In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the airline said its full-year earnings before interest and taxes will be about $500 million, down from its prior expectation of $600 million to $800 million. Southwest did not say how much of that hit came from the shutdown alone.
Southwest, like all other U.S. airlines, was forced to cut flights at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports in November as the shutdown cleared the one-month mark. The reductions were put in place to ease the burden on FAA air traffic controllers, who were working without pay.
The carrier said bookings have “returned to previous expectations” since the reduction order was dropped.
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.
Air Tanzania to Launch Dar es Salaam-Cape Town Service
Air Tanzania will offer scheduled service between the two cities starting Dec. 11. The service, commencing during Cape Town’s summer peak season, supports travel demand and reflects the modernization and expansion of carriers in Africa.
Triangular Route
The Dar es Salaam-based airline will operate two flights per week on this new route. The service will operate as a triangular route, including a stop in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, before continuing to Cape Town. However, the flight will return directly to Dar es Salaam from Cape Town.
These flights will be operated with an Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
The new service opens up a gateway between Tanzania and Cape Town. Travelers from Cape Town can also connect, via Dar es Salaam, to various other destinations including Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Lagos, and even Guangzhou in China with Air Tanzania.
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.
Ground Stop Issued for Delta Flights in Detroit
The carrier reported a network outage, according to airport officials.
A Delta 737-800 (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)
A network outage disrupted Delta flights at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Friday.
In a statement released early Friday morning, airport officials said Delta initiated a ground stop in Detroit while it worked to resolve the problem. The ground stop was later converted to a ground delay, according to the FAA.
The issue was specific to Delta and did not affect other airlines.
Detroit is a hub location for Delta. It operates from the McNamara Terminal.
“The Wayne County Airport Authority team is in the McNamara Terminal handing out concession vouchers to affected passengers,” the airport said. “We’re committed to supporting our customers during this time.”
Travelers were advised to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport.
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.
DFW CEO Says New Airport Development Not a Concern
Chris McLaughlin points to multi-airport metro trends as McKinney advances commercial terminal plans.
Terminal D at DFW Airport (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport CEO Chris McLaughlin said this week that he is not concerned about the development of a new commercial airport within the DFW Metroplex, noting that large metro areas across the country often support multiple airports.
“I’ve had the opportunity to talk to some folks from McKinney, and I say this with love in my heart, but no — I’m not concerned,” he said at the Skift Aviation Forum this week. “[Major regions] are often served by multiple airports, and I think that we’re in a good place to remain competitive for the long haul.”
McLaughlin also addressed the impact of DFW’s $12 billion capital program on airline costs. He said the airport has coordinated closely with carriers, including American, which supported the investment plan.
“Even with the changes we’re making, we’re remaining consistent with our plan,” he said, adding that expanded aircraft capacity is expected to help balance long-term cost increases.
Local officials have said the terminal is designed to support initial operations of about 200,000 passengers annually, with future growth planned as demand increases.
Renderings of McKinney Airport terminal (Photo: City of McKinney)
The project includes a new aircraft ramp, expanded parking, rental-car facilities, a dedicated access road, and space for additional infrastructure as service evolves. So far, McKinney leaders have indicated interest from one airline.
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.
The carrier said Thursday that it will increase the number of flights on certain routes and use larger aircraft to accommodate the expected spike in passengers in June and July.
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico are jointly hosting the tournament next year.
“American is ready with its game plan for the FIFA World Cup 26, adding an extra 27,000 seats on 12 routes this summer,” Brian Znotins, American’s senior vice president of network planning, said in a news release. “With more flights to all host cities, we’re making sure fans don’t miss the chance to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime moment across North America.”
The routes with expanded and/or upgraded service are:
Boston and Dallas/Fort Worth: June 18-July 11; more flights and upgauged aircraft
Atlanta and Miami: June 16-July 17; more flights and upgauged aircraft
Philadelphia and Toronto: June 15-30; upgauged aircraft
Kansas City and Philadelphia: June 15-22; upgauged aircraft
Los Angeles and Seattle: June 13-July 8; upgauged aircraft
Atlanta and New York-LaGuardia: July 16-17; more flights and upgauged aircraft
Los Angeles and Vancouver: June 16-26; more flights
Dallas/Fort Worth and San Jose, California: June 17-27; more flights
Atlanta and Philadelphia: June 20-21; more flights and upgauged aircraft
Miami and Toronto: June 28-29; upgauged aircraft
American will also add new nonstop flights between New York-LaGuardia and Kansas City on June 21 and 22 and between Atlanta and Kansas City from July 8 to 13 for the tournament’s quarterfinal round.
