Air Transport

Václav Havel Airport Prague says the plan calls for an increase in annual capacity to 21.2 million passengers and a doubling of peak hourly capacity by 2030.

SalamAir, Oman's fast-growing airline, is further expanding its network and joining the long haul market. CEO Mohamed Ahmed said that over the past two financial periods, the airline has made notable strides according to industry standards.

Garuda's Boeing 737-800 flew from Jakarta to Pelabuhan Ratu using Bioavtur J2.4 fuel, which contains 2.4% refined palm oil developed by state-owned Pertamina.

As XB-1 nears flight tests and the final assembly site comes together, Boom is focused on Overture airframe and engine design firm configuration.

FLYPRO, Moldova has acquired ex-EgyptAir A300-600RF (561) with PW4158s. It also operates one 747-200F.

MSC AIR CARGO plans in November 2023 to begin twice-weekly Liege-Quito, Ecuador (777F).

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA had A$129m net income for year ended June 30 (vs A$387m loss a year ago) on 124% higher revenues. It received its first 737-8, with another seven due in FY24 and 25 737-10s from FY25. It is refurbing cabin of 737NGs.

AIRCASTLE purchased LEAP-powered A320neo (7606; leased to VISTARA) from BOC Aviation.

RYANAIR finalized previously announced order for 150 228-pax 737-10s, plus 150 options, for 2027-2033 (SPNWS; May 23). BOEING also announced order(s) in September from unidentified customer(s) for four 787-9s and two 787-10s.

US DOT says US scheduled pax/cargo airlines employed 803,768 workers in Aug, up 8.3% vs pre-pandemic July 2019.

TAAG ANGOLA AIRLINES ordered four 787s (deliveries TBA). It currently operates eight 777s and seven 737NGs.

AIR LEASE CORPORATION delivered eight new aircraft (two A220s; two A321neo; A330-900; three 737 MAXs) in 3Q23 vs 14 in 3Q22. It ended quarter with 527 owned/managed aircraft (vs 492 a year ago) plus 351 on order through 2029.

The FAA plans to mandate a recently introduced fix for CFM International Leap 1A NSV problems that has led to several in-service incidents.

Rob Gurney has joined Seabury Aviation Group and Seabury Airline Strategy Group (SASG) as a strategic advisor.

GranBio Technologies has selected Honeywell’s ethanol-to-jet process to produce carbon-neutral SAF from agricultural and forestry residues.

Meanwhile, a tentative agreement (TA) with its ramp employees was rejected.

September’s 10 787 deliveries are the most in any month in 2023 and matched December 2022’s total.

Given the benefits for Indian airlines of leasing aircraft through GIFT City, doing so could become more common in the future.

Honeywell International said Oct. 10 it will realign its business around three trends: automation, the future of aviation, and energy transition.

Virgin Australia has recorded its first annual net profit in 11 years.

While there were no lockdowns keeping people from traveling, 2023 again turned out to be far from routine.

Three new European routes are set to be opened by Flynas from Jeddah, while seven services are being launched from its new Madinah base.

Financial support for subsidized regional air routes in Norway is to be doubled.

TAAG Angola Airlines has selected the Boeing 787 to refresh its widebody fleet.

The new terminal at Iowa's capital city airport is set to partially open in late 2026, according to Des Moines International Airport.