Weekly aviation news roundup oct 6th – week ending 6th october
Welcome to this week’s edition of our aviation news roundup, where we bring you the latest stories from across the industry. From major airline announcements to exciting fleet updates, here’s everything you need to know.
Wizz Air’s Pilot Cadet Program Sees Success
Wizz Air, Europe’s most sustainable airline globally, has made headlines by offering conditional employment to 20 cadet pilots as part of its tagging scheme. Cadets from Leading Edge Aviation Academy and L3Harris were celebrated in a ceremony held in London’s West End, marking an important milestone for the airline and future aviators.
Jet2.com’s New Airbus A321neo Takes Flight
Jet2.com and Jet2holidays’ first Airbus A321neo, sporting a stunning silver and red livery, completed its debut flight with a touch-and-go at Hamburg Airport. The aircraft, registered as G-SUNO, has already garnered attention with its sleek design and is set to enhance the airline’s growing fleet.
Emerald Air Seeks ATR 72-600 Captains
Emerald Air has announced a recruitment drive for direct entry captains at its Belfast and Dublin bases. The positions are for the ATR 72-600 aircraft, presenting a fantastic career opportunity for experienced pilots.
Qantas A380 Boosts Sydney-Johannesburg Route
Qantas has officially deployed its Airbus A380 on the Sydney-Johannesburg route, providing a significant capacity increase and upgrades to the passenger experience. The move highlights the A380’s enduring role in commercial aviation, nearly two decades after its first flight.
Flydubai Unveils Dedicated Business Class Check-In
Flydubai has opened its first dedicated Business Class check-in facility at Terminal 2 of Dubai International (DXB). Located near Entrance 3, the new check-in area aims to enhance the Business Class preflight experience, reinforcing Flydubai’s commitment to improving customer service.
Southwest Airlines Eyes Fleet Sales for Financial Strategy
Southwest Airlines is reportedly exploring the sale of older Boeing 737-800s and newer 737 MAX jets. The airline is also considering sale-leaseback deals as part of its strategy to improve financial standing, driven by high demand for narrowbody jets amidst global delivery delays and engine recalls.
Air France Selects Starlink for Fleet-Wide Wi-Fi Upgrade
Air France has partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink to provide high-speed satellite Wi-Fi across its fleet. This comes on the heels of a similar deal with United Airlines, further positioning Starlink as a leading provider in the in-flight connectivity space.
British Airways Doubles A380 Flights to Johannesburg
British Airways will double its Airbus A380 flights to Johannesburg starting June 1, 2025. This move boosts capacity by 37%, adding more seats across all cabin classes. The A380 will also serve Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, and Washington Dulles, with extended service to Singapore until May 31, 2025.
Pegasus Airlines Launches AI-Powered Multilingual Announcements
Pegasus Airlines has introduced a new multilingual project where AI-generated announcements will be made in Spanish, Arabic, and Russian on select routes. This initiative is set to improve communication and enhance the passenger experience for international travelers.
Ryanair Boeing 737 MAX Incident at Bergamo
A Ryanair Boeing 737 MAX 8 experienced a double tire burst during landing at Bergamo International Airport in Italy. The flight from Barcelona was forced to remain on the runway, causing temporary closures, though fortunately, no one was injured.
Sunclass Airbus A321-200 Landing Incident
A Sunclass Airbus A321-200 sustained significant landing gear damage during a windshear-affected landing at Skiathos Airport on September 15. The aircraft remains grounded as repairs are being carried out.
Iberia Celebrates Maiden Flight of Airbus A321XLR
Iberia’s first Airbus A321XLR successfully completed its maiden flight in Hamburg. This fuel-efficient aircraft is expected to reduce emissions by 30%, and Iberia plans to use it for transoceanic routes, marking a major milestone for the airline.
Wizz Air September Passenger Growth
Wizz Air carried 5.76 million passengers in September 2024, up 3.9% year on year. The airline’s seat capacity also grew by 4.8%, despite ongoing Pratt & Whitney engine-related groundings. The load factor for September stood at 91.7%.
SAS and Virgin Atlantic Announce Codeshare Agreement
SAS and Virgin Atlantic have launched a new codeshare agreement aimed at strengthening business and leisure connections between Scandinavia and Virgin Atlantic’s Caribbean destinations. This partnership offers travelers seamless connections and expanded loyalty benefits.
Condor Airlines’ ‘FlyPink’ Airbus A320 Livery for Breast Cancer Awareness
Condor Airlines has revealed its new ‘FlyPink’ livery on an Airbus A320, designed to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The special livery also features themed headrest coverings and safety cards to promote this important cause.
Wizz Air Opens State-of-the-Art Training Centre in Rome
Wizz Air has officially opened its new training centre in Rome, Italy. The facility is equipped with cutting-edge simulators and will provide recurrent training for over 4,800 employees each year, ensuring that the airline’s crew receives the most advanced training available.
Qantas Assists in Lebanon Evacuation
In response to the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, Qantas is deploying Boeing 787 Dreamliners to evacuate Australian citizens. This measure highlights the airline’s commitment to helping in times of crisis, ensuring safe passage for those in need.
WWII Bomb Explosion at Miyazaki Airport
On October 2, 2024, a WWII-era bomb exploded at Miyazaki Airport in Japan, creating a large crater on a taxiway. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and investigations are ongoing.
Boom Supersonic Pitches Overture to Southwest Airlines
Boom Supersonic’s CEO, Blake Scholl, has proposed that Southwest Airlines consider the Overture aircraft for routes between the US mainland and Hawaii. The supersonic jet could reduce flight times significantly, with routes like Los Angeles to Honolulu potentially taking under three hours. The Overture has already attracted interest from major airlines, including American, United, and Japan Airlines.
That concludes our aviation news roundup for this week! Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the aviation industry.
Weekly aviation news roundup oct 6th
Check out our new coffee mugs we launched this week too!
