Flightline 15 for July 25, 2025

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Frontier Airlines (F3LA) has posted a series of new domestic routes that will begin in October, including new stations in Corpus Christi, Texas (CRP) and Richmond, Va. (RIC):

• Atlanta (ATL) to Omaha, Neb. (OMA), 2x weekly from October 10; Richmond, Va., 2x weekly from October 17

• Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Charleston, S.C. (CHS) and Tucson, Ariz. (TUS), 2x weekly from October 9; El Paso, Texas (ELP), 3x weekly from October 8

• Denver (DEN) to Corpus Christi, Texas, 2x weekly from October 9; New York Kennedy (JFK), 3x weekly from October 8; Tulsa, Okla. (TUL), 2x weekly from October 12; Richmond, Va., 2x weekly from October 19

• New York Kennedy to Chicago O’Hare (ORD), 4x weekly from October 8

• Newark, N.J. (EWR) to Chicago Midway (MDW), 4x weekly from October 8

• Phoenix (PHX) to San Antonio (SAT), 3x weekly from October 10

• Salt Lake City (SLC) to Santa Ana, Calif. (SN)A, 2x weekly from October 9

• Tampa, Fla. (TPA) to Kansas City, Mo. (MCI) and St. Louis (STL), weekly from October 11

Spirit Airlines (NK) will begin a 4x weekly run from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Key West, Fla. (EYW) on November 6. This 145-mile jaunt will be operated by Airbus A320 equipment.

Envoy Air (MQ) will begin daily flights from Miami (MIA) to Destin, Fla. (VPS) on December 19. This route will be operated by Embraer E175 equipment under the American Eagle banner.

Hong Kong Airlines (HX) will commence 3x weekly flights from Hong Kong (HKG) to Melbourne (MEL) on December 12. This route will be operated by Airbus A330-300 equipment.

Hungarian discounter Wizz Air (W6) will begin five new Spanish routes from London Luton (LTN) on March 29: 10x weekly to Barcelona (BCN), 5x weekly to Bilbao (BIO),daily to Madrid (MAD), 4x weekly to Seville (SVQ), and5x weekly to Valencia (VLC).

Pakistan International Airlines (PK) intends to return to the Islamabad (ISB) to Manchester, England (MAN) route on August 16. This 4x weekly route will see a Boeing 777-200/ER rostered.

Turkish Airlines (TK) will resume flights from Istanbul (IST) to Aleppo, Syria (ALP) on August 1. This route will be flown 3x weekly by Boeing 737-900/ER equipment. Low-cost subsidiary AJet (VF) will begin 4x weekly Boeing 737-800 flights from Istanbul Gokcen (SAW) to Aleppo on August 2.

Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus (EI) is adding three more European routes in the coming months:

• Cork (ORK) to Geneva (GVA), Saturdays from December 20

• Cork to Prague (PRG), 2x weekly from October 23

• Dublin (DUB) to Turin, Italy (TRN), Sundays from December 21.

Aeroroutes informs us that Russia’s Nordwind Airlines (N4) will operate a round-trip from Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) to Pyongyang, North Korea (FNJ) on Sunday, with a return flight on Tuesday. This nealry 4,000 mile service will see a cramped 440-seat Boeing 777-200/ER. The route itself was last flown by North Korea’s Air Koryo (JS) with a weekly flight in January 2001. One can only guess what may be in the cargo hold on these flights.

United Airlines (UA) is suspending flights from Newark, N.J. to Kansas City and Memphis, Tenn. (MEM) in January and February. United will also defer flights from Washington Dulles (IAD) to Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI) from January 5 through February 18.

Etihad Airways (EY) will suspend flights from its Abu Dhabi (AUH) base to Osaka Kansai (KIX) from November 22 until March 15.

Shenzhen Airines (ZH) will pause flights from Shenzhen, China (SZX) to Nagoya, Japan (NG) from August 18 for at least the rest of the summer season.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) will take a break on its Amsterdam (AMS) to San Diego (SAN) sector from October 26 through February 20.

American Airlines (AA) will pause flights from Philadelphia (PHL) to Zurich (ZRH) from January 6-28.

Air Canada (AC) will suspend flights from Montreal Trudeau (YUL) to Athens (ATH) from November 22 through the end of February. Flights from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Athens will pause from November 23 through March 8, while flights to Copenhagen (CPH) will be suspended for the entire winter season.

With the U.S. government adding heavy restrictions and fines on its citizens who travel to Cuba, United Airlines has dropped service from Houston Int’l (IAH) to Havana (HAV) after August.

WestJet (WS) has canceled three more U.S. winter routes: Halifax, N.S. (YHZ) to Orlando (MCO), Ottawa (YOW) to Fort Myers, Fla. (RSW), and Victoria, B.C. (YYJ) to Las Vegas (LAS).

For those wondering why I haven’t included any recent bits about guns found in carry-on bags by TSA at various airports, the reason is simple. TSA’s public press releases on this topic have slowed to a trickle, with the last update being posted a month ago.

A married Connecticut couple, 42-year-old Trista Reilly and 43-year-old Christopher Arnold, were arrested after allegedly engaging in a “mile high” sex act on a JetBlue (B6) flight from New York Kennedy to Sarasota, Fla. (SRQ) on July 19, 2025. According to authorities, the pair performed explicit sexual activities in Row 25, with a flight attendant and other passengers, including a mother and her children,witnessing the incident. The couple was charged with felony “lewd or lascivious exhibition” following their arrest upon landing. They were later released on their own recognizance and are scheduled to be arraigned on August 15.

