Flightline 29 - September 11, 2025

Envoy Air (MQ) will add 3x weekly flights from Miami (MIA) to Bimini, Bahamas (BIM). This 64 mile sector will be the shortest in the American Airlines (AA) network; the route will be operated by Embraer E175s under the American Eagle standard. Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Milwaukee (MKE) is 67 miles.

Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) will add twice weekly service from Amman (AMM) to Washington Dulles (IAD) on March 23. A Boeing 787 is rostered on this route. Royal Jordanian has also filed a 4x weekly service from Amman to Delhi, India (DEL), with Airbus A320neo flights tentatively set to begin on the 15th.

Kuwait Airways (KU) is set to resume flights from Kuwait City (KWI) to Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB) on October 27. This route, last flown in late 2021, will be operated 4x weekly by AIrbus A320neo equipment.

Romania’s Dan Air (DN) will add a twice weekly sector from Bucharest (OTP) to Aleppo, Syria (ALP) on September 25. This route will be operated by Airbus A319 equipment.

Malaysia Airlines (MH) will add a daily Boeing 737 MAX 8 run from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Chengdu Tianfu, China (TFU) on January 9. Malaysia last flew to Chengdu in 2006.

South Korea’s Air Busan (BX) will return to Guam (GUM) after a three-year break. The carrier will begin twice daily flights from Busan (PUS) on November 1. Airbus A321s will handle the work on this one.

China Southern Airlines (CZ) will add 3x weekly service from Beijing Daxing (PKX) to Doha, Qatar (DOH) on October 16. This route will be operated by Airbus A330-300 equipment.

Add another airline looking to fill in some gaps where beleaguered Spirit Airlines (NK) is retreating: Allegiant Air (G4) will open a new station in Burbank, Calif. (BUR) on February 12 with flights to Bellingham, Wash. (BLI) and Provo, Utah (PVU). Additionally, Allegiant will add service from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Chattanooga, Tenn. (CHA) on the same day.

Dominican airline Arajet (DM) will add 3x weekly runs from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) to Newark, N.J. (EWR) on January 20. A Boeing 737 MAX 8 is rostered on this route.

Air Canada (AC) will add 4x weekly seasonal service from Montreal Trudeau (YUL) to Palma de Mallorca, Spain (PMI) next year. Airbus A321XLR flights wlll operate from June 17 through October 24.

Flair Airlines (F8) will add seasonal flights from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) between December 14 and April 13. This route will be flown by Boeing 737 MAX 8 equipment.

Caribbean Airlines (BW) has suspended flights from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (POS) to Caracas, Venezuela (CCS) until the 27th. This route is flown on Saturdays with ATR72 aircraft. EDITOR’S NOTE: I had an old car many years ago that I nicknamed after Port of Spain’s airport code…

United Airlines has dropped plans to operate 5x weekly flights from Houston Int’l (IAH) to Key West, Fla. (EYW) starting in January.

Frontier Airlines (F9) is throwing in the towel on its San Juan, P.R. (SJU) to Antigua (ANU) service, with the last flight set for September 27.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reportedly begun a multi-day audit of Pakistan’s aviation system, marking the first such on-site inspection in several years. The audit, which started on September 6 and runs through tomorrow, will evaluate Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance in key areas like regulatory oversight, pilot licensing, and long-term safety management capacity.

This audit follows a serious blow to Pakistan’s aviation credibility in 2020, when direct flights were suspended after pilot licensing scandals and safety concerns. If Pakistan earns an upgrade to FAA Category 1 status, Pakistan International Airlines (PK) would be permitted to resume direct service to the U.S. While the audit’s outcome will not automatically restore flights, a positive result would represent the most concrete progress yet toward reopening U.S. routes.

UPDATE: Ethan Guo, the 19-year-old American influencer pilot attempting to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents, has been released after being stranded for nearly two months at Chile’s Antarctic airbase. Guo, who was raising funds for childhood cancer research through his “Flight Against Cancer” mission, faced charges after Chilean authorities alleged he filed a false flight plan. Cleared only to fly near Punta Arenas, he diverted to Antarctica in his Cessna 182Q under emergency procedures, triggering legal complications. Prosecutors ultimately dropped the case after Guo agreed to donate $30,000 to a children’s cancer charity and accepted a three-year ban from re-entering Chile. During his time in Antarctica, he endured limited communication and harsh conditions but praised Chilean personnel for their hospitality. His release highlights both the risks of venturing into restricted polar airspace and the importance of strict compliance with international aviation regulations.

Air Canada flight attendants have overwhelmingly rejected the airline's latest wage offer, with 99.1 percent of the 94.6 percent who voted saying no to the proposed contract. The tentative agreement, reached on August 19 to end a four-day strike that stranded half a million passengers, included wage increases, pension improvements, and benefits enhancements. However, the union argued that the offer still fell short, with flight attendants earning less than the federal minimum wage of CAD$2,840 per month for a 40-hour workweek, compared to the proposed monthly pay of CAD$2,522 for mainline attendants and CAD$2,219 for Rouge attendants.

