FLEET - Timor-Leste's Aero Dili mulling third aircraft in 2027

Aero Dili (8G, Dili) is considering adding a third aircraft in 2027 as limited availability across its existing fleet constrains further network expansion, executive director Lourenço de Oliveira told the Timor-Leste news agency Tatoli.
The airline currently lacks sufficient aircraft availability to add a proposed Dili-Kupang
service, de Oliveira said, as its fleet is already deployed on routes to Australia,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and China.
The airline executive held talks with Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara governor Emanuel
Melkiades Laka Lena over possible Aero Dili services to Kupang. 

But the airline was not ready to launch the route in the near term and could instead wait until 2027, when it may add another aircraft.
ch-aviation data shows Aero Dili currently operates two Airbus narrowbodies: A320-
200 4W-AAL (msn 3672) and A319-100 4W-AAO (msn 2825). 

The A320 joined the carrier when it launched in 2023 and the A319 two years later.
In December 2022, de Oliveira said the airline aimed to operate at least three aircraft,
with a second due within six months of its first A320 and another around two years later. 

The second aircraft ultimately joined in 2025, while a third has yet to materialise. 

CH Aviation

FLEET - easyJet to accelerate A319 exit to 2029

easyJet (London Luton) will accelerate the phase-out of its remaining A319-100s by one year, and plans to exit the type's operations by the end of September 2029, the carrier divulged in its half-yearly results.

The airline said that the hastened exit, made possible by accelerated deliveries of A320neo family aircraft, would generate approximately GBP250 million pounds (USD336 million) of incremental annual cost efficiencies in the financial years 2027 (October 2026-September 2027) and 2028. easyJet previously planned to exit the A319 type by 2030.

The A319 was once the mainstay of easyJet's fleet, comprising more than three-quarters of all aircraft at its peak in 2010-2011 (155 units in 2011). easyJet began taking A319s in 2004 to gradually replace first the legacy B737-300s and then its B737-700s. ch-aviation data shows the LCC currently operates forty-four A319s via the easyJet UK AOC, and another thirty-five via easyJet Europe.

The aircraft are being gradually replaced by A320-200Ns and A321-200NX, allowing the airline to upgauge its fleet.

"By replacing our A319 sub-fleet with more efficient A320neo family aircraft, we are structurally improving returns across the business," chief financial officer Jan De Raeymaeker said during an earnings call. "An A320neo delivers a 24% reduction in fuel burn per seat compared to an A319, increasing to around 30% for an A321neo."

The airline's new-generation fleet currently comprises seventy-six A320-200Ns and twenty-four A321-200NX across the British, Austrian, and easyJet Switzerland AOCs. It also operates 180 A320-200s. The airline has 284 unfilled orders for A320neo family aircraft, which it plans to take by 2034. It expects another 14 new aircraft by September 2026, 30 in the following 12 months, and 43 in the 12 months after that. Including deliveries, the airline's fleet will grow by 11 aircraft in financial year 2027, and by another eight in the next one.

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FLEET - Cabo Verde Airlines Strengthens European Network with Additional Leased Aircraft

 The national airline of Cabo Verde has strengthened its operational capacity with the introduction of an Airbus A319 on a wet lease (from Fly Air41 Airways, Croatia) to support its European route network.

ROUTES - Aero Dili plans to launch service to From Dili to Darwin and to Kuala Lumpur, with A319 or A320.

Photo: Aero Dili

ROUTES - Aero Dili (Timor-Leste) began the Dili – Fuzhou route on 24 January 2026, with A319.

 Photos: Aero Dili

FLEET - Alpha Star (Saudi Arabia) took delivery of one A319, serial 4768, powered by CFM56-5B7/3 engines.

 Image: Alpha Star

ROUTES - EASYJET NS26 NETWORK ADDITIONS – 05OCT25

easyJet in Northern summer 2026 season schedules various network additions, including proposed planned additional service resumption to Tel Aviv. Planned network additions as of 05OCT25 include the following.

