Empty planes will be flying by the hundreds, spewing excess emissions and placing more airline employees at risk. But at least the DOT did not have to adjust its view of the industry to account for the new reality.
Department of Transportation
Who wants what? How the US airlines are responding with CARES Act funding on the line
With tens of billions of dollars in federal funding on the line the DOT’s rules about service obligations under the CARES Act could dramatically affect airlines’ cash flow in the coming months. The divide in views between the large and small players is impressively wide.
Spirit Airlines reportedly cutting 90% of flights
How deep can the US carriers cut? Spirit Airlines is now reported to be shedding 90%+ of its flights as it seeks to ride out the coronavirus market collapse.
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.
Airlines press back on accessible lavatory plans
Airlines are not keen to update the on-board lavatory experience to support passengers with reduced mobility, citing costs and limited options as part of the objections.
Silver Airways plans ATR expansion in the Caribbean
Silver Airways has big plans for its Caribbean flight network. The carrier intends to increase capacity from its San Juan hub to destinations across the region as it shifts its Saab 340 fleet out of the islands, replacing them with larger ATR turboprops. The ATR-72 will more double the available seats in some markets from […]
Wheelchair accessibility regulations to be updated with Department of Transportation proposal
The US Department of Transportation is finally poised to take action related to wheelchair-bound passengers on single-aisle aircraft. While any progress is good news, the limited scope of this effort leaves much to be desired.
JetBlue wants to give United Airlines its Mexico City slots, if the DoT will let it
Why does JetBlue care what happens to its slots in Mexico City as it pulls out of that market next month? Turns out competition among airlines is a good thing, and the carrier just might have its eye on another prize some 5,500 miles away.
Hawaiian, JAL come up short on anti-trust immunity plans
Hawaiian and JAL had grand plans to coordinate their operations between Asia and Hawaii. The US DoT has other ideas. The ATI application was denied this week, citing insufficient benefit to passengers.
American gives up on China – Chicago connections
Just over a year after admitting publicly that the routes “often don’t earn enough cash to cover the price of fuel” American Airlines is officially surrendering its route authorities from Chicago-O’Hare to Beijing and Shanghai. Both Delta and United figure to gain significantly as a result.