segunda-feira, 4 de maio de 2026
VINTAGE Aircraft - KLM Royal Dutch Airlines / PH-AGI / Airbus A310-203
AIRLINE HISTORY DEFUNCT - Panair (Panair - Compagnia Aerea Mediterranea) was an Italian airline based in Palermo, operating from 1979 to 2003
In 2001, it began charter operations with medium-capacity aircraft, particularly with operations from central and southern Italy to international destinations. The aircraft chosen is the B737.
The aircraft with registration EI-PAM received its original registrations from the aircraft G-BNNK, which in Italy briefly belonged to National Jet Italia, a British Airways franchisee. The aircraft had arrived from the United Kingdom in April of the same year. The hybrid paint scheme, with the lower part of the aircraft painted entirely blue, actually refers to this origin. The aircraft had previously flown with British Airways and Dan Air London.
In 2002, it began regular operations on the Palermo-Rome route, carrying over 195,000 passengers. But this also marked the end of the line for the airline, which would accumulate huge losses. At the time, there was fierce competition on this route. The charter flight division accounted for just over a third of regular passengers, with just over 73,000. During this period, it also operated flights between Pantelleria and Lampedusa.
Allegiant (US) expects three more B737 MAX deliveries in 2Q 2026, along with one more A320 retirement.
The carrier has the option to accelerate A320s retirements if elevated fuel prices persist. with plans to exercise its MAX options. The combined fleet, post Mid May 2026 closing of Sun Country (US), will stand at 172 passenger aircraft.
FLEET - Mexicana Receives First Of 10 Embraer E190-E2 Jets
Mexicana de Aviación has taken delivery of its first Embraer E190-E2 , the initial aircraft in an order for 10 units of the type.
The jet, registered XA-MXF , left Embraer’s production site in Brazil on May 1 and arrived in Mexico City the following day. It is configured with 108 seats, compared with 132 seats on the airline’s Embraer E195-E2 fleet.
Mexicana has already incorporated five E195-E2 aircraft since 2025, part of a broader 20-aircraft order split evenly between the two variants.
Mexicana said the E190-E2 will support the launch of new domestic routes from June, including Acapulco, Hermosillo, Chihuahua, Tuxtla Gutiérrez and the Bajío region.
Photos: Mexicana de Aviación
ORDER -Air China Cargo to order more A350Fs
Airbus.
FLEET - EgyptAir Takes Delivery of First Boeing 737 MAX Jet
Boeing and EgyptAir announced today the Egyptian national airline took delivery of its first 737 MAX. The 737-8 is the first of 18 airplanes leased from SMBC Aviation Capital to be delivered and represents the first 737 MAX in Egypt.
The 737-8 complements EgyptAir's fleet of 30 Next-Generation 737 jets with operational commonality and enhanced efficiency, reducing fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes it replaces. As part of its fleet renewal program, EgyptAir will deploy the new aircraft on short- and medium-haul routes to destinations such as Paris, Brussels, Istanbul and Vienna.
"We are delighted to support EgyptAir as it welcomes its first 737-8 and advances its fleet modernization strategy," said Barry Flannery, chief commercial officer at SMBC Aviation Capital. "This delivery underscores our long-standing partnership with Boeing and our commitment to providing EgyptAir with efficient, next-generation aircraft that enhance operational performance and deliver a better passenger experience."
Passengers aboard EgyptAir's 737 MAX jets will experience a new level of comfort with the Boeing Sky Interior, which features advanced LED lighting, larger windows and spacious overhead bins.
"The delivery of EgyptAir's first 737 MAX marks an important step toward the airline's modernization goals and kicks off a new era for Egypt," said Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa. "The 737 MAX offers the efficiency, range and passenger comfort airlines need as they grow and enhance their operations. With this delivery, we build on 60 years of partnership with EgyptAir and welcome them as a 737 MAX operator."
EgyptAir is one of Africa's largest and longest-serving operators of the 737 family ─ dating back to 1975 when the airline first ordered the airplane type. The carrier also operates five 777 and eight 787 Dreamliner jets.
