Tag Archives: Airbus A320

Finnair to wet lease four Airbus A320s to British Airways

Finnair Airbus A320-214 OH-LXL (msn 2146) LHR (SPA). Image: 925199.

Finnair has signed an agreement with British Airways to wet lease four Airbus A320s starting on March 24, 2023 for 12 months.

The aircraft will be crewed by Finnair.

Top Copyright Photo: Finnair Airbus A320-214 OH-LXL (msn 2146) LHR (SPA). Image: 925199.

Finnair aircraft photo gallery:

Finnair aircraft photo gallery

LATAM renews its fleet and expects to end 2023 with 31 Airbus A320neo family aircraft

LATAM AIrlines (Chile) Airbus A320-271N WL CC-BHA (msn 7844) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105901.

LATAM Airlines (Chile) made this announcement:

With the commitment to be more efficient and sustainable, the LATAM group advances in the renewal of its fleet, announcing that it will have 31 Airbus A320neo family aircraft in operation by the end of 2023.

The additional purchase of Airbus aircraft will allow the group to have more than 100 A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR aircraft by the end of this decade. Today, the LATAM group has 16 Airbus A320neo aircraft in operation and this year it expects to receive another 15 Airbus aircraft, including the first A321neo in its fleet. The first A321XLR will be delivered in 2025.

This will allow the LATAM group to replace its aircraft with more modern and efficient ones, increase its fleet and continue with the recovery of its operation compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Regarding the Airbus A321neo, it consumes 22% less fuel per seat than the previous model, the A320ceo. In addition, the Airbus A321XLR is the single-aisle aircraft (narrow body) with the longest flight range in the world (7,400 km) and with up to 38% less fuel consumption per flight than an aircraft with two aisles (wide body).

Airbus A320neo

Most of LATAM’s A320 Family aircraft fleet is equipped with software that reduces annual CO2 emissions by more than 60,000 tons by optimizing the aircraft’s landing path.

Currently, the LATAM group has 311 aircraft, 57 passengers Boeing (767, 777 and 787 models) and 238 Airbus aircraft (A319, A320, A320neo and A321 models). In addition, LATAM Cargo Chile, LATAM Cargo Colombia and LATAM Cargo Brazil have a joint fleet of 16 cargo planes, which will gradually expand to 20 cargo planes by 2024.

Top Copyright Photo: LATAM AIrlines (Chile) Airbus A320-271N WL CC-BHA (msn 7844) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105901.

LATAM Airlines (Chile) aircraft photo gallery:

Edelweiss extends its partnership with “Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake”

Edelweiss Switzerland (Edelweiss Air) Airbus A320-214 WL HB-JLT (msn 5518) (Help Alliance) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 958069.

Edelweiss has become the Official Airline Partner for the third time in a row in 2023. All flights will be compensated. Season starts on March 5, 2023 in Bahrain.

The “Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake” relies also in 2023 on Edelweiss as Official Airline Partner. This is already the third season in which Edelweiss offers direct charter flights from Zurich to the F1 Grand Prix race tracks within reach of the Airbus A320 fleet. The collaboration began in 2021, when then Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN was looking for a Swiss partner during the pandemic.

Photo: Edelweiss Air.

Edelweiss also flies the team to Las Vegas

The new season will start in Bahrain on March 5, 2023. The season will feature one more race this year. The second-to-last stop on the schedule is Las Vegas from November 16 to 18, 2023. Edelweiss will fly the team to Las Vegas on its regular scheduled flight at the end of November. On the Las Vegas Strip, the race will be held on a 3.8-mile course right in the neon heart of the city. Passing world-famous landmarks, casinos and hotels. Edelweiss will be flying to Las Vegas directly from Zurich at least twice a week until the end of November, offering racing enthusiasts the chance to be there live.

Top Copyright Photo: Edelweiss Switzerland (Edelweiss Air) Airbus A320-214 WL HB-JLT (msn 5518) (Help Alliance) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 958069.

