This week’s top air transport stories include some news highlights out of Routes World 2023, where world aviation leaders gathered in Istanbul, Turkey, to discuss industry growth plans and enablers.
In airline news, Turkish LCC Pegasus Airlines is considering air operator’s certificates (AOC) in other countries as it looks to grow from 100 to 170 aircraft over the next five years.
AirAsia plans to begin flights through its new Cambodian AOC by the end of 2023, subject to securing the two Airbus A320s that will initially operate from the capital Phnom Penh.
British long-haul startup Global Airlines is actively looking at any Airbus A380s that come on the market as it plans to expand its network beyond transatlantic routes after it launches U.S. services.
Qantas dropped plans to fully take over charter carrier Alliance Aviation, following regulatory opposition to the deal. The Australian flag carrier owns a minority share of nearly 20% in Alliance and wanted to purchase the remainder.
Spanish regional carrier Air Nostrum, Irish wet-lease operators CityJet and Hibernian, and other sector operators have launched the Strategic Alliance of Regional Airlines (SARA).
Royal Jordanian is looking to further develop its network and boost frequencies as its financial situation strengthens.
Canadian North Airlines named Shelly De Caria as Interim President and CEO, becoming the first Inuk to lead the Inuit-owned airline. De Caria succeeds Michael Rodyniuk, who was appointed to the post in July 2022.
Indian LCC Akasa Air is preparing for the next phase of growth as it looks to resume aircraft deliveries and network expansion. The carrier expects to receive its next two Boeing 737-8 deliveries in December, which will lift its fleet to 22 aircraft.
Hawaiian Airlines is reducing its year-round New Zealand route to seasonal service, a move that will help the carrier add capacity elsewhere during the northern hemisphere summer season.
Korean Air and Supernal announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the design of an electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) vehicle and develop the advanced air mobility ecosystem in South Korea.
In regulatory news, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has largely upheld the decision by the country’s aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), on pricing levels at London Heathrow Airport, although it has asked the regulator to look again at some relatively minor facets of its decision.
In MRO news, The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) signed a technical arrangement on maintenance with Hong Kong as well as an upgraded air services agreement with Mongolia on the sidelines of the Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
In manufacturer and supplier news, Engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce announced a third round of job cuts in an effort to transform its business, this time eliminating up to 2,500 positions, which is equivalent to about 6% of Rolls-Royce’s global workforce.
Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems agreed to revised terms on Boeing 737 and 787 work the supplier is doing that is slated to net Spirit about $190 million in additional sales through 2033.
CFM International is rolling out an upgraded CFM56 high-pressure turbine (HPT) blade that the company expects to improve durability in a fleet that still has years of overhauls and service life ahead.
Pratt & Whitney is targeting late 2023 for publishing the next phase of its PW1100G inspection program with engine removals tentatively slated to start in early 2024.
In airport news, the operator of Boston Logan International Airport is evaluating demand as it considers an additional three gates in its recently refurbished international terminal.
Air France plans to shift nearly all domestic and international flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport by 2026, leaving only its Transavia low-cost subsidiary and flights to Corsica operating out of Orly, the French capital’s second airport.
In sustainability news, Icelandair and Air New Zealand are closely following electric aircraft developments, with a view to using these new technologies on short-haul domestic flights—and possibly beyond.
China’s government issued an outline to guide development of a green-aviation manufacturing industry by 2035. The document states there is a “rare and historic” opportunity to apply the technologies and supply base developed by China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry to green aviation.
A research project led by Alder Renewables concluded that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from a purpose-grown energy crop, miscanthus, has the potential to have negative life-cycle carbon intensity.
Honda is seeking airport operators with which to field test its Autonomous Work Vehicle (AWV), an electric off-road vehicle designed to support workers with repetitive tasks such as inspecting security fences and help address labor shortages, safety and security. The Honda AWV demonstrated autonomous perimeter fence inspection at Toronto Pearson Airport on Oct. 17.
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