The U.S. Defense Department (DOD) on Sunday activated the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) to aid the airlift out of Afghanistan. The order effectively activates 18 aircraft from six airlines to carry U.S. citizens and personnel, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other “at-risk” individuals from the Taliban-controlled country. The plan calls on …
The last 12 months has seen a seismic shift in aircraft fleet management at airlines. With passenger demand down in most markets and not expected to recover for some time, airlines are searching for cost savings where they can. High on their hit list are big planes, especially older big planes that are costly to run. Thousands of planes go into long …
Spirit Airlines recorded a net loss of $112 million for the first quarter of 2021. As the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) charts a growth strategy and improvements in March, the airline is looking ahead to the summer. Its team managed capacity successfully and achieved a load factor of 72.1%, which is the highest it has been for the airline since the …
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has filed a complaint over Israel barring passenger rights for US carriers to fly to Israel. The DOT is concerned that Israel is giving more favorable status to its flag carrier, El Al, and not letting US airlines transport passengers to Tel Aviv. The US DOT files a complaint with Israel The Jerusa …
US airlines cannot wait for the Airbus A321XLR to enter their fleets. At least two years away, airlines are dropping hints and considering new ways the long-haul narrowbody jet will be able to unlock new routes in a post-crisis world. The closest thing to a true Boeing 757 replacement, for now, the A321XLR will make a splash and permanently change …
Most US airlines have already reported their 2020 financial results. Unsurprisingly, every carrier struggled amid a weak demand environment that led to steep losses and drastic cuts in capacity. Simple Flying takes a look at airline results from 2020. The core losses All major airlines reported a loss for the full year of 2020. From the highest loss …
US airlines have come out quite strongly against testing mandates for domestic travel. Though nothing has become concrete yet, and neither the White House nor the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have released a plan to require passengers to undergo testing for travel, airlines are already expressing their displeasure. US airlines do not support do …
Alaska Airlines is a full-service US airline based out of Seattle. The carrier operates a fleet of nearly 200 mainline jets with plans to grow the fleet as the airline navigates the tumult of the recovery. However, if there is one thing the airline is thankful about, it is very glad that it does not have any lie-flat seats on its planes. Alaska Airl …
United Airlines looks to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for its employees and calls for other companies to follow its lead. The Chicago-based carrier wants all of its 60,000 staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19, Chief Executive Scott Kirby told employees on January 21, 2021. Kirby believes it would be the best practice to require vaccines from the airl …
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) data of daily passenger throughput shows that numbers have since reduced after the busy holiday season. Numbers have again dipped below 900,000 passengers in a day, keeping US airlines in a bind as the recovery stays flat. US passenger numbers slide About a week ago, US airlines were coming off the single …
Airlines for America has reportedly approached US Vice President Mike Pence backing a proposal to implement pre-departure testing for all international arrivals. The group has also called for the government to rescind a travel ban on those originating in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. Despite being nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, t …
US start-up Breeze Airways is gearing up for its first flights this year. If all goes well, the airline hopes to connect travelers with a mostly point-to-point route map. Starting first with Embraer aircraft, the airline will be starting its operations in the midst of one of the worst crises in the aviation industry, but with the right aircraft, an …
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