Edelweiss aircraft photo gallery:

Allegiant Air to add eight new routes

Allegiant Air Airbus A320-214 N289NV (msn 4574) AZA (Jarrod Wilkening). Image: 957851.

Allegiant Air has announced eight new nonstop routes to some of the nation’s premier vacation destinations. 

The routes, launching during this year’s summer and fall travel seasons, will connect communities across the country to some of the most popular leisure hot spots, including Portland, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Austin, Phoenix, Asheville, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Allegiant Air crew member (Allegiant Air)

The new route to Denver International Airport (DEN):

  1. Allentown, Penn. via Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) – beginning June 15, 2023with one-way fares as low as $59.*

The new seasonal route to Portland International Airport (PDX): 

  1. Appleton, WI. via Appleton International Airport (ATW) – beginning June 15, 2023 with one-way fares as low as $69.*

The new seasonal route to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS):

  1. Omaha, Neb. via Omaha Airport (OMA) – beginning June 15, 2023 with one-way fares as low as $49.*

The new route to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): 

  1. Asheville, North Carolina via Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) – beginning May 26, 2023with one-way fares as low as $69.*

The new seasonal route to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) 

  1. Akron, Ohio via Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) – beginning June 1, 2023 with one-way fares as low as $39.*

The new route to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS):

  1. Lexington, Ky. via Blue Grass Airport (LEX) – beginning June 15, 2023 with one-way fares as low as $69.*

The new route to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW):

  1. Provo, Utah via Provo Airport (PVU) – beginning June 16, 2023 with one-way fares as low as $59.*

The new seasonal route to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX):

  1. Sioux Falls, S.D. via Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) – beginning June 14, 2023 with one-way fares as low as $59.*

The new nonstop routes will operate twice weekly.

Top Copyright Photo: Allegiant Air Airbus A320-214 N289NV (msn 4574) AZA (Jarrod Wilkening). Image: 957851.

Allegiant Air aircraft photo gallery:

Allegiant Air aircraft photo gallery

Spirit Airlines is coming to San Jose, California

Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N950NK (msn 10769) LAS (Jay Selman). Image: 404225.

Spirit Airlines has announced the launch of new, nonstop service from San José Mineta International Airport (SJC). The carrier is kicking off the new service with two daily flights to Las Vegas (LAS) and daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and San Diego (SAN) on June 7, 2023.

Spirit Airlines Routes at SJC
Destination:Flights Available:Launch Date:
Dallas (DFW)DailyJune 7, 2023
Las Vegas (LAS)Twice DailyJune 7, 2023
San Diego (SAN)DailyJune 7, 2023

The new service marks the seventh airport Spirit serves in the Golden State, joining Burbank (BUR), Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland (OAK), Orange County (SNA), Sacramento (SMF) and San Diego (SAN). Spirit first launched California service in Los Angeles in 2000 and has grown to more than 55 daily departures to 23 out-of-state destinations. In the past three years, the carrier has grown the number of flights by 41 percent and seats by 46 percent statewide.

Top Copyright Photo: Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N950NK (msn 10769) LAS (Jay Selman). Image: 404225.

Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Spirit Airlines to launch five new routes from San Juan

Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N971NK (msn 11222) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960077.

Spirit Airlines has announced the launch of five new, nonstop routes from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). The expansion adds convenient and affordable flights to Atlanta (ATL), Chicago(ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW) and Hartford (BDL), growing Spirit’s Puerto Rico service from 11 destinations to 16 by June 2023.

The carrier also announced it will increase flights between San Juan (SJU) and Orlando (MCO) to five flights daily and grow flights between San Juan and Baltimore (BWI), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Newark (EWR) to two flights daily.

