A321LR lifts off from the Airbus factory. (Photo: Airbus)

The livery is applied consistently across the airline’s fleet of Airbus A320-family aircraft and Airbus A321neo long-range jets. While proportions vary depending on aircraft size, the whale tail graphic remains the defining visual element across the fleet.

Azores Airlines introduced the design as part of a broader brand refresh that sought to modernize the carrier’s image while highlighting the natural environment that defines the islands. The maritime theme reflects both the region’s history and its contemporary tourism identity.

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

Cabo Verde Airlines to Restart U.S. Flights

The carrier is restoring a former route to the Northeast.

Zach Vasile

Friday, March 06, 2026 at 11:40 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Cabo Verde Airlines 757-200. (Photo: Cabo Verde Airlines)

West African carrier Cabo Verde Airlines is looking to restart service to the U.S.

In a filing registering additional trade names with the U.S. Transportation Department, the Cape Verde-based airline said it plans to launch service to Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport on March 31.

The filing did not say where in Cape Verde the Rhode Island-bound flights will operate from, or how frequently the service will be offered.

Cabo Verde Airlines previously linked Rhode Island with Cape Verde’s capital, Praia, on Santiago Island. It operated the route with a Boeing 757. At other times, Cabo Verde served Boston and Washington Dulles.

The airline’s main hub is at Amílcar Cabral International Airport on Sal Island.

Cabo Verde Airlines currently flies within Cape Verde and to destinations in mainland Africa, the U.K., and Europe.

Zach Vasile

GOL Adds First Widebody Aircraft to Mainline Fleet

Deliveries will take place this year and in 2027.

Zach Vasile

Friday, March 06, 2026 at 10:15 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A GOL 737 MAX. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Brazilian airline GOL is introducing widebody aircraft to its passenger fleet.

The carrier announced Friday that it will take delivery of up to five Airbus A330-900s, ending its yearslong run as an all-Boeing operator. The larger aircraft, which can seat around 300 customers and fly for up to 15 hours, will support future routes from Brazil to the U.S. and Europe, officials said.

GOL plans to announce new routes “in the coming weeks.”

The A330s are expected to be delivered in phases through 2026 and 2027.

“With the introduction of widebody operations, we are taking another step forward in our evolution – expanding our horizons and creating new products and services for our customers,” GOL CEO Celso Ferrer said in a news release. “In doing so, we will further connect Brazil to the world, while also enabling more people to experience the beauty of our country.”

A rendering of a GOL A330. (Credit: GOL)

GOL’s current passenger fleet consists of the 737-700, 737-800, and 737 MAX 8. The airline has also placed orders for the 737 MAX 10, which has not yet received type certification.

The carrier formerly operated charter flights with a 767, meaning the A330s will be the first widebodies in its mainline fleet but not the first it has ever owned.

GOL said the Airbus jets were recently acquired by parent company Abra Group, which is allocating them to GOL in an effort to build long-haul connectivity. Abra Group also owns Colombia’s Avianca Group.

GOL is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro and flies mainly within South America. It has two destinations in the U.S., Miami and Orlando, Florida.

Zach Vasile

Kenya Invites Bids for Airport Expansion

The country is moving ahead with plans to transform Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Victor Shalton

Friday, March 06, 2026 at 06:30 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Kenya Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Kenya has invited bids for the design and construction of a major expansion of Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), including a new passenger terminal and supporting infrastructure, as part of a long-term plan to transform the facility into an integrated aviation and economic hub.

In a tender notice issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Roads and Transport said it was seeking sealed bids for a design-and-build contract covering the development and modernization of the airport.

Mandatory pre-bid meetings and site visits will be held on April 8 and 9, with submissions due by April 23.

The expansion follows the completion in February of an Integrated Master Plan and feasibility study that outlines phased development of JKIA between 2025 and 2045 to address congestion and meet rising demand.