Lyon – Reykjavík Keflavík 23JUN26 – 29AUG26 2 weekly A320
Newcastle – Faro eff 29MAR26 3 weekly A320 (Last served until August 2020)
Newcastle – Kerkyra (Corfu) eff 03APR26 2 weekly A320(Last served until August 2020)
Newcastle – Prague eff 02AUG26 2 weekly A320
Newcastle – Reus eff 01AUG26 2 weekly A320
Newcastle – Rhodes eff 31MAR26 2 weekly A320 (Last served until October 2019)
Newcastle – Sharm el Sheikh eff 03AUG26 2 weekly A320
Tel Aviv – Amsterdam eff 31MAR26 3 weekly A320
Tel Aviv – Basel/Mulhouse eff 29MAR26 2 weekly A320 (No service 13APR26 – 23MAY26)
Tel Aviv – Berlin eff 29MAR26 2 weekly A320
Tel Aviv – Geneva eff 29MAR26 3 weekly A320
Tel Aviv – London Luton eff 29MAR26 4 weekly A320
Tel Aviv – Milan Malpensa eff 31MAR26 3 weekly A320/321neo
Tel Aviv – Nice eff 31MAR26 2 weekly A320

Flyingphotos

AIRLINE - Braathens International files for bankruptcy

SE-RGE - A319
Photo: Ton Jochems

Braathens filed bankruptcy for its Braathens International-subsidiary, ceasing all operations immediately. Earlier this month, Scramble already reported about the airline's plan to close-down its Airbus-operating subsidiary and focus on operating its ATR72s.

The airline was, however, unable to raise enough capital to keep Braathens International flying, leading to the decision to file for bankruptcy and close down the subsidiary earlier and more abrupt than planned.

All ATR72-operations by Braathens Regional are unaffected by the bankruptcy of the subsidiary and continue to run as normal.

At the moment of the bankruptcy, Braathens International's fleet was made up of:

A319-112 SE-RGC (3445), currently parked at Stockholm-Arlanda

A319-112 SE-RGE (2662), currently parked at Stockholm-Arlanda

A320-214 SE-RGF (3240), currently parked at Stockholm-Arlanda

A320-214 SE-RGG (3312), currently parked at Sofia

A320-214 SE-RGH (3508), currently parked at Stockholm-Arlanda

Braathens Regional Airlines also had two Airbus-aircraft on its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), which have also been withdrawn from use. These are:

A319-112 SE-RGD (3346), currently parked at Stockholm-Arlanda

A319-112 SE-RGV (2283), currently parked at Stockholm-Arlanda

FLEET - LATAM to add 11 A320neo in 2026, delays A319 retirements

LATAM Airlines Group has secured the delivery of 11 additional A320neo aircraft in 2026, the company revealed in its second-quarter financial results and an earnings call.

The group is on track with its fleet plan, it said, having received 14 out of 26 aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2025. But with demand growth currently being experienced, "medium term opportunities for incremental growth have been identified in most markets where LATAM Group affiliates operate", and so during the quarter 11 additional A320neo family aircraft were secured for delivery in 2026. No further details were provided.

In addition, the LATAM Airlines (LA, Santiago de Chile) parent has decided to "delay the progressive retirement" of four A319-100s. According to ch-aviation data, the group operates a total of thirty-nine A319s, averaging 17 years of age, which fly for subsidiaries LATAM Airlines Brasil (fourteen), LATAM Airlines Ecuador (seven), and LATAM Airlines Perú (18).

“Moreover, there may be potential opportunities for further growth over the next two to three years,” the company said, adding that it is looking into acquiring further aircraft from different manufacturers and lessors. It named Airbus, but also Embraer, from which it does not currently operate any aircraft. It is not the first time LATAM has been linked to a potential order from Embraer in recent years.

The main focus of these arrivals would be "to grow passenger transportation within the region and cargo traffic in regional markets," it said.

LATAM operates a fleet of 333 aircraft, including the A319s, 135 A320-200s, thirty-seven A320-200Ns, forty-nine A321-200s, fourteen A321-200Ns, three A330-200s (wet-leased from Wamos Air), nine B767-300ERs, ten B777-300ERs, ten B787-8s, and twenty-seven B787-9s. The company's projection is to close the year with a fleet of 359 aircraft, rising to 384 in 2026, and 394 in 2027.

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FLEET - Aero Dili received its first Airbus A319, 4W-AAO.

The plane is an ex China Eastern A319. The aircraft is registered 4W-AAO.

Photo: Jacky Chen
 

SPECIAL LIVERY - Air Canada / A319-100 / C-FYIY - Liberal Party of Canada campaign plane departing for Fredericton (YFC) after a campaign stop in Nova Scotia.

