Air Travel Consumer Report Released, Southwest Airlines Scales Back Hiring, and More
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U.S. Air Travel Improves: February 2023 Air Travel Consumer Report Highlights Key Developments
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released the Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) for February 2023, highlighting airline operational data on on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and wheelchairs and scooters.
Cancellations have remained below 2% in the first two months of 2023, much lower than last year's 2.7% rate. The DOT has taken measures to improve airline customer service, leading to 10 airlines guaranteeing meals and free rebooking in cases of cancellations or delays due to airline issues.
In February 2023, 526,543 flights were operated, up 6.04% YoY. On-time arrival rates reached 79.5%, and mishandled baggage rates were at 0.61%. source
Toyota and Joby Aviation Strengthen Partnership to Accelerate eVTOL Mass Production
Joby Aviation, a California-based eVTOL developer, has extended its partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation to accelerate the mass production of electric passenger aircraft in the US.
Toyota, Joby's largest external shareholder, will supply key powertrain and actuation components for eVTOL production. The automaker will also share its manufacturing, quality, and cost-control expertise.
The components will be designed by Joby and manufactured by Toyota before being assembled at Joby's San Carlos facility and integrated into eVTOLs at its pilot production line in Marina. Joby is working with Toyota's subsidiary Aero Asahi on a taxi shuttle service in Japan and seeking certification from the FAA and JCAB. source
GE Aerospace Wins $684M Contract for CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter Engines
GE Aerospace has secured a $683.7 million contract with NAVAIR for the production of T408 engines for the US Marine Corps' Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopters. The contract covers the sixth, seventh, and eighth lots of engines, with delivery scheduled between 2024 and 2027.
The advanced T408 engine offers 7,500 shaft horsepower, a 57% increase from its predecessor, the GE Aerospace T64. The T408 also boasts 18% better fuel consumption and 63% fewer parts, enhancing reliability and maintainability.
GE facilities in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Kentucky, Ohio, and Florida will contribute parts for the contract, while Germany-based MTU Aero Engines will produce the power turbine. source
Collins Aerospace Eyes Expansion into Military Helicopter Seating Market
At the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit, Collins Aerospace exhibited its integrated seat solution for military helicopters. Known for avionics and autonomy integration, the company is exploring opportunities in military rotorcraft pilot seats.
Collins' integrated seat combines a pilot seat and flight controls in one assembly, offering weight and space savings, simplified design and integration, and requiring fewer spare parts.
Utilizing thermoplastics, the seat provides cost advantages, and integrated cyclical and collective controls save weight. Collins is in talks with Bell for the V-280 and is targeting other military projects, such as heavy vertical lift aircraft and UH-60 modernization. source
United Airlines Experiments with New Boarding Strategy
United Airlines is testing a new boarding process at select U.S. airports, including the potential addition of a sixth boarding group. The current process involves five boarding groups and a pre-boarding option.
The proposed changes would maintain Groups 1-3 while altering eligibility for Groups 4 and 5 and adding a Group 6 for Basic Economy passengers. United Economy passengers would be split into two separate groups based on seat location, with middle-seat passengers boarding earlier.
These changes aim to improve boarding efficiency by reducing delays caused by passengers needing to get up for others to take their seats further into the row. source
Why Are Flights So Expensive? The Complex Factors Behind Skyrocketing Airfares
Several factors, including a shortage of planes, increased demand, staff shortages, rising oil prices, and aircraft maintenance challenges, are driving up flight prices. The pandemic led airlines to ground many planes, and it is taking time to prepare them for service again.
People's eagerness to travel after restrictions have increased their willingness to pay higher fares. The industry is struggling to re-hire staff, leading to higher wages and, in turn, higher prices.
Additionally, oil prices are higher than in 2019, impacting airlines' expenses, and maintenance challenges for grounded planes and new engines have further strained capacity. source
787-10 Explorer Joins Boeing's ecoDemonstrator Program to Test Emission-Reducing Technologies
Boeing is expanding its ecoDemonstrator program with the addition of a 787-10 ecoDemonstrator Explorer. The aircraft will conduct flight tests in June 2023 between Seattle, Washington, and Tokyo, Singapore, and Bangkok, aiming to improve operational efficiency and reduce fuel use and emissions by up to 10%.
The 787-10 will use the highest permissible blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at each city, currently set at 50%. The ecoDemonstrator program, initiated in 2012, tests sustainability-focused technologies in real-world environments.
By the end of 2023, Boeing plans to have tested around 250 innovations to decarbonize aviation and enhance efficiency, safety, and passenger experience. source
Southwest Airlines Scales Back Hiring Amid Boeing Aircraft Delays
Southwest Airlines is cutting back on its 2023 hiring targets due to delays in receiving new aircraft from Boeing. CEO Bob Jordan announced that the airline will now receive only 70 Boeing 737 Max planes this year, down from the initial forecast of 90.
This reduction will decrease Southwest's capacity growth plans by one percentage point. The company originally planned to add 7,000 staff members this year but must now "moderate" its hiring goals.
The delays have forced Southwest to adjust flight plans for the last few months of the year, impacting thousands of customers. source
Lufthansa's Airbus A350 Takes to the Skies as a Climate Research Lab
In collaboration with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Lufthansa is converting an Airbus A350-900 "Erfurt" into a flying climate research laboratory.
The project, part of the European Research Infrastructure IAGOS (In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System), recently completed a successful test-flight with a specialized measuring probe system attached to the aircraft's fuselage.
From 2024, the aircraft will gather comprehensive climate data during regular passenger flights for IAGOS-CARIBIC. Over the next few months, a two-ton measurement laboratory will be installed, with 20 instruments to record various trace gases, aerosol, and cloud parameters from ground level up to the tropopause region. source
All Nippon Airways Scraps SpaceJet Order as Mitsubishi Discontinues Development
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has canceled its order for 15 SpaceJet M90 aircraft after Mitsubishi discontinued the program. The SpaceJet M90 was designed to compete in regional markets with the Embraer E170 and E175 aircraft types.
However, development delays, insufficient orders, the pandemic, and technical issues made the program unprofitable. Mitsubishi struggled to form partnerships and secure support from global developers.
ANA will now consider alternative aircraft based on market trends, with the Embraer E195-E2 jets and the Airbus A220 family series being potential options for the future of regional air travel. source
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