Boeing Nears Major Deal with Ryanair, FAA Struggles with Certification Backlog & More
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Boeing Nears Major Deal with Ryanair for 737 Max 10 Aircraft
Ryanair Holdings Plc is reportedly close to ordering approximately 150 Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft, with a potential addition of 50 options, as the travel industry rebounds following the end of the coronavirus pandemic.
The major purchase of Boeing's largest 737 variant from one of its most significant customers highlights the resurgence of airlines investing in fleet upgrades.
Ryanair, Boeing's largest European customer, predicts a summer booking surge, particularly for short-haul routes to popular destinations. The deal announcement may come as early as Tuesday. source
BermudAir Targets Niche Market with All-Business Class Flights
BermudAir, a luxury airline startup, is seeking a foreign air carrier permit from the Department of Transportation to begin operations in the U.S. The airline plans to fly two leased Embraer E175 aircraft, offering an all-business class cabin for 30 passengers.
BermudAir aims to start with three routes: Bermuda to Boston, Fort Lauderdale, and White Plains. The airline's business model targets a niche demographic, focusing on providing a premium experience for executives traveling to and from Bermuda. source
FAA Struggles with Certification Backlog, Affecting Drone Operators and Charter Services
The FAA is facing a significant backlog in certification applications, delaying entrepreneurs in the aviation sector, including drone operators and charter services. The backlog has been exacerbated by a surge in agricultural drone applications and private charter service requests due to the pandemic.
Flight school certifications and pilot exam scheduling are also impacted, with waits of up to three years and eight to twelve weeks, respectively. The FAA aims to reduce the backlog and speed up certification applications, planning to add about 100 designated pilot examiners in 2023. source
Why Airlines Continue to Fail in India's Growing Aviation Industry?
Go Airlines India Ltd (Go First) has become the latest airline to face financial troubles in India's booming aviation market. Despite the growth in the industry, Indian airlines face a combination of low ticket prices, high fuel taxes, and intense competition, which the pandemic has worsened.
Government assistance has been limited, with some administrations encouraging even lower prices. Although the market is appealing, with a young population and a rapidly growing economy, the struggles of several high-profile carriers, including Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways India Ltd, highlight the challenges faced by airlines in India. source
Vertical Aerospace Delays VX-4 eVTOL Certification to Late 2026
Vertical Aerospace has announced a delay in achieving type certifications for its VX-4 eVTOL aircraft, now targeting approval by the end of 2026 instead of 2025. The UK-based company cited technical issues related to the certification process and regulatory gaps as the primary reasons for the delay.
With cash reserves of £104 million ($131 million) and an operating loss of £23 million in Q1 2023, Vertical plans to start another round of fundraising this year.
Customers, including American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Babcock, will now have to wait until late 2026 for the aircraft's certification completion. source
Republic Airways Faces Backlash Over $100,000 Fine for Pilots Leaving Early
Regional carrier Republic Airways is facing backlash for its new pilot contract, which includes a $100,000 fine for pilots who leave the airline within the first three years.
The contract is part of the Republic Airways New First Officer Career Advancement Program, aimed at retaining pilots amid a US pilot shortage. The Teamsters union, representing the airline's pilots, filed a grievance against Republic and plans to challenge the agreement, stating it undermines the collective bargaining agreement. source
Air New Zealand Reactivates Stored 777 Amid Surging Demand
Air New Zealand is bringing its last stored Boeing 777-300ER back into service as customer demand reaches an all-time high.
The aircraft, which has been stored in Victorville, California, since 2020, will return to commercial service on May 13, flying to San Francisco. The airline had stored its fleet of 777-300ERs in 2020 due to pandemic-related travel demand collapse.
Additionally, Air New Zealand plans to repaint eight of its De Havilland Dash-8 Q300s in its black-and-white livery at Airbus facilities in Blenheim, New Zealand. source
Soaring Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents on Planes Raise Safety Concerns
A CBS News investigation found that lithium-ion battery incidents on airplanes have risen by 42% in the last five years, with at least one incident occurring every week in the US since 2021.
These incidents pose a significant risk to passenger safety, as lithium-ion batteries can cause unmanageable fires on aircraft. The FAA is working to update its rules and improve containment measures, while some airlines are using thermal containment bags to help control fires.
Meanwhile, startup Pure Lithium is developing a non-flammable lithium-metal battery that could replace lithium-ion batteries in the future. source
Emirates SkyCargo Leases Two 747-400 Freighters
Emirates SkyCargo has temporarily leased two older Boeing 747-400 freighters to meet growing demand while awaiting new aircraft orders.
Michigan-based Kalitta Air is operating the 747s to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, while Aerotranscargo is handling flights to Hong Kong.
Emirates SkyCargo, the fourth-largest air cargo carrier by volume, plans to double its cargo capacity and expand its freighter network over the next decade. The company has 15 new and used aircraft in the pipeline and committed to buying five 777 freighters from Boeing, with deliveries expected in 2024 and 2025. source
Structural Batteries Offer a New Approach to Electric Aircraft
Researchers in Europe are exploring the potential of structural batteries to help reduce emissions in the aviation industry. Conventional lithium-ion batteries are not energy-dense enough for large-scale aircraft, but structural batteries, which integrate energy storage into the plane's components, could be a solution.
These batteries could be used in cabin walls, floor panels, and wings, providing power to cabin electronics and avionics without adding extra weight.
While researchers are still working on the technology, integrating structural batteries into passenger jets could potentially save thousands of tons of emissions annually by making aircraft engines more energy-efficient. source
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