Spirit Airlines Routes at San Juan (SJU)
Destination:Flights Available:Launch Date:
Atlanta (ATL) NEWDailyMay 5
Boston (BOS)DailyExisting
Hartford (BDL) NEW3x WeeklyJune 7
Baltimore (BWI)2x DailyFrequency increases on May 5
Dallas (DFW) NEWDailyMay 5
Detroit (DTW) NEWDailyMay 5
Newark (EWR) 2x DailyFrequency increases on June 7
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) 2x DailyFrequency increases on April 5
Orlando (MCO) 5x DailyFrequency increases on May 5
Miami (MIA)DailyExisting Service
Chicago (ORD) NEWDailyMay 5
Philadelphia (PHL)DailyExisting Service
Tampa (TPA)DailyExisting Service

Spirit first landed on the island in 2001 with service to San Juan (SJU) and has grown its Puerto Rican route map to include Aguadilla (BQN) and Ponce (PSE). The airline will offer 21 peak-day departures in San Juan by June 2023, making it the second-largest carrier by destinations, seats and available seat miles (ASM). This adds to Spirit’s growth across the island, which represents more than 200 percent growth in the past four years.

Top Copyright Photo: Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N971NK (msn 11222) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960077.

Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery

JetBlue sets plan for 250+ daily flights at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood including new Tallahassee service

JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N605JB (msn 2368) (Boston Red Sox) FLL (Ian Bowley). Image: 959607.

JetBlue Airways has announced new service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) beginning in January 2024, as the airline lays out new plans for more low-fare, high-value flights in South Florida.

After its planned combination with Spirit, JetBlue expects to reach more than 250 flights a day at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood by 2027.

Broward County’s master plan for further development of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport would enable JetBlue to grow to more than 250 daily flights. JetBlue has already committed support for a new Terminal 5 and is ready to partner with the airport on further expansion to increase capacity.

More Routes, More Choices for South Florida

JetBlue plans to combine with Spirit and further grow its Fort Lauderdale schedule over the coming years, ultimately reaching more than 250 daily departures by 2027 and making Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood an even more compelling choice for South Florida customers. While both carriers have had success in Fort Lauderdale, the combination between JetBlue and Spirit will unlock long-term opportunities to add domestic and international markets and routes that would not be possible otherwise:

  • JetBlue would offer flights to approximately 30 markets not served by either JetBlue or Spirit from Fort Lauderdale today and would add more flight frequencies to approximately 30 additional markets.
  • Fort Lauderdale will become an even more attractive alternative to Miami on more routes. From Fort Lauderdale, JetBlue and Spirit currently serve 66 of the top 100 markets available from Miami International Airport today (within range of existing and planned JetBlue fleet). After completing its planned expansion, JetBlue would serve from Fort Lauderdale approximately 90 of the top 100 Miami markets.
  • With a more competitive position in South Florida, JetBlue would plan to launch service between Fort Lauderdale and Europe with its game-changing transatlantic Mint and core experiences that have brought down high fares for European travel.
  • The larger network would make a number of routes viable that aren’t today, with examples including destinations like as Antigua; Belize; Cincinnati; Liberia, Costa Rica; Minneapolis; Memphis, Tenn.; and Savannah, Ga.

Commitment to South Florida and FLL’s Master Plan

JetBlue’s expansion plan, which will be bolstered by its planned acquisition of Spirit, underscores the airline’s long-term commitment to Florida and signals support for the airport’s master plan to further grow and develop airport facilities.

JetBlue estimates its plan would add approximately 1,000 incremental new jobs at the airline’s Fort Lauderdale operations, and further support economic activity across the region that will lead to additional job growth. In addition, JetBlue’s no furlough policy ensures that current Spirit team members who wish to stay with the combined airline will have a role with JetBlue. Today, JetBlue and Spirit employ nearly 13,000 people in Florida, with service to 10 airports across the state. JetBlue has committed to insourcing many jobs that Spirit currently outsources to third-party providers. In addition, JetBlue maintains a focus city at MCO, support center, and crewmember training campus in Orlando.

Top Copyright Photo: JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N605JB (msn 2368) (Boston Red Sox) FLL (Ian Bowley). Image: 959607.

JetBlue Airways aircraft photo gallery:

JetBlue Airways aircraft photo gallery

Viva Air enters a debt restructuring process

Viva (Air Colombia) Airbus A320-251N WL HK-5361 (msn 10313) MIA (Antony J. Best). Image: 960043.

