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Flightline for June 12, 2025

Flightline for June 12, 2025

Man convicted for posting as flight attendant dozens of times; passenger late for flight calls in bomb threat on his own phone; Delta schedules seasonal trans-Atlantic suspensions; German airport April passenger traffic.

Flightline
June 12th, 2025

✈️ Flight 3 // Guadalajara, Mexico 🇲🇽

NEW AND PROPOSED ROUTES

Vietnam Airlines (VN) will begin 3x weekly service from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH) on December 15. This route will be operated by Boeing 787-9 equipment.

Following a ten-year interregnum, Finnair (AY) will resume flights to Canada on May 4, with the carrier adding 3x weekly Airbus A330-300 service from Helsinki (HEL) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ).

SEASONAL ROUTES

American Airlines (AA) will resume seasonal service from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Barcelona (BCN) on February 12 rather than March 29. Additionally, American will add a handful of round-trips between Las Vegas (LAS) and Seoul Incheon (ICN) to support the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in January: inbounds to Las Vegas on January 3, 4, and 5, with return flights on January 9, 10, and 11.

SUSPENDED ROUTES

Delta Air Lines (DL) has scheduled several seasonal service suspensions on trans-Atlantic routes this winter.

Atlanta (ATL) to Dublin (DUB) from January 6 through February 21
Boston (BOS) to Lisbon, Portugal (LIS) from January 6 through February 20
Boston to Rome (FCO) from January 6 until March 7
Cincinnati (CVG) to Paris de Gaulle (CDG) from January 4 until February 20
Minneapolis (MSP) to Dublin from January 4 until February 20
New York Kennedy (JFK) to Athens (ATH) and Brussels (BRU) from January 6 through March 7

DROPPED ROUTES

Icelandic carrier Play (OG) is ending U.S. service this fall, with flights from Reykavik (KEF) to New York Stewart (SWF) ending on September 15, Boston (BOS) on September 15, and Baltimore (BWI) on October 24.

THE SHRINKING AIRPORT: A tip of the Stetson to @IshrionA who notes that Baltimore has lost seven carriers in recent years: Air Canada (AC), Air Senegal (HC), Allegiant (G4), Contour (LF), Condor (DE), JetBlue (B6), and now Play.

Delta Air Lines has canceled scheduled winter flights from Orlando (MCO) to London Heathrow (LHR), with the route ending for the season on October 25.

AVIATION SECURITY

On Sunday, June 8, an individual, suspected to be soon deported, broke free and sprinted across the apron and taxiway near active aircraft at London Heathrow Airport’s (LHR) Terminal 2. He evaded capture for over a minute, narrowly passing by moving jets while being chased by airport personnel and a van. Eventually, he was wrestled to the ground, detained by security, and handed over to police. Heathrow Airport confirmed operations were “quickly resolved,” resumed normally, and that passengers were unaffected. An investigation is underway into how the man accessed secured areas and what led to the breach.

AVIATION INDUSTRY NEWS 📰

Japan is overhauling its tourist entry policies to better manage its booming visitor numbers and rising issues like unpaid medical bills. Under the new rules, short-term travelers may be required to obtain private health insurance and their entry could be denied if they have a history of not paying medical costs. Immigration authorities will gain access to medical records via coordination between the Health Ministry and the Immigration Agency to screen for past defaults before granting entry. Additionally, visa renewal procedures for longer stays could soon demand proof of insurance and tax compliance. With foreign arrivals hitting nearly 37 million in 2024 and a 60 million-target by 2030, these reforms aim to protect Japan’s public services while continuing to encourage responsible tourism.

On June 6, 2025, a passenger aboard Garuda Indonesia (GA) Flight 716 from Jakarta (JKK) to Melbourne (MEL) reported his iPhone missing after it was left in the seat-back pocket during takeoff. He tracked the device via Find My iPhone to the Mercure Hotel, where Garuda crew members were staying, and later watched its signal move toward and into the nearby Yarra River. In response, Garuda temporarily suspended the entire cabin crew from that flight and dispatched personnel to assist the passenger and coordinate with local authorities, while launching an internal investigation. The phone remains unaccounted for, and the incident has drawn significant public attention amid growing concerns over onboard security.

Icelandair (FI) carried approximately 448,000 passengers in May 2025—a 13 percent increase compared to the same month a year ago—with strong inbound traffic to Iceland climbing around 18 percent year-over-year. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometers, grew roughly 14 percent, while revenue passenger kilometers also rose by the same margin. The airline’s average load factor hovered around 79–80 percent, and year-to-date passenger volume has topped 1.6 million. Despite slightly lower yields—due to competitive fare discounting, particularly on transatlantic routes—on-time performance remained solid at approximately 84 percent, and freight traffic edged up two  percent, highlighting Icelandair’s overall operational resilience and sustained demand into mid‑2025.

