JetBlue and Spirit Airlines will have to wait until June before a federal court hears their appeal of a ruling that blocked JetBlue’s proposed $3.8b purchase of the smaller rival. The schedule set Friday by the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston is a month later than the airlines had hoped. They asked for an expedited hearing in May so the court could rule before a July 24 deal-closing deadline in their merger agreement. The appeals court ordered the airlines to file their pre-hearing briefs Feb. 26, with a response by the U.S. Justice Department due by April 11. The Justice Department sued to block the merger last year, saying it would reduce competition and drive up fares, especially for travelers who depend on low-fare Spirit. In January, a federal district judge in Boston sided with the government and blocked the deal, saying it violated antitrust law. New York-based JetBlue had argued that the merger would help it compete more effectively against bigger airlines. However, the price tag looks less attractive because of continuing losses and other problems at Spirit, which is based in Miramar, Florida. Last week JetBlue warned that it might terminate the agreement.<br/>
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Southwest Airlines’ airplane cabins are getting a glow-up, but not just for looks. Starting next year, new planes will feature several practical perks for passengers. “The design is based on extensive research covering customer and employee perceptions of color, comfort and their aspirations for the overall onboard experience,” Southwest said Friday. The Texas-based airline partnered with design company Tangerine on the “refresh” for new aircraft deliveries starting next year. Meanwhile Southwest is continuing to update its existing fleet with changes previously announced in 2022. Southwest’s new aircraft will feature premium seats by RECARO, the same company known for motorsport racing and gaming seats, as well as car seats for kids and aircraft seating. “The new RECARO seats include a multi-adjustable headrest cushion for enhanced head and neck support, an intuitively designed seat for ultimate comfort while maximizing seat width and overall support,” according to Southwest. The new RECARO seats will feature personal electronic device holders for hands-free viewing of the free entertainment available on Southwest flights. Since last year, Southwest’s new Boeing 737 Max aircraft have all been delivered with in-seat USB-A and USB-C power ports and larger overhead bins for luggage. The airline's existing Max 8 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft are also getting charging ports and larger bins. Southwest expects to complete that process "over the next several years."<br/>
Sociedad Uruguaya de Aviación (Montevideo Carrasco) has revealed its plans to launch a new flag carrier in the South American country, based at Montevideo Carrasco and to operate with a fleet of up to ten Airbus-manufactured aircraft within the next three years. On January 29, founder and chief executive Antonio Rama sent a letter to Uruguay’s president, Luis Lacalle Pou, to inform him that Sociedad Uruguaya de Aviación (SUA) was formally established as a Uruguayan company. He added that the new airline had a “solid and proven business plan, backed by ample financial resources, aimed at significantly improving Uruguay's connectivity with the region and the world.” This plan includes having a fleet of six Airbus aircraft within the first 18 months, increasing to ten aircraft within the first three years. SUA also expects to establish an MRO facility and the region's first Full Flight Simulator Level D, in collaboration with the European manufacturer. In 2002, Rama was behind the foundation of U Air, a company that lasted until 2005 and operated with a fleet of F100 aircraft. Earlier this week, Uruguay’s transport undersecretary, Juan José Olaizola, said in a video that the government had met with an undisclosed regional investor group to analyse the possibility of launching a privately owned flag carrier in the country.<br/>
Icelandair Group swung to a full-year net profit of $11m for 2023, despite volcanic activity contributing to a deeper loss in final three months of the year. The 2023 profit was driven by a 20% increase in revenue to $1.5b, and came after a loss of $6m 2022. The group’s full-year operating profit was $21m, while it saw “record high” unit revenues and a 17% rise in passenger numbers to 4.3m. Icelandair reports strong demand in all passenger markets, but particularly on North America to Iceland services, adding that challenges on the air cargo side of the business have been “acted on”. In the final quarter of 2023, however, a net loss of $38m and an operating loss of $50m were both much deeper year on year and came amid challenges created by volcanic activity in Iceland. That setback followed “one of the strongest third quarters” in the company’s history and was not enough to send the business into the red for the 12 months. Still, the impact of challenging end to the year was “significant”, the carrier states, and while operating revenue was still up year on year by around 8% in the three months, it lagged the full-year performance by some distance. The challenges are also expected to have a negative effect on Icelandair’s Q1 2024 results.<br/>
