Copyright Photo: Copa Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 HP-9927CMP (msn 44189) (Panama – Live For More) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 962501.
Alaska Airlines flight AS1282 from Portland, OR to Ontario, CA on January 5, 2024 with the pictured Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N704AL with 171 passengers and six crew members on board experienced an inflight emergency approximately 20 minutes into the flight.
A door plug section (utilized as a window) separated from the fuselage and crew declared an emergency and and returned to PDX for a safe landing.
Alaska Airlines issued this statement:
At Alaska Airlines, safety is our foundational value and the most important thing we focus on every day. Following tonight’s event on Flight 1282, we have decided to take the precautionary step of temporarily grounding our fleet of 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft. Each aircraft will be returned to service only after completion of full maintenance and safety inspections. We anticipate all inspections will be completed in the next few days.
I am personally committed to doing everything we can to conduct this review in a timely and transparent way.
We are working with Boeing and regulators to understand what occurred tonight, and will share updates as more information is available. The NTSB is investigating this event and we will fully support their investigation.
My heart goes out to those who were on this flight – I am so sorry for what you experienced. I am so grateful for the response of our pilots and flight attendants. We have teams on the ground in Portland assisting passengers and are working to support guests who are traveling in the days ahead.
-Ben
Top Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N704AL (msn 67501) BFI (Nick Dean). Image: 961813.
More from CNN:
United Airlines is joining other U.S. carriers coming under pressure to match or exceed the landmark contract that Delta Air Lines signed with its pilots.
United’s pilots are demanding a new contract that would exceed the Delta contract.
More from Reuters:
Top Copyright Photo: United Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N37549 (msn 64475) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 960503.
United Airlines aircraft photo gallery (current livery, Boeing):
Alaska Airlines issued this statement:
Alaska Airlines applauds Washington state Governor Jay Inslee, and bill sponsor, State Senator Andy Billig, for the signing of new legislation to help drive growth in the market for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Washington state.
Investing in SAF has multilayered benefits, including the creation of family wage manufacturing jobs. Using SAF is also the most significant way we can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of aviation over the next several decades. This legislation will help ensure that SAF is more available at a cost and scale that enables its use and continues to position Washington State as a leader on climate action.
This is a step in the right direction, and we look forward to working with public and private partners to realize its full potential.
Top Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N973AK (msn 43346) BUR (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960473.
Alaska Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) and Boeing have announced an order for 15 737-9 airplanes. The agreement also includes a commitment for five 787 Dreamliners to support GBA’s long-term plan to launch international long-haul service.
The new Hong Kong-based carrier said the 737-9 will form the backbone of its future fleet as it seeks to operate more flights between Hong Kong and major cities in Asia and Mainland China. GBA plans to leverage the 737-9’s enhanced capacity and range to lower trip costs and expand its network.
GBA is an all-Boeing carrier currently operating a fleet of three 737-800 jets with flights to four destinations, including Bangkok, Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul. The airline also plans to bring in a number of additional 737-800s to meet its expansion needs before the arrival of the 737-9.
The 737-9 is designed to seat more than 190 passengers in a two-class configuration with a range of 3,300 nautical miles, providing operators added capacity and increased profitability within their network.
Greater Bay Airlines is a Hong Kong-based carrier offering scheduled passenger and cargo services. The airline, which commenced scheduled service in July 2022, has a plan to develop an extensive network of air services to major cities in Asia and Mainland China from Hong Kong, riding on the back of the opening of the three-runway system at Hong Kong International Airport in late 2024.
Alaska Airlines has unveiled a new San Francisco Giants logo jet as spring training starts.
This time the special livery is painted on the pictured Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N936AK (msn 43379).
The special design even has markings on the underside and the cabin.
All photos by Alaska Airlines.
From Mentour Pilot:
Top Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N941AK (msn 44101) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960101.
Alaska Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
Copa Holdings, S.A. (Copa Airlines) has announced financial results for the fourth quarter of 2022 (4Q22) and the full year of 2022.
The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). See the accompanying reconciliation of non-IFRS financial information to IFRS financial information included in the financial tables section of this earnings release. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons with prior periods refer to the fourth quarter of 2019 (4Q19) (which the Company believes are more relevant than year-over-year comparisons due to the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021).
