Flightline for June 26, 2025

Flight 7 // Fort Worth, Texas

NEW AND PROPOSED ROUTES  

Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) will resume flights from Hong Kong (HKG) to Adelaide, Australia (ADL) on November 11 with 3x weekly Airbus A350-900 service. This route was last flown in 2020.

Launched in May, TAP Air Portugal’s (TP) 3x weekly service from Lisbon (LIS) to Los Angeles (LAX) will now become a year-round route. At 4,944 miles, this is the longest sector in TAP’s network.

Boliviana de Aviacion (OB) reportedly plans to begin twice weekly flights from Santa Cruz, Bolivia (VVI) to Washington Dulles (IAD) later this year. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted Boliviana approval to operate until at least March 31, 2026. Specific dates and routing have not been announced so far. A tip of the Steston to X’s IshrionA for pointing this one out.

Venezuela’s Conviasa (V0) will soon begin weekly flights from Caracas (CCS) to Guangzhou, China (CAN), with a stop along the way at Moscow Vnukovo (VKO). This route will be operated by Airbus A340-600 equipment.

JetBlue Airways (B6) will add twice daily service from Newark, N.J. (EWR) to Las Vegas (LAS) on January 5. This route will be operated by Airbus A321 equipment with JetBlue’s Mint business class seating.

Breeze Airways (MX) has asked the Department of Transportation for permission to adjust its Essential Air Service (EAS) contract at Ogdensburg, N.Y. (OGS). Breeze seeks to split the route from flying 7x weekly to Washington Dulles to 4x weekly at Washington and 3x weekly to Raleigh, N.C. (RDU).

Volaris Costa Rica (Q6) is set the begin three new routes from San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) next week: Orlando (MCO) on July 1, Tulum, Mexico (TQO) on July 2, and Miami (MIA) on July 4.

Scandinavian Airlines (SK) will begin 5x weekly service from Copenhagen (CPH) and Mumbai, India (BOM) on June 2, 2026. This route, the first for Scandinavian to India in 17 years, will see an Airbus A330-300 rostered.

Delta Air Lines (DL) will begin 4x weekly service from Seattle (SEA) to Rome (FCO) on May 6, as well as a 3x weekly run from Seattle to Barcelona (BCN) on May 7. Both routes will be operated by Airbus A330neo equipment. You will no doubt recall Alaska Airlines (AS) recently announced Seattle to Rome as its first long-haul route, with rumors on Barcelona being a futue addition. Delta isn’t shrinking from a fight in Seattle.

Canada’s Porter Airlines (PD) is set to add 13 new routes in a big international boost in mid-December:

• Hamilton, Ont. (YHM) to Cancun (CUN), Nassau, Bahamas (NAS), and Puerto Vallarta (PVR).

• Ottawa (YOW) and Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Cancun, Grand Cayman (CGM), Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR), and Nassau.

WET-LEASE ROUTES

Yesterday Air Europa (UX) began operating a daily wet-lease run from Madrid (MAD) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) on behalf of Etihad Airways (EY), with a 339-seat Boeing 787-9 deployed on the sector.

DROPPED ROUTES

Brazil’s Azul (AD) has zeroed out reservations for its Belo Horizonte (CNF) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) route.

Flair Airlines (F8) has removed winter service from Montreal Trudeau (YUL) to Fort Lauderdale from its schedule.

AVIATION SECURITY

TSA expects to screen over 18.5 million travelers at the nation’s airport security checkpoints during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. This year’s projection includes Tuesday, July 1, through Monday, July 7, with the highest passenger volume – approximately 2.9 million – expected on Sunday, July 6. TSA screened 3,096,293 travelers on Sunday, June 22, the busiest single day in the agency’s 23-year history. This includes a single day record of nealry 114,000 at Chicago O’Hare (ORD).

AVIATION INDUSTRY NEWS 🗞️ 

Latin American aviation surged in June 2025, achieving a record 41.2 million scheduled seats, up 4.1 percent on June 2024, with 154 airlines serving 531 airports. Low-cost carriers (LCCs) led the growth—capacity grew 6.1 percent, reaching 16.4 million seats, nearly double the growth of full-service airlines. Argentina drove the strongest country-level expansion with a 14.8 percent surge, adding 288,000 seats, while Brazil remained the largest market at 11.6 million seats(+10.5 percent). JetSMART (JA) increased capacity by 32.2 percent, supported by Airbus A321neos and favorable Argentine regulations, and Brazil’s GOL (G3) grew 21.5 percent following restructuring. São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) overtook Bogotá as the busiest airport, and Buenos Aires saw a 31.1 percent surge in seats. International capacity (35 percent of total) also rose five percent, with strong intra‑regional (+10 percent) and Asia‑Pacific (+65 percent) growth.

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sanctioned Air India (AI) over repeated and serious violations of crew scheduling regulations, discovered after the airline implemented a new flight and crew management system. Spot checks on flights AI133 between Bengaluru (BLR) and London Heathrow (LHR) on May 16–17, 2025, revealed crews exceeded the legally mandated 10-hour flight duty limit. The DGCA ordered the removal of three senior crew-scheduling officials—Vice President Choorah Singh, Chief Manager Pinky Mittal, and planning lead Payal Arora—from operational roles, barring them from safety-related positions until internal proceedings are completed, with formal reports due within 10 days. Issued on June 20, 2025, the order warned that further breaches could result in fines, license suspensions, or even withdrawal of Air India’s operating permits. Air India has acknowledged the findings and begun the required disciplinary actions, reaffirming its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

Cincinnati (CVG) is adding over 30 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations as part of a major sustainability initiative funded through a federal grant. The $1.3 million project is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as part of the Airport Improvement Program, which aids airports in reducing emissions and improving environmental stewardship. The new charging stations will be installed across multiple airport parking facilities, supporting both travelers and employees as EV adoption grows.

