Flightline 34 - September 29, 2025

Ryanair (FR) is tipped to begin 2x weekly flights from Brussels Charleroi (CRL) to Newcastle, England (NCL) on October 26.

Norwegian (D8) will add a trio of new routes from Stockholm (ARN) next summer. On May 13, 4x weekly flights to Hamburg, Germany (HAM) and Milan Malpensa (MXP) will begin, followed by 1x weekly service to Tirana, Albania (TIA) starting June 19.

Delta Air Lines (DL) will launch daily flights (7x weekly) from New York Kennedy (JFK) to Porto, Portugal (OPO) on May 21, operated with Boeing 767-300ER equipment. Delta also announced its Detroit (DTW) to Dublin (DUB) service will increase from 4x to 7x weekly next summer.

IndiGo (6E) is adding daily flights (7x weekly) from Mumbai (BOM) to Denpasar, Indonesia (DPS) beginning October 18. The Airbus A320neo service will include a technical stop at Chennai (MAA) in each direction.

Air India Express (IX) will add 3x weekly flights from Bangalore (BLR) to Kuwait City (KWI) on October 27, operated by a Boeing 737-800.

Philippine Airlines (PR) will launch 3x weekly service from Cebu (CEB) to Guam (GUM) on December 16 using Airbus A321 equipment. Continental Micronesia briefly operated this route in 1995.

Etihad Airways (EY) will add three weekly seasonal flights from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Palma de Mallorca, Spain (PMI) next summer. The Airbus A321 service will operate from June 12 through September 13.

Norwegian will introduce four seasonal routes next summer, with two from Oslo (OSL) and two from Bergen (BGO). From Oslo, weekly Monday flights to Tangier, Morocco (TNG) begin on June 22, and twice-weekly flights to Palermo, Italy (PMO) start on June 20. From Bergen, twice-weekly flights to Riga, Latvia (RIX) and Palanga, Lithuania (PLQ) will begin on March 31. All four routes will run until late October.

Breeze Airways (MX) will launch its first international service on January 10, when the carrier opens a seasonal station in Cancun (CUN) with  flights from Norfolk, Va. (ORF). The station expands a week later when Charleston, S.C (CHS) adds service. Service from New Orleans (MSY) commences on February 7, with Providence, R.I. (PVD) joining the party on February 14. Each of those routes will be Saturday only. If you are wondering whether Norfolk has a CBP FIS (customs facility), the answer is that a new one is presently being constructed.

Breeze then adds year-round service to Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ), wiith twice weekly flights from Tampa, Fla. (TPA), on February 11. A seasonal twice-weekly sector from Raleigh, N.C. (RDU) starts on March 5. Finally, Breeze will open a new seasonal route from Raleigh to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) on March 4.

Starlux Airlines (JX) will add a trio of round-trip charters, in association with Lion Travel, from Taipei (TPE) to Guam in February. Airbus A321neo service will operate on February 15, 19, and 23.

Etihad Airways will use GetJet (GW) and AirHub (RE) Airbus A320 on flights from Abu Dhabi to Amman (AMM), Beirut (BEY), Cario (CAI), and Muscat, Oman (MCT) between October 1 and November 30.

Caribbean Airlines (BW) will end flights from Kingston (KIN) and Montego Bay (MBJ), Jamaica to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) on November 2. The move comes less than a year after the carrier resume this route after dropping it in 2019.

UPDATE: Our last issue reported that Air Tahiti Nui (TN) will end flights from Papeete (PPT) to Seattle (SEA) on January 28, with the carrier losing over $16 million on the route. New reporting indicates the route saw load factors from 20-40 percent over the first five months of 2025.

Spirit Airlines (NK) will close its station at Hartford, Conn. (BDL) on October 31 and Minneapolis (MSP) on December 1.

The U.S. Ambassador to Canada stated during a business forum in Alberta on Thursday that the U.S. may need to review the need for Pre-Clearance facilities in Canada. The Ambassador cited the drop in Canadian traffic to the U.S., whcih was down over 25 percent in August compared to one year ago. Pre-Clearance facilities were first established by President Eisenhower in 1952, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has operations at eight Canadian airports: Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), Halifax (YHZ), Montreal Trudeau (YUL), Ottawa (YOW), Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR) and Winnipeg (YWG).

Finnair (AY) has introduced a new retailing concept called ancillary combos, becoming the first airline to offer bundled add-on products through Amadeus’s modern retailing technology. The combos allow passengers to purchase multiple extras together, such as preferred seating with in-flight Wi-Fi, creating more tailored and flexible options. The move reflects Finnair’s push to simplify the booking process and drive ancillary revenue, while giving travelers better value compared to buying services individually. This innovation positions the carrier as an early adopter of next-generation airline retailing practices.