A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.
domingo, 3 de maio de 2026
HYBRIDS C/S - Flyadeal has wet-leased Airbus A330-200 aircraft from Turkish carrier Air Anka to boost capacity, particularly for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages
sábado, 2 de maio de 2026
VINTAGE Aircraft - Swissair / A319-100 / HB-IPX
FLIGHTS CANCELLED - Spirit Airlines suspends operations
Spirit Aviation Holdings said in its statement, dated May 2, that it "regretfully announced that the company has started an orderly wind-down of operations, effective immediately. All Spirit flights have been cancelled, and Spirit guests should not go to the airport."
The wind-down follows "the company's extensive and comprehensive efforts to restructure the business and pursue transactions to strengthen Spirit's financial position and create a sustainable path forward. Unfortunately, despite the company's efforts, the recent material increase in oil prices and other pressures on the business have significantly impacted Spirit's financial outlook."
With no additional funding available, it added, it had no choice but to begin the wind-down process.
The United States government was reportedly close to disbursing up to USD500 million in the ailing carrier, which was under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This could have saved it from collapse. However, it was reported at the end of April that these talks had hit an impasse.
"For more than 30 years, Spirit Airlines has played a pioneering role in making travel more accessible and bringing people together while driving affordability across the industry," Dave Davis, Spirit's president and chief executive, said in the statement.
"In March 2026, we reached an agreement with our bondholders on a restructuring plan that would have allowed us to emerge as a go-forward business. However, the sudden and sustained rise in fuel prices in recent weeks ultimately has left us with no alternative but to pursue an orderly wind-down of the company."
He added: "Sustaining the business required hundreds of millions of additional dollars of liquidity that Spirit simply does not have and could not procure. This is tremendously disappointing and not the outcome any of us wanted."
He thanked the US administration for their "extraordinary efforts to try to preserve jobs and service across the country," along with the US Department of Transportation for "their assistance to minimise the disruption to our guests in the days and weeks ahead."
Spirit Airlines said compensation for flights would be determined at a later date through a court-led bankruptcy process. It said it was unfortunately unable to reimburse affected passengers for costs such as replacement flights or emergency hotel stays. Its customer service is no longer available.
Flights cancelled
Two out of three red-eye flights scheduled to leave Las Vegas Harry Reid and four flights scheduled to leave from Los Angeles International before midnight Pacific Time have been cancelled, according to the Las Vegas and Los Angeles airport websites.
Flight NK615 from Las Vegas to Detroit Metropolitan shows as being delayed. Another flight from Guayaquil to Fort Lauderdale had not taken off as scheduled at 2359L (0459Z) in Ecuador. One out of two flights scheduled to leave San Juan Luis Muñoz Marin in the middle of the night has been cancelled.
The memo seen by ch-aviation stating that Spirit would permanently cease operations at 0300 Eastern Time on May 2, 2026, acknowledged the difficulty of the news and assured employees of union support and ongoing communication.
It explained that all flight attendants would be assisted in returning home and would receive updates regarding logistics, pay, and next steps, while management and the union worked to address questions and provide support. It also emphasised solidarity, appreciation for employees, and efforts to coordinate with other airlines to help affected staff.
According to ch-aviation data, Spirit Airlines operates a trimmed-down fleet of fifty-seven A320-200s, thirty-five A320-200Ns, twenty-nine A321-200, and twenty-seven A321-200NX aircraft. Ninety-one of these are leased, the rest owned.
CH Aviation - Photos: Duncan Stewart
sexta-feira, 1 de maio de 2026
AIRLINE HISTORY DEFUNCT - Swiss Sun historically refers to specific Airbus A320-200 aircraft used by Swiss International Air Lines around 2003–2004, often in collaboration with Edelweiss
Full Name - Swiss Sun AG
Country - Switzerland
Started Operations - Apr 2003
Ceased operations - 30 Oct 2004
Swiss (LX / SWR)
Group / Part of Swiss
Headquarters - Basel
Main Hub - Zurich Kloten (ZRH / LSZH)
Bases - Geneva Cointrin (GVA / LSGG)
ORDER -Biman Bangladesh Airlines Orders 14 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX Jets
737 operator places first 737 MAX order to modernize its single-aisle fleet
DHAKA, Bangladesh, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire(opens in a new tab)/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Biman Bangladesh Airlines announced today the national carrier has placed its largest-ever order, selecting 14 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX airplanes to expand and modernize its fleet.
