Flightline 12 for July 14, 2025

American Airlines (AA) will add a pair of new Latin American routes in the coming months. Daily flights from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Mexico City (MEX) start on October 26, while a Philadelphia (PHL) to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ) sector commences on December 18.

United Airlines (UA) will begin Saturday flights from Houston Int’l (IAH) to Tepic, Mexico (TPQ) on December 20. This route will be operated by a regional airline’s Embraer E175 equipment under the United Express banner. This makes United the first U.S. carrier at Tepic.

United is also bringing back flights from Newark, N.J. (EWR) to Palm Springs, Calif. (PSP) flights on December 18. This route was last flown in 2020 and will see a 5x weekly service.

American Airlines is also adding daily seasonal service from Chicago O’Hare to Queretaro, Mexico (QRO) from December 18 through January 5.

Air Canada Rouge (RV) will add Monday flights from Montreal Trudeau (YUL) to Belize City (BZE) on December 8. Rouge will also add Wednesday flights from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Puerto Escondido, Mexico (PXM) from December 17. Both routes will be operated by Airbus A319 equipment, with service lasting for most of the winter season.

Air Canada (AC) is adding weekly Boeing 737 MAX 8 flights from Vancouver (YVR) to Tepic, Mexico (TPQ) this winter, with flights starting on December 17.

Delta Air Lines (DL) will operate a short daily seasonal run from Salt Lake City (SLC) to Lima, Peru (LIM) from December 4 through January 25. A Boeing 767-300/ER is rostered on this route.

Panama’s Copa Airlines (CM) is adding thrice weekly service from Panama City (PTY) to Los Cabos (SJD) and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP) on December 4 and January 13, respectively. Both routes will be flown by Boeing 737-800 equipment during the winter season.

Air India (AI) is suspending 3x weekly service from Amritsar (ATQ) and Goa Manohar (GOX) to London Gatwick (LGW) from July 16 through August 31.

Saudia (SV) will suspend service on its Jeddah (JED) to Los Angeles (LAX) route between January 22 and May 14.

LATAM (LA) is suspending flights from Santiago, Chile (SCL) to Orlando (MCO) this winter, dropping plans to run a twice weekly service from December 4 through February 28.

Iceland’s Play (OG) continues to adjust its network, with the carrier set to drop four European routes from Reykjavik (KEF) in October: Amsterdam (AMS), Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN), and Paris deGaulle (CDG).

The Canadian government will no longer require travelers to the U.S. to remove their shoes for screening, following the recent decision of TSA to scrap its long-standing policy that required most passengers to remove their footwear at screening checkpoints. For Canada, the change isn’t as massive, as Ottawa has not required passengers on domestic flights or to non-U.S. locations to remove their shoes.

The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) is expressing frustration that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reversed its proposed policy change to keep shoes on during security checkpoints without consulting them. The TSA had initially suggested keeping shoes on to speed up the process but ultimately decided to maintain the current policy of removing shoes, belts, and electronics from bags after pushback from various groups. Flight attendants argue they should have been included in discussions about airport security procedures that directly impact their jobs and passenger interactions. They claim their input could have provided valuable insights into the practical implications of such policies on in-flight safety and passenger behavior.

A 27-year-old passenger, Taj Malik Taylor, allegedly declared mid‑flight that “my laptop is a bomb” on Allegiant Air (G4) Flight 1023 traveling from St. Petersburg, Fla. (PIE) to Roanoke, Va. (ROA). Just 40 minutes after the July 7 takeoff the pilot was forced to divert back to the departure airport, prompting an emergency landing. The laptop was shown to a seatmate, who immediately alerted cabin crew. Upon landing, law enforcement, including K‑9 units, boarded the plane; no explosives were found  . Taylor was taken into custody and now faces federal felony charges for making a false bomb threat. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a $25,000 finee. According to an FBI affidavit, Taylor recently left a mental health facility, claimed he’d missed medication, and said he suffered from a “lack of clarity.” Allegiant expressed that it “does not tolerate disruptive behavior” and issued $100 travel vouchers to affected passengers.