Norwegian will convert purchase rights for 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8s into firm orders, bringing its total MAX 8 commitment to 80 aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled through 2031 and the carrier said the revised timeline matches lease expiries and market conditions, building on its May 2022 deal for 50 MAX 8s with purchase rights for 30 more.

The Lufthansa Group is preparing a sweeping cost cut that will shed thousands of jobs across Europe, including plans to cut up to twenty percent of administrative roles over the next two years as it centralizes network planning, commercial management, sales, loyalty, hubs, technology, personnel and finance functions in Germany. The move will affect carriers across the group, including Austrian Airlines (OS), Brusse Airlines (SN) , ITA (AZ), Swiss (LX), Eurowings (EW), and Discover (4Y), and is aimed at trimming spiralling employee costs while funding planned investments. 

Management says the measures are necessary after last April’s coordinated strikes that cost the group about $372 million, and follow earlier attempts to shift flying and support work to lower-cost subsidiaries. The plan increases pressure on labor relations as Lufthansa faces the threat of further pilot and staff action, and it risks political and operational fallout as the group rebalances control and jobs across its pan-European network.

Southwest Airlines (WN) has agreed to a preliminary $18.5 million settlement in a class action accusing the carrier of denying pay to employees who took short term military leave. About 2,791 eligible employees would receive an average of $4,421 each after legal fees of up to one third of the fund are deducted, and the Dallas-based airline has agreed to offer up to ten days of paid short term military leave per year from 2026 through 2030. Southwest denies any wrongdoing but opted to settle to avoid prolonged litigation. The deal echoes a similar 2019 settlement with pilots worth about $18.8 million, and it underscores ongoing legal and reputational risks for carriers over how they treat military leave.

Turkish Airlines (TK) has placed a blockbuster order with Boeing for up to 75 787 Dreamliners, including 35 787-9s, 15 787-10s and options for 25 more, and has committed to purchase up to 150 additional 737 MAX single-aisle jets. Boeing says the combined 787 and 737 MAX commitments will double Turkish Airlines’ Boeing fleet and will support more than 123,000 jobs across the United States. The deal underpins Turkish Airlines’ growth plan and its stated 2033 Vision to expand to an 800-aircraft fleet, while giving the carrier larger, more fuel efficient widebodies for high-density routes and more single-aisles to drive network expansion. Boeing did not disclose a dollar value in the press release.

British Airways (BA) is facing a quiet but costly problem: the loss of roughly 4,000 high-status, high-yield passengers to the Air France–KLM Group after recent cuts to its Executive Club program. Tighter lounge access, fewer upgrade perks, and harder-to-use companion redemptions have frustrated some of BA’s most profitable customers, many of them London and New York-based corporate travelers.

Air France–KLM seized the opening with status matches, bonus earning campaigns, and investments in its Flying Blue elite tiers, making the switch attractive. While 4,000 passengers may not sound large, their collective spend runs into the tens of millions of dollars annually. The episode underscores the risk of trimming loyalty benefits too deeply: BA’s cost-saving moves may have eroded its premium edge, while its French and Dutch rivals gain ground in the transatlantic corporate market.

Air Canada (AC) expects third-quarter operating income between $250 million and $300 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $950 million to $1.0 billion, down sharply from $1.040 billion and $1.523 billion, respectively, in Q3 2024.   The airline says that cancellations of more than 3,200 flights dragged capacity down by about two percent year over year.

A labor disruption in August is estimated to have cost Air Canada $375 million in operating income and adjusted EBITDA, driven by refunds, lost bookings, and incremental reimbursements.   In response, Air Canada has lowered its full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $2.9 billion to $3.1 billion, from the prior range of $3.2 billion to $3.6 billion.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved Vortex Control Technologies’ finlets for retrofit on Boeing 737-700, 737-800, and 737-900ER aircraft, opening the door for European carriers to adopt the small aft-fuselage devices that reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. Avelo Airlines (XP), an early adopter, reports the finlets yield about 1.4 percent fuel savings and expects full-fleet installation to cut annual fuel burn by roughly 560,000 gallons and reduce carbon emissions by about 11 million pounds. SunExpress (XQ) has also committed to expanding the modification across more than 40 aircraft following initial trials.