The new order includes:
Boeing-Biman-787-737
Boeing and Biman Bangladesh Airlines announce the national carrier has placed its largest-ever order, selecting 14 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX airplanes to expand and modernize its fleet.
Eight 787-10s, Biman's first order of the largest 787 variant, to serve high-demand flights to the Middle East
Four 737-8s, the airline's first 737 MAX order, to efficiently connect Bangladesh with destinations across the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia
"The new fuel-efficient, technologically advanced aircraft will modernize Biman's fleet, sharpen operational performance, and extend its international route network — strengthening Bangladesh's position in the global aviation market," said Kaizer Sohel Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Biman currently operates a fleet of 14 Boeing airplanes – 787-9s, 787-8s, 777s and Next-Generation 737s – on its long-haul and short-haul international networks. The airline will boost passenger and cargo capacity while improving fuel efficiency with the 787-10, which offers the lowest cost per seat of any widebody airplane.
The 737-8 will support Biman's single-aisle fleet renewal and help the carrier meet growing regional demand. The 737 MAX and 787 families deliver 20-25% fuel-use improvement compared to the airplanes they replace.
"We are proud to build on our partnership with Biman with this order and support their strategy to modernize their fleet, expand their network and enhance the passenger experience," said Paul Righi, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, Eurasia, India and South Asia. "The 787-10 delivers unmatched efficiency and seamless commonality with Biman's existing 787s, while the 737-8 is the ideal bridge from their 737 fleet with its versatility, fuel savings and crew commonality."
The 787-10, like the 787-9 and 787-8, offers passengers a comfortable cabin experience with the largest windows of any widebody jet, air that is less dry and pressurized at a lower cabin altitude, and technology that senses and counters turbulence for a smoother ride.
Biman currently flies from Dhaka, Bangladesh, to 22 international destinations, including major hubs in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and Europe. The airline's longest route is the service to Toronto via Istanbul on a 787-9.
Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook projects South Asia's widebody fleet will more than triple over 20 years as the region's carriers connect millions of travelers to international destinations across the Middle East, Europe and North America. With the region poised for significant air travel demand over the next two decades, Bangladesh will continue to contribute to this growth.
A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.
ROUTES - American Airlines returns to Venezuela with first Miami to Caracas flight
Operated by Envoy Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group, the Embraer 175 taking off for Venezuela featured a special livery marking the 250th anniversary year of the United States.
A second daily flight between Miami (MIA) and Caracas (CCS) will start on May 21.
Starting May 21, American will introduce a second daily service between MIA and CCS, also with Envoy-operated Embraer 175 aircraft. The E175 is a dual-class regional jet featuring a premium cabin and free Wi-Fi, sponsored by AT&T.
With two daily flights, customers have more opportunities to tailor their itineraries to fit their needs best. American’s hub at MIA is the best in the industry for connecting the United States with Venezuela, providing more than 85 destinations convenient one-stop access to CCS, including from Orlando, Florida (MCO), Houston (IAH), New York (LGA) and more.
quinta-feira, 30 de abril de 2026
FLEET / ROUTES - Emirates SkyCargo (UAE) has launched a weekly freighter service from Dubai to Toronto Pearson via Amsterdam.
FLEET - Air Congo to Take Delivery of Two ATR 72-600s
Air Congo is preparing to take delivery of its two new ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, already delivered to its technical partner Ethiopian Airlines.
FLEET - China Southern orders 102 A320neo, Xiamen orders 35
Deliveries for China Southern are set to take place in batches from 2028 to 2032, while Xiamen’s new aircraft will start entering the fleet in 2029 with final deliveries expected also in 2032.
The filing states that China Southern and Xiamen Airlines received a significant discount compared to the list price.
China Southern’s fleet already includes 178 A320neo family aircraft, while Xiamen Airlines operates 19 A320neo family aircraft in its fleet.
The announcement comes shortly after Germany's chancellor, Friedrich Merz, announced during a state visit to Beijing that China was looking to purchase up to 120 Airbus aircraft. Airbus operates an A320neo final assembly line in Tianjin.