Delta Air Lines reported strong Q2 2025 financial results, with record revenue of $15.5 billion, slightly higher than the previous year. The airline's diversified revenue streams contributed to its success, with premium revenue growing five percent, loyalty revenue up eight percent, and cargo revenue increasing seven percent. Despite a challenging economic environment, Delta generated $1.8 billion in pre-tax profit and $733 million in free cash flow. The airline's CEO, Ed Bastian, attributed the strong performance to the outstanding contributions of Delta's people. Looking ahead, Delta expects total revenue to be flat to up four percent in Q3 2025, with earnings per share of $1.25-$1.75, and reaffirmed its full-year earnings guidance of $5.25-$6.25 per share and free cash flow of $3-$4 billion.

The Norwegian Group reported strong second quarter 2025 results, with revenue reaching approximately $1.02 billion, a 10 percent increase year-over-year. The airline posted an operating profit of $124 million and pre-tax earnings of $105 million, nearly doubling its net income to $92 million compared to the same period last year. Passenger numbers totaled 7.6 million, including 6.5 million on Norwegian (DY) and 1.1 million on Widerøe (WF), with a load factor of 85.2 percent. Operating cash flow remained robust, boosting liquidity to $1.37 billion. Notably, Norwegian declared its first-ever dividend of roughly $0.09 per share, signaling renewed financial strength following post-pandemic recovery efforts.

Portugal's government has relaunched the privatization of TAP Air Portugal (TP), aiming to sell a 49.9 percent stake in the airline. This move comes after the airline's extensive restructuring and bailout by the state following a record €1.6 billion loss in 2021. The government plans to offer a five percent stake to employees and is seeking a strategic partner to ensure the airline's sustainability and profitability. Three major European airline groups - Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and British Airways (BA) owner IAG - have shown interest in TAP, attracted by its valuable slots at Lisbon (LIS) hub, particularly for flights to Brazil, Portuguese-speaking African countries, and the US. The government has not indicated a preferred bidder, stating that the winning proposal will be the one that best serves the country's interests.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report into the Alaska Airlines (AS) January 2024 in-flight separation of a door on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft (N704AL). The report made nearly a dozen recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and eight to Boeing.

U.S. citizens could face massive fines for traveling to Cuba in violation of federal restrictions, as the country remains subject to a complex web of U.S. sanctions. While tourism to Cuba is officially prohibited, Americans may visit under 12 authorized categories, such as educational activities, family visits, or journalistic work. However, travelers who go outside these permitted purposes, in particular those engaging in unauthorized tourism, risk investigations by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Penalties can include civil fines exceeding $250,000 per violation. Even using third-party countries (like Mexico or Canada) to conceal travel to Cuba does not shield travelers from potential enforcement if discovered.

OAG has released stats showing the Top 10 busiest routes in several regions. Click here to review it. Here are the 10 busiest U.S. domestic routes, by seats, and 10 busiest international routes, by seats, for July:

Air India 171

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AIAB) has released a preliminary report on the June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787 shortly after departure from Ahmedabad (AMD).

The report finds the aircraft suffered catastrophic dual engine power loss shortly after takeoff. At just 32 seconds after liftoff, cockpit recordings showed both engine fuel control switches inexplicably moving from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within one second of each other—one pilot even asked, “Why did you cut off?”, to which the other responded, “I didn’t.” Though engineers noted one engine briefly restarted, neither regained sufficient thrust, and the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel, tragically killing 241 of 242 aboard plus 19 on the ground. This was the first fatal hull-loss of a 787.