In May 2025, Latvia’s airBaltic (BT) carried 458,900 passengers, marking a six  percent increase year-over-year, while achieving an all-time high May load factor of 78.6 percent. Despite operating slightly fewer flights (about 4,300, down 0.4 percent), this record occupancy reflected strong efficiency. Looking at its 2024 financials, the airline reported revenue of approximately $814 million alongside a $135 million net loss, which airBaltic attributed to engine depreciation, currency headwinds, and financing costs. Overall, the strong seasonal performance underscores robust demand and operational improvements heading into mid‑2025.

Canadian authorities have granted Porter Airlines (PD) approval to launch flights to the United Kingdom, marking a major milestone in the airline’s international expansion plans. The approval paves the way for Porter to begin transatlantic service using its growing fleet of Embraer E195-E2 jets, with London as the likely inaugural destination, although Bermuda and other U.K. territories in the Caribbean (Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Turks & Caicos) could be eyed as well. While no official launch date has been announced, the airline has signaled its intent to target key leisure and business routes, complementing its existing North American network.

Canada’s WestJet (WS) has placed an order for seven additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft as part of its ongoing fleet modernization and expansion strategy. These new jets, expected to be delivered over the next few years, will support WestJet’s efforts to enhance fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and increase capacity across its domestic and transborder network. The order includes both MAX 8 and MAX 10 variants.

A Rome appeals court has ruled that Aeroitalia (XZ) must rebrand—including changing its name, logo, and aircraft livery—by January 1, 2026, after finding its branding too similar to Alitalia (now owned by ITA Airways), which risks causing consumer confusion. The airline is also required to shut down its aeroitalia.com domain within days of the ruling and faces a €1,000 daily fine for non-compliance. Though the decision overturned an earlier lower-court dismissal, Aeroitalia’s CEO says the carrier will consider appealing to Italy’s Supreme Court but is already working on selecting a new name and visual identity. The ruling underscores the strength of trademark protections for legacy brands like Alitalia and poses a costly challenge for the young airline as it navigates its branding strategy and growth plans.

Ryanair (FR) has announced a $500 million order for 30 additional CFM LEAP‑1B engines from the GE–Safran joint venture, aimed at bolstering its spare engine inventory to over 120 units and enhancing operational resilience. These fuel-efficient engines are expected to cut fuel burn and CO₂ emissions per seat by up to 20 percent on its Boeing 737 MAX fleet, reinforcing Ryanair’s cost leadership in Europe. Deliveries are scheduled over the next two years and will support both the current 737 MAX 8 “Gamechanger” jets and the upcoming MAX‑10s starting in 2027, as the airline targets a fleet expansion of 800 Boeings and a rise in annual passenger traffic to 300 million by 2034.

Two recent American Airlines flights encountered severe mid-air turbulence, resulting in injuries to three flight attendants, according to FAA reports. The first incident involved Flight AA37—a Boeing 777-223/ER from Madrid (MAD) to Dallas/Fort Worth—where two crew members were hurt at 38,000 ft near Memphis (MEM), though the aircraft landed safely after about 2 hours and 10 minutes and was temporarily grounded for 20 hours. Shortly afterward, Flight AA2561—an Airbus A319 from Houston (IAH) to Philadelphia (PHL) —hit turbulence, injuring another attendant; the plane landed without incident and remained grounded for roughly 5.5 hours.

American Airlines has updated its policy to prioritize “deadheading” pilots—those traveling as passengers to position themselves for upcoming flights—over even its most elite loyalty members, including Executive Platinum and ConciergeKey, when allocating unsold first‑class seats at check‑in. Introduced as part of the 2023 pilot contract, these pilots are coded in the system to automatically receive the highest upgrade priority, ahead of all revenue passengers. While the policy doesn’t revoke upgrades once confirmed, it has frustrated elite flyers who report being passed over for pilots in uniform. Bear in mind that this change reflects industry norms, as union pilots at other major carriers have secured similar perks.

Envoy Air (MQ) has significantly expanded its regional fleet with a firm order for 33 new Embraer E175 jets, scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027, increasing its total fleet commitment to 214 aircraft (171 E175s and 43 E170s). The expansion builds on prior aircraft additions this year, reinforcing the airline’s position as the largest regional carrier within the American Airlines Group and enhancing its ability to support growing regional demand.

Piedmont Airlines (PT), another wholly owned regional subsidiary of American Airlines, is set to acquire Embraer E175 jets for the first time, marking a major evolution in its fleet strategy. Traditionally operating smaller Bombardier Dash 8 turboprops and CRJ jets, the addition of E175s will enable Piedmont to offer a more modern, spacious, and efficient product in line with American’s broader regional service. The aircraft will enhance Piedmont’s ability to operate longer routes and provide first-class seating, better aligning with the parent airline’s premium regional standards. Deliveries are expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.

