Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways now aims to launch service to the United States “at the end of December 2021.” The carrier previously indicated a goal of Q3 2021, but still awaits approval from the US Department of Transportation to operate flights to the USA.v
Airplanes and Airports
The British Airways A380 is back!
The British Airways A380 is officially coming back. The airline will use its largest aircraft to carry passengers to warm, sunny destinations as part of a significant rebound in long-haul service volume for the winter.
aha! to launch with Reno base, eight destinations
Aha! aims to take flight on 24 October from Reno. It is the third airline to launch operations in the United States this year.
Norse Atlantic announces initial US routes
Norse Atlantic Airways aims to replace a trio of Norwegian’s long-haul routes across the Atlantic Ocean next summer. In a filing with the US Department of Transportation the carrier indicated its intention to serve smaller, alternate airports in the New York City, Los Angeles, and South Florida regions from Oslo.
Some details on Connect Airlines’ operating costs
Looking to lease a couple Q400s to launch an airline? The going rate appears to be $50k/month, according to recent DOT filings made by Connect Airlines.
Northern Pacific snags six 757s for Asia service
Alaska’s Northern Pacific Airways (NPA) is pushing forward with its plans to launch transpacific routes from its base in Anchorage. The carrier purchased its first six 757-200 aircraft for the effort, with the first delivery expected “immediately.”
ExpressJet aims to fly as aha!
ExpressJet will not fly as an independent carrier this fall as previously planned. Instead, the carrier will operate under the brand name “aha!” or “fly-aha!” when it launches service.
Winter waiver issued for US airport slots, with an international twist
Airlines operating to some of the largest US airports won a reprieve from regulators, extending a waiver put in place as the COVID pandemic began in early 2020. But this time around the waiver comes with a change in terms, one that could prove significant for US airlines.
Is the Alitalia brand really worth $340 million??
Italy’s newest airline may be forced to pay far more than it hoped to keep the Alitalia brand alive. Reports suggest a starting price of 290 million euro (~$341mm) for the public auction of the brand, roughly double the previously appraised value.
Newark slots on the market for this Winter
One lucky airline will soon have access to 16 peak evening runway movement slots at Newark International Airport. The US Department of Transportation, as encouraged by a recent federal court ruling, will reallocate the slots previously held by Southwest Airlines and abandoned in late 2019.