5G Deadline Raises Concerns of Airline Delays from July 1st, Irish Lessor Threatens to Ground Frontier's Aircraft, and More
Aviation news brief June 26
Dear readers,
Welcome to AviationOutlook newsletter, your one-stop source for the most relevant aviation news briefs and industry insights (every weekday).
Here are the exciting aviation industry updates for today. Let’s get started.
Upcoming 5G Deadline Raises Concerns of Airline Delays from July 1st
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has warned of potential airline delays or cancellations starting from July 1st if passenger jets have not upgraded their altimeters to handle 5G interference.
The FAA has raised concerns that 5G C-band signals could interfere with altimeters, which are crucial for measuring an aircraft's distance from the ground during low-visibility landings. While airlines are not required to upgrade until February 2024, planes without the necessary certification for operating around C-band 5G signals will not be allowed to land in certain low-visibility situations.
Most US domestic airlines have completed the upgrades, but around 65% of international jets still need fixing. The industry aims to minimize disruptions, with airlines prioritizing planes equipped with the required altimeters for flights to the US. source
Strong Demand Drives Surge in Aircraft Orders for Airbus, Despite Economic Worries
Despite global economic concerns, aircraft orders are surging for Airbus, according to CEO Guillaume Faury. The company recently secured a record commercial order of 500 A320 aircraft from Indian budget airliner IndiGo, valued at $55 billion. Faury stated that airlines are not experiencing a slowdown in bookings and are witnessing strong demand with high prices.
This increased demand has created production challenges for aircraft manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing, as they face supply chain issues with engines, chips, and labor.
The travel industry is rebounding as COVID-19 restrictions ease, prompting airlines to hire back staff and fulfill the pent-up demand. In 2021, airlines and lessors have ordered more Airbus and Boeing jets than in 2019. While Airbus dominates the narrow-body airplane market, Boeing leads in the bigger jets segment. source
Russia Raises Overflight Charges by 20% to Compensate for Economic Losses
Russia has increased its overflight charges by 20% in an effort to generate revenue and recover from the economic impact of Western sanctions.
The price hike comes as President Vladimir Putin aims to support military initiatives and sustain a prolonged war. The increased fees will mainly affect airlines from allied or neutral nations, particularly Chinese carriers that frequently traverse Russian airspace.
Western airlines have been avoiding Russian airspace for the past 16 months due to sanctions, leading to a decline in revenue for the Kremlin. The decision to raise charges may impact flight paths and ticket prices, while airlines weigh their options amidst fierce competition and the demand for flights. source
Asia-Pacific Steps Up Efforts for Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Reduce Carbon Footprint
The Asia-Pacific region is catching up with Europe and North America in the race to reduce the carbon footprint of airlines. Finnish biofuel producer Neste has expanded its biofuel refinery in Singapore, allowing Asian airlines to source sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from used cooking oil and waste animal fat.
SAF emits up to 80% less carbon dioxide than standard jet fuel. While SAF production in 2022 was around 300 million liters globally, Neste's refinery in Singapore has an annual capacity of 1.26 billion liters.
Asian governments are increasingly supporting SAF initiatives, and airlines in the region are seeking less-polluting options. source
Irish Lessor Threatens to Ground Frontier Airlines' Aircraft, Legal Battle Ensues
Irish aircraft leasing company AMCK Aviation has threatened to ground or impound 14 of Frontier Airlines' Airbus A320-200N aircraft, leading to a legal dispute between the two parties.
Frontier Airlines, a low-cost carrier based in the United States, obtained a temporary restraining order against AMCK Aviation to prevent the grounding. Frontier argues that such action would have damaging implications, disrupting operations and grounding about 10% of its fleet.
The airline is also unhappy with the recent acquisition of AMCK Aviation by the Carlyle Group, claiming that its assets were raided without consent. Frontier operates entirely on leased aircraft, and a grounding would significantly impact its operations. source
AirAsia Group Plans Expansion with Addition of Nineteen Airbus A320 Aircraft in 2023
AirAsia Group, led by CEO Tony Fernandes, plans to expand its fleet by adding nineteen Airbus A320 aircraft in 2023. The group aims to reactivate all 204 of its parked planes by August, achieving 100% pre-pandemic capacity.
AirAsia's airline interests include AirAsia, AirAsia X, Philippines AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia X, Thai AirAsia, and Thai AirAsia X. Additionally, Fernandes mentioned future orders for 362 A321-200NX aircraft, deliveries of which are scheduled from 2024.
AirAsia X will also receive fifteen widebody aircraft for its long-haul operations and potentially up to twenty A321-200NY(XLR)s. Fernandes expects the group to exit the financially distressed PN17 list later this year. source
Stormy Weather and Air Traffic Control Troubles Create Flight Delays
Severe thunderstorms and an air traffic control facility issue caused significant disruptions to air travel, with over 9,600 flights delayed and 1,405 canceled on Sunday.
The storms affected several major airports across the United States, and the FAA temporarily halted departures to Washington D.C.-area airports due to repairs needed at an air traffic control facility. The ground stops were lifted within an hour, and a backup system handled communications during the repairs.
Delays persisted, with Washington Dulles experiencing average delays of around 90 minutes. Multiple airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue Airways, reported a high percentage of delayed flights due to the weather conditions. source
RECARO Launches X-Tend Seat, Enabling Airlines to Maximize Passenger Numbers on Airbus Aircraft
RECARO Aircraft Seating has introduced a new seating solution called the X-Tend Seat, designed to enhance cabin efficiency on Airbus aircraft. The seat, specifically developed for short- and mid-range economy cabins on narrowbody Airbus planes, includes an over-wing exit seat with an extended seat bottom.
By incorporating this seating solution, RECARO claims that airlines can increase passenger numbers while adhering to EASA and FAA requirements.
The X-Tend Seat enables an A320 aircraft to accommodate 194 passengers instead of the usual 190, optimizing cabin space and supporting sustainability objectives by reducing the need for additional flights. source
American Airlines Faces Backlash Over Poor Delay Handling and Communication
American Airlines recently faced criticism for its handling of delays, highlighting the challenges airlines face when dealing with disruptions. During a recent trip, a passenger experienced a series of delays and poor communication from the airline.
The delays were not due to weather conditions but rather a lack of available crew or aircraft, raising concerns about over-scheduling and insufficient backup resources. Passengers were left waiting for hours without clear updates or assistance. source
For Latest Aviation News Updates Throughout The Day Visit aviationoutlook.com
Bookmark this page (aviationoutlook.com) to get all your aviation/aerospace news in one place. Relevant aviation news minus noise. Carefully selected and updated daily.