As the aviation world pushes aggressively towards alternate fuel solutions one major player is bowing out. Tecnam suspended work on its P-Volt project, suggesting that the technology available today for development of electric aircraft does not support the economics of further development at this time.
Airplanes and Airports
JetBlue secures permanent Schiphol slots
JetBlue will have access to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport to continue its flights from Boston and New York City for the winter season. And, unlike the slots it secured to launch the market this summer, the winter slots comes with “historical” rights, allowing it to keep them for future years, so long as it continues to operate.
airBaltic offers passenger SAF purchase option (that doesn’t entirely suck)
Many airlines offer passengers the opportunity to pay a bit extra on their flights to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for the trip. airBaltic’s recently launched program appears to be rather different, avoiding the greenwashing approach most others pursue.
Norse shifts South Florida operations to Miami
Norse Atlantic will shift its South Florida operations a bit further south. The carrier is abandoning Fort Lauderdale for Miami, effective 18 September 2023.
LATAM fined $1 million for COVID refund delays
South American airline LATAM faces a $1 million fine from the US Department of Transportation for failure to refund passengers in a timeline manner after cancelling flights during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DOJ wins: JetBlue, American NEA declared illegal
JetBlue and American Airlines must unwind their Northeast Alliance (NEA), and quickly. The partnership was ruled a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. This is, of course, bad news for the two airlines. The impact may be broader than that.
Northern Pacific delays inaugural, battles certification challenges
Northern Pacific’s first flight will have to wait a couple more weeks. The carrier’s planned operations between Ontario, California and Las Vegas will now launch on 23 June 2023.
Ryanair signs largest ever order for Boeing’s largest 737 MAX
Millions of travelers will fly with Ryanair on Boeing 737 MAX 10 planes in the decades ahead. The two companies (finally) confirmed a massive order for the new planes – 150 firm and another 150 options – with deliveries stretching through 2033.
Delta looks to flex at Haneda
In 2019 Delta Air Lines won big in the Haneda slot allocations. Four years later, however, the carrier sees dramatically different demand patterns and is seeking permission from the US Department of Transportation to alter its gateway cities, without going through a new slot allocation proceeding.
Breeze plans Mexico service in a very crowded market
Breeze is ready to make a run for the border. The carrier has applied to the US Department of Transportation for permission to fly to Mexico.