Travel News

Cosmo Energy Holdings, the third-largest oil refiner in Japan, is beginning to produce sustainable aviation fuel and working toward full-scale production. It will supply the fuel to Japanese airline companies for a cleaner alternative to traditional air travel. As Reuters reported, Cosmo planned production at its Osaka-based Sakai refinery earlier this year. It aimed to produce 30,000 kiloliters of sustainable…

Spirit Aviation Holdings, Inc., parent company of Spirit Airlines, LLC, announced yesterday that its Board of Directors has appointed Dave Davis as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, effective April 21, 2025. He joins Spirit from Sun Country Airlines where he served as President and Chief Financial Officer and member of the Board of Directors….

Sporty’s Pilot Shop has a video for almost everything in aviation. Years ago, it advertised a DVD titled “How an Airline Captain Should Look and Act,” one of several in the appropriately named ”What You Should Know” series. It feels more like a video some airline pilot would be made to endure as a punishment for showing up with a…

The global transport of goods is a central component of the global economy. Without it, globalization and trade would come to a standstill and the exchange of raw materials, intermediate and final products between countries, regions and continents would be impossible. In this analysis I present the current situation, analyze connections and venture a look into the future. I will…

Spirit Aviation Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Spirit Airlines, LLC, announced significant leadership changes to steer the airline into its next chapter. Effective April 21, 2025, Dave Davis will assume the role of President, Chief Executive Officer, and Board member. Davis brings extensive experience from his tenure as President and Chief Financial Officer at Sun Country Airlines, as well…

Dave Davis, formerly chief financial officer and president of Sun Country Airlines, will become Spirit’s CEO next week, the airline announced Thursday (April 17). “We’re excited to welcome Dave as Spirit’s new president and CEO,” Robert Milton, chairman of Spirit Airlines, said in a news release. “He brings with him a wealth of experience and a solid track record of accomplishments from…

What’s going on here? London’s High Court has ordered VietJet to pay $181.8 million to FW Aviation, a subsidiary of FitzWalter Capital, over a lease dispute involving several Airbus A321 planes. What does this mean? VietJet, Vietnam’s top budget airline, found itself in legal trouble with FW Aviation over unpaid rents for aircraft grounded by pandemic travel restrictions. The dispute…

Archer Aviation has unveiled a blueprint for an electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft network in New York that would link travelers between Manhattan and nearby airports.   The plans published on April 17, 2025, would see vertiports at existing aviation assets around the region, such as airports and New York helipads, used as connecting points for those wanting to…

By Randy Brooks, EAA Lifetime 165320 This piece originally ran in the March 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.   It all started with my dad taking me for my first airplane ride when I was 5, in a Cessna 120 with my brother. I can still remember the huge throttle right in front of me and the neat,…

Indian carriers, which are grappling with aircraft acquisition amid global supply chain limitations, are likely to benefit from China’s instruction to its airlines to refrain from procuring Boeing aircraft in response to US President Donald Trump’s 145% tariffs. Chinese airlines are currently awaiting delivery of around 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets — the same model ordered by Air India Express…

In the world of general aviation, factory-new aircraft are well beyond most budgets. With Cessna 172s and Carbon Cubs approaching the half-million dollar mark, most of us must accept the reality that we’ll be flying airplanes that were built before we were born. But if we add “slightly used” and “experimental” to the equation, beautiful and modern examples emerge, like…

Apr 16, 2025 United Airlines is set to cut approximately 4% of its domestic capacity starting in July, as the airline anticipates a downturn in travel demand. The full article can be read here. This move comes as the aviation industry faces potential declines in ticket sales, with economic uncertainties exacerbated by ongoing trade tensions. According to data from the…

Like many pilots, I trained in Cessna 150s and 152s, swapping types based on availability and discovering slight disorientation along the way. I recall feeling like one of the 152s was easier to fly than the others, and the confusion of having to look at the A-pillar to find the flap setting on one of the 150s. Seems a quaint…

