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- Flightline 21 - August 14, 2025
Flightline 21 - August 14, 2025
Spirit’s future in doubt, easyJet pilot’s drunken nude hotel romp, FAA faults SkyWest maintenance, and legacy services shut down.
Nigel Everton
August 14th, 2025
In partnership with
Editor’s Note
Thank you to everyone who responded to our recent poll on the frequency of Flightline. Over 80 percent of you prefer that it remain a twice-weekly newsletter, so we will keep it that way. A big thank you as well to all who have clicked the ads in each issue, and to the generous (and anonymous) person who donated $25. Your support helps cover our monthly costs (around $100). Now, let’s get reading — this is our biggest issue yet!
New and Proposed Routes
Boliviana de Aviación (OB) will add new service to the U.S., beginning a twice-weekly triangle route from Santa Cruz, Bolivia (VVI) to Washington Dulles (IAD) with a stop in Panama City, Panama (PTY). This route, to be operated with Boeing 737-800 equipment, starts on November 4. It was last flown in 2008.
AirAsia X (D7) will begin four weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Istanbul Gökçen (SAW) on November 14. An Airbus A330-300 will operate this route.
Brazil’s GOL (G3) is adding two Saturday routes from Fortaleza (FOR) on November 29: Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) and Montevideo, Uruguay (MVD). Both will be served with Boeing 737-800 equipment.
Air North (4N) will begin twice-weekly service from Yellowknife, NT (YZF) to Vancouver (YVR) on November 24. This route, last flown in early 2020, will be operated with Boeing 737-500 equipment.
JSX (XE) has started four weekly flights from Dallas Love Field (DAL) and Los Angeles (LAX) to Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD). These routes are operated with Embraer E145 aircraft.
Lufthansa (LH) will resume flights from Munich (MUC) to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (RUH) on October 25. This route, last flown in 2017, will run three times weekly with Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
China Southern Airlines (CZ) will begin twice-weekly flights from Guangzhou (CAN) to Vancouver (YVR) on September 16. A Boeing 777-300ER will operate the route.
India’s Akasa Air (QP) will launch daily Boeing 737 MAX 8 service from Mumbai (BOM) to Phuket, Thailand (HKT) on September 20.
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Seasonal Routes
Envoy Air (MQ) is operating a short seasonal service from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Quebec City, QC, through November 1. This Saturday flight is operated with Embraer E175 equipment under the American Eagle banner.
WestJet (WS) will deploy a Boeing 787-9 on five of its seven weekly flights from Calgary (YYC) to Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD) between November 26 and March 27.
Viva (VB) is adding three weekly flights this winter from Monterrey (MTY) to Durango (DGO). This route will be flown with Airbus A320 equipment.
United Airlines (UA) will resume a winter seasonal route last operated in early 2019, adding a Saturday round trip from Washington Dulles (IAD) to Vail, Colorado (EGE) on December 20. This route will be operated with Boeing 737-700 aircraft.
Dropped Routes
Air India (AI) will drop service from Delhi (DEL) to Washington Dulles (IAD) on September 1, citing a shortage of available aircraft and the closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian-registered aircraft. This closure has caused consistent refueling stops in Austria, adding hours to the already long trip. This non-stop route has been in operation since 2010.
Discover Airlines (4Y) has dropped plans for seasonal service from Frankfurt (FRA) to Tulum, Mexico (TQO) this winter, with the German leisure operator instead opting to increase service to Cancun (CUN) from three to four weekly flights. Tulum Airport was opened with the intent of relieving traffic at Cancun.
Hawaiian Airlines (HA) is ending three under-performing long-haul routes from Honolulu (HNL) this November: Boston (BOS) and Fukuoka, Japan (FUK) on November 19, and Seoul Incheon (ICN) on November 21. Hawaiian’s Seoul station has been open for 14 years.
Aviation Security
Passengers traveling from five major Italian airports — Rome (FCO), Milan Linate (LIN), Milan Malpensa (MXP), Bologna (BLQ), and Turin (TRN) — can now carry liquids and creams in containers of up to two litres in their carry-on bags thanks to next-generation EDSCB security scanners that eliminate the need to remove them during screening. The scanners also allow electronic devices like laptops and phones to remain in luggage during security checks. This policy change, approved by the European Civil Aviation Conference and implemented by ENAC, excludes flights from Fiumicino to the United States and Israel, which will continue to use conventional X-ray systems with the 100 ml restriction still in place. Other Italian airports without the new scanners will also retain the traditional rules of 100 ml containers in a one-litre clear resealable bag, which must be removed during security checks.