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Subsequent Events
| Consolidated Financial & Operating Highlights | 4Q22 | 4Q19 (2) | Variance vs. 3Q19 | 3Q22 | Variance vs. 2Q22 | FY22 | FY19 (2) | Variance vs. YTD19 |
| Revenue Passengers Carried (000s) | 2,813 | 2,633 | 6.9 % | 2,755 | 2.1 % | 10,334 | 10,474 | -1.3 % |
| Revenue Passengers OnBoard (000s) | 4,262 | 3,838 | 11.1 % | 4,190 | 1.7 % | 15,724 | 15,424 | 1.9 % |
| RPMs (millions) | 5,639 | 5,244 | 7.5 % | 5,508 | 2.4 % | 20,779 | 21,303 | -2.5 % |
| ASMs (millions) | 6,509 | 6,149 | 5.9 % | 6,344 | 2.6 % | 24,430 | 25,113 | -2.7 % |
| Load Factor | 86.6 % | 85.3 % | 1.4 p.p. | 86.8 % | -0.2 p.p. | 85.1 % | 84.8 % | 0.2 p.p. |
| Yield (US$ Cents) | 15.1 | 12.5 | 20.4 % | 14.1 | 7.5 % | 13.6 | 12.3 | 10.8 % |
| PRASM (US$ Cents) | 13.1 | 10.7 | 22.4 % | 12.2 | 7.3 % | 11.6 | 10.4 | 11.1 % |
| RASM (US$ Cents) | 13.7 | 11.1 | 23.4 % | 12.8 | 7.2 % | 12.1 | 10.8 | 12.6 % |
| CASM (US$ Cents) | 10.3 | 10.8 | -4.6 % | 10.5 | -1.8 % | 10.3 | 9.4 | 9.5 % |
| Adjusted CASM (US$ Cents) (1) | 10.3 | 9.3 | 10.3 % | 10.5 | -1.8 % | 10.3 | 9.0 | 13.8 % |
| CASM Excl. Fuel (US$ Cents) | 6.1 | 8.0 | -23.9 % | 5.9 | 3.4 % | 6.0 | 6.6 | -9.7 % |
| Adjusted CASM Excl. Fuel (US$ Cents) (1) | 6.1 | 6.6 | -7.0 % | 5.9 | 3.4 % | 6.0 | 6.3 | -4.6 % |
| Fuel Gallons Consumed (millions) | 77.7 | 78.9 | -1.6 % | 75.7 | 2.7 % | 291.4 | 321.4 | -9.4 % |
| Avg. Price Per Fuel Gallon (US$) | 3.52 | 2.16 | 63.1 % | 3.81 | -7.5 % | 3.60 | 2.16 | 66.9 % |
| Average Length of Haul (miles) | 2,005 | 1,992 | 0.7 % | 1,999 | 0.3 % | 2,011 | 2,034 | -1.1 % |
| Average Stage Length (miles) | 1,266 | 1,279 | -1.0 % | 1,265 | 0.1 % | 1,275 | 1,288 | -1.0 % |
| Departures | 32,112 | 32,441 | -1.0 % | 31,484 | 2.0 % | 120,155 | 131,819 | -8.8 % |
| Block Hours | 104,822 | 105,620 | -0.8 % | 102,027 | 2.7 % | 390,639 | 431,749 | -9.5 % |
| Average Aircraft Utilization (hours) | 11.8 | 11.3 | 4.7 % | 11.7 | 0.6 % | 11.3 | 11.4 | -0.7 % |
| Operating Revenues (US$ millions) | 890.6 | 681.9 | 30.6 % | 809.4 | 10.0 % | 2,965.0 | 2,707.4 | 9.5 % |
| Operating Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) | 219.7 | 17.8 | 1133.7 % | 143.7 | 52.9 % | 450.4 | 346.2 | 30.1 % |
| Adjusted Operating Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) (1) | 219.7 | 107.1 | 105.0 % | 143.7 | 52.9 % | 450.4 | 435.5 | 3.4 % |
| Operating Margin | 24.7 % | 2.6 % | 22.1 p.p. | 17.8 % | 6.9 p.p. | 15.2 % | 12.8 % | 2.4 p.p. |
| Adjusted Operating Margin (1) | 24.7 % | 15.7 % | 9.0 p.p. | 17.8 % | 6.9 p.p. | 15.2 % | 16.1 % | -0.9 p.p. |
| Net Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) | 88.3 | 2.7 | 3136.5 % | 115.9 | -23.9 % | 348.1 | 247.0 | 40.9 % |
| Adjusted Net Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) (1) | 177.7 | 92.1 | 93.0 % | 115.1 | 54.4 % | 335.4 | 336.3 | -0.3 % |
| Basic EPS (US$) | 2.23 | 0.06 | 3376.5 % | 2.93 | -23.8 % | 8.58 | 5.81 | 47.5 % |
| Adjusted Basic EPS (US$) (1) | 4.49 | 2.17 | 107.3 % | 2.91 | 54.5 % | 8.26 | 7.92 | 4.4 % |
| Shares for calculation of Basic EPS (000s) | 39,554 | 42,487 | -6.9 % | 39,589 | -0.1 % | 40,582 | 42,483 | -4.5 % |
Top Copyright Photo: Copa Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 HP-9912CMP (msn 44211) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 959983.
