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.
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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.
Breezing into service: Three likely coastal hubs for Breeze Airways
Where will Breeze Airways launch its operations? Based on comments related to crew hiring it now appears the carrier has a trio of coastal Southeastern cities in mind.
Going long at LAX
More than a dozen longer domestic routes added at LAX in the past year are likely to bring about a different sort of recovery as the pandemic subsides.
Air Canada, Transat merger approved, with notable conditions attached
Air Canada and Air Transat received approval from the Canadian government this week to close on their merger, though not without some additional conditions covering slots, loyalty, lounges, and Quebec employment guarantees.
Scrapping the North Atlantic tracks thanks to Aireon space-based ADS-B
Controllers are working to scrap the Organized Track Structure routes across the North Atlantic Ocean, ending a decades-long practice of aircraft management in favor of more efficient routings.
RwandAir plans JFK service launch (again)
Previously tipped for a 2019 launch, RwandAir is once again planning flights to the USA. The carrier filed its application with the US Department of Transportation this week to operate service to New York on its own A330s. It anticipates beginning the operations in December 2021.
Norwegian abandons long-haul operations, refocuses on 737 routes in Europe
Chalk up another major long-haul LCC failure. Norwegian will abandon its fleet of 37 787 Dreamliners, refocusing on the short-haul European market served with single-aisle aircraft.
DOT announces airline service mandates for extended PPP funding
Expect to see a few new and unexpected routes operating over the next 10 weeks. As with the Summer 2020 version of the Payroll Support Program US airlines face certain service obligations to receive funding under the renewed version this winter. And the US Department of Transportation expects far fewer exceptions this time around.