In June 2025, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened approximately 79.7 million passengers at screening checkpoints and 44.4 million checked bags at baggage screening locations. TSA received 17,213 complaints from the public, or 21.7 complaints per 100,000 passengers. TSA screened approximately 27.0 million passengers in TSA PreCheck lanes. Of the 12,178 TSA PreCheck complaints received, 86.3 percent (10,507) were related to passengers not receiving TSA PreCheck on their boarding pass. TSA was able to research and resolve 37.0 percent of these complaints (3,887) for the passengers. Notably, TSA found that 72.1 percent of these PreCheck complaints were caused by customer-driven errors during the airline reservation process (such as incorrect name or date of birth, or a wrong or missing Known Traveler Number).
Aviation Industry News 🗞️
Icelandair (FI) carried 611,000 passengers in July 2025, matching the same month a year earlier, bringing its year-to-date traffic to over 2.8 million, a 9 percent increase from last year. The airline demonstrated strong operational metrics, with its load factor rising to 88.2 percent and on-time performance improving to 81.8 percent.
Grupo Aeroméxico, which comprises Aeroméxico (AM) and Aeroméxico Connect (5D), flew 2.298 million passengers in July, a five percent drop from the previous year. A total of 88.5 percent of revenue seats were filled across the network during the month, which was also down 2.5 percent from July 2024.
Volaris (Y4) enjoyed a three percent annual uptick in July passenger traffic, with the Mexican discounter flying 2.764 million passengers last month. Volaris posted an 84.9 percent system-wide load factor, which was off five percent from one year prior. For the first seven months of 2025, Volaris has flown 13.1 million passengers, up nearly seven percent over the same period in 2024.
An easyJet (U2) captain was suspended after allegedly walking drunk and naked through his hotel in Cape Verde (SID) during a late-night drinking session. The pilot, who had flown a group of holidaymakers to the resort on August 4, proceeded to strip off at approximately 2:30 a.m., wandering through the reception, gym, and spa areas in a visibly intoxicated state. The following afternoon, when he was set to operate one of easyJet’s longest routes from Cape Verde to London Gatwick (LGW), he was replaced before departure. The airline confirmed that he was promptly stood down as part of standard procedure, stating that passenger and crew safety remains easyJet’s top priority.
Portugal’s government has re-launched the privatization of TAP Air Portugal (TP), aiming to sell a 49.9 percent stake, with five percent reserved for airline employees. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stressed the importance of reducing ongoing state financial support and attracting a strategic international partner to protect TAP’s brand, the Lisbon hub, and key routes to Brazil, Lusophone Africa, and the U.S. The move comes as Portugal absorbs roughly $34.4 million in losses from a bond default by TAP SGPS, triggered by a loan from Brazilian carrier Azul (AD). The default highlights the airline’s ongoing fiscal challenges tied to its debt structure and restructuring efforts. Leading European airline groups, including IAG, Air France-KLM, and Lufthansa, have expressed interest, with IAG specifically indicating plans to invest in TAP and expand the Lisbon (LIS) hub if successful.
Air India has raised the retirement age for pilots, allowing them to fly until they are 65 rather than 58. Non-flying staff may also now work until age 60.
Russia’s commercial aviation sector is facing an unprecedented collapse in 2025, having produced only one commercial aircraft against a target of fifteen, a striking illustration of how Western sanctions, combined with economic strain, have crippled its ability to manufacture planes. The industry is struggling to build a self-sustaining manufacturing base, and even ambitious projects like the domestically assembled MC-21 are significantly delayed.