Emirates (EK) announced plans to hire 17,300 new employees during its 2025–2026 fiscal year to support its ongoing expansion across operations and services. The recruitment drive will include cabin crew, pilots, engineers, IT professionals, customer service agents, and various ground roles, both in Dubai (DXB) and across its global network. The airline has already hired over 14,000 people since April 2024 and aims to meet the growing demand from its fleet and route network growth. Emirates is also investing in new technologies, training, and infrastructure to support its workforce and maintain high service standards.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has delayed implementation of its long-awaited rule requiring secondary flight deck barriers on newly manufactured commercial aircraft. Originally proposed as a post-9/11 security measure to protect the cockpit during door openings, the regulation was finalized in 2023 and scheduled to take effect in mid-2025. However, the FAA has now postponed enforcement until 2027, citing the need for additional design review and coordination with aircraft manufacturers. The delay has drawn criticism from pilot unions and aviation security advocates, who argue that further postponement leaves flight crews vulnerable to potential threats.

A Delta Air Lines (DL) flight scheduled to depart from Stockholm (ARN) to New York Kennedy on Monday was canceled after the pilot failed a routine breathalyzer test. Swedish authorities detained the pilot, who was found to be over the legal alcohol limit (.02 blood alcohol level) for operating an aircraft. Passengers were informed of the cancellation shortly before departure and were rebooked on alternative flights. Delta issued a statement emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy for alcohol violations and confirmed that the pilot has been removed from duty pending an internal investigation. The incident is being handled by Swedish law enforcement.

Embraer reported a record-high order backlog of $29.7 billion in the second quarter of 2025, marking the highest in the company’s history. The surge reflects strong demand across its commercial, executive, and defense segments, with commercial aviation accounting for $11.3 billion of the total. During the quarter, Embraer delivered 47 jets, including 25 commercial aircraft and 22 executive jets, showing solid growth year-over-year. The company also highlighted increased interest in its E2 family of regional jets and continued momentum in defense programs, contributing to its robust financial outlook for the remainder of the year.

Iran has reportedly acquired five Boeing 777‑200/ER aircraft in recent days through unclear and possibly illicit channels. These jets, all of which previously flew for Singapore Airlines (SQ), were transferred to Iran despite strict international sanctions that ban the sale of U.S.‑built planes or parts to the country. Observers note that the transfers happened under opaque circumstances, raising concerns about how the planes entered Iran and whether sanctions were evaded through third‑party intermediaries or falsified documentation. As with other recent acquisitions, the aircraft’s transponder was deliberately turned off as it flew towards Iran. Initial reports have the frames destined for Mahan Airlines (W5), which the U.S. government labels a supporter of terrorism.

A near-collision occurred at Mexico City (MEX) on Monday, when a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 was cleared for takeoff on runway 05L while on Aeromexico Connect (5D) Embraer E190 was already landing on the same runway. Air traffic control had instructed the Delta flight to line up and wait, but reportedly changed the clearance to take off without confirming that the runway was clear. The Aeromexico jet touched down just as the Delta plane began accelerating, prompting both aircraft to take evasive action. No injuries were reported, and both flights continued without further incident. Mexican aviation authorities have launched an investigation.

An Air India (AI) Airbus A320-251neo (VT-TYA) arriving from Kochi (COK) skidded off the runway during landing at Mumbai (BOM) on Monday, amid heavy rain. The aircraft veered off course, damaging runway lights and the plane’s landing gear. All 135 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. The incident forced airport authorities to temporarily close the main runway, causing flight delays and diversions. Indian civil aviation authorities have begun an investigation to determine the cause of the runway excursion. Photos via @aviationmex X feed.

Air cargo rates declined in June 2025, with average global prices falling 10 percent year-over-year to $2.19 per kilogram, according to Xeneta. The drop reflects a softening market despite stable volumes, as capacity continues to recover and surpass pre-pandemic levels. Key trade lanes such as China to the U.S. and Europe saw double-digit price declines. Analysts noted that while demand remained steady, increased supply from bellyhold space in passenger aircraft and new freighters added downward pressure on rates. Xeneta expects rates to remain under pressure through the rest of the year unless a major disruption alters current market dynamics.

Boeing has officially begun production of its new 777-8 Freighter, marking a major step in expanding its next-generation cargo aircraft lineup. The first parts are being fabricated at the company’s composite wing center in Everett, Wash., where the aircraft’s massive composite wings are manufactured. Boeing expects the aircraft to enter service in 2027 and has already secured more than 80 orders from major carriers.

Airbus has completed the first horizontal stabilizer for its new A350F freighter, marking a key milestone in the development of the aircraft. The component was manufactured at Airbus’s Getafe facility in Spain and will be shipped to the final assembly line in Toulouse, France (TLS). The A350F is based on the A350-1000 passenger model and is designed to meet growing demand for next-generation, fuel-efficient cargo aircraft. With advanced composite materials and improved aerodynamics, the freighter aims to offer significant payload and range advantages. Airbus hopes to deliver the first A350F in late 2027.

🇸🇬 9V-TNH, an an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to Scoot (TR) on July 22.

🇫🇷 F-HPNT, an Airbus A220-300, was delivered to Air France (AF) on July 23.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 G-SUNS, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to Jet2 (LS) on July 23.

🇩🇴 HI1118, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Arajet (DM) on July 22.

🇸🇦 HZ-AZAN, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to Saudia (SV) on July 21.

🇯🇴 JY-RAA, an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to Royal Jordanian Ailrines (RJ) on July 23.

🇮🇳 VT-GWH, an Airbus A320-216 with Air India Express (IX), was withdrawn from use (wfu) and ferried on July 21 to Glamorgan, Wales (DGX) for part-out and scrap.

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