Photo:  boblikesfood86
 

AIRLINE / ROUTES - Fly Air41 Airways plans charter schedule for Rome Fiumicino – Bacau route, on 31 May 2025 with A319.

Images: Fly Air41 Airways
 

SPECIAL SCHEME - Allegiant Air / A319-100 / N328NV / (Las Vegas Raiders Livery)

K.C.Wong
 

FLLET / ROUTES - Timor-Leste's Aero Dili starts A319 operations

Aero Dili (8G, Dili) has introduced an A319-100 into revenue passenger service, operating a flight between Dili and Oecussi on March 24. A special ceremony was held at Dili airport commemorating the start of the A319 operations.

"This milestone represents our commitment to advancing air connectivity, enhancing passenger experience, and supporting the growth of Timor-Leste’s aviation sector," the airline said on its Facebook page.

4W-AAO (msn 2825) is Aero Dili's only A319 and was delivered to the airline in January 2025. The 18.74-year-old aircraft was previously operated by China Eastern Airlines and is currently dry-leased from AFG Aviation Ireland, an SPV for Aircraft Finance Germany. The twinjet is powered by CFM International CFM56 engines.

Aero Dili is the only scheduled passenger airline based in Timor-Leste. It operates flights from Dili to Denpasar, Oecussi, Singapore Changi, and recently introduced a new service to Xiamen, its first route to China. Aero Dili also plans to start flights to Darwin and Melbourne Airport.

Apart from 4W-AAO, the carrier operates one A320-200, ch-aviation fleets data shows.

CH Aviation

 

ROUTES - AMERICAN AIRLINES NS25 DOMESTIC NETWORK ADDITIONS – 09MAR25 2 min

Photo: Duncan Stewart

The following is the summary of American Airlines’ domestic network additions for Northern summer 2025 season, as of 09MAR25. This includes selected additions previously not covered on AeroRoutes.

Chicago O'Hare – Bismarck eff 05JUN25 1 daily Embraer E175 (Envoy Air; Last served until November 2018)

Chicago O'Hare – Boise eff 05JUN25 1 daily Embraer E175 (Envoy Air; Last served until October 2022)

Chicago O'Hare – Colorado Springs eff 05JUN25 1 daily CRJ700 (Skywest; Last served until November 2021)
Chicago O'Hare – Hyannis 21JUN25 – 30AUG25 1 weekly Embraer E175 (Republic Airways)

Chicago O'Hare – Spokane eff 05JUN25 1 daily A319 (Last served until October 2021)

Dallas/Ft. Worth – Columbus Golden Triangle Regional eff 05MAY25 1 daily CRJ700 (Skywest)

Los Angeles – Columbus OH eff 06MAR25 1 daily 737-800 (Last served until April 2020)

Los Angeles – Pittsburgh eff 04APR25 1 daily 737-800 (Last served until February 2017)

New York LaGuardia – Bozeman 07JUN25 – 30AUG25 1 weekly 737 MAX 8 (Last served until September 2021)

New York LaGuardia – Charleston SC 06JUN25 – 30AUG25 2 weekly E170/175 (Republic Airways; Last served until April 2020)

New York LaGuardia – Kalispell 07JUN25 – 30AUG25 1 weekly 737 MAX 8 (Last served until September 2022)

New York LaGuardia – Myrtle Beach 07JUN25 – 30AUG25 1 weekly E175 (Republic Airways; Last served until September 2021)

Philadelphia – Des Moines eff 05JUN25 2 daily CRJ900 (PSA Airlines; Last served until August 2020)

Philadelphia – Hyannis 19JUN25 – 02SEP25 1 daily Embraer E175 (Republic Airways)

Philadelphia – Omaha eff 05JUN25 2 daily CRJ900 (PSA Airlines; Last served until September 2020)

NEW LIVERY - Air Guilin / A319-132 / B-6192

Guilin Airport - ZGKL, China
By: Nalighte

FLEET - Aero Dili adds first A319-100, doubles fleet size

Aero Dili (8G, Dili) registered and took delivery of its second aircraft, A319-100 4W-AAO (msn 2825). The aircraft, formerly with China Eastern Airlines, was ferried on January 18, 2025, from Xi'an Xianyang via Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta to Bandung for repainting, already registered in Timor-Leste and under Aero Dili's 'DTL' code.

"This significant milestone marks a key step forward in expanding our services," the airline said on its social media platforms following a signing ceremony in Dili on January 15, 2025.

