Aviation News Roundup: Week Ending November 15, 2024
Bruno Fernandes Hailed as Hero on EasyJet Flight
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes came to the aid of a fellow passenger who fell ill on an easyJet flight to Lisbon for the Web Summit. Fernandes, traveling alongside tech founders and holidaymakers, discreetly raised the alarm, earning praise for his quick-thinking actions.
Ascend Airways Joins Avia Solutions Group as ACMI Specialist
Ascend Airways, the UK’s newest airline, focuses exclusively on wet-leasing services, offering planes with pilots and crew for short-term needs. As part of the Avia Solutions Group, the airline joins a network of ACMI providers, including SmartLynx and Avion Express, but does not sell tickets directly to passengers.
United Airlines and the Famous “United Breaks Guitars” Incident
A musician’s viral song about United Airlines mishandling his guitar reached over 16 million views on YouTube and reportedly caused the airline’s stock to drop 10%. The incident is a reminder of the power of customer experiences and social media.
Damac Group Announces Luxury Airline “Damac Air”
The UAE-based real estate company Damac Group is launching a luxury airline to high-profile leisure destinations like Denpasar, Mahé, and Tahiti. The carrier aims to offer upscale holiday packages, bundling flights, accommodation, and sightseeing.
Spirit Airlines Flight Struck by Gunfire in Haiti
A Spirit Airlines flight landing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was struck by gunfire, causing minor injuries to a flight attendant. The aircraft was diverted to the Dominican Republic, and flights to Haiti have been suspended while investigations continue.
Boeing Faces Post-Strike Production Challenges
Boeing delivered the fewest aircraft in October since 2020 and warned that restarting production after the recent strike would take several weeks, delaying deliveries further.
JetBlue Aircraft Damaged by Gunfire in Haiti
A JetBlue aircraft sustained bullet damage near its nose wheel assembly in Haiti, echoing a similar incident involving Spirit Airlines. Flights to Port-au-Prince have been suspended for four days as investigations are underway.
Avia Solutions Group Orders 80 Boeing 737 MAX 8s
Avia Solutions Group placed its first direct aircraft order for 80 Boeing 737 MAX 8s to bolster its ACMI fleet. The purchase reflects the group’s focus on meeting global demand for fuel-efficient aircraft.
Lufthansa Flight Hits Severe Turbulence, Injures Eleven
A Lufthansa Boeing 747 flight from Buenos Aires to Frankfurt encountered severe turbulence at 33,000 feet, injuring 11 people, including five passengers and six crew. Fortunately, all injuries were minor.
airBaltic to Offer Free Starlink Wi-Fi on A220 Fleet
airBaltic is on track to become the first European airline to provide free Starlink Wi-Fi across its Airbus A220-300 fleet. With speeds of up to 350 Mbps, passengers will enjoy high-speed streaming and video calls.
British Airways Cancels Routes Due to Engine Shortages
British Airways has canceled routes to Bahrain and Kuwait, alongside cuts to Dallas Fort-Worth and Miami services, citing Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine issues. Affected passengers will be rerouted to partner airlines like American Airlines and Qatar Airways.
Jet Airways Faces Liquidation
India’s once-leading full-service carrier, Jet Airways, has been ordered to liquidate by the Supreme Court, marking the end of its legacy in Indian aviation.
Spirit Airlines Nears Bankruptcy
Spirit Airlines is in advanced discussions with bondholders as it moves closer to filing for bankruptcy. The budget carrier has been struggling after Frontier Airlines dropped a planned merger.
airBaltic Reports Record Q3 Profit
airBaltic posted a record Q3 profit of €40.3 million and revenue of €236 million, marking a strong summer season. The airline converted 10 A220 purchase rights into firm orders and extended its wet-lease partnership with Lufthansa Group for three years.
Lufthansa and ITA Airways Merger Progress
Lufthansa Group and Italy’s Ministry of Economy have submitted remedies to the European Commission to finalize Lufthansa’s acquisition of a stake in ITA Airways. Approval is expected soon, solidifying the merger.
Lufthansa to retire A340-600s by early 4Q25
Recruitment Section: Pilots & Cabin Crew
Maldivian Airlines is hiring A320 Rated First Officers and Captains based in Male, Maldives. Applicants must meet local documentation requirements.
Air Astana seeks non-rated First Officers and Captains for its A320 fleet, based in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
European Cargo is recruiting non-type-rated First Officers for its A340 fleet in the UK. The position includes a fully funded type rating and competitive terms.
Level Airlines is hiring non-rated First Officers for its A330 fleet, based in Barcelona, Spain.
Saudia is actively recruiting Direct Entry Captains with B777 or A330 ratings for bases across Saudi Arabia.
