The NOTAM system is in desperate need of update. Simplification and clarification, identifying the more critical reports while deemphasizing others would improve safety. That’s not what is happening.
Airplanes and Airports
airBaltic grabs Lufthansa Group investment, Uruguayan operations
airBaltic has had a busy day, announcing an investment from Lufthansa Group and a deal to help launch the new flag carrier of Uruguay.
Frontier goes back after Spirit
Frontier Airlines wants to acquire Spirit Airlines. Again. The companies have been in negotiations for the past three weeks, with Spirit rejecting Frontier’s overtures.
JetBlue aims to trim 200 pilots through voluntary separation agreement
JetBlue is aiming to shed 200 of its oldest pilots, balancing the workforce against its revised (and lower) growth plans for the next few years.
Air Wisconsin is out at American Airlines
Air Wisconsin is getting out of the regional affiliate business. The carrier, which operates a few dozen CRJ-200 aircraft under the American Eagle brand, will transition to focus on charter and Essential Air Service operations from April 2025.
Emirates A350 flies a Surprise & Delight trip to Dammam
A couple hundred Emirates passengers received a special treat on Wednesday morning: They were the first to fly on the carrier’s brand new A350.
Alaska Airlines "Banking" on Revamped Hub Plans for Profit, Growth
Operating a pair of hubs less than 200 miles apart can be incredibly challenging for airlines. Alaska Airlines has a plan, however, to make it work as it grows into its new global operations.
Southwest’s Funky New Super-Short Florida Routes
It is easy to look at the four new routes Southwest Airlines announced out of Orlando this week in disbelief. But there’s more to it than just a few sub-200 mile routes.
Alaska Airlines’ plan to juice revenues to the islands
Alaska Airlines is legally prohibited from cutting capacity on key routes between Hawai’i and the mainland, part of a deal to secure approval of the merger. But the carrier still has a plan to boost revenue in its islands operations.
Madrid joins JetBlue’s transatlantic network for Summer 2025
JetBlue will fly to Madrid in Summer 2025, part of the carrier’s strategic approach to European service. The route will operate from Boston from 22 May through 24 October.