Aircraft interior renovations may be on hold for most passenger airlines but the Delta Flight Products (DFP) team is keeping busy with several innovative projects. The organization is leading efforts to build military transport facilities that can accommodate sick soldiers. The work also includes employees from the Delta TechOps team.
Airplanes and Airports
Spirit Airlines asks DOT again to drop destinations
Spirit Airlines was one of the first carriers to request a limited schedule from the Department of Transportation as the CARES Act service obligation requirements took effect. It was mostly denied, but Spirit still wants its exemptions. The company appealed to the Department late today, asking again for certain destinations to be removed from its obligations.
Argentina plans to restart flights in September 2020
Like many countries around the world Argentina grounded its air traffic network in March 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The country now has a tentative reopening date for the industry: 1 September 2020.
Frontier Airlines pushes new route plan for CARES Act compliance
With nearly all of its requested exemptions rejected, Frontier Airlines faces a harsh new reality. It needs the CARES Act funding to avoid massive furloughs but many destinations in its route network no longer have much demand, if any. Like others, the carrier will adjust, combining multiple destinations on to a single flight from its hubs. These
Airbus, Rolls-Royce halt development on E-Fan X electric aircraft
The initial goal was a hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator embarking on its first flight in 2021. The new reality is that the E-Fan X project has been scrapped. Rolls-Royce and Airbus pulled the plug on the joint development effort late last week.
Sun Country wins big as United, Frontier lose in latest CARES Act ruling
Sun Country will be permitted to collect its government funding while largely suspending service through 21 June 2020. United Airlines and Frontier Airlines will not be so lucky. The latest guidance from the US Department of Transportation released this morning shows that the Agency is using different standards for the different sized airlines in forming its policy.
Spirit Airlines running triangle routes to meet CARES Act requirements
If the planes are going to be mostly empty it is better to fly fewer of them. For Spirit Airlines this means sending some of its smaller jets on triangle routes, connecting two cities before retuning to a hub. The new service pattern appears planned through June based on schedule details reviewed online.
JetBlue plans new route network for CARES Act compliance
Faced with the requirement to serve a number of airports that otherwise lack demand JetBlue will adjust its route network in May and June, offering a number of “tag” flights rather than nonstop service to a focus city.
The Weekly Wrap: Cargo conversions and funky seating options
Looking to catch up on passenger experience news in recent days? I’ve got a fun new video series with Maryann Simson from APEX Media and we’re covering all the top headlines.
De Havilland, Air Canada Cargo partner on Dash 8-400 cargo conversion
Air Canada Express is the latest operator of a “Covid-Combi” fleet, with up to 13 Dash 8-400s slated for conversion. The planes will help the carrier move critical cargo throughout the country.