Aviation News Round-Up: Week Ending 18th October 2024
Stansted Airport’s £1.1 Billion Expansion
London Stansted is set for a £1.1 billion expansion after a record year, which saw 29 million passengers between September 2023 and September 2024. A standout moment was in August, when 103,000 passengers traveled through the airport in a single day, boosted by fans attending Taylor Swift’s concerts at Wembley.
Air India Bomb Scare Over Heathrow
RAF fighter jets were scrambled to escort Air India flight AIC129 bound for Heathrow after the pilot reported a suspected bomb on board. The Boeing 777 safely landed in London, and authorities later confirmed it was a false alarm.
SAS to Resume Seattle Flights
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) will resume flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport next summer, marking its return after a long absence. The Airbus A350 service from Copenhagen will begin on May 21, 2025, and aims to strengthen connections with SkyTeam partner Delta Air Lines.
Alaska Airlines Overhauls Mileage Plan
Alaska Airlines will revamp its Mileage Plan program in 2025, introducing more ways to earn elite status beyond flying, new upgrade policies, and milestone perks. The changes come ahead of its loyalty program merger with Hawaiian Airlines.
United Airlines Eyes Strong Finish to 2024
United Airlines shares are approaching pre-pandemic levels after forecasting a strong Q4 finish. The airline plans its first share buyback since the pandemic, reflecting confidence in its financial recovery.
Ryanair Lowers Traffic Estimates for 2025
Ryanair’s stock took a hit after it lowered its traffic estimates for 2025 due to delays in receiving new Boeing aircraft. The airline now expects fewer deliveries in early 2025, which will impact its growth plans.
BA’s A380s Return to Boston
British Airways will bring its Airbus A380 back to the Heathrow-Boston route from March 2025. The aircraft will operate daily flights, replacing the Boeing 787-10, to meet growing demand on the transatlantic route.
Condor Cuts Summer 2025 Flights
Condor has announced a 13% reduction in its summer 2025 schedule, citing increased costs at Hamburg Airport. The move follows a trend of airlines adjusting services in response to rising operational costs in Germany.
Delta Rolls Out New Cabin Interiors
Delta Air Lines is refreshing the interiors of its fleet, with the first revamped Boeing 757 set to take flight this fall. The new interiors will eventually be rolled out across its entire fleet, enhancing passenger comfort.
Elliott’s Proxy Fight with Southwest
Elliott Investment Management has launched a proxy battle to remove Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan, pushing for a special shareholder meeting in December. The activist investor is pushing for major leadership changes at the airline.
SriLankan Airlines Cockpit Incident
A SriLankan Airlines captain locked his first officer out of the cockpit during a Sydney-Colombo flight, leading to an investigation. The incident created tense moments on board, with the airline grounding the pilot.
Flydubai Calls for More Aircraft Manufacturers
Flydubai’s CEO has called for new entrants in the aircraft manufacturing market to challenge the Airbus-Boeing duopoly, citing the need for greater competition and innovation in the industry.
Recruitment Section: Pilots & Cabin Crew
American Airlines will resume pilot hiring in 2025, with its first class scheduled for January 8th. This marks a significant step in the airline’s post-pandemic recovery.
Virgin Atlantic is hosting a virtual event to connect aspiring pilots with its recruitment teams. Attendees can learn more about career opportunities as First Officers and Senior First Officers on the Airbus fleet.
Eastern Airways is recruiting non-rated First Officers and Captains at various UK bases. This is a great opportunity for pilots looking to join a growing regional carrier.
Air France is urgently hiring Boeing and Airbus non-type-rated First Officers with low flight time. This is a rare opportunity for pilots to join the prestigious carrier.
Blue Islands is looking for low-hour, non-rated First Officers and Captains for its base in Jersey, with priority given to ATR-rated candidates.
In other news
