Transportation Secretary Says Admin Open to Airline Mergers

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

Zach Vasile

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

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zach Vasile

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.

Contour Adds New Route

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

Zach Vasile

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

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zach Vasile

Delta Joins Wave of Airlines Raising Checked Bag Fees

The price change applies to tickets purchased from Wednesday onward.

Zach Vasile

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

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

United and JetBlue raised their checked bag rates last week.

Zach Vasile

Air Canada Expands Winter Schedule With New Destinations, Routes

Flights will operate through the winter 2026-27 season.

Zach Vasile

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

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zach Vasile

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

Flights will start in September.

Lorne Philipot

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

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Zach Vasile

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

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

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

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

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

Gateway to Japan

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

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

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

Lorne Philipot

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.

FAA Proposes Fine for Southwest Over Alleged Drug Testing Violations

The airline has 30 days to respond.

Zach Vasile

Monday, April 06, 2026 at 03:54 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 airplanes at Dallas Love Field. (Photo: Shutterstock | Markus Mainka)

The FAA has proposed a civil penalty for Southwest over allegations it failed to properly retest employees who previously tested positive for alcohol or drugs.

According to the agency, Southwest failed to conduct all of the required follow-up testing for 11 employees, including pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft mechanics. The employees had previously tested positive for alcohol or drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines.

The 11 individuals performed “safety-sensitive functions” for periods of time between August 2021 and July 2024, and should have completed the follow-up testing, officials said.

Regulators plan to impose a fine of $304,272.

Southwest has 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond.

Zach Vasile

Malaysia Airlines Extends Suspension of Doha Service

Flights will not resume until mid-June, at the earliest.

Lorne Philipot

Monday, April 06, 2026 at 02:26 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A Malaysia Airlines aircraft. (Photo: Shutterstock | hkhtt hj)

Malaysia Airlines has halted service to Doha until the middle of the year.

The carrier cited the ongoing conflict in the region, which has closed certain airspace and affected consumer demand.

Malaysia Airlines extended the temporary suspension of its Doha service until June 14. This comes after a risk assessment which indicates that the security situation in the region remains unchanged.

The airline initially suspended its Doha service from Feb. 28. Its flights to other destinations including Jeddah, Madinah, London, and Paris continue to operate as planned. It operates its flights on carefully planned alternative routes which avoid the affected regions.

The carrier also increased capacity between Asia and Europe from March 12, in an effort to support stranded passengers.

Lorne Philipot

Proposed Flight Attendant Contract Would Let United Own a Regional Airline

The carrier currently relies on partners such as Republic and SkyWest.

Zach Vasile

Monday, April 06, 2026 at 12:34 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A United Express Embraer E175 operated by Republic Airways. (Photo: Shutterstock | oasisamuel)

Details of a tentative labor agreement released on Friday show United’s flight attendants are on their way to securing a substantial boost in pay. But also included in the 425-page document is a provision that could shake up the entire U.S. air transportation industry – permission for United to own a regional airline.

The agreement’s “scope” section allows United to launch or acquire a regional carrier that would not have to use mainline flight attendants unless United pilots are operating the flight.

“The company may create or acquire a controlling interest in and control of a regional carrier conducting United Express flying…” the text reads. “As an exception to Paragraph 1, above, flights of such United Express carrier may be staﬀed by flight attendants of such carrier unless the flights are operated by United pilots covered by the United pilot agreement, in which case they will be staﬀed by United flight attendants covered by this agreement.”

Currently, United offers regional service under its United Express brand through capacity agreements with carriers such as Republic, CommuteAir, Mesa, and SkyWest. United owns a piece of CommuteAir and the now-combined Republic and Mesa, but it does not outright own any of its regional partners.

This approach differs from the airline’s main competitors, Delta and American, which offer regional flights through wholly-owned subsidiaries as well as partner carriers. Delta owns Endeavor Air, while American owns Envoy Air, PSA Airlines, and Piedmont Airlines.

While the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA consented to the new provision, it could raise concerns among rank-and-file members. Flight attendants at any future subsidiary would almost certainly be paid less than mainline flight attendants, opening the door to in-network competition and a possible loss of hours for higher-paid crew members if more flights are transferred to the subsidiary’s operations.

United has not announced any plans for a wholly-owned subsidiary airline.

Pay Boost

The proposed contract would raise base pay rates through July 2030. By that date, United’s most experienced flight attendants would be earning just over $100 per hour.