The AAIB investigation retrieved both flight-data and cockpit-voice recorders and found no mechanical faults or fuel contamination. The exact cause of the switch activation remains unknown, prompting further data and forensic analysis. Investigators are assessing whether the switches were inadvertently triggered by vibration, cockpit contact, or pilot error. Initial mechanical malfunctions (engine, flaps, or switches) have been ruled out, and no advisory bulletins have been issued, though the 2018 FAA advisory on switch locking mechanisms is being reviewed. The report is below for your review.

Air Premia (YP) on July 9 commenced an interline agreement with Amazon Air Cargo to expand its U.S. cargo network. This partnership allows Amazon Air Cargo to utilize Air Premia's Boeing 787-9s to transport cargo from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Honolulu (HNL) After that, freight will be transferred to Amazon’s network and across the U.S.

Ivan Van Beverhoudt, 45, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, will serve a 20-year prison bid following his convictions for importing and possessing with intent to distribute over 15 kilograms of cocaine.

On January 10, 2020, Van Beverhoudt, a CBP officer, boarded a commercial flight from St. Thomas to Atlanta with 16 bricks of cocaine in his two carry-on bags. To avoid TSA screening in St. Thomas, Van Beverhoudt traveled in his official capacity with his loaded CBP-issued firearm. Upon arriving in Atlanta (ATL), a CBP-trained narcotics K-9 officer in the jetway alerted to Van Beverhoudt’s luggage, which led to the discovery of the cocaine. 

On February 24, 2025, following a five-day jury trial, Van Beverhoudt was convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, importation of cocaine into the United States, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. 

Aer Lingus (EI) recently used covert cameras on its Airbus A330 aircraft at Manchester (MAN) after spotting significant losses in its duty-free inventory. The surveillance revealed that 10 contracted cleaning staff were cutting metal security seals and stealing items like cigarettes, alcohol, sweets, and Pringles over several night-time shifts in summer 2023, with losses estimated around €200,000. These staff members have since been charged and are now standing trial at Manchester Crown Court. Although the airline reports total missing stock valued at €200,000, the prosecution is focusing on items caught on camera, around €1,290 worth, as evidence. If convicted, they could face serious criminal penalties, including loss of airside passes, community service, or even prison time depending on the court’s decision.

A Maryland man pled guilty on July 10 to interfering with security screening personnel. According to court documents, on March 13, Christopher Stuart Crittenden, 54, of Frederick, who had consumed multiple alcoholic beverages, became irate about a delay and his seating assignment for his flight from Washington Dulles International Airport. Crittenden shouted expletives at a gate agent. The agent informed the flight captain, who was on the jet bridge, that Crittenden was likely inebriated and verbally harassing airline staff. The captain came to the gate to speak with Crittenden and ultimately informed him that he could not fly on the aircraft.

Crittenden then assaulted the agent by punching him in the face, temporarily rendering the victim unconscious. Crittenden also attempted to punch another gate agent, but that gate agent avoided the assault.

Crittenden is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9 and faces up to 10 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

NON AVIATION NEWS: U.S. postage rates increased yesterday, with a stamp now costing 78 cents.

🇨🇳 B-20A3, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to China Eastern Airlines (MU) on July 13.

🇨🇳 B-20E2, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Shandong Airlines (SC) on July 13.

🇨🇳 B-226Z, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Xiamen Airlines (MF)on July 13.

🇪🇹 ET-BAK, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Ethiopian Airlines (ET) on July 11.

🇯🇴 JY-RAH, an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) on July 13.

🇲🇽 N499AM, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, was delivered to AeroMexico (AM) on July 11.

🇲🇽 XA-VUU, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to Volaris (Y4) on July 11.

🇦🇴 D2-TBY, a Boeing 737-76J with TAAG Angola Airlines (DT), was withdrawn from use (wfu) and ferried on July 10 to Kaunas, Lithuania (KUN) where it was returned to its lessor.

🇺🇸 N318AS, a Boeing 737-990 with Alaska Airlines (AS), was wfu and ferried on July 10 to Marana, Ariz. (MZJ) for part-out and scrap.

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