France Bans Short Haul Flights with Train Alternatives, Lufthansa Welcomes 600th Airbus, and More
Aviation news brief today
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.
France Bans Short-Haul Flights with Train Alternatives
France has enforced a new law prohibiting domestic short-haul flights where the journey could be completed by train in under 2.5 hours.
The move, aimed at reducing carbon emissions, will cease most flights between Paris and key cities, including Lyon, Nantes, and Bordeaux. Connecting flights, however, will remain unaffected.
Due to this law, France's established high-speed rail network will likely become the main mode of transport for most passengers. source
Russia's Rostec to Launch Locally Sourced SSJ-New in 2024
In response to supply chain difficulties, Russia's state-owned Rostec group is revamping the SSJ100 jetliner, producing a version with primarily domestic components named the SSJ-New. Production of the SSJ-New, essentially the same aircraft but nearly devoid of imported parts, will commence in 2024.
The CEO of Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, affirmed the almost complete certification process and anticipated an annual output of 20 aircraft. Initial customers are Aeroflot and Aurora, with deliveries slated for 2024-2026. source
Aer Lingus' Expansion: 19 Routes, 2.25 Million Seats
Aer Lingus has announced its largest-ever North American program, featuring 2.25 million available seats and 19 transatlantic routes, in response to a 20% increase in bookings compared to pre-pandemic figures.
The Dublin-based airline also launched its inaugural service to Cleveland, Ohio, marking the first new transatlantic route since 2019. The Cleveland service will be operated four times a week by the Airbus A321LR, featuring 16 lie-flat seats in Business Class.
The airline has also noted a significant rise in bookings for its Washington, D.C. route and for U.K. travelers connecting via Dublin. source
Lufthansa Welcomes 600th Airbus in Milestone Delivery
Lufthansa has received its 600th Airbus aircraft, marking a nearly 50-year partnership between the two companies. The milestone aircraft, an Airbus A321neo, was delivered in a ceremony at Airbus's Hamburg-Finkenwerder site.
Since Airbus's inception, Lufthansa has served four times as a launching customer for new aircraft types, including the successful A320neo family. Over 90% of the 600 Airbus aircraft received by Lufthansa are still in service.
The Lufthansa Group anticipates welcoming its 700th Airbus as part of its centennial celebrations in 2026. source
IndiGo and Tata Group's Airlines: Controlling Over 80% of Indian Aviation Market
IndiGo and Tata Group airlines currently dominate the Indian aviation market, controlling 82.4% of it. IndiGo leads with a 57.5% market share, while Tata Group airlines, including Air India, Vistara, and AirAsia India, collectively hold a quarter of the market.
The trend is leading to speculations of a potential duopoly in the Indian aviation sector. IndiGo's success is attributed to well-timed business decisions and aggressive market strategies, while Tata Group's rise follows its acquisition of several airlines.
Smaller airlines like SpiceJet and the new entrant Akasa Air strive to increase their market share. source
Boom Supersonic Signs Sustainable Aviation Fuel Deal with Dimensional Energy
Boom Supersonic has furthered its commitment to zero-carbon by signing a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) offtake agreement with Dimensional Energy.
The deal secures up to 5 million gallons of SAF per annum, produced from recycled carbon dioxide, for the duration of the Overture flight test program.
This development is a significant stride in Boom's goal to achieve net-zero carbon by 2025. Boom's commitment to SAF also underlines its aim to make sustainable supersonic flight a reality for millions of passengers. source
NTSB Calls for Greater Tech Investment in Aviation Safety
Jennifer Homendy, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair, has called for increased investment in aviation safety technology following a series of near-miss runway incidents.
Six runway incursion events are currently under investigation by the NTSB. To prevent such events, technology systems that detect aircraft and ground vehicles at airports need upgrading, and all commercial airports require additional technology, Homendy asserted. source
United Dominates 757 Long-haul Flights
Long-haul flights over 3,000 miles using the Boeing 757 are reducing in Q3 2023, with only four airlines planning such routes. This is down from 11 airlines pre-pandemic in Q3 2019.
United continues to be the major operator, planning 2,633 long-haul 757 flights, accounting for 71% of the total. Newark-Stockholm will be the world's longest non-stop 757 route by distance and block time in Q3.
Despite a decrease in long-haul 757 flights, airlines are leveraging other more fuel-efficient aircraft like the A321LR and 737 MAX. source
Aviation Sector to Face Prolonged Supply Chain Disruptions
According to senior aviation executives at the Qatar Economic Forum, the aviation industry is expected to face prolonged supply chain disruptions, affecting the production of new, fuel-efficient aircraft.
Despite a rebound in demand for air travel, the fulfillment of substantial orders from airlines is delayed by these supply chain issues. A significant order backlog is anticipated for the coming years. source
United Airlines Eyes Rapid Expansion with Focus on Denver
United Airlines has revealed plans to double its passenger numbers within a few years, with significant expansion plans for Denver.
These plans include the addition of 35 flights, six new routes, a new flight bank, an additional 12 gates by mid-next year, and the opening of three new and revamped clubs, one of which will be the largest in United's network.
Starting in September, the new routes include nonstop flights to Asheville, Dayton, Greensboro, Lexington, San Juan, and Montego Bay. source
Thank you for reading!!
Who reads AviationOutlook?
Whether you are an aviation professional, engineer, pilot, cabin crew, aircraft technician, or frequent flyer and aviation enthusiast, you will find something that suits your interests and needs in our newsletter.
Know someone who would love AviationOutlook? Gift them a subscription!
Join other Aviation Outlookers
Be part of this growing community of aviation professionals and enthusiasts. Connect with people, and share your opinion and ideas on ongoing aspects of the aviation industry.
Join Us! Help build a thriving aviation community. Share this newsletter with your colleagues, friends, and family.