This week’s top air transport stories include an NTSB report suggesting that the missing bolts had been removed on the Boeing factory floor and did not break off during the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 Jan. 5 flight, causing the exit door plug to rip off, and the European Court of Justice annulled the state aid approval awarded to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to help it through the pandemic.
A preliminary National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report suggests that bolts needed to secure the exit door plug that ripped off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 in January were removed on the Boeing factory floor as part of an unrelated pre-delivery repair and never re-installed. This means the bolts did not break during the Jan. 5 flight that included a rapid decompression and required an emergency landing.
In regulatory news, the European Court of Justice annulled the approval of €3.4 billion ($3.7 billion) of state aid awarded to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to help it through the pandemic, following a challenge by Ryanair.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requested additional information and documentary material as its reviews Alaska Air Group’s proposed acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines.
Arguments from JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines will be heard in June, as they appeal the Jan. 16 ruling blocking their $3.8 billion merger.
Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico asked for more time to respond to a tentative decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) ordering the airlines to dissolve their transborder joint venture.
The European Commission launched an in-depth investigation into whether planned amendments to France-based Corsair’s restructuring plan by the French state are in line with EU state aid rules.
The Pakistan government will soon consider whether to grant final approval for a plan to sell a majority stake in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
In airline news, Emirates Airline is bringing back its daily Dubai-Adelaide service from Oct. 28 in a move welcomed by the South Australian airport as it works toward reconnecting with unserved markets in northern Asia and North America.
Asia-Pacific airline capacity is nearing full recovery, driven by growing fleet numbers that have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
Former JetBlue Airways executive Marty St. George is returning to serve as the airline’s president, effective Feb. 26.
Alaska Airlines SVP-fleet, finance and alliances Nathaniel Pieper will lead global airline alliance oneworld as its next CEO, replacing Rob Gurney who stepped down over the summer.
Denver-based Frontier Airlines plans to focus its network growth in higher-fare markets and reduce capacity in others, as the ULCC seeks a return to profitability.
Austrian Airlines is wet leasing two ATR 72-600s from Swedish carrier Braathens Regional Airlines as several of its regional routes are neither economically nor operationally ideal for the Austrian flag carrier’s Embraer E195 fleet.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) expects to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection near the end of June, roughly a year later than anticipated at the beginning of the process.
Utah-based regional SkyWest Airlines acquired a 25% ownership stake in Part 135 carrier Tennessee-based Contour Airlines for $25 million. The arrangement includes an asset provisioning agreement to monetize existing Bombardier CRJ assets and establishes another pipeline for pilot supply.
In manufacturer news, Airbus booked firm orders for 31 widebody aircraft in January and delivered 30 aircraft, including 26 A320neo family jets, to 18 customers. No cancellations were recorded during the month. The company's backlog stands at 8,599 aircraft as of Jan. 31, 2024.
A new issue on some Boeing 737 fuselages will slow production and require re-work on about 50 airplanes.
In sustainability news, U.S.-European startup Cosmic Aerospace raised $4.5 million in seed financing to progress development of a 24-passenger all-electric regional aircraft. The funding will be used to build a ground demonstrator of the wing and embedded propulsion that is key to the aircraft’s targeted 1,000 km (6,230 mi.) range on batteries.
In airport news, Bokeo International Airport opened in Laos following three years of construction. It is the third-largest airport in the Southeast Asian country, after Vientiane Wattay International Airport—which serves the capital—and Luang Prabang International Airport, based near the popular holiday destination area in northern Laos. Built on 314 hectares (776 acres) of land, the new airport has a 2,700-meter (8,860-ft.) runway and 10,300-sq m (110,870-sq. ft.) terminal. It is estimated that Bokeo will be able to handle around 2 million passengers annually.
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