A CommuteAir (C5) Embraer E145 (N21129) rolled into the Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) at Roanoke, VA (ROA) after a runway excursion. The incident occurred during landing from Washington Dulles (IAD), and the arrestor bed successfully stopped the aircraft, preventing more serious damage. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew, and the runway was temporarily closed for inspections. The flight was operating under the United Express banner.

The U.S. and its two closest neighbors, and largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, transported $6.2 billion worth of air freight in July. That figure was split evenly: $3.1 billion between the U.S. and Canada, and $3.1 billion between the U.S. and Mexico.

Qatar Airways Cargo (QR) has rolled out an upgraded mobile app designed to simplify booking and shipment management. The new version offers features such as instant quotations, tracking updates, and document uploads directly within the app. The move underscores the carrier’s push to digitalize cargo operations and enhance customer convenience.

Six Chinese airlines have nearly 60 Boeing 777 aircraft in their fleet. I found that nugget in an article in AirCargoNews.net - a tip of the Stetson to author Rebecca Jeffrey.

🇲🇾 9M-MNM, an Airbus A330-941, was delivered to Malaysia Airlines (MH) on September 27.

🇲🇾 9M-VAJ, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Air Asia (AK) on September 27.

🇦🇪 A6-ARA, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Air Arabia (G9) on September 25.

🇶🇦 A7-AJB, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to Qatar Airways (QR) on September 25.

🇧🇭 A9C-TG, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Gulf Air (GF) on September 27.

🇨🇳 B-227A, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Xiamen Airlines (MF) on September 26.

🇨🇳 B-32N3, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to China Southern Airlines (CZ) on September 26.

🇨🇳 B-32N9, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Shenzhen Airlines (ZH) on September 24.

🇨🇳 B-32NJ, an Airbus A319-153neo, was delivered to Air China (CA) on September 27.

🇨🇳 B-32NK, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to China Eastern Airlines (MU) on September 25.

🇨🇳 B-32NT, an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to Sichuan Airlines (3U) on September 26.

🇦🇷 CC-DIH, an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to JetSmart Argentina (WJ) on September 26.

🇲🇦 CN-RHI, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Royal Air Maroc (AT) on September 25.

🇮🇪 EI-ILA, ILB, and ILC, a trio of Boeing 737 MAX 8s, were delivered to Ryanair (FR) on September 26.

🇮🇪 EI-ILE, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Ryanair on September 22.

🇮🇪 EI-XLW, an Airbus A321-253neo XLR, was delivered to Aer Lingus (EI) on September 26.

🇬🇧 G-TTSB, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to British Airways (BA) on September 25.

🇰🇷 HL8743, an Airbus A320-214, was delivered to Aero-K (RF) on September 25. This frame was previously RP-C3278 with Cebu Pacific (5J) from 2014-2025.

🇵🇦 HP-9812CMP, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Copa Airlines (CM) on September 25.

🇺🇸 N14548, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to United Airlines (UA) on September 26.

🇺🇸 N17413, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, was delivered to United Airlines on September 25.

🇺🇸 N3269J, an Airbus A220-300, was delivered to JetBlue Airways (B6) on September 26.

🇺🇸 N333RQ, an Embraer E175, was delivered to Envoy Air (MQ) on September 25. Painted in American Eagle livery.

🇺🇸 N334CR, an Embraer E175, was delivered to Envoy Air on September 25. Painted in American Eagle livery.

🇺🇸 N437DX, an Airbus A330-941, was delivered to Delta Air Lines (DL) on September 25.

🇺🇸 N786YX, an Embraer E175, was delivered to Republic Airlines (YX) on September 25. Painted in United Express livery.

🇳🇱 PH-NXZ, an Embraer E195/E2, was delivered to KLM Cityhopper (WA) on September 26.

🇬🇷 SX-IOD, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Sky Express (GQ) on September 26.

🇬🇷 SX-NAR, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to Aegean Airlines (A3) on September 26.

🇦🇺 VH-8VC, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Virgin Australia (VA) on September 24.

🇮🇳 VT-NHE, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to IndiGo on September 26.

🇮🇳 VT-NHG, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to IndiGo on September 25.

🇬🇧 G-MIDO, an Airbus A320-232 with British Airways (BA), was withdrawn from use (wfu) and ferried on September 26 to Cotswold, England (GBA) for part-out and scrap.

🇺🇸 N542US, a Boeing 757-251 with Delta Air Lines, was wfu and ferried on September 23 to Victorville, Calif. (VCV) for part-out and scrap.

🇮🇸 TF-FIR, a Boeing 757-256 with Icelandair (FI), was wfu and ferried on September 22 to Kansas City, Mo. (MCI) for part-out and scrap.

$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% )