The dispute will now head to mediation, followed by arbitration if necessary, as per the agreement between Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The union has criticized the government's role in the negotiations, accusing it of breaching neutrality and favoring Air Canada. CUPE President Mark Hancock stated that Air Canada "never bargained in good faith on wages," and the union plans to continue fighting for fair compensation that reflects the critical safety role flight attendants play.

Passenger Loyalty in Flux: Airlines, Banks, and Credit Cards Frequent-flyer programs have transformed from tools of customer loyalty into major profit engines for airlines. Co-branded credit cards remain the backbone of these programs, accounting for over 57 percent of miles issued and generating more than $25 billion in airline revenue in 2023. Airlines sell miles to banks, and the banks, in turn, incentivize consumers to spend through these cards.

But airline loyalty programs are increasingly focused on revenue over engagement. Award flights require more points, perks are harder to earn, and redemption values often fluctuate — leaving many travelers frustrated. Behind the scenes, the programs operate like quasi-banks, with miles functioning as virtual currency subject to devaluations and inflation. Given the complexity and changing landscape, savvy travelers now prioritize flexible, transferable points programs and are urged to redeem points regularly to avoid losing value.

Avelo Airlines (XP) has secured its largest investment since launch, closing a new round of growth capital to fuel expansion across the United States and the Caribbean. The financing, from a new investor, highlights confidence in Avelo’s low-fare, convenience-focused business model and its performance since entering the market in 2021. Funds will support scheduled service growth, targeted technology upgrades, and customer experience enhancements.

Founder and CEO Andrew Levy noted that the capital strengthens Avelo’s liquidity and enables the carrier to expand affordable options for price-sensitive travelers. The airline has recently posted four profitable months out of the last five, with improving margins and cash flow supported by revenue diversification. Looking ahead, Avelo plans to launch a loyalty program, co-branded credit card, and additional ancillary revenue streams later this year.

Qantas (QF) has trimmed short-term bonuses for its leadership team by 15 percent for fiscal year 2025 after a cyberattack that exposed the personal data of approximately 5.7 million customers. CEO Vanessa Hudson saw her bonus reduced by about $160,000, while other senior executives collectively forfeited around $350,000. The airline called the move an exercise in shared accountability, approving the cuts even as it reported strong financial results, including a profit of more than $1.5 billion and a sharp rise in share price.

Europe’s air travel network delivered a standout summer performance, managing near–record daily traffic of 35,122 flights (up three percent over 2024 and one percent above pre-pandemic levels) while cutting air traffic flow management (ATFM) delays by 27 percent, down to just 3.9 minutes per flight. These efficiency gains were driven by improved sector management, optimized rostering, enhanced weather procedures, and close coordination among stakeholders, even with reduced airspace due to the Ukraine conflict and surging traffic in parts of Southern Europe (more than 20 percent growth). Impressively, 71 percent of flights arrived within 15 minutes of their scheduled time, up from 66 percent last summer.

United Nigeria Airlines (U5) has signed a deal to acquire six ex-Southwest Airlines (WN) Boeing 737-800s, with an option for four more. This move could increase the airline’s fleet from five to as many as 15 aircraft, significantly expanding capacity. Deliveries are slated between Q1 2026 and Q1 2027. The carrier, based at Enugu, Nigeria (ENU), currently operates four Embraer ERJ-145s and one inactive Boeing 737-500. United Nigeria expects ongoing collaboration with Southwest for training and maintenance post-delivery, along with Boeing support to guarantee a smooth entry into service.

Aer Lingus (EI) posted an operating profit of €135 million in the three months ending June, up from €91 million in the same period last year, a gain of approximately forty-eight percent. (That equates to about US $149 million, based on current exchange rates.) For the first half of 2025, the airline’s operating profit rose to €80 million (nearly US $88 million), up from just €9 million in 2024. This positive swing was powered by robust capacity growth, a strong revenue performance, and favourable fuel pricing. Aer Lingus increased overall capacity by ten point nine percent, while passenger numbers rose by four point three percent compared to Q2 2024. I should also note that Aer Lingus is also gearing up for its first direct flight to Cancún, Mexico (CUN) in January.

Catering giant LSG Sky Chefs has laid off 259 employees at Phoenix (PHX) after American Airlines chose not to renew its catering contract with the company. Despite the workforce reduction, LSG Sky Chefs will continue servicing other operations at the airport, maintaining necessary support and infrastructure.

Mexico’s Volaris (Y4) enjoyed a four percent annual increase in August passengers, with Mexico’s largest airline transporting 2.715 million people during the month. System-wide load factor in August was 84.7 percent.