The ch-aviation fleets ownership module indicates the 18.5 year-old aircraft was previously owned and managed by China Eastern Airlines. Aero Dili leased it from AFG Aviation Ireland Limited, an SPV for Aircraft Finance Germany. The Timorese carrier did not respond to a request for further details.

Aero Dili, the country's sole scheduled passenger airline, presently flies daily between Dili and Denpasar, twice-weekly between Dili and Oecussi, and weekly between Dili and Singapore Changi with its sole existing aircraft, A320-200 4W-AAL (msn 3672). The airline has also recently filed preliminary schedules to fly to Melbourne Tullamarine and Darwin.

CH Aviation

Photo: Air Dili

FLEET - Spirit Airlines retires last A319

Spirit Airlines (NK, Fort Lauderdale International) has retired its A319-100 fleet, with the final scheduled flight taking place on January 6, 2025.

N535NK (msn 4403) operated the last commercial flight of the type for Spirit Airlines flying between Fort Lauderdale International and San Juan Luis Muñoz Marin, ADS-B data shows. Then, on January 7, it was ferried to Houston Intercontinental and subsequently to Coolidge Municipal Airport in Arizona on January 10.

The airline, which is currently under a Chapter 11 reorganisation process, opted to accelerate the retirement of the type, originally scheduled to take place in the second quarter of 2025. Last year it retired seventeen A319s, the ch-aviation fleets module shows. Two remained in operation into 2025, with N536NK (msn 4422) ferried to Coolidge on 8 January.

The company’s fleet now comprises 213 aircraft, all of them narrowbodies - sixty-four A320-200s, ninety-one A320-200Ns, thirty A321-200s, and twenty-eight A321-200NX.

Spirit Airlines was not immediately available for comment.

CH Aviation

Photo: Duncan Stewart

 

FLEET - AEROITALIA / A319-100 / 9A-ZAG - First A319 for Aeroitalia, leased from Fly Air41 Airways

Photo: Marin Ghe.

FLEET - Australia's Skytrans preps for first A319 delivery

Skytrans (QN, Cairns) is expecting to receive its first A319-100 by the end of the year. The aircraft, to be entered into the Australian register as VH-L7A (msn 1779), is currently at the MAAS Aviation facility at Kaunas International for repainting.
Skytrans CEO Alan Milne says the aircraft is expected to ferry to Australia in November. The airline hopes to get the air operator's certificate variation completed by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) before the end of the year, with entry into service shortly after that.
According to ch-aviation fleets data, the 22.3-year-old VH-L7A is ex Alitalia (AZA, Rome Fiumicino) and ITA Airways (AZ, Rome Fiumicino) stock, for which it was registered as EI-IMJ. The narrowbody jet seats 144 passengers in a singe-class cabin configuration.
According to the CASA register, Skytrans operates a fleet of thirteen aircraft, including two DHC-8-300s, five DHC-8-100s, and seven Cessna (single turboprop) 208Bs. The airline operates scheduled flights to 19 airports in Queensland, primarily within North Queensland and the Cape York Peninsula region.

Skytrans CEO Alan Milne says the aircraft is expected to ferry to Australia in November. The airline hopes to get the air operator's certificate variation completed by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) before the end of the year, with entry into service shortly after that.
According to ch-aviation fleets data, the 22.3-year-old VH-L7A is ex Alitalia (AZA, Rome Fiumicino) and ITA Airways (AZ, Rome Fiumicino) stock, for which it was registered as EI-IMJ. The narrowbody jet seats 144 passengers in a singe-class cabin configuration.
According to the CASA register, Skytrans operates a fleet of thirteen aircraft, including two DHC-8-300s, five DHC-8-100s, and seven Cessna (single turboprop) 208Bs. The airline operates scheduled flights to 19 airports in Queensland, primarily within North Queensland and the Cape York Peninsula region.

Skytrans also operates freight and charter services, including contracted fly-in-fly-out charters. In addition, the airline recently secured a New South Wales government tender to operate scheduled Sydney-Lord Howe Island flights from early 2026, taking over from Qantas.
Earlier this year, Skytrans was acquired by Avia Solutions Group. The airline is the only subsidiary of the group operating scheduled passenger flights. However, VH-L7A will operate charters in line with Avia's standard operating procedures.

CH Aviation

Images: SkyTrans