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Turkish Airlines plans to add 70 new aircraft next year, including Embraer's E2 jets
ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE — The world's largest network carrier Turkish Airlines is planning to order up to 70 additional aircraft in 2023, but the airline is severely constrained due to the lack of next-generation narrowbody and widebody jets in the market. "We are planning to open new routes, but missing widebodies. If we can find them right now, we could easily buy 20 more next-generation widebody aircraft - B787s or A350s - ready to come in 2023," Chairman Ahmet Bolat told Aviation Week Network's Kurt Hofmann. The Turkish fla…
Boeing forecasts Middle Eastern carriers to grow their fleets more than double by 2041
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — According to Boeing, the Middle Eastern region's commercial fleet and passenger traffic are expected to more than double over the next two decades as air travel and tourism continue to drive the region's economic growth. In the 2022 Boeing Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), a 20-year demand prediction, the American planemaker published their estimate. Middle Eastern carriers have overcome difficulties caused by the pandemic by altering their business strategies and using more freighters to increase income. Accordin…
Wizz Air repatriates 1 of its Airbus jets stranded in Lviv, Ukraine with a risky flight at low altitude
KATOWICE, POLAND — The Budapest-based budget carrier Wizz Air rescued one of its four Airbus aircraft stranded in Ukraine in a daring escape task that involved flying at a low altitude and turning off its transponder, tracking app Flightradar24 data suggests. Four Wizz Air Airbus jets had been stranded in Lviv International Airport for seven months since Russia started a military campaign against Ukraine. Flight tracking app Flightradar24 showed that an Airbus A320 flew from Lviv in western Ukraine to Katowice in neighboring Poland on Sept.…
5G-resistant radio altimeters are coming
NEW YORK, U.S. — U.S. airlines have begun installing new radar altimeters immune to interference from 5G transmitters. At the beginning of the year, the airline operators had voiced their concerns that 5G antennas could interfere with airplanes' radio altimeters and other flight systems, which could pose flight safety risks. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed restrictions on certain types of aircraft and airports, while mobile phone providers At&T and Verizon have not yet been allowed to roll out their 5G service…
SWISS pilots threaten to go on a strike from mid-October
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND — SWISS pilots will go on strike from mid-October if the airline does not improve their wages and working conditions. According to the pilots, the current pay increase offered by the carrier is insufficient, and the demand to create a better work-life balance has not been accepted. Also, the partial conversion of the variable wage into a higher fixed wage when things go well for the airline does not go far enough, according to the Swiss pilots. The total value of the wage increase amounts to 60 million Swiss francs (62 m…
Michael O'Leary: Airlines to raise fares next year, Ryanair to become largest airline in the world
DUBLIN, IRELAND — Ryanair Boss Michael O'Leary predicts airlines will raise fares next year to cover the rising cost of fuel, and people will fly less as a result of the rising cost of living and economic downturn. Last week, the Irish CEO told RTÉ News Channel that Ryanair was taking advantage of a solid fuel hedging position, having bought most of its fuel needs forward to April 2023 at around $64 a barrel, well below where prices currently stand. O'Leary also said that they would be able to pass on those savings to Ryanair custo…
Porter Airlines to lease six Embraer E195-E2 jets from TrueNoord
TORONTO, CANADA — Canadian regional airline operator Porter Airlines has signed a lease agreement with Dutch regional aircraft lessor TrueNoord for six new-generation Embraer E195-E2 jets. According to the leasing term, the next generation jets will join Porter Airlines’ fleet on a long-term operating lease. All six aircraft are to be delivered in 2023 and are part of Porter’s first firm E2 order for 30 E195-E2s, confirmed in 2021. Garry Topp, TrueNoord Sales Director of Americas, said that Porter operating E2 aircraft in North America is a…
Boeing to seek new buyers for 737 MAX jets previously intended for Chinese carriers
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — On Sept. 15, Boeing announced that the company would look for new customers for Boeing 737 MAX jets that were intended for Chinese carriers. Boeing cannot deliver those planes to Chinese airline operators because China's civil aviation regulator has not yet cleared the aircraft to return to service. With this move, the American planemaker aims to reduce its undelivered B737 MAX Boeing inventory, which built up after the type was globally grounded around the world after two deadly crashes. However, Boeing's deci…
Air Canada to order 30 ES-30 Electric Regional Aircraft from Heart Aerospace of Sweden
MONTREAL, CANADA — Air Canada announced that it would acquire 30 ES-30 electric-hybrid aircraft from Göteborg-based Swedish company Heart Aerospace. The revolutionary regional electric aircraft, which is currently under development, is expected to enter service in 2028. Air Canada has also acquired a US$5 million equity stake in Heart Aerospace. The ES-30 will allow Air Canada to serve regional and commuter routes more sustainably, providing low-emission connectivity to local communities over the medium-to-long term. It will be capable of c…
Turkish Airlines sets new records while the sector shrinks globally
ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE — Türkiye's flag carrier Turkish Airlines set new records during July and August as the airline increased its seat capacity by 14 percent while the sector shrank globally. Distinguishing itself from its competitors in the skies during the pandemic, Turkish Airlines continues its rise with records after the most difficult times of the aviation industry. According to monthly passenger traffic results, global carrier broke its pre-pandemic record on monthly passenger count by carrying 7.8 million passengers each during Ju…
First Austrian Airlines A320neo arrives in Vienna
VIENNA, AUSTRIA — The first Austrian Airbus A320neo aircraft with registration OE-LZN took off from Toulouse and landed at the Vienna International Airport on Sept. 13. The newest member of the fleet was handed over to Austrian Technik after landing for the checks and corporate livery painting. The first commercial scheduled flight will be conducted in mid-October after crew training completed. Austrian Airlines will take delivery of three more Airbus A320neo aircraft by the spring of 2023, bringing the number of the type in the fleet to fo…
Ethiopian Airlines to lease three Boeing 767 Freighter aircraft
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — Ethiopian Airlines Group agrees with Atlas Air Group subsidiary Titan Aircraft Investments to acquire three Boeing 767 converted freighters on a long-term lease agreement. Ethiopian Airlines is expected to take delivery of the first of these aircraft later this month, with the second delivery planned for later this year, and the third aircraft planned for 2023. “We are delighted to welcome Ethiopian Airlines as a strategic customer and support its growing freighter fleet,” said Michael Steen, President and Chief Exec…