Copa Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
Copa Airlines has announced the launch of its new nonstop service from its Hub of the Americas® in Panama City, Panama to Austin, Texas.
The new flight will begin operations to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) on July 6, 2023, and will become the 15th U.S. destination for Copa Airlines.
The launch of Copa Airlines’ new Austin route in the U.S. adds to the airline’s continuous expansion efforts in North America joining fourteen other cities including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, Tampa, San Francisco, and Washington.
Fleet:
In addition to the launch of the new route in Baltimore on June 28.
The Copa Airlines nonstop flight to and from Austin will operate four (4) weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, departing Panama at 9:18 a.m. (local time) and arriving at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 2:04 p.m. (local time). The return flight will operate on the same days, departing Austin at 3:34 p.m. (local time) and arriving back in Panama at 8:16 p.m. (local time).
Top Copyright Photo: Copa Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 HP-9911CMP (msn 44212) MIA (Tony Storck). Image: 960048.
Copa Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
Copa Airlines has announced the launch of its new service from its Hub of the Americas® in Panama City, Panama to Baltimore, Maryland, United States starting on June 28, 2023.
The launch of the new route in Baltimore, the historic “Charm City” known for having more public statues and monuments per capita than any other city in the U.S., adds to Copa’s continuous expansion of its network of routes in North America. The coastal destination joins 13 others already in operation by the Airline in the United States including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, Tampa, San Francisco, and Washington.
In addition to Baltimore, Copa Airlines will launch a new route in South America starting June 27, connecting the Hub of the Americas® in Panama to the city of Manta, Ecuador.
Top Copyright Photo: Copa Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 HP-9912CMP (msn 44211) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 959983.
Copa Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
Alaska Air Group Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended Dec. 31, 2022, and provided an outlook for the first quarter ending March 31, 2023.
“2022 was a year of significant recovery and accomplishment for Alaska Airlines,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. “Despite many challenges during the year, we ran one of the best operations, signed five new labor deals, and executed the majority of our single fleet transition. The results we posted today signal how well our teams are navigating this recovery. I want to thank our employees for their commitment to our success, and for the work they do every day to take great care of our guests. I am confident that we are well positioned to grow, compete and out-perform in 2023.”
Financial Results:
Balance Sheet and Liquidity :
Fleet Updates:
Other Operational Updates:
Environmental, Social and Governance Updates:
Top Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N949AK (msn 43356) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 959397.
Alaska Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Boeing):
Alaska Airlines announced today the completion of our transition to paper cups for inflight beverages, a move which eliminates more than 55 million plastic cups annually and replaces them with a more planet-friendly alternative. The change to paper cups makes Alaska Airlines the first U.S. airline to eliminate plastic cups. Combined with our Boxed Water™ partnership, these changes eliminate 2.2 million pounds of plastic waste from landfills every year, the equivalent weight of 24 Boeing 737s.
All inflight beverages on Alaska flights are now served in Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper cups or reusable glassware for most First Class services. We began the process of eliminating our five largest sources of plastic waste in 2018 by removing plastic straws and stir sticks from inflight service – a first for any airline at the time.
In 2021, Alaska continued our progress by eliminating inflight plastic water bottle waste by replacing them with Boxed Water™, another first for airlines. Boxed Water™ cartons are made from renewable FSC certified paper, 92% of which is plant-based, saving an estimated 1.8 million pounds of single-use plastics on our flights annually.
Single-use plastics increase the use of fossil fuels, generate millions of tons of waste to landfills, and pollute waterways and natural spaces. According to the most recent EPA study, an estimated 300 million tons of plastics are produced each year worldwide with the vast majority going unrecycled, either to accumulate in landfills or the environment. While Alaska takes steps to eliminate plastics, we also encourage our guests to join us in reducing waste by bringing their own water bottles to #FillBeforeYouFly.
As part of our broader sustainability efforts, Alaska continues to pursue product innovations and supply chain advancements to achieve our 2025 goal of replacing the top five waste-producing items from onboard service and continuing to recycle. In 2021, Alaska established climate goals for its impacts in carbon, waste and water while defining a five-part pathway to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 to keep the places we live and fly beautiful and viable for generations to come.
In other news, Alaska Airlines has announced an expanded partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers organization, which includes being named the official airline of the NBA team. Portland is a crucial part of Alaska’s future, operating as a key West Coast hub where they serve the most nonstop cities of any airline.
The expanded partnership means Trail Blazers fans will see a lot more of Alaska during games and outside of basketball. Elements of this expanded partnership include sponsorship of Moda Center Theater of the Clouds, presenting “The Trail” docuseries that will soon be available in-flight, expansion of the popular “Wear in the World” promotion, new in-game features and social programs.
Top Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N977AK (msn 43391) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 959480.
Alaska Airlines aircraft photo gallery: