Aviation News Roundup: Week Ending November 1, 2024
British Airways Cancels LGW-JFK Flights Amid Engine Issues
British Airways has canceled over 100 flights between London Gatwick and New York’s JFK, from mid-December to mid-March, due to delays in receiving Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines. The airline has cautioned that no quick solution is expected.
Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Main Gear Collapse
A Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s main landing gear collapsed into a drain upon arriving at the gate in Doha. The aircraft, identified as A7-BCV, last operated from Colombo and has been grounded since the incident on October 25. Official confirmation on the aircraft’s status is pending.
British Airways Resumes Flights to Bangkok
British Airways has resumed flights to Bangkok after a four-year hiatus, with the inaugural return flight landing on October 28. Operating from Gatwick, flights will start at three times per week, ramping up to five weekly flights in early 2025. Passengers on the first flight enjoyed a warm welcome with traditional Thai dancers and gifts.
Riyadh Air Orders 60 Airbus A321neo Aircraft
At the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Riyadh Air signed an order for 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft, adding to its original wide-body order in 2023. The airline, which aims to launch in 2025, now has 132 aircraft on order to support its extensive growth plans.
IndiGo Reports $117.7 Million Q2 Loss Amid Grounded Planes and High Fuel Costs
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, faced a challenging second quarter, reporting a $117.7 million loss. The airline cited high fuel prices and grounded aircraft as significant hurdles, impacting smooth operations and profitability.
Tragic Skydiver Accident at Kansas Airfield
A 37-year-old skydiver and photographer tragically died after backing into a propeller at Cook Airfield in Kansas. Identified as Amanda Gallagher, she was taking photos for the Air Capital Drop Zone when the accident occurred. The incident remains under investigation.
Virgin Atlantic Launches Cargo Flights Between London and Brussels
To meet peak season demand, Virgin Atlantic is launching dedicated cargo flights between London Heathrow and Brussels from October 27 to March 29, using Airbus A350 and A330-300 aircraft.
Air India Receives DGCA Design Organisation Approval (DOA)
Air India has become India’s first airline to receive DGCA’s Design Organisation Approval, allowing it to handle in-house design modifications. In partnership with Tata Technologies, Air India expects this step to reduce fleet downtime, marking a milestone in operational efficiency.
Emirates Unveils NBA-Themed A380
Emirates has revealed a special all-blue A380 livery, marking its appointment as the official global airline partner of the NBA. The unique design celebrates the carrier’s partnership with the Emirates NBA Cup.
United Airlines Becomes Best-Performing U.S. Airline Stock
United Airlines shares have surged over 80% this year, making it the best-performing airline stock in the U.S. The airline is positioning itself as a premium carrier, following Delta’s strategy of attracting high-value customers.
Antonov An-2TP Crash in Russia Injures Four
An Antonov An-2TP crash-landed near Yessentuki, Russia, nearly colliding with a bridge. Nine people were onboard, with four injured. Investigations suggest the aircraft either lost power or struck a power line before descending into a forest.
Emirates Delays A350 Service Entry to January 2025
Emirates has postponed the entry of its Airbus A350-900 until January 2025 due to delivery delays. The A350’s launch has been eagerly anticipated, marking the airline’s latest addition to its wide-body fleet.
Final Independent Flight for Czech Airlines
Czech Airlines, one of the world’s oldest carriers, operated its final independent flight from Paris to Prague on October 26 before merging with Smartwings. The historic airline, which operated under the OK code, concludes a 101-year legacy.
Lufthansa Eyes Stake in airBaltic
Lufthansa is reportedly exploring a 10% stake in Latvian carrier airBaltic, as part of its broader European expansion strategy. This move aligns with Lufthansa’s recent interest in acquisitions across Europe, including ITA Airways and TAP Air Portugal.
Woman Sues JetBlue Over “Dangerously Cold” Ice Cream
A passenger is suing JetBlue after allegedly cracking her tooth on an ice cream bar served at an “unsafe” temperature on a flight from New York to Paris. The lawsuit claims the strawberry shortcake ice cream was frozen too hard for consumption.
Southwest Airlines Adopts Bamboo Cups and Wood Stirrers
Southwest Airlines has introduced bamboo cups and wood stir sticks on flights as part of its effort to reduce single-use plastics. The initiative aims to cut inflight plastic use by more than 1.5 million pounds annually.
Brawl on British Airways Flight Over Trump Hat
Two women were removed from a British Airways flight after a brawl erupted over one passenger’s “Make America Great Again” hat. The altercation delayed the flight to Austin, Texas, and both women were escorted off by police.
Riyadh Air Secures $3 Billion Revolving Credit Facility
Riyadh Air announced a $3 billion Islamic revolving credit facility, with an option to extend by $2 billion, at the Future Investment Initiative. The financing, secured with eight banks, supports the airline’s ambitious growth trajectory.
BAA Training and Volotea Partner for MPL Program
BAA Training and Volotea have launched a Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) program, providing aspiring pilots a direct pathway to employment with Volotea. This partnership supports the next generation of pilots through guaranteed job placements.
Finnair Embraer Fleet Refurbishment Begins
Finnair’s first refurbished Embraer aircraft is ready, with plans to renew all 12 of its Embraers by spring 2026. The airline expects to complete seven upgrades this winter, followed by the remaining five next winter.
Valencia Airport Flooded Due to DANA Storm
Heavy thunderstorms caused flooding at Valencia Airport in Spain, leading to a suspension of air traffic on October 29. Visuals from the airport show extensive water damage across the terminals.
Recruitment Section: Pilots & Cabin Crew
Virgin Atlantic is recruiting experienced Airbus pilots (A320, A330, A350) across Europe. Pilots can commute from the EU and benefit from tax agreements. Interested candidates should have at least 1,500 flight hours.
German Airways seeks Embraer E190 First Officers, with both type-rated and non-type-rated pilots welcome. Positions are based in Cologne/Bonn.
Emirates is hiring non-rated First Officers, Accelerated Command pilots, and Direct Entry Captains for its Boeing and Airbus fleets, based in Dubai, UAE.
Brussels Airlines is looking for First Officers for its Airbus fleet in Brussels, Belgium. Candidates need a valid Frozen Part-FCL ATPL EASA License, Class 1 Medical, and English proficiency.
Air Malta invites prospective First Officers to apply, with preference given to those proficient in Maltese. The airline is based in Luqa, Malta.