UK long-haul start-up Global Airlines has disclosed that its initial Airbus A380 is a former China Southern Airlines aircraft currently in storage at California’s Mojave airport. Global Airlines says it has taken “full ownership and title” of the aircraft – MSN120, originally delivered to the Chinese carrier in early 2013 – and formally placed the jet on the Maltese registry as 9H-GLOBL. The aircraft is fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. Wet-lease specialist Hi Fly is listed as temporary registrant. Hi Fly, which has provided assistance to Global during the start-up phase, will carry out the A380 ferry flight from Mojave “in the next few weeks”. The A380 is one of four for which Global has entered purchase agreements. It has not identified the other three jets. China Southern ordered five A380s, and received the first in 2011. It configured the double-deck type with 506 seats, including eight first-class suites and 70 seats in the business-class cabin. The airline withdrew MSN120 from service towards the end of 2022, and the aircraft was transferred to the US registry as N123KK, under the ownership of Kansas-based aviation services firm Jet Midwest. According to the US FAA this registration was cancelled on 1 February, because the aircraft is being exported to Malta.<br/>
Air Peace is hoping to cooperate with Norse Atlantic to launch flights between Lagos and London Gatwick, as it struggles to secure its own slots at the British gateway, Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, told local media. However, the airlines have held only initial talks so far. Keyamo recently visited the United Kingdom to meet with government officials and lobby for Air Peace. However, the UK Department of Transport has limited options to support the carrier as slot allocation at British airports is governed by independent coordinator Airport Coordination Limited (ACL). "We are hopeful that the fallout of the meeting would achieve its purpose of enabling Air Peace Airline to commence its flight operations into the United Kingdom, which Nigerians have been yearning for," said COO Oluwatoyin Olajide. However, Norse Atlantic Senior Vice-President (Communications) Philip Allport told ch-aviation that the airlines only had "an initial informal meeting" regarding the potential cooperation. Norse Atlantic holds 44 weekly slots at Gatwick for the Summer 2024 season. An ACL capacity report reviewed by ch-aviation shows that Air Peace did not apply for slots at the airport for the upcoming season.<br/>
Zambia's Proflight Zambia Airlines has signed an interline ticketing with Air Tanzania in a deal meant to unlock access to new destinations and seamless travel experience for passengers in the region, a statement released on Friday said. Under the agreement, a streamlined ticketing process will enable travelers to effortlessly book itineraries across both airlines and to enjoy the benefits and services of the two airlines in a single ticketed journey. "With the interline agreement now in effect, the aim is to provide cost-effective and flexible travel options for passengers traveling with both airlines. We look forward to enhancing passenger experiences across both airlines," Proflight Zambia's Director of Flight Operations Josias Walubita said. Air Tanzania Managing Director Ladislaus Matindi said passengers will start enjoying benefits of better connections and suitable travel options in the region. According to the statement, the interline agreement between two planes from the two airlines came into effect on Dec. 18, 2023, adding that discounted fares for itineraries combining both airlines will be published on the airlines' websites and global distribution system.<br/>
Iranian security officials dispersed family members of the victims of Ukrainian International Airlines flight PS75, who gathered outside the UN office in Tehran on Feb. 3 to demand justice from the Iranian government for obstructing the investigation, the Voice of America reported on Feb. 4. The plane was shot down by Iran in 2020. The protesters requested a meeting with Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif, but instead were threatened and intimidated by plainclothes security agents and security forces. The Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 flight from Tehran to Kyiv was shot down on Jan. 8, 2020, shortly after departing from the Iranian capital. All 176 people on board died, including 11 Ukrainians, with most victims being citizens of Iran and Canada. Four days after the disaster, Iranian authorities officially acknowledged that their military downed the flight, having mistakenly identified it as a hostile target. Iran insists that the air disaster occurred because of a defense system operator's error, not by the order of the country's military leadership. Ukraine disagrees with this position and demands access to the investigation and monetary compensation.<br/>