Akasa Air recently celebrated its third anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its journey. Since its launch in August 2022, the airline has grown rapidly, transporting over 19 million passengers and expanding its fleet to 30 aircraft. Akasa Air now operates across 28 destinations, including five international cities like Doha (DOH), Riyadh (RUH), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Jeddah (JED), and Kuwait City (KWI). The airline's success can be attributed to its focus on operational excellence, financial prudence, and passenger-centric innovation. Under the leadership of CEO Vinay Dube, Akasa Air aims to become a global aviation player, with plans to extend its international network into SAARC and ASEAN regions. With a strong emphasis on employee welfare and inclusivity, the airline has introduced several customer-friendly offerings, including pet travel services and Braille safety cards.
Copa Airlines (CM) reports that nearly 95,000 passengers used its Panama Stopover Program in the first half of 2025, reflecting an 18 percent increase compared to the same period last year. July alone marked a record, with over 17,500 travelers taking advantage of the offer - the highest monthly total since the program’s inception in 2019. The initiative, which allows transit passengers to stay in Panama for up to seven days at no extra airfare cost, is a key component of Copa’s strategy to drive tourism and stimulate economic activity through the Hub of the Americas in Panama City.
The two busiest airports in the U.S., Atlanta (ATL) and Dallas/Fort Worth, combined for over 17.7 million passengers in June: 9,613,648 at Atlanta and 8,104,329 at Dallas/Fort Worth.
Denver (DEN) took in nearly $61.7 million in rental car concessions in June, bringing the airport’s total to $277.4 million for the first half of 2025. At nearby Grand Junction, Colo. (GJT), June rental car revenues totaled $1.25 million, with just under $6.2 million for the first half of the year.
Air Canada (AC) flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), may go on strike as early as August 16, potentially disrupting thousands of flights and affecting passengers nationwide. The strike vote, which has been completed, gives the union a mandate to strike if an agreement isn't reached with Air Canada. The main issues driving the dispute are low pay, unpaid work, and outdated labor laws. Entry-level flight attendants earn around $1,951.30 monthly, which the union claims is unsustainable, especially in cities like Toronto and Vancouver. If no deal is reached, a 21-day cooling-off period, which ends on August 16, would conclude, allowing the union to provide a 72-hour strike notice before any job action. Air Canada has expressed commitment to reaching a fair agreement, but travelers should prepare for possible disruptions during the busy summer travel season
Spirit Airlines (NK) is facing significant challenges, including substantial losses and doubts about its continued viability. The company reported a net loss of $183.7 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, and a pre-tax loss of $228.3 million, highlighting the severity of its financial struggles. Furthermore, Spirit Airlines’ financial stability is uncertain due to heavy debt, increased costs, and competitive pressures in the airline industry. Although the company has taken steps to reduce its debt after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025, its financial flexibility remains limited, and there is concern about its credit card processing agreements going into 2026.
A recent regulatory filing stated: “Because of the uncertainty of successfully completing the initiatives to comply with the minimum liquidity covenants and of the outcome of discussions with our stakeholders, management has concluded there is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern within 12 months from the date these financial statements are issued.”
To address these challenges, Spirit Airlines is making operational adjustments, such as changing its flight schedules to focus on high-demand periods and reviewing route profitability. The company has also secured $350 million in new equity investments and issued $840 million in new secured debt to improve liquidity and reduce debt. Despite these efforts, Spirit Airlines’ future remains uncertain, with significant risks and challenges ahead.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced it will provide $500 million in funding for Ethiopia's new Bishoftu International Airport project, with the bank acting as the lead arranger to mobilize up to $8 billion in debt financing for the $10 billion project. The new airport, designed to be Africa's largest, will serve as the hub for Ethiopian Airlines (ET) and have an initial capacity of 60 million passengers per year, expandable to 110 million. Located about 40 km south of Addis Ababa, the project aims to address growing demand for passenger and cargo services, boost regional economic growth, and solidify Ethiopia's position as a leading aviation hub. Construction is set to begin in late 2025, with the existing Addis Ababa (ADD) transition to focus on domestic operations once the new airport is operational.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comments on its proposal to extend and modify the June 10, 2025 order limiting scheduled operations at Newark, N.J. (EWR) through October 24, 2026. The extension would increase the hourly cap from 68 to 72 scheduled operations. This follows earlier reductions implemented to mitigate congestion, delays, and staff shortages. Comments must be submitted by August 15, 2025, using Docket FAA‑2008‑0221.