Viva Air of Colombia has voluntarily started a local debt restructuring process as it awaits the official government approval of its merger proposal with Avianca.

Viva Air issued this statement (translated from Spanish):

Viva, the low cost airline that promotes air travel in Colombia and the region, announces the start of its Process of Business Recovery (PRE) in accordance with the regulations that protect companies affected by the COVID-19 crisis, with a view to achieving their permanence in the market, pending the urgent definition by Aerocivil about its alliance with Avianca.

This determination occurs due to the crisis that it faces when adding to the effects of the COVID-19, the current macroeconomic factors that are public knowledge

Additionally, the company has not been able to access capital during the last
nine months since it has not yet been possible to implement its integration with another airline, which is still pending authorization from the National Government.

Viva takes part in this voluntary recovery process that lasts 90 days, in order to restructure their debts through a negotiation with their major creditors to continue operating under sustainable conditions that guarantee the continuity of the company.

This decision is given after six months of waiting of the definition of the alliance with Avianca, which if approved would allow us to continue in the low-cost business through our linkage to another group of airlines with weight in the region, with which we want to ensure the preservation of jobs, and reinforce our commitment to generate higher levels of connectivity in the country at low cost on the basis of obtaining the required capital injection.

After studying all the alternatives available to the current situation, we enter this voluntary mediation process while we wait for the urgent decision by the authority of our alliance with Avianca. just as we have adapted in the past, we are convinced that we will be able to overcome this situation for the good of all passengers who have benefited from the Bajo model.

Viva Air President Felix Antelo

During this restructuring, at Viva we will continue to ensure the continuity of
operations and the provision of our services.

Top Copyright Photo: Viva (Air Colombia) Airbus A320-251N WL HK-5361 (msn 10313) MIA (Antony J. Best). Image: 960043.

Viva (Colombia) aircraft photo gallery:

Spirit Airlines expects DOJ decision on JetBlue Airways merger in about 30 days

Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N916NK (msn 9175) FLL (Andy Cripps). Image: 955788.

Spirit Airlines, according to Reuters, expects the Department of Justice (DOJ) to rule on the proposed Spirit takeover by JetBlue in around 30 days.

Top Copyright Photo: Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N916NK (msn 9175) FLL (Andy Cripps). Image: 955788.

Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

ITA Airways’ special livery promoting Friuli Venezia Giulia

ITA Airways Airbus A320-216 EI-DTG (msn 3921) (Friuli Venezia Giulia) LHR (Wingnut). Image: 960029.

ITA Airways has introduced a special livery promoting Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Friuli Venezia Giulia is one of the 20 regions of Italy and one of five autonomous regions with special statute. The capital is Trieste on the Gulf of Trieste, a bay on the Adriatic Sea.

Ski area in the region

According to the region’s website, “A border region sandwiched between the Friulian Dolomites and the Upper Adriatic, blessed with an immense cultural heritage resulting from the influence of different cultures and peoples, cosmopolitan and modern, Friuli Venezia Giulia will also seduce you with its temptations of relaxation, sport and fun.”

Top Copyright Photo: ITA Airways Airbus A320-216 EI-DTG (msn 3921) (Friuli Venezia Giulia) LHR (Wingnut). Image: 960029.

ITA AIrways aircraft photo gallery:

Spirit Airlines reports fourth quarter and full year 2022 results

Spirit Airlines, Inc. reported fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results.

“I want to thank the entire Spirit Team for their contributions in overcoming the many challenges we faced during 2022. Thanks to their dedication and relentless pursuit to implement more efficient and effective strategies, we made excellent progress on the steps necessary to return Spirit to sustained profitability,” saidTed Christie, Spirit’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Results

For the fourth quarter 2022, Spirit reported a net loss of $270.7 million, or a net loss of $2.49 per diluted share. Excluding special items, adjusted net income for the fourth quarter 2022 was $12.6 million1, or an adjusted net income of $0.12 per diluted share1.

