Questions about the impact to competition hampered the proposed Air Canada/Transat merger from its announcement. Ultimately they killed the deal.
Airplanes and Airports
Norse Atlantic snags former Norwegian planes for launch
Picking up some of Norwegian’s old 787s was always part of the plan for Norse Atlantic’s launch later this year. Picking up its troubled history gaining access to the US market, however, is less useful.
JetBlue secures Heathrow slots for London service
The highly anticipated launch of JetBlue’s service to London continues to draw attention as the carrier remains mum on which airport it will serve. But we now know that Heathrow has some slots available, though the carrier says it is keeping Gatwick open as an option as well.
United targets leisure traffic in Summer hub-skipping pivot
A couple years ago air service to Maine was fading. But last year it was a safe summer vacation destination for many amid the pandemic. This summer Portland sees a reward for that, with seven new routes added from Midwest non-hub airports on United Airlines.
Can SE Aeronautics revolutionize commercial aviation?
Is the SE Aeronautics SE 200 the next big thing in aviation, or an AvGeek fever dream run amok?
Aer Lingus launches TATL routes from Manchester
The new Aer Lingus base in Manchester, UK is officially open for business. The carrier confirmed its first four destinations in the Americas – New York City, Orlando, Barbados, and Boston – with flights beginning from 29 July. These are the first non-stop flights from the UK across the Atlantic for the airline.
New Haven seeks a pair of hubs
For a smaller airport attracting a new airline operation is a big deal. Coming out of a pandemic where service was slashed to nil, the value of a new operation is even greater. Securing status as a hub or focus city for a new low cost carrier operation would be a massive win. But all of those goals seem quaint to the Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport Authority. The airport wants more.
Small airports seek big bucks for new services
When it comes to launching new service at smaller airports revenue guarantees to airlines are a key factor. The US Department of Transportation offers Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grants to help airports cover the costs of those guarantees. And with another round of applications released this week we can see which markets are compelling to airports and airlines.
US DOT puts the squeeze on Hong Kong
The US Department of Transportation will require Hong Kong-based airlines to file their planned operations in advance, a first step towards potentially limiting the frequency or types of flights from the Chinese Special Administrative Region to the United States. The move comes in response to a change in quarantine policies effected 20 February that asymmetrically benefit Cathay Pacific’s cargo operations over all other operators.
Norwegian long-haul is dead; Long live Norse Atlantic Airways
Norse Atlantic Airways may soon be flying between the US and Europe, replacing Norwewgian’s long-haul abmitions with fresh funding.