Capacity Strain

JKIA, Kenya’s main international gateway and hub for national carrier Kenya Airways, handled about 8.93 million passengers in 2025, exceeding its designed capacity of approximately 7.5 million passengers annually, according to the Ministry of Roads and Transport.

The airport currently operates with a single runway and a terminal complex expanded incrementally over the years, resulting in operational bottlenecks across the runway system, apron areas, and passenger facilities.

Traffic forecasts project passenger numbers rising from 8.93 million in 2025 to about 22.31 million by 2045, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. Air cargo volumes are expected to more than double over the same period, from 407,214 tonnes to 860,400 tonnes.

The master plan identifies capacity shortfalls in airside, terminal, and landside infrastructure, warning that without intervention, congestion could erode operational efficiency, safety margins, and JKIA’s competitiveness as a regional hub.

In the short to medium term, the project will upgrade the existing runway, develop a partial parallel taxiway, and construct rapid exit and runway-end taxiways to increase throughput and reduce runway occupancy times.

Existing passenger terminals will be reconfigured and selectively expanded to ease congestion, while passenger processing systems, including check-in, security screening, immigration, and baggage handling, will be digitized and modernized.

Over the longer term, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) plans to build a new passenger terminal capable of handling an additional 10 million passengers annually, with provision for further expansion. The project will also include new taxiways, aprons, and aircraft support facilities, as well as upgrades to air traffic control, firefighting, cargo, maintenance, fuel and utility infrastructure.

Landside access roads and parking facilities will be upgraded to improve connectivity and reduce congestion.

The government has previously said it is seeking up to $2 billion from international development lenders to finance the works, after scrapping a proposed concession agreement with India’s Adani Group in 2024.

Airport City and SEZ

Beyond core aviation infrastructure, the master plan incorporates the development of an Airport City and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as long-term components designed to reposition JKIA as an aviation-led economic engine.

KAA said the SEZ would target high-value, time-sensitive, and export-oriented industries such as air cargo logistics, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, light manufacturing, e-commerce fulfilment, and regional distribution.

The Airport City will accommodate commercial developments including business parks, corporate offices, hotels, convention and exhibition facilities, aviation support services, and mixed-use projects.

Victor Shalton

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

Republic Gives Update on Mesa Integration

The carrier reported full-year and fourth-quarter earnings this week.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, March 05, 2026 at 05:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Republic Airways aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Republic Airways Holdings is continuing to “integrate and harmonize” its two fleets and expects both merger-related costs and significant upside as 2026 gets underway, officials said this week.

The airline – which formed late last year through the combination of the former Republic Airways and Mesa Airlines – reported its 2025 full-year and fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday. Q4 net income reached $5 million, or 12 cents per diluted share, while full-year net income hit $76.2 million, or $1.87 per diluted share.

The earnings window included 36 days of post-merger operations, making the results somewhat difficult to compare to either Republic or Mesa’s past performance. Still, leadership pointed to revenue growth of 20.6% during the fourth quarter and said they are aiming for revenues of approximately $2 billion by the end of this year.

Because the former Republic and Mesa combined without debt, the successor company “has incurred, and expects to continue to incur, significant merger-related costs,” according to the earnings report. Those costs totaled $26.3 million in 2025 and $3.2 million in 2024, officials said.

“We enter 2026 with clarity and integration momentum and believe we are uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional value to our airline partners, employees, and shareholders,” President and Chief Commercial Officer Matt Koscal said in a statement. “This new chapter strengthens our ability to perform consistently, grow strategically, and create long-term value as a leading regional airline. As we execute the Mesa integration throughout 2026 and beyond, we are focused on harmonizing our operations, strengthening our airline partnerships, and positioning Republic Airways for sustainable long-term growth.”

As of Dec. 31, Republic Airways Holdings has a fleet of 311 Embraer E175-family aircraft as a result of the linkup and expanded partnerships with United and American. The carrier has firm orders for 29 new E175 aircraft to be delivered from 2026 through 2029.