Germany’s Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missiles could enhance Ukraine’s ability to strike high-value targets deep behind Russian lines – if Berlin overcomes its reluctance.   Ukraine has repeatedly requested these precision-guided weapons to hit high-value targets far behind Russian lines. Now, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, has signaled openness to supplying Taurus missiles to Kyiv – but only in coordination with European…

United Airlines Holdings, Inc., a leading global airline, has released its latest Form 10-Q report, showcasing significant improvements in both financial and operational performance. The report highlights the company’s robust recovery and strategic growth initiatives, reflecting its resilience and adaptability in the competitive airline industry. Financial Highlights Total Operating Revenue: $13,213 million, increased by 5.4% compared to the same period…

Japan’s first flight closely followed America’s, inspired by the Wright Brothers’ groundbreaking achievement. Many nations, including Japan, were either developing similar innovations or eager to bring this transformative technology to their own countries. The honor of Japan’s first flight in history goes to Yoshitoshi Tokugawa, who took to the air at only 27 years old. Here’s how his inspiring story…

United Airlines forecast lower-than-expected profit for the current quarter on Tuesday and warned of downside risks to its full-year outlook if the US economy slips into a recession. President Donald Trump’s trade war has increased the odds of an economic recession, hitting business and consumer confidence and rattling global markets. As travel is a discretionary item for many consumers and…

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been evaluating drone detection systems in New Jersey following a “drone fiasco” in 2024, which saw a rise in drone activity in the state, US Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy announced.  “Do you remember the drone fiasco in New Jersey last year?” Duffy said in a post on X published on April…

DELHI- Indian airlines struggling with aircraft shortages may gain unexpected benefits from China’s new directive to its carriers. Chinese airlines must now avoid purchasing Boeing aircraft in response to President Donald Trump’s 145% tariffs. Chinese carriers currently await the delivery of approximately 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets and 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliners – the same models ordered by Indian airlines…

The reshuffling follows China’s suspension of aircraft and parts purchases from the United States, a move that may leave nearly 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets and 11 787 Dreamliners in search of new buyers. (AI Generated Image) Amid a deepening trade war between the United States and China, Indian budget carriers could be unexpected beneficiaries as Boeing prepares to redirect…

{KXLG – Watertown, SD} The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved a request from SkyWest Airlines to alter its Essential Air Service (EAS) pattern at Watertown Regional Airport, effective August 1, 2025. According to an order issued by the Department of Transportation on April 14, 2025, SkyWest will implement a dual-carrier model at Watertown. This means that SkyWest, operating as…

On 9 November 1942, 31 B-17s and 12 B-24s took off from England and attacked the German U-boat base at Saint-Nazaire on the west coast of France. The B-17s, flying between 7,500 and 12,000 feet, faced heavy flak. Three of the bombers were lost, and 22 suffered damage. The B-24s attacked from 17,500 to 18,300 feet and only were damaged….

Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced that it has started renovation and upgrade works on its SilverKris and KrisFlyer Gold lounges at Changi International Airport (SIN). The refurbishment, valued at SGD 45 million (US$34 million), officially began on April 15, 2025, and is expected to be completed by mid-2027. According to Singapore Airlines, the revamped lounges will feature 50% more space and…

A new deal between Sabre and CellPoint Digital will expand the range of payments methods for retailers using the GDS’s SabreSonic and Radixx passenger platforms. The tie-up with the payments orchestration firm is also expected to simplify payments processes and reduce costs while improving the customer experience. Airlines can choose from an extensive range of payment options, including international card…

As China rehearses space combat tactics and the United States ramps up investment in military space capabilities, France may be sleepwalking into strategic irrelevance in orbit.  Speaking before the French National Assembly’s Defense Committee on April 9, 2025, Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier delivered a blunt assessment on a topic rarely discussed in European defense circles: a spaceplane.  Responding to…

Although international tourism has declined and economic uncertainty looms, Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle remains confident in the budget airline’s outlook. “People think that there’s some kind of Armageddon going to happen,” Biffle said during a sit-down with Hallie Jackson of NBC Nightly News. “I think that as we look here today, I’m optimistic.” Amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing global…