Breeze Airways (MX) has received U.S. Department of Transportation approval to begin international service, marking a significant milestone for the low-cost carrier. The authorization clears the way for Breeze to launch flights beyond the U.S., with the airline expected to initially focus on routes to Mexico and the Caribbean. While Breeze has not yet announced specific destinations or launch dates, the approval aligns with its long-term expansion strategy and growing fleet of Airbus A220 aircraft. The move will allow Breeze to compete more broadly in the leisure travel market, especially on underserved or secondary routes where demand for affordable international options is rising.

Alaska Airlines (AS) has been forced to cancel around 14 flights daily through the end of July after deciding not to take delivery of two new Embraer 175 regional jets, citing a 10% tariff imposed on Brazilian-built aircraft. These aircraft, destined for its Horizon Air (QX) subsidiary, were expected by May, but the carrier determined the tariff-related costs were unsustainable and chose to trim service rather than pass on expenses to consumers. Alaska emphasized that cancellations will affect only routes with alternate service, and it will work to rebook impacted passengers, while citing the importance of controlling costs amidst economic uncertainty.

Here are the 30 busiest domestic routes Alaska Airlines currently operates in an average month, with over 20 hitting the carrier’s main base in Seattle (SEA):

UNI Air (B7), a regional carrier and subsidiary of Taiwan’s EVA Air (BR), has placed a firm order for 19 new ATR 72‑600 turboprops—the largest such order for ATR since 2017—with options for three additional aircraft. Valued at approximately $437 million, the delivery schedule runs from 2027 to 2032, with the new aircraft set to replace and expand its current fleet of 14 ATR 72‑600s. Equipped with next‑gen PW127XT engines, upgraded cabins, and a modern Air Management System, these aircraft promise better fuel efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and enhanced passenger comfort. UNI Air’s fleet renewal supports its mission to improve domestic connectivity across Taiwan—especially to outlying islands like Kinmen, Penghu, and Matsu—while reinforcing its domestic network from Taipei Songshan (TSA).

UPDATE: Silver Airways (3M) has ceased all operations, with the airline’s assets sold off in bankrtupcy.

POLICE BLOTTER 🚨

A 29-year-old Delta passenger, identified as Joseph Johnson, was arrested on June 8 after stealing a backpack containing about $4,000 in valuables from the Salt Lake City (SLC) Sky Club following his removal for intoxicated behavior. During his arrest, he allegedly lunged for a police officer’s holstered firearm, prompting a takedown and the use of a restraint device. Once secured in a patrol vehicle, he continued resisting by repeatedly banging his head against the interior glass. Johnson now faces multiple serious charges, including theft, attempting to disarm an officer, resisting arrest, and public intoxication.

On June 5, a federal jury convicted Tiron Alexander, 35, of wire fraud and entering into a secure area of an airport by false pretenses.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from 2018 to 2024, Alexander booked free flights on an airline carrier’s website that were only available to pilots and flight attendants. In total, Alexander flew on 34 flights with the airline carrier without paying for any of them by posing as a flight attendant who worked for other airlines. Over the 34 flights, Alexander claimed through the airline carrier’s website application process—a process that required an applicant to select whether they were a pilot or flight attendant and provide their employer, date of hire, and badge number information—that he worked for seven different airlines and had approximately 30 different badge numbers and dates of hire. The evidence at trial also showed that Alexander posed as a flight attendant on three other airline carriers. Ultimately, Alexander booked more than 120 free flights by falsely claiming to be a flight attendant. Sentencing is set for August 25.

On June 5, a federal jury convicted Tiron Alexander, 35, of wire fraud and entering into a secure area of an airport by false pretenses.

John Charles Robinson, 23, of Monroe, Mich., was arrested last Thursday on a criminal complaint for calling Spirit Airlines (NK) and reporting a fake bomb threat for a flight departing from Detroit (DTW) earlier that day.

According to the affidavit, at approximately 6:25 am, an individual later identified as Robinson, used a cellphone to call into Spirit Airlines and conveyed false information about a bomb threat to Flight 2145 departing from Detroit bound for Los Angeles (LAX). During the call, Robinson stated in part, “I was calling about 2145… because I have information about that flight,” and “there’s gonna be someone who’s gonna try to blow up the airport,” and “there’s gonna be someone that’s gonna try to blow up that flight, 2145.” After giving a description of an individual, he then stated: “they’re going to be carrying a bomb through the TSA,” and “they’re still threatening to do it, they’re still attempted to do it, they said it’s not going to be able to be detected. Please don’t let that flight board.” The flight was immediately canceled, and the flight’s passengers and crew were deplaned. Bomb sniffing dogs and FBI agents were deployed to sweep the airplane. No bomb or explosives were found.

Agents soon learned that Robinson was booked on Flight 2145 but missed the flight and was told at the gate that he needed to rebook. FBI agents subsequently arrested Robinson when he returned to the airport to depart on another flight bound for Los Angeles.