The deal would also boost incentive pay rates, institute boarding pay, increase 401(k) matching, and provide a signing bonus for every flight attendant.

United’s flight attendants have not had a contractual pay increase in almost six years.

The airline and the AFA announced the tentative contract late last month after lengthy negotiations. The agreement must pass a ratification vote from union members before it can take effect.

Voting is set to begin on April 23, the AFA said.

Zach Vasile

United Rolls Out Stripped-Down ‘Base’ Fares for Premium Cabins

The new pricing structure will make it cheaper to book a Polaris or Premium Plus seat.

Zach Vasile

Monday, April 06, 2026 at 10:30 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Polaris seating on an A321XLR. (Photo: United Airlines)

United on Friday announced a new tiered fare structure for its premium cabins, creating a more affordable, no-frills version of Polaris and Premium Plus.

The carrier said it will offer three fare options for premium cabins on long-haul international, transcontinental, and select Hawaii flights – “base,” “standard,” and “flexible.” The lineup mirrors the three fare options available in United Economy, known as “basic,” “standard,” and “flexible.”

The lowest tier comes with fewer amenities and benefits. In Polaris, for example, base fares require an extra fee for seat selection (included in standard and flexible) and do not provide access to Polaris airport lounges.

For both Polaris and Premium Plus, base fares do not include flight changes, upgrades, or refunds, and cover only one checked bag, while standard and flexible cover two.

Exact pricing details for the new tier system were not immediately available.

United said it has redesigned the shopping pages on its website and app to reflect the changes, and will launch the new fare categories in select markets later this month.

“These new tiered options give customers more choice and make it easier to find a fare that includes the benefits they want most – whether that’s a great value, added perks, or maximum flexibility,” United Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella said in a news release.

There will be no changes to the existing tiers in Economy, officials added, though the options will be displayed on shopping pages in a “new, clearer way.”

Zach Vasile

Royal Air Maroc to Gain Full Control of Catering Subsidiary

The airline is continuing to grow in Casablanca.

Victor Shalton

Saturday, April 04, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787 Dreamliner. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Morocco’s national carrier, Royal Air Maroc, plans to buy the remaining 40% stake in its in-flight catering subsidiary, Atlas Servair SA, and take complete ownership, the country’s Competition Council said on March 12.

Royal Air Maroc already holds 60% of Atlas Servair and is seeking exclusive control through the purchase of the outstanding shares and voting rights, according to the council’s public notice. The transaction was filed under Morocco’s competition law, and third parties have until March 23 to submit observations.

Atlas Servair, based in the industrial zone at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport, provides airline catering and in-flight passenger services. It began as a joint venture with France’s Servair in 2013 before the minority stake passed to Switzerland-based Gategroup after it acquired Servair.

The deal would end roughly a decade of partnership with international catering groups and bring Atlas Servair fully under Royal Air Maroc’s control. Financial terms were not disclosed. A non-confidential summary filed with the council describes the affected sectors as in-flight catering and passenger air transport.

The council noted that the information came from the parties involved and does not prejudge its review of the transaction. Once completed, Atlas Servair would join Royal Air Maroc’s roster of wholly owned service companies, including RAM Handling for ground operations, Atlas Multiservices for recruitment and staffing, and RAM Academy for pilot and technical training.

The move fits Royal Air Maroc’s strategy of tightening operational control over support activities while maintaining joint ventures for technical work. Those partnerships include Aerotechnic Industries, a 50-50 heavy-maintenance venture with Air France-KLM, and Safran Aircraft Engine Services Morocco for engine repairs. The airline also works with Amadeus Maroc on reservations, Casa Aero on flight simulation, and STTS on aircraft painting.

Separately, Royal Air Maroc is pushing aggressive growth. It intends to launch about 20 new routes between March and July and is expanding its fleet. The airline currently operates nearly 63 aircraft and aims to reach 73 by year-end and 200 by 2037. Delivery of its 12th Boeing 787, registered CN-RHU, is imminent.

The carrier also announced in March a lease for 13 additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, with deliveries starting in 2027. That deal builds on earlier leases from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Air Lease Corp., and Avolon and supports growth while the airline awaits deliveries under a long-term tender for nearly 200 aircraft.

Royal Air Maroc expects to receive up to 15 new planes annually beginning in 2028. The Competition Council has not indicated a timeline for its final decision on the Atlas Servair transaction.

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.