Grupo AeroMexico, which comprises AeroMexico (AM) and AeroMexico Connect (5D), booked a 5.4 percent year-on-year drop in August passenger traffic, down to 2.172 million passengesr during the month. System-wide load factor for the Mexican flag carrier was 89.2 percent.

Turkish Airlines (TK) was listed by a nearly 13 percent annual increase in passenger traffic in August to 9.07 million. System-wide load factor for the month was just over 86 percent. Turkish’s fleet passed 500 aircraft during the month, with total seat capacity of over 103,000.

United Airlines (UA) CEO Scott Kirby stated that “it seems unlikely to me that Spirit can keep flying because their customers dislike the airline and don't want to fly.” Spirit clapped back, wondering “why United executives can’t stop yapping about us.”

On September 7, 2025, a WestJet (WS) Boeing 737-8CT (C-GWSR) experienced a hard landing at Sint Maarten (SXM) that resulted in the collapse of its right main landing gear. The aircraft, arriving from Toronto Pearson, skidded along the runway before coming to a stop. Emergency services responded swiftly, deploying foam around the jet and overseeing an evacuation via slides. Thankfully, all 164 passengers and crew were safely evacuated. No injuries were reported, although three people received precautionary medical evaluations.

The airport’s single-runway setup temporarily halted all operations, forcing inbound flights to divert to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Interestingly, multiple observers and reports noted that the landing didn’t appear especially violent after seeing several videos of it online. As one commentator pointed out on Reddit, “This landing doesn’t look really abnormal at all.” It may suggest that the gear collapsed due to mechanical failure rather than pilot error or extreme impact forces. The cause, whether a landing mishap, mechanical failure, or both, is still under investigation.

The U.S. suspension of the duty-free de minimis exemption has led to a significant drop of over 80 percent in postal volumes transported to the country, largely by airfreight. This exemption allowed e-commerce platforms to fly packages worth less than $800 into the U.S. without paying import fees. Following the suspension on August 29, more than 88 postal operators have suspended some or all postal services to the US. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) has since deployed a landed-cost calculator tool to help postal operators calculate and collect duties, enabling them to resume services.

The UPU's solution includes a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) feature that will be integrated into its Customs Declaration System platform, allowing postal operators to calculate and remit duties. Postal operators will have access to necessary technological tools to keep mail moving, and the UPU will provide support for the rollout, including staff training. The new rules introduce two duty types: ad valorem duty based on the package's value and a specific duty with a flat rate of $80-$200 per item, with the latter option available for six months before shifting to ad valorem duty methodology.

On September 8, 2025, a 53-year-old passenger on Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) flight from Nagoya, Japan (NGO) to Hong Kong (HKG) allegedly attempted to covertly film up a female flight attendant’s skirt using a phone-like device attached to his shoe. A vigilant fellow passenger alerted cabin crew, who took immediate action. Hong Kong police were waiting upon arrival and arrested the suspect on suspicion of unlawfully recording intimate parts, a serious offense under Hong Kong law carrying up to five years in prison.

🇨🇳 B-20D6, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to China Southern Airlines on September 9.

🇨🇳 B-32NS, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Loong Air (GJ) on September 9.

🇺🇸 N600DZ, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to Delta Air Lines (DL) on September 10.

🇺🇸 N8967Q, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Southwest Airlines on September 8.

🇺🇸 N175DN, a Boeing 767-332/ER with Delta Air Lines (DL), was wfu and ferried on September 8 to Victorville, Calif. (VCV) for part-out and scrap. This frame was delivered new to Delta on July 26, 1990 and had racked up an impressive 144,247 hours and 21,480 cycles as of December 11, 2024 (the latest record available on the FAA SDRS site). EDITOR’S NOTE: I think we can reasonably infer Delta got their money’s worth out of this aircraft over 35 years in revenue service. A tip of the Stetson to 175 for an excellent career.

$AAL ( ▼ 1.44% ) $ALGT ( ▼ 2.82% ) $ALK ( ▲ 1.11% ) $BA ( ▲ 0.95% ) $CPA ( ▼ 0.36% ) $DAL ( ▼ 2.8% ) $FLYY ( ▼ 2.78% ) $JBLU ( ▼ 2.87% ) $LUV ( ▼ 0.58% ) $MESA ( 0.0% ) $RJET ( 0.0% ) $SNCY ( ▼ 1.99% ) $UAL ( ▼ 0.43% ) $ULCC ( ▼ 5.17% )

News broke this afteroon of Avelo Airline’s big Embraer order… at 3,500 words, this is already our largest issue ever, so we’ll save the full recap for Monday.

Our next issue will also feature July traffic results from more than 360 airports worldwide -one of the most comprehensive collections you’ll find anywhere.

As we shared on Monday, Flightline will be moving to a subscription model in mid-October. This change will help us continue bringing you in-depth coverage, news, and insights from across the aviation world. More details will follow soon, including how to sign up, but we wanted to give another quick reminder so you are ready when subscriptions open and what options are available so you don’t miss out!