sky

Delta is preparing to introduce its first Airbus A220-100 in January, a year after a US trade commission ruled that the aircraft did not compete with Boeing's 737 line. The US International Trade Commission (ITC) found that the 737-700 and 737 Max 7 were "unsuitable for the mission profile" sought by Delta in 2016 when it ordered the A220, then known as the CSeries and rebranded this July. The decision was based on the simple fact that the A220-100 carried at least 16 fewer passengers than either 737 models. Boeing, which filed the suit in early 2017, had claimed that discounts on the CSeries provided by Bombardier to Delta amounted to dumping at below-cost in the US market. The airframer did not appeal the ruling. Delta is preparing to take delivery of its first A220 in the coming weeks, and will debut it on flights from New York LaGuardia to both Boston and Dallas/Fort Worth on 31 January 2019. Both the delivery and initial service plan, however, differ from Bombardier and Delta's sworn testimony to the ITC in 2017. Story has more details.<br/>

Garuda Indonesia has introduced a new direct route from Singapore to Tanjung Pandan on Belitung Island. Set to begin on October 29, the flight will be available four days a week, using the Bombardier CRJ-1000 with 96 economy class seats. Garuda Indonesia commercial director Pikri Ilham Kurniansyah said the new service is aligned with the airline’s commitment to help develop tourism in Indonesia. Moreover, the new route is to support Indonesia’s 10 priority destinations aside from Bali, which includes Tanjung Kelayang on Belitung Island.<br/>