FAA Has Not Resolved Persistent Issues With SkyWest’s Maintenance Practices
A recent audit reveals that the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) oversight of SkyWest Airlines’ (OO) maintenance, particularly procedures involving remote return-to-service, is not fully aligned with its own guidance. Several key shortcomings persist, including the FAA’s Certificate Management Office (CMO) failing to resolve longstanding noncompliance issues dating back over four years. Inspectors are directed to use informal “General Correspondence” letters in place of formal Compliance Actions, which is contrary to FAA policy. Documentation systems are inconsistent, and recurring maintenance failures are not consistently tracked or addressed as systemic hazards.
The report highlights additional barriers such as CMO leadership turnover, delays in the data request process, poor internal communication, and inadequate use of FAA’s Safety Assurance System (SAS) to document enforcement actions. While FAA has begun corrective measures, including initiating a Risk Management Process in 2023 and convening a System Analysis Team, several issues remain unresolved.
To address these gaps, the OIG made seven recommendations, including enhanced training on systemic hazard identification, establishing escalation procedures for data delays, clarifying proper correspondence methods, creating consistent communication protocols, and improving the use and categorization of SAS tools. FAA agreed with most of the recommendations and plans to implement changes, although it offered a modified approach to data access procedures, with a target completion date in mid-2026.
Air Cargo 📦️
UPDATE: The Air France-KLM Group has reduced its Airbus A350 freighter order from eight to six aircraft. Air France (AF) and Martinair (MP) will now each receive three A350Fs instead of four. The change follows Airbus production delays that have moved the aircraft’s entry into service to 2027 and reflects softer cargo market conditions. The group plans to extend leases on existing freighters and use bellyhold cargo space to maintain capacity while controlling costs.
Did You Know?
The Official Airline Guide (OAG) will cease production of its printed guides, which have shown airline schedules for nearly 100 years, in December. If you didn’t realize they still published these, you are not alone; the guide has also been available online for many years.
YOU’VE GOT MAIL! On a somewhat related note, AOL is shutting down its dial-up internet service at the end of September. Once again, you may have been as surprised as I was to learn this was still even operating.
Latest Aircraft Deliveries 🛫
🇸🇬 9V-TNI, an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to Scoot (TR) on August 9.
🇦🇪 A6-EFZ, a Boeing 777/F, was delivered to Emirates (EK) on August 8.
🇦🇪 A6-FQJ, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Flydubai (FZ) on August 8.
🇨🇳 B-226K, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to China Southern Airlines (CZ) on August 9.
🇪🇸 EC-OPA, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Air Europa (UX) on August 8.
🇮🇪 EI-IKW and EI-IKS, both Boeing 737 MAX 8s, were delivered to Ryanair (FR) on August 11.
🇯🇴 JY-RAG, an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) on August 8.
🇺🇸 N334DU, an Airbus A220-300, was delivered to Delta Air Lines (DL) on August 12.
🇹🇷 TC-OHB, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to AJet (VF) on August 11.
🇻🇳 VN-A136, an Airbus A320-232, was delivered to Vietravel Airlines (VU) on August 8. This frame was previously N695NK with Spirit Airlines (NK), 2019-2024.
🇮🇳 VT-RTD, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to Air India Express (IX) on August 9.
🇲🇽 XA-MXB, an Embraer E195/E2, was delivered to Mexicana (XN), on August 8.
Aircraft Retirements 🛬
🇮🇩 PK-AZQ, an Airbus A320-216 with Indonesia Air Asia (QZ), was withdrawn from use (wfu) and ferried on August 12 to Degeh Bur, Ethiopia (DGC) for part-out and scrap.
U.S. Airline Stocks 💰️
$AAL ( ▼ 2.69% ) $ALGT ( ▼ 2.29% ) $ALK ( ▼ 1.07% ) $BA ( ▲ 0.08% ) $DAL ( ▼ 2.2% ) $FLYY ( ▼ 7.79% ) $JBLU ( ▼ 2.37% ) $LUV ( ▼ 0.95% ) $MESA ( ▲ 2.6% ) $RJET ( 0.0% ) $SNCY ( ▼ 1.64% ) $UAL ( ▼ 1.99% ) $ULCC ( ▼ 6.07% )
🇺🇸 Daily Passenger Counts at U.S. Airports, 2025 vs. 2024
Postscript
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