According to FIFA’s official schedule, matches will take place between June 11 and July 19. The organization estimates that between five million and six million people will attend World Cup events in the three host countries.
American is the official North American airline of the event.
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.
Fate of Final U.S.-Registered DC-8 Decided
The jet is one of the world's few remaining DC-8s.
Samaritan's Purse DC-8 in Greensboro (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
The DC-8 was a very important aircraft in aviation, but more than 50 years after its introduction, it has fallen out of favor and now operates with only three airframes active worldwide.
One of these airframes, N782SP, which is operated by Samaritan’s Purse, is the last active DC-8 with a U.S. registration and is being retired this month after many years of service, not only with the organization but also the other airlines that flew prior to that.
Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 in Greensboro, North Carolina (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
With it being one of the last active DC-8s in the world, many aviation enthusiasts have wondered what fate holds for this particular airframe, hoping it would not be scrapped and it could be visited in the future.
After 10 years with the charity, the aircraft will go on its final mission on Friday, bringing over 9,000 shoebox gifts to areas devastated by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica for Operation Christmas Child, which Samaritan’s Purse is well known for.
This will be the 219th and final mission for the DC-8.
The cargo area of the Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
The retirement has been known for a while, but what wasn’t known until now is what will become of the aircraft after its final mission.
Samaritan’s Purse now says that the aircraft will not be getting scrapped and will be put on display for all to see.
On Display
Once the aircraft has completed its final mission in Jamaica on Friday, the quad-jet will fly for the last time, this time not back to Greensboro, but up to Liberty University in Virginia, where it will remain on display at the Lynchburg Regional Airport.
Liberty University has one of the largest faith-based collegiate aviation programs in North America.
The president of Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin Graham, did have something to say about the DC-8’s retirement: “For a decade, the DC-8 has helped us reach more people around the world for the Gospel—getting the right supplies and people to places devastated by disasters and crises. As the DC-8 prepares to complete its final mission, we praise God for how He has used this plane to change lives. Aviation plays a critical role in our work, and we replaced this 1968 DC-8, which has reached the end of its service life, with a 767, allowing us to transport even more supplies to people in need in Jesus’ Name.”
Along with the Boeing 767 that Graham mentioned, the charity also has a Boeing 757, both of which will be used to transport critical cargo and supplies to those in need.
Samaritan’s Purse 767, which will take over a lot of the missions from the DC-8 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
AirlineGeeks had the opportunity to fly on board the DC-8 with Samaritan’s Purse a couple of weeks ago on their 218th Mission to Mission Aviation Day in Daytona Beach, Florida, at Embry-Riddle University.
With Christmas coming up, those wanting to contribute, donate, or even make a shoebox for an Operation Christmas Child can do so here.
Joey has always been interested in planes for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Central New York during the early 2000s when US Airways Express turboprops ruled the skies. Being from a non-aviation family made it harder for him to be around planes and would only spend about three hours a month at the airport. He was so excited when he could drive by himself, the first thing he did with his driver's license was get ice cream and go plane spotting for the entire day. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2022 with a B.S. in Aviation Management & Operations and a Minor in Business, and currently works for a major airline in his hometown.
FAA Investigating Airline Compliance With Flight Reduction Order
Carriers who violated the directive could face fines of up to $75,000 per flight.
Air traffic control tower in St. Louis. (Photo: Shutterstock | ArtByArthur)
The FAA is investigating whether certain airlines violated its Nov. 7 order reducing flights at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports.
In a statement, the agency said it contacted carriers that operate more than 10 daily flights at any of the affected airports and is giving them 30 days to produce evidence that they complied with the flight reduction order. Airlines found to have violated the rule could face fines of up to $75,000 per flight that exceeded the emergency limits.
The FAA did not name any specific carriers, but the 10 daily flights criteria would include airlines like United, Delta, American, Southwest, and JetBlue, among others.
Agency officials said last month that they were looking into “reports of non-compliance by carriers,” but it was not clear at the time if a full-blown investigation would be launched.
The FAA began cutting flight traffic during the recent federal government shutdown to ease the burden on air traffic controllers working without a pay. The cuts – which targeted major airports such as Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York-JFK, and many more – resulted in thousands of canceled flights per day, in addition to thousands of delays.
Reductions started at 4%, rose to 6%, and were dropped entirely days after the federal government officially reopened.
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.