Russian carrier S7 Airlines has modified its de-icing procedures after a number of recent incidents involving Boeing 737-800s. The Moscow-based airline states that crews have observed “changes in the operating parameters” of engines on the type, resulting in decisions to return to the parking bay for technical inspection. “It was revealed that the unstable operation of the engine was caused by contamination of compressor blades, due to the ingestion of de-icing fluid particles,” says the carrier. S7 says this situation has a “cumulative” effect. Boeing 737-800s are fitted with CFM International CFM56 engines, which hang close to the ground, and the airline believes fluid on the apron during de-icing can be sucked into the powerplant. The airline stresses that the engines remained fully operational and were “not impaired” during the incidents, and the operating parameters did not exceed limits. S7 says Moscow and other regions of Russia are experiencing “more difficult” winter weather conditions than normal.<br/>
IndiGo, India’s biggest airline, reported a profit for a fifth straight quarter as the budget carrier captured a higher share of passenger traffic during the period. Net income rose 53% to 29.98b rupees ($362m) in the three months through Dec. 31, IndiGo said in a stock exchange filing Friday. The airline exceeded Bloomberg’s consensus estimate of 21.27b rupees. Revenue for Q3r beat estimates at 194.5b rupees, 30% above year-earlier levels. Fuel costs rose 18%. Its seat capacity rose 26.8% during the period. IndiGo is ramping up capacity to seize a bigger chunk of what is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. Its already large share, currently at 62%, has been growing considering rival SpiceJet Ltd. is struggling financially, while another budget carrier — Go Airlines — filed for insolvency and stopped operations in May. IndiGo last year made a 500-plane purchase from Airbus, a move that could help protect its position from an expanding Air India. IndiGo’s out of service aircraft have increased to “mid-70s” from 40 in the previous quarter due to required inspections of Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, Chief Financial Officer Gaurav Negi said on an earnings call. The carrier will rely on wet leasing aircraft to prevent a capacity shortage, he said. Still, it’s aiming to increase seat capacity by 12% in Q4, compared with the year before. <br/>
Canberra Airport is set to add a second post-pandemic international destination to its network after Batik Air announced it would fly from the ACT to Bali. The Malaysian mid-market carrier – previously known as Malindo Air – will operate 737-800 services three times weekly and launch on 14 June 2024. It will also open up more international connection options for Canberrans, with Denpasar currently hosting flights to 43 non-ANZ destinations. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said, “A direct flight between Bali and Canberra will greatly benefit holiday seekers from Canberran and the region. “The route also presents a great opportunity to connect the Canberra region to South-East Asia for leisure, trade and education.” It comes after Fiji Airways became the first airline to offer international flights outside of Canberra post-pandemic last July. Bali has become one of Australia’s most popular international holiday destinations, with eight airlines flying there and load factors estimated at around 85%t. <br/>
Lao Airlines is opening up new routes to serve the expected influx of passengers, both within Laos and from other countries, during Visit Laos Year 2024. The new routes have been named as Savannakhet-Bangkok, Vientiane- Phnom Penh, and Vientiane-Danang. Deputy Director of the airline’s Commercial and Marketing Department, Chanthanom Khampheng, said all flights are experiencing a high number of bookings, so the airline has decided to add more international and domestic flights starting next month. The extra flights and new routes are aimed at easing travel during Visit Laos Year 2024 as well as marking the 35th anniversary of Lao Airlines. “More events will take place this year along with the introduction of new routes. Starting on March 15, Savannakhet-Bangkok flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, followed by the start of Vientiane-Phnom Penh flights on March 19 which we will schedule on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.” “On April 4 we will begin flights between Vientiane and Danang, scheduled on Thursdays and Sundays,” Ms Chanthanom said.<br/>
Australia’s Regional Express (Rex) has extended capacity cuts on its regional network, blaming “continuing dislocated supply chains” that have “heavily” impacted the availability of aircraft spares. The cuts – first announced in 2023 – will be extended through 27 October, the Australian carrier says. In September 2023 the airline had said the cuts, which mainly impact intra-state flights in New South Wales, would last through March. Rex’s network strategy general manager Warrick Lodge stresses that the carrier remains “committed to the rebuilding of its regional network” after 27 October. The carrier deploys its fleet of 57 Saab 340s to operate its regional network in eastern Australia. Rex also operates Boeing 737-800s on mainline domestic routes. <br/>