Aviation Daily Roundup: March 17, 2022

March 18, 2022

Iceland’s PLAY Sets Measures To Counter Higher Fuel Costs

Credit: PLAY



Icelandic LCC PLAY plans to lower the impact of rising fuel prices by increasing the number of seats in its Airbus A321neo fleet. As the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pose a new challenge. PLAY estimates that, based on the current market situation, the war-related price increase will raise the airline’s costs by around $10 million in 2022.




Belfast City To Be Second Base For Revived Flybe

Credit: Rob Finlayson



Revived UK regional carrier Flybe has confirmed it will open a second base at Belfast City Airport (BHD) alongside its new home Birmingham (BHX). The airline intends to fly a network of domestic routes once the brand is relaunched, as well as serving “key regions” across Europe. Flybe will announce its initial network on March 22 when the first flights go on sale.




AirBaltic Recovery Stymied By Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

Credit: Airbus



Latvian flag-carrier airBaltic faced a 30% drop in bookings when Russia invaded Ukraine, but the carrier is confident it will compensate for lost revenue with other destinations. AirBaltic was one of the very first airlines to decide to leave the Russian market until further notice. The airline canceled all its flights to and from Russian destinations on March 4.




Howmet Downplays Titanium Supply-Chain Risks

Credit: VSMPO



Howmet Aerospace sees potential for growth as airframe and engine manufacturers shift their titanium supply chain sourcing away from Russia but will not alter its business strategy to chase market share, its top executive said.




Delta, Airbus Align To Work On Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft

Credit: Airbus



Delta Air Lines and Airbus have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the research and development of hydrogen-powered aircraft. Delta is the first U.S. airline to partner with the European airframer in its Airbus “ZEROe” aircraft development program, which was unveiled two years ago with a potential service entry date by 2035.




Air Canada Boosts Transpacific Network

Credit: Rob Finlayson



Air Canada is ramping up its transpacific schedule with the return of daily service to Sydney (SYD) and resumption of flights to both Brisbane (BNE) and Auckland (AKL). The airline plans to increase frequencies between Vancouver (YVR) and Sydney from three flights per week to daily starting May 1.




Daily Memo: Australia-New Zealand Border Opening Restores Key Traffic Flow

Credit: James D. Morgan / Contributor / Getty Images



New Zealand’s upcoming move to allow entry for Australian residents will mark the final step in reopening a cross-border market that is crucial to the major airlines in both countries. This measure is part of the New Zealand government’s accelerated timetable for restoring travel from some of its most important overseas markets. The new schedule for reopening to foreign visitors announced March 16 follows earlier steps that allowed New Zealanders to return from overseas without quarantine.




China Airlines Expects Sea Freight Shortage To Boost Earnings

Credit: China Airlines



Taiwan’s China Airlines (CAL) is forecasting that demand for its air cargo services will benefit from increased congestion at sea ports and persistent labor shortages that continue to disrupt the supply chain. The flagship carrier is bringing additional capacity online as two more Boeing 777F freighters join its fleet. The aircraft will cater to demand for “sea-to-air” cargo and the transport of high-yield consignments.




Opinion: How Aerospace Can Sidestep Russia’s Titanium Cutoff

Credit: ATI



Investors have become more and more concerned about the availability of Russian-supplied titanium since the country's forces invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 and as Boeing and Airbus ramp up production rates. Over the past month or so, an array of observers have suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin could shut down the commercial aerospace business.




Iceland’s PLAY sets measures to counter higher fuel costs, Belfast City to be second base for revived Flybe and more. Take a look at the daily roundup of air transport news.

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