The airline said it will offer flights to six destinations it does not ordinarily serve from Fort Lauderdale: Denver; Dallas/Fort Worth; Bozeman, Montana; Reno, Nevada; Salt Lake City; and Jacksonville, Florida. JetBlue will also connect Fort Lauderdale with Portland, Maine, during the week of Patriots’ Day, which is observed in eight U.S. states, most notably in Maine and Massachusetts.
“As we continue to grow our position as the leading carrier in Fort Lauderdale, we’re excited to bring even more destinations and flexibility to our customers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year,” Dave Jehn, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning and airline partnerships, said in a news release. “From spring break favorites to special Patriots’ Day flying, these routes are another example of how we’re responding to demand and creating more opportunities for travelers to enjoy the experience that sets JetBlue apart.”
The start and end dates and frequencies of the upcoming flights are:
Bozeman to Fort Lauderdale: March 14-28, on Saturdays
Denver to Fort Lauderdale: March 12-23, daily to twice daily
Dallas/Fort Worth to Fort Lauderdale: March 12-23, daily to twice daily
Reno to Fort Lauderdale: March 14-28, on Saturdays
Salt Lake City to Fort Lauderdale: March 12-23, on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale: March 12-23, daily to twice daily
Portland to Fort Lauderdale: April 16-27, five times weekly
JetBlue said it plans to operate 113 daily departures and serve 46 destinations nonstop from Fort Lauderdale this winter.
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.
The ultra-low-cost carrier said the new connections will be up and running in time to serve customers traveling for spring break.
The start dates and frequencies of the upcoming flights are:
Nashville, Tennessee, to Phoenix: March 6, four times per week
Charlotte, North Carolina, to Cancun: March 6, three times per week
Columbus, Ohio, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida: March 8, three times per week
Chicago Midway to Cancun: March 7, weekly
Raleigh, North Carolina, to Cancun: March 7, weekly
Des Moines, Iowa, to Phoenix: March 13, four times per week
Fort Lauderdale to Indianapolis: March 6, three times per week
Fort Lauderdale to St. Louis: March 13, twice per week
Fort Lauderdale to Raleigh: April 2, four times per week
Indianapolis to Las Vegas: March 24, three times per week
Indianapolis to Phoenix: March 24, four times per week
Indianapolis to Fort Myers, Florida: March 27, twice per week
Las Vegas to Minneapolis: March 6, three times per week
Las Vegas to Memphis, Tennessee: March 8, twice per week
Las Vegas to Milwaukee, Wisconsin: March 24, three times per week
Little Rock, Arkansas, to Orlando, Florida: March 15, twice per week
Orlando to Tulsa, Oklahoma: March 13, twice per week
Orlando to Salt Lake City: April 1, daily
Orlando to Richmond, Virginia: April 2, twice per week
Memphis to Phoenix: March 15, three times per week
Milwaukee to Phoenix: March 26, twice per week
Omaha, Nebraska, to Phoenix: March 25, three times per week
Norfolk, Virginia, to Tampa, Florida: April 3, twice per week
“As we look ahead to 2026, there’s a lot to be excited about — from our expanding network to the introduction of our new First Class seats and more — and we’re thrilled to kick things off with the announcement of these new routes, giving travelers even more affordable options as they plan their spring breaks next year,” Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design at Frontier, said in a news release.
Flight frequencies are subject to change, the airline said.
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 to Open New A220 Base
Move supports expected growth of A220 flying at the carrier’s Midwest hub.
A Delta A220 at Paine Field. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)
Delta will open a new pilot base for its Airbus A220 fleet in Minneapolis/St. Paul next spring, the airline confirmed to AirlineGeeks this week.
The move will position A220 flight crews locally as the aircraft’s presence in the hub expands, a spokesperson said.
“To support the continued growth of A220 flying in Minneapolis, Delta has decided to dedicate some A220 pilots to the hub starting next spring,” the spokesperson added.
The airline said it is too early to detail any additional destinations or frequencies that the A220 will operate from Minneapolis. However, the new base will allow Delta to staff its A220 flights with locally based pilots rather than drawing exclusively from other hubs.
According to Cirium Diio schedule data, the carrier plans to operate up to 51 daily A220 flights to/from Minneapolis in early 2026. The new base is slated to open in the spring.
Delta currently bases A220 crews in Salt Lake City, New York, and Seattle. As the airline continues to grow its A220 fleet over the next several years, it expects to expand the aircraft’s pilot group across all of its bases, including the new Minneapolis operation, it said.
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.