Like so many of my generation, I grew up reading about the exploits of the golden age of air racing. The 1930s produced a series of civilian race planes that outran the fastest military pursuit fighters. The Granville Brothers Gee Bee R-1, Travel Air Mystery Ship, Supermarine S6, and, of course, Howard Hughes’ legendary H-1 set speed and distance records,…

On 3 April, at the CAPA (Centre for Aviation) Airline Leader Summit in Dublin, Ireland, Breeze Airways CEO David Neeleman took the stage as a keynote speaker for a candid conversation with APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) Global CEO Dr. Joe Leader. Their conversation explored innovation, strategic shifts, and reorienting the airline industry toward traveler priorities. Neeleman’s insights offered a…

Uzbekistan’s $220m education project signals shift toward skills-driven systems: GPE CEO  RIYADH: Uzbekistan’s $220 million education reform deal reflects a growing global shift to align schooling systems with economic transformation, according to Global Partnership for Education CEO Laura Frigenti.  Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the Human Capability Initiative 2025 in Riyadh, Frigenti said the agreement,…

Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its latest Airbus A340, adding the sixth aircraft of the type to its growing fleet. The new aircraft arrived during the weekend of April 12-13, 2025, after a successful journey from Airbus’ headquarters in Toulouse, France. The A350-1000 is one of Etihad’s youngest and most fuel-efficient aircraft. It is currently used to fly passengers…

Andrii Paramonov, Aviation Team Lead at Sigma Software Group provides advice about how airlines can avoid a repeat of the recent high profile cyberattacks on the industry  The airline industry sits at the crossroads of technology and transportation, relying on digital systems for smooth passenger experiences and efficient operations. Software plays a key role in everything from ticketing and in-flight…

A penguin which was being transported in the cabin of a Robinson R44 Raven II (registration ZS-RJC) has been, indirectly, blamed for the helicopter’s crash in South Africa, on January 19, 2025.  According to a report issued on April 5, 2025, by the South African civil aviation authority (SACAA), the helicopter went down due to an unsecured carboard box, in…

Despite a downturn in foreign tourism and broader economic uncertainty, Frontier CEO Barry Biffle remains optimistic about the budget airline’s future. “People think that there’s some kind of Armageddon going to happen,” Biffle said in an exclusive interview with “NBC Nightly News” correspondent Hallie Jackson that airs Sunday. “I think that as we look here today, I’m optimistic.” Travel experts…

The Spanish Air Force received its first Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) on April 11, 2025, at a ceremony that took place at Airbus’ facilities in Getafe, near Madrid.  This is the first of three aircraft of the type that Spain ordered in order to boost its long-range operational capabilities.   Although some of Spain’s A400M are equipped with a…

On February 11th, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order that imposes a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum products imported into the U.S. The order aims to promote domestic steel production and ensure “national security.” There are no exceptions or exemptions stated in the order. The order is expected to impact suppliers of both Boeing and Airbus. Image –…

Ethiopian Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with French company Safran for eight upcoming Boeing 777-9 aircraft to be fitted with Z400 economy class seats.  Ethiopian Airlines and Safran reached an agreement at the Aircraft International Exhibition in Hamburg, Germany, on April 10, 2025, and took part in a signing ceremony to seal the contract.   Africa’s largest airline…

In the first of a special three-part series, John Walton examines the cabin trends that will define the airline industry between now and 2030. Business class is where most airlines make their money, and 15 years ago, designer Ben Orson was at the forefront of the Cathay Pacific Cirrus II. It’s a seat that defined the category for 20 years. …

The aviation industry remains surprisingly optimistic about the prospects for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) even as US President Donald Trump takes a sledgehammer to climate-friendly projects and upends longstanding norms for global trade and economic cooperation. A new survey of SAF supply chain participants by PA Consulting found 40% were very (8%) or quite (32%) optimistic about prospects for widespread…

Air Wisconsin announced on Thursday an additional round of layoffs affecting 128 salaried employees at two of the state’s major airports. The president and CEO, CFO, and several vice president positions are among the salaried employees affected. This follows the termination of its capacity purchase agreement with American Airlines on April 3, and brings the total number of job losses…