If airlines are to avoid repeats of recent service problems, they’ll need to have a lot more back-up in place, according to United CEO Scott Kirby. “You can’t run an airline like it’s 2019, and the reason is because the system is just stressed to the max,” Kirby said this week. “There’s strains everywhere, whether it’s in security or FAA staffing or systems. Across the board there are strains in the system, aircraft manufacturers delivering, having enough pilots and all of those stresses and strains means that the system is tighter.” “And when something happens, the straws are much more likely to break the camel’s back. And you’ve seen it over and over again,” he said. “It just doesn’t take much to break the back of the system.” The challenges facing the industry were underscored again Wednesday when bad weather forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights, with Southwest Airlines hit particularly hard. A winter storm battered cities such as Chicago, Indianapolis and Cleveland, where Southwest has a strong presence. Kirby said the only solution is for airlines to run with more back-up planes and more back-up staff in place than they had ever done in days before the pandemic. “We’re running with about 10% more pilots per block hour [of operation] than we did pre-pandemic. You know, we have 25% more spare airplanes, and really across the board, we’re just having more buffer and more resources that gives us the ability to firewall when something happens,” he said.<br/>
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Flughafen München (FMG), the operator of Munich Airport in Germany, has expanded its collaboration with the country’s flag carrier, Lufthansa, to continue the airport’s sustainable development. The two parties have signed a letter of intent (LoI), under which they pledged to a shared sustainability plan. The aim is to expand the airport as an intermodal transport hub, as well as encourage digitalisation and innovation in operations. It includes projects such as smart passenger handling, and automated handling processes to further improve passengers’ travel experience. Munich Airport CEO Jost Lammers said: “We went through the hard times of the Covid-19 pandemic together with Lufthansa, and we will return to our former strength together. With our shared goals of sustainability, innovation, digitalisation, and the persistent enhancement of Munich Airport as a premium hub, we will successfully continue this strategic partnership.” The two firms intend to drive forward the fulfilment of their sustainability targets, with an objective to remain competitive in the long term. Lufthansa Airlines CCO Stefan Kreuzpaintner said: “Our partnership with Munich Airport can definitely be described as unique. Together, we will continue to take on and meet the challenges of the aviation industry. Sustainability is one of the top issues. This includes better rail links, not only to reach the airport quickly and conveniently, but also to make a vital contribution to climate change mitigation.”<br/>
Ethiopian Airlines is in expansion mode. Not just in terms of long-haul routes to Copenhagen, returning after two decades, or Addis Ababa to Atlanta. Crucially, it has boosted flights on various sub-Saharan African routes. This is primarily part of its third-wave growth, increasing connectivity, choice, and competitiveness. The Star Alliance airline has also enhanced service on routes that leave Addis Ababa at peak times, with higher frequencies and de-linked options. Story features a summary of its recent changes.<br/>
Air India will on Friday seal half of an order worth billions of dollars for some 495 jets with Boeing and engine suppliers General Electric and CFM International, two industry sources said, as its new owner seeks to revive the airline and compete with much larger rivals. After months of closely-guarded, tough negotiations, Air India is set to place an order for 190 Boeing 737 MAX narrowbody planes as well as some 20 Boeing 787s and 10 Boeing 777X on a day marking one year since Tata Group took control of the former state-run carrier, the sources told Reuters. The second half of the order, which industry sources have told Reuters includes around 235 Airbus (AIR.PA) single-aisle jets and about 40 Airbus A350 widebody aircraft, is expected to be formally wrapped up over the coming days. Senior Boeing, GE and CFM officials are expected in India to mark the deal on Friday. Despite earlier expectations of a single coordinated announcement, it remains unclear when either deal may be publicly disclosed especially with the Aero India air show looming in February when deals like this are usually revealed. Manufacturers Boeing and Airbus, as well as CFM's joint venture partners GE and Safran declined comment. Air India did not respond to a request for comment.<br/>