Republic and Mesa officially united in November. Mesa was designated the surviving company, but it was renamed Republic Airways Holdings upon closing. The new corporation is headed by Republic’s leadership team.

Even though Republic and Mesa are now legally one company, there are still “parallel operations” in place while consolidation gets underway.

Republic has service agreements with United, Delta, and American, while Mesa works only with United, flying as United Express.

Zach Vasile

State Department Turns to Charter Flights to Evacuate Americans

Commercial service in much of the Middle East has been suspended since Saturday.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, March 05, 2026 at 03:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Ben Gurion International Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock | Dmitry Pistrov)

The State Department said Thursday that it is ramping up efforts to help U.S. citizens leave the Middle East via commercial and charter flights.

“The department is facilitating charter flights and will continue to secure additional capacity as security conditions allow,” officials said. “Where commercial aviation options remain available, the department is actively helping American citizens book those tickets. For those in countries lacking commercial aviation availability, the department is facilitating travel to third countries as conditions allow.”

The department also said it is looking at ground transportation options to get U.S. citizens out of Israel.

Lawmakers and some travelers stuck abroad have criticized the Trump administration for not doing enough to help Americans living, working, or vacationing in the Middle East since the start of joint U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran on Saturday. Iran, Israel, and many surrounding countries have closed their airspace to civilian flights, and thousands of connections are being canceled each day.

Americans in cities such as Amman, Kuwait City, and Dubai have told news outlets that they are receiving contradictory or inactionable information from U.S. embassies – specifically, to leave immediately, even though most airlines have canceled their schedules.

In some instances, U.S. embassies in the Middle East have been overwhelmed by phone calls, and in some countries U.S. embassies and consulates are closed entirely due to the risk of drone attacks from Iran.

President Donald Trump said this week that military operations unfolded too quickly to evacuate American citizens in a more organized way.

The Pentagon has said it will use C-17 transport aircraft to fly Americans out of the region.

On its website, the State Department now has a special assistance request portal for passport holders looking to leave Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Zach Vasile

Retrofitted 737 MAX 8s Enter Service With Air Canada Rouge

The carrier is reorganizing its fleet as it prepares to take delivery of new Airbus A321XLRs, A350-1000s, and Boeing 787s.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, March 05, 2026 at 01:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX 8. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The first of Air Canada’s upgraded Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets have entered service with its low-cost subsidiary, Rouge.

Air Canada is in the process of moving all of its MAX 8s to Rouge as it prepares to take delivery of new aircraft, specifically the 787-10, Airbus A321XLR, and A350-1000. The carrier is also still taking deliveries of the A220.

As part of the transfer, Air Canada is retrofitting the interiors of the MAX 8s bound for Rouge. Upgrades include personal seatback entertainment systems, reclining seats, and free wireless internet service sponsored by Bell.

Most customers flying Rouge leisure and sun routes across North America will be booked on the upgraded aircraft, officials said on Thursday.

“When customers step onto our aircraft, they should instantly feel a sense of comfort, care, and pride,” Air Canada Executive Vice President and COO Mark Nasr said in a news release. “Supported by award-winning service from co-workers across the company, this renewal program is about delivering that feeling consistently, across every flight.”

Air Canada executives said last year that they aim to move all MAX 8s to Rouge by the end of 2026 while also retiring the subsidiary airline’s older aircraft. Ideally, Rouge will have an all-737 MAX fleet by the end of 2026, they said.

New Crew Base

Also on Thursday, Rouge opened a new crew base in Vancouver. The base will support the expansion of leisure travel in Western Canada, the carrier said, including recently announced winter service from Calgary to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico.

Besides the 737 MAX 8, Rouge also operates A319s, A320s, and A321s. The A319s are set to be retired, while the A320s and A321s will be retrofitted and transferred to Air Canada’s mainline fleet.

Zach Vasile