For the fourth quarter 2022, Spirit reported a pre-tax loss of $340.3 million and a pre-tax margin of negative 24.5 percent. Adjusted pre-tax income for the fourth quarter was $23.0 million1 and adjusted pre-tax margin was 1.7 percent.

Operations

For the fourth quarter 2022, the Company’s load factor was 81.0 percent, DOT on-time performance2 was 73.2 percent and Completion Factor2 was 97.0 percent.

Revenue

Total operating revenues for the fourth quarter 2022 were $1.4 billion, an increase of 43.5 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2019 primarily due to increased flight volume and stronger operating yields. Total revenue per ASM (“TRASM”) was 10.81 cents, up 17.0 percent compared to fourth quarter 2019 on 22.7 percent more capacity.

On a per passenger flight segment basis, compared to the same period in 2019, total revenue per passenger flight segment (“segment”) for the fourth quarter 2022 increased 22.5 percent to $135.62. Compared to the fourth quarter 2019, fare revenue per segment increased 22.1 percent to $64.31 and non-ticket revenue per segment increased 22.9 percent to $71.313. Non-ticket revenue per segment increased sequentially from the third quarter 2022 by $4.24, driven by strong take rates for ancillaries combined with the benefit from revenue management initiatives.

Cost Performance

Total GAAP operating expenses for the fourth quarter 2022 increased 100.8 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2019 to $1,697.0 million. Adjusted operating expenses for the fourth quarter 2022 increased 58.0 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2019 to $1,333.7 million4. Compared to the fourth quarter 2019, these increases were primarily driven by increases in flight volume, additional aircraft, higher fuel prices and inflationary wage pressures.

Fleet

Spirit took delivery of 10 new A320neo aircraft during the fourth quarter 2022. The Company ended the quarter with 194 aircraft in its fleet, an increase of 33.8 percent since the end of fourth quarter 2019.

In January 2023, the Company signed an agreement to sell 29 unencumbered A319ceo aircraft powered with V2500 engines to Gryphon Trading Company, LLC (“Gryphon”), with anticipated deliveries to Gryphon beginning in the first quarter 2023 through the end of the third quarter 2024. The Company expects to remove 14 and 15 A319ceo aircraft from its operating fleet in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The other two A319ceo aircraft in our operating fleet are anticipated to be returned to the lessor upon lease expiration in 2025.

Liquidity and Capital Deployment

Spirit ended fourth quarter 2022 with unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, short-term investment securities and liquidity available under the Company’s revolving credit facility of $1.8 billion.

During the fourth quarter 2022, the Company completed a private offering of an additional $600 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the “Senior Secured Notes”) by Spirit IP Cayman Ltd., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Spirit Loyalty Cayman Ltd., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (together the “Issuers”). As of December 31, 2022, the Issuers had $1.1 billion of aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes outstanding.

Spirit increased the commitment under its senior secured revolving credit facility by $60.0 million to $300.0 million during the fourth quarter 2022. As of December 31, 2022, the entire $300 million remained undrawn and available.

Total capital expenditures, including net pre-delivery purchase deposits, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, were $246.1 million, primarily related to the purchase of spare parts, including four spare engines, two flight simulators, and expenditures related to the building of Spirit’s new headquarters campus in Dania Beach, Florida.

Top Copyright Photo: Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N967NK (msn 11128) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960027.

Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Himalya Airlines restores the Beijing route

Himalya Airlines will add the Kathmandu – Beijing route on February 11. The airline made this announcement:

The Kathmandu – Beijing flight was previously suspended in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic which has now recommenced after the withdrawal of travel restrictions by China on January 8, 2023.

Himalaya Airlines is planning to reconnect with Beijing Daxing International Airport with its weekly service starting from February 11, 2023 and scheduled to fly every Saturday.

Top Copyright Photo: Himalaya Airlines (Nepal) Airbus A320-214 WL 9N-ALM (msn 6626) DXB (Andi Hiltl). Image: 956019.

Route Map:

Edelweiss opens a new route to Amman, Jordan

Edelweiss Air (Edelweiss Switzerland) has opened a new route to Amman, Jordan.

