CommuteAir believes that the recent introduction of a single Embraer E170 to its fleet will help fill a gap in the “70-seat charter market”. The US regional carrier, which flies on behalf of United Airlines under the United Express brand, has signalled bigger ambitions by launching the 76-seat E170 – a step up from its fleet of ERJ-145s, which carry about 50 passengers. The E170’s addition could be just the beginning of a long-term process of up-gauging CommuteAir’s fleet, as the Cleveland-based carrier has previously said it could eventually add more large regional jets. CommuteAir received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration to offer charter services with the E170 in August. The aircraft will fly college sports teams throughout the USA through a contract with STM Charters, which oversees some 2,500 annual charter flights for universities. “CommuteAir recognised a significant opportunity in the market for charter aircraft that bridge the gap between small regional jets and larger narrowbody aircraft,” David Fitzgerald, CommuteAir’s senior vice-president of flight operations, said in August. But the aircraft will be deployed for charter missions beyond flying college sports teams. ”CommuteAir’s E170 still has limited availability for the remainder of 2024 and is now open for bookings through 2025 and beyond,” the company says. CommuteAir acquired the E170 from an affiliate of aircraft leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital. The single-aisle twinjet was previously operated by Canadian carrier Air North, and came off Embraer’s production line in 2009. <br/>
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Cebu Pacific has received another new engine option (NEO) aircraft, representing 60% of its expected aircraft deliveries for the year, the budget carrier said on Wednesday. “This delivery supports our commitment to making air travel more accessible and can help us serve upcoming route launches in October, including Davao to Puerto Princesa and Hong Kong,” Cebu Pacific President and CCO Alexander G. Lao said in a statement. The arrival of the A320neo on Sept. 13 marks the 11th of the anticipated 18 new aircraft deliveries for the year, Cebu Pacific said. The company is banking on the arrival of its new aircraft to support its expansion plans both for domestic and international routes. The airline plans to operate flights between Hong Kong and Davao starting Oct. 27, four times a week.<br/>
Engine makers need to focus more on the quality of their products, according to the CE of AirAsia parent Capital A. Speaking at the Bali air show on 18 September, Tony Fernandes highlighted the challenges airlines face with engines and expressed the view that manufacturers are too focused on profitability. “Supply chain is a big problem,” says Fernandes. “It’s a big problem and it’s not something that we can control. I would say very strongly that [OEMs] are making record profits, but they have to reinvest those profits into giving us a better product.” AirAsia Group’s fleet of Airbus A320neo-family jets are powered by Leap-1A engines supplied by the CFM International joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran. Despite slower Leap deliveries in the second quarter, GE Aerospace saw its first-half operating profit jump 31% to $3.4b, while Safran saw operating profit rise 22% to E1.28b ($1.39b) in the same period. Fernandes takes specific issue with length of time required for engine shop visits. “Engines used to take ninety days to turn around, but now it’s as long as 450 days,” he says. “It’s really time for OEMs to invest more in their product, because airlines get the blame… for a shortage of spare parts. Customers are frustrated.”<br/>