Taiwan’s China Airlines (CI) has delayed the scheduled retirement of several aging Airbus A330s and Boeing 737‑800s due to delays in receiving its Boeing 787‑9 deliveries, which were expected by late 2025. In response, the airline has extended leases on these older aircraft and is reserving the right to seek compensation from Boeing if the holdup results from supply chain issues covered by their contract. Despite this setback to its $12 billion fleet renewal—split between Boeing and Airbus—the airline remains optimistic, pointing to future capacity increases with upcoming 777‑9s and A350‑1000s, the opening of a new Taoyuan terminal, and growth plans for its Mandarin Airlines subsidiary.

TURBULENCE INJURES FIVE: Five people—three flight attendants and two passengers—were taken to a North Carolina hospital after American Airlines (AA) Flight 1286 from Miami to Raleigh, N.C. (RDU) encountered unexpected turbulence late Sunday night. The aircraft landed safely at Raleigh around 11:30 p.m., where airport fire and rescue crews met the flight and transported the injured for evaluation. Fortunately, all five have since been released.

Turkish Airlines (TK) has restored its fare content to the Sabre global distribution system (GDS), marking a significant step toward rebuilding its relationships with travel agencies and corporate clients. The move follows a suspension in early 2024 when Turkish Airlines removed its fares from Sabre amid a broader industry debate over distribution costs and content access. With the reinstatement, Sabre-connected agents and platforms once again have full access to Turkish Airlines’ inventory, helping streamline bookings and expand reach across global markets.

Air France (AF) is reducing capacity on U.S. routes by nearly six percent in September and October.

Israel’s government has approved an $8 billion state-backed war insurance package to protect both Israeli and foreign airlines operating from Tel Aviv (TLV). The coverage, which awaits implementation once Israeli airspace reopens, is designed to help carriers secure wartime insurance policies and encourage sustained flight operations amid ongoing regional tensions.

MAY 2025 SPANISH AIRPORT PASSENGER TRAFFIC 🇪🇸 

AIR CARGO 📦️ 

AeroUnion (6R), a Mexico-based cargo airline, has officially rebranded as Avianca Cargo Mexico as part of a strategic move to strengthen its integration within the Avianca Cargo network. The rebranding reflects Aerounion’s alignment with Avianca’s broader growth and modernization plans across Latin America. Operating primarily out of Mexico City (MEX) and Guadalajara (GDL), the carrier will continue its core all-cargo services while adopting Avianca’s branding, corporate identity, and service standards.

FEDEX FOUNDER FRED SMITH PASSES AWAY

Frederick W. Smith, the pioneering founder of FedEx (FX) who reshaped the logistics industry and revolutionized overnight delivery, has died at the age of 80.

Smith founded Federal Express in 1971, inspired by a Yale term paper that envisioned an integrated air-and-ground system designed to deliver time-sensitive shipments. In 1973, the company launched operations with a fleet of 14 small aircraft based in Memphis, Tenn. (MEM) — then an unconventional choice that later became one of the busiest cargo hubs in the world thanks to his vision.

The company’s early years were fraught with financial peril. Famously, when FedEx was on the verge of collapse and unable to cover fuel bills, Smith took the company’s remaining $5,000 to Las Vegas and won $27,000 at a blackjack table heater—enough to keep the planes flying until more funding could be secured. It was a legendary gamble that helped launch what would become a global delivery giant.

Under Smith’s leadership, FedEx grew into one of the largest logistics and express transportation companies in the world, serving more than 220 countries and territories. He served as CEO until 2022, leaving behind a legacy defined by innovation, resilience, and a relentless commitment to reliability.

Fred Smith leaves behind a transformed industry and a world more connected because of his unwavering belief that absolutely, positively, a package could get there overnight. There is already talk of renaming the Memphis airport after Smith.

LATEST AIRCRAFT DELIVERIES 🛫 

HL8574, a Boeing 787-10, was delivered to Korean Air on June 24.

HL8703, a Boeing 787-9, was delivered to Air Premia on June 23.

N250FE, a Boeing 767-300/ER/F, was delivered to FedEx on June 24.

N783YX, an Embraer ERJ-175, was delivered to Republic Airways (YX) on June 23. Painted in United Express livery.

N8959Q, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Southwest Airlines (WN) on June 23.

N8962L, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Southwest Airlines on June 24.

AIRCRAFT RETIREMENTS 🛬 

G-DBCH, an Airbus A319-131 with British Airways (BA), was withdrawn from use (wfu) and ferried on June 20 to Cornwall, England (NQY) for part-out and scrap.

AIRLINE STOCKS 💰️ 

$AAL ( ▲ 0.52% )  $ALGT ( ▲ 2.05% )  $ALK ( ▲ 0.33% )  $BA ( ▲ 1.84% )  $DAL ( ▲ 1.46% )  $FLYY ( ▲ 4.07% )  $JBLU ( ▼ 0.22% )  $LUV ( ▲ 0.27% )  $MESA ( ▲ 0.03% )  $RJET ( 0.0% )  $SNCY ( ▲ 0.88% )  $UAL ( ▲ 1.67% )  $ULCC ( ▲ 3.49% )  

DAILY PASSENGER COUNTS AT U.S. AIRPORTS, 2024 vs. 2025

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