Photo: Amman Airport.

Edelweiss Air will operate two weekly flights on Sundays and Thursdays to Amman, with return flights to Zurich scheduled the next day on Mondays and Fridays.

Top Copyright Photo: Edelweiss Switzerland Airbus A320-214 HB-JJK (msn 1692) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 954812.

Edelweiss Air aircraft photo gallery:

LATAM Airlines Colombia to launch the Bogota – Orlando route

LATAM Airlines Colombia will launch a new nonstop service between Orlando and Bogotá on July 1, 2023.

The operation is part of the first announcements made since the approval of the Joint Venture with Delta last September.

The Orlando – Bogotá route will be the second between the United States and the Colombian market. The flight will be sold with a morning itinerary departing Bogotá at 10:15 a.m. towards Orlando, and in the evening back to Colombia at 4:47 p.m. The 4-hour 15-minute journey will operate with an Airbus A320 aircraft, with a capacity for 174 passengers.

Joint Venture Between Delta and LATAM

The Joint Venture between LATAM  and Delta seeks to improve travel experiences for passengers and cargo customers. The agreement applies to markets between North America (United States and Canada) and South America (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay), delivering benefits like the joint accumulating of miles/points in frequent flier programs, and faster connections to access more than 300 destinations between the U.S./Canada and South America.

The alliance between LATAM and Delta commenced in 2019, when they announced their first agreement for reciprocal accumulating/exchange of miles/points, shared terminals in New York/JFK,  São Paulo/Guarulhos and Santiago. It includes joint access to 53 Delta VIP lounges Sky Club in the United States and five LATAM lounges in South America, including the new and exclusive Delta Sky Club in Los Ángeles (LAX) and the new LATAM Lounge Santiago in Chile, the biggest in South America.

LATAM Airlines Brazil recently announced their nonstop flights between the cities of São Paulo (Brazil) and Los Ángeles (United States), which will commence in the second quarter of 2023, with three weekly flights. This new route offers passengers access to the corporate market and general market of the United States from Los Angeles, where Delta is the global airline with the largest presence.

Kuwait Airways announces 20 new destinations for the summer and winter schedule of 2023

Kuwait Airways has announced 20 new destinations (including returning service) for this summer season as well as the winter season.

Top Copyright Photo: Kuwait Airways Airbus A320-251N WL 9K-AKN (msn 9303) DXB (Andi Hiltl). Image: 956016.

Kuwait Airways aircraft photo gallery:

JetBlue’s pilots approve a two-year contract extension

ALPA made this announcement:

JetBlue Airways pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have overwhelmingly approved a two-year contract extension that provides a compensation increase of 21.5 percent over 18 months, as well as other monetary improvements. With 95 percent of eligible pilots participating, 75 percent voted in favor of ratifying the tentative agreement reached in December.

In September 2022, the Company and JetBlue pilots entered expedited, short-term contract extension negotiations focused on achieving immediate economic improvements. On December 14, the two parties reached a tentative agreement that provided the pilots with three rate increases and a market rate adjustment that ensures JetBlue pilot pay remains in line with any compensation gains achieved by their peers at other airlines. JetBlue is currently in a potentially lengthy merger process. The agreement ratified today puts JetBlue pilots in a strong position for future negotiations for either a joint collective bargaining agreement with the pilots at Spirit Airlines or, should the merger fail to conclude, a comprehensive standalone collective bargaining agreement.

Top Copyright Photo: JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 WL N715JB (msn 3554) (Spotlight) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960005.

JetBlue Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Aer Lingus announces a new route from London Heathrow to Knock 

Aer Lingus is to launch a new route from London Heathrow to Knock in the west of Ireland in March.

The new daily Aer Lingus service will start on March 26, 2023. 



The new route replaces the current Aer Lingus London Gatwick to Knock service, which ends on March 25, 2023.

Knock Airport Terminal

Top Copyright Photo: Aer Lingus Airbus A320-214 EI-CVA (msn 1242) LGW (Richard Vandervord). Image: 960004.

