Tens of thousands of cancelled flights. Millions of impacted travelers. Billions of dollars in limbo. And airlines are doing everything they can – including ignoring laws – to keep the money.
Airplanes and Airports
JetBlue plans 70%+ cut in April operations
JetBlue continues to trim its operations as demand shows no sign of a near-term recovery. The carrier now expects to schedule approximately 300 daily flights in April 2020, down from more than 1000 on the initial schedule. The move allows the for “maintaining a critical level of service across our network” according to an internal […]
US carriers cut frequencies, not destinations as they seek federal funding
Getting that federal bailout cash means keeping all existing destinations in service for the US airlines. That could prove troubling for some as the cutbacks are already in motion.
IATA anticipates recession, slower recovery, as COVID-19 impact drag on
IATA no longer expects a “V-shaped” recovery for airlines as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow. For the past several weeks the aviation trade group presented dire financial forecasts that included a sharp bounce back for the industry. In a media briefing this morning Brian Pearce, IATA’s chief economist, acknowledged that this time it is different, and not in a good way.
Converting to cargo: Putting passenger planes to use in the COVID-19 era
Passenger demand may not exist right now for airlines but global supply chains still demand the cargo capacity those aircraft represent. Passenger aircraft are being pressed into service as freighters, filling their belly space with goods to fly across the globe. And, in some cases, even a bit more.
SpaceJet hits a milestone with certifiable configuration first flight
For the team at Mitsubishi Aircraft building the SpaceJet there’s something special about aircraft number 10. The plane made its first flight last week marking a major milestone for the development program of the SpaceJet M90 regional jet. Flight Test Vehicle 10 (FTV10) is the first aircraft to fly in the final, certifiable baseline configuration. […]
JetBlue plans additional draw down in service
On Wednesday JetBlue indicated plans to remove 40% of its capacity for April and May. As with other airlines, however, the carrier continues to see demand free fall. On Sunday afternoon JetBlue President & COO Joanna Geraghty sent a note to inflight crewmembers indicating that further cuts are at hand.
Emirates, Turkish Airlines slash route networks, ground aircraft
Two more large airlines announced major cuts to their route networks this weekend. Emirates will suspend all passenger service while Turkish Airlines will cut nearly all its international destinations.
Qatar Airways plans 75% capacity cut in response to COVID-19
The vast majority of its passengers transit the home base rather than stopping. But with borders closing arround the globe Qatar Airways must respond. The carrier expects 75% of capacity to disappear in the coming days.
Understanding design elements of the new LaGuardia Airport Terminal B
The new LaGuardia Terminal B is lovely. If you want to understand WHY it is that way no better place to go than the source, the principal design architect for the project. And his explanation is spectacular.