The 'Best Recession' in Aviation History?, Airbus and Boeing Compete for IndiGo's Wide-Body Aircraft Order, and More
Aviation news brief June 9
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.
Despite Challenges, Airline Executives Assert It's The 'Best Recession' in Aviation History
Despite uncertainties, airline executives at the IATA Annual General Meeting expressed optimism, dubbing the current climate the "best recession" in aviation history.
While corporate travel recovery has stalled and aircraft delivery delays persist, robust consumer demand has helped the industry remain resilient.
The dual impact of these delays has assisted in managing capacity amidst high demand, yet has also elevated cost levels compared to pre-pandemic figures. source
Biden Administration Advocates for Mandatory Flight Delay Compensation
The Biden administration has proposed legislation to Congress that would compel airlines to offer cash compensation for delays exceeding three hours when the delay can be attributed to the airline.
Currently, U.S. airlines are not legally obliged to compensate passengers for delays or cancellations, unlike the European Union and some other countries.
Moreover, it proposes extending cockpit voice recorder times from the current two hours to 25 hours for future aircraft.
The suggested law is part of a broader push for improved passenger rights, and it would also require increased transparency concerning baggage and additional fees during ticket booking. source
Airbus and Boeing Compete for IndiGo's Wide-Body Aircraft Order
IndiGo is considering an order for twin-aisle aircraft and is assessing offers for the Airbus A330neo and Boeing 787 from Airbus and Boeing, respectively.
Reports suggest Boeing is particularly eager to secure the deal, as none of its products are currently in IndiGo's fleet. The airline currently operates three Boeing 777-300ER aircraft leased from Turkish Airlines and a fleet of 272 Airbus A320 family aircraft.
IndiGo has never operated wide-body aircraft itself, so a move to either the A330neo or 787 would pit it against other Indian airlines such as Air India and Vistara. source
New Business Class Seat for Air France's A350s
Air France has announced the selection of a new business class seat for its forthcoming A350 aircraft, potentially extending to the entire long-haul fleet.
Despite equipping the initial 20 A350s with a different configuration, the decision to alter the remaining aircraft order suggests there may be some inconsistencies in the hard product until the fleet is unified.
The new A350s are expected to be operational as early as July 2023, with plans to retrofit some older 777 and A330 aircraft with the new seat. source
Boutique Carriers: A Rising Trend of Luxury in Air Travel?
Luxury boutique airlines are enhancing the flight experience with amenities and privileges typically reserved for business-class passengers.
Carriers like La Compagnie and Starlux offer enhanced amenities, such as lie-flat seats, concierge luggage services, private terminal access, and exclusive partnerships for door-to-door chauffeur services.
Newly-launched Maldives-based BeOnd, set to commence operations in the fall, plans to offer full reclining seats for all passengers, equipped with iPad Pros and wireless headsets, and services to seven cities by end of 2023.
Such efforts from luxury operators signal a shift in the aviation industry as airlines strive to deliver a more comfortable and personalized travel experience. source
Inmarsat’s GX Aviation Chosen by Ethiopian Airlines for Inflight Connectivity
Ethiopian Airlines plans to offer high-speed in-flight broadband from Inmarsat's GX Aviation on its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. As one of the first carriers to use Airbus's Airspace Link HBCplus programme, this integration comes in response to rising passenger demand for quality Wi-Fi during flights.
Ethiopian Airlines' first Airbus A350-1000 with this technology is expected in Q3 2024, aligning with the airline's Vision 2035 Strategy for improved passenger experience and fleet expansion.
Inmarsat's survey found that 97% of passengers use personal devices in-flight, with 82% more likely to rebook with airlines offering reliable Wi-Fi. source
American Airlines Becomes World's Largest Operator of Boeing 787-8
American Airlines has become the world's largest operator of Boeing's 787-8 Dreamliner, surpassing All Nippon Airways (ANA) with its 37th aircraft.
This latest addition to American's fleet, registered as N886BR, commenced its first revenue flight from Dallas to Tokyo Narita Airport on June 2nd.
American Airlines now has 1,674 flights scheduled with the 787-8 in June, commonly serving the Los Angeles-Tokyo Haneda route. source
India's SpiceJet to Lease Ten Boeing 737s, Bolsters Flight Capacity
SpiceJet has announced it will expand its fleet by leasing ten Boeing 737 aircraft, including five 737 Max, in response to heightened passenger demand. The new planes, set to arrive in September 2023, will facilitate the introduction of new routes and reinforce the airline's current ones.
Additionally, SpiceJet will use funds from the government’s Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme and improved cash flows to revive 25 grounded planes.
The move comes as the airline navigates financial challenges and aims to satisfy the growing needs of the Indian aviation market. source
Sweden's Airport to Exclusively Offer Blended SAF
Trollhättan-Vänersborg Airport in Sweden is set to become the first airport globally to offer only blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for all refueling operations, courtesy of Neste's MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
The fuel blend, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, will be available for refueling by the end of June. Västflyg, a Swedish commercial airline, will be the first airline to use this blend for all its flights. source
Midnight eVTOL Gears up for 2023 Paris Air Show Debut
Archer Aviation's new eVTOL aircraft, Midnight, is set to make its European debut at the 2023 Paris Air Show. In partnership with Stellantis, Archer aims to share its progress in manufacturing the Midnight eVTOL as it gears up for commercialization in 2025.
The aircraft, capable of flying distances of up to 100 miles, is optimized for back-to-back 20-mile flights with a 12-minute charge time.
Stellantis is providing advanced manufacturing technology, expertise, personnel, and capital to the partnership. 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.