Aer Lingus aircraft photo gallery:

Jazeera Airways to launch flights to Moscow and Belgrade

Jazeera Airways previously announced the launch of a new route from Kuwait City to Moscow, Russia.

Jazeera will be the first airline to operate flights between the two cities.

The new route will commence on February 2, 2023 with four flights weekly leaving Kuwait on Mondays, Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays. Flights land at Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME), one of the four major Moscow airports, and one of the busiest airports in Russia.

Flight Schedule

Flight NumberFrequencyFromToDeparture (Local Time)Arrival (Local Time)
J9 335Monday, Thursday, Friday, SaturdayKuwait (KWI)Moscow (DME)18:4023:45
J9 336Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, SundayMoscow (DME)Kuwait (KWI)00:30am05:35am

In addition, the carrier will also commence a new route from Kuwait City to Belgrade starting on June 17, 2023. The new route will operate two days a week with Airbus A320 aircraft.

Route Map:

Top Copyright Photo: Jazeera Airways Airbus A320-214 9K-CAM (msn 5625) AYT (Ton Jochems). Image: 960002.

Jazeera Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Air Serbia carried 73% more passengers in 2022 compared with 2021

2.76 million passengers carried

  • 60% increase in traffic compared with the previous year
  • 87 routes to four continents
  • Direct flights to Tianjin, Air Serbia’s second long-haul destination launched
  • Load factor averaged 72%
  • Premium lounge used by more than 54,000 passengers

After two difficult years for commercial aviation, the Serbian national airline achieved significant progress last year. In 2022, Air Serbia carried a total of 2.76 million passengers on scheduled and charter flights, which is a 73% increase compared with the previous year. From July to December, the company achieved record-breaking monthly results in terms of the number of passengers carried. The national airline operated a total of 31,420 flights from three international airports in Serbia – its hub in Belgrade, as well as the airports in Niš and Kraljevo. This represents a 60% increase compared with 2021. The average load factor was 72%, which represents an increase of 8 percentage points year on year. In 2022, Air Serbia expanded its network with 15 new destinations and reinforced its fleet with seven new aircraft.

In November, the long-haul fleet got its second wide-body airplane, the Airbus A330-200 bearing the image of famous Serbian scientist and inventor, Mihajlo Pupin. In addition to that, the jet fleet was enriched with an additional Airbus A319 and an Airbus A320, while four new ATR 72-600 type aircraft joined the regional fleet.

During the previous year, Air Serbia flew to a total of 87 routes across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa via scheduled, seasonal, and charter flights. Compared with 2021, direct flights to 15 new destinations have been launched, including Valencia, Malaga, Malta, Lyon, Bologna, Hanover, Nuremberg, and others. As of 9 December, the national airline resumed flights to the People’s Republic of China after a 22-year hiatus. The first destination in this Asian country is Tianjin, the fourth largest city and the largest port in northern China. As a result, Air Serbia managed to position itself on the market as one of the few European airlines that offer direct flights to the People’s Republic of China.

Last year’s results in charter transport were particularly good, with Air Serbia operating 2,663 flights on a total of 21 charter routes, achieving a 10% better performance than in 2021. From Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport and Niš Constantine the Great Airport, it operated flights on as many as nine routes in Greece, six in Turkey, three in Egypt, two in Italy, and one in Tunisia. 

By carrying nearly 5,000 tons of cargo, Air Serbia Cargo achieved a 30% better result in the previous year than in 2021.

The services of Air Serbia’s Premium Lounge at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport were used by 54,000 passengers in 2022.

Additionally, in 2022 Air Serbia positioned itself among the European airlines with the highest number of weekly flights from Istanbul airport. The number of flights between Belgrade and Istanbul increased from ten to 17 flights a week. Passengers had access to up to six daily flights between these two cities, with three flights operated by Air Serbia, and the remaining three by Turkish Airlines, with whom Air Serbia has a code-share agreement.

Top Copyright Photo: Air Serbia Airbus A320-232 WL YU-APO (msn 6388) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 959845.

Air Serbia aircraft photo gallery: