Friday, May 24: Boeing can’t seem to catch a break…although when you think about it, getting any kind of ‘break’ is the last thing they need right now. The latest is possible issues with some of the their ‘triple 777’s’. Don’t know about you, but when I read ‘fire’ and ‘explosions’…I’m taking the bus!
ALSO: If you plan to travel in or out of JFK this summer, you might want to just book a hotel at the airport….yikes! Australia’s aviation/travel economy has completely come back to previous pandemic levels. Now if we can just get interest rates to do the same…
Top Stories
300 Boeing 777 jets have possible issue that could cause ‘fire or explosion’ – FAA
The FAA has proposed a new airworthiness directive to address a potential flaw in Boeing 777 jets that could lead to fuel tank fires and explosions, DailyMail.com has revealed. According to the FAA’s proposal, an electrical fault in the jets could, if unaddressed, cause the fuel tanks on the planes’ wings to catch fire.
The discovery of this flaw has raised concerns for nearly 300 more Boeing planes, including those operated by United and American Airlines, as highlighted in the FAA notice. The FAA reported the issue in March, requesting Boeing and other experts to respond by May 9. However, it remains unclear if Boeing has complied.
A Boeing spokesperson described the FAA’s notice as part of a “standard regulatory process that has helped ensure air travel is the safest form of transportation. This is not an immediate safety of flight issue.” The statement further assured that “there are multiple redundancies designed into modern commercial airplanes to ensure protection for electromagnetic effects. The 777 fleet has been operating for nearly 30 years and has safely flown more than 3.9 billion passengers.”
Australia Aviation Industry Back to Pre-Pandemic Passenger Numbers
Australia’s competition watchdog said on Tuesday that the country’s aviation industry appears to have recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, with passenger levels and capacity back to pre-pandemic levels.
In its latest report on domestic airline competition, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) revealed that over the quarter to March this year, domestic passenger numbers exceeded 2023 levels and followed the seasonal pattern along 2019 levels.
Five major airlines, namely Bonza, Jetstar, Qantas, Rex, and Virgin Australia, carried 4.9 million domestic passengers in the first quarter, which represented 98.8 percent of passenger figures in March 2019 and saw an increase of 3.3 percent than the same period 2023.
Port Authority Warns of Potential Delays at JFK During Busy Summer Travel Season
Officials at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), one of the busiest hubs in the country, are gearing up travelers for a summer of potential travel disruptions due to major construction projects.
This $19 billion endeavor aims to overhaul passenger facilities, including the creation of new international terminals, the revamp of existing ones, a new ground transportation center, and the development of new roadways. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shared these plans with Travel + Leisure.
Amidst this ambitious construction project, JFK is preparing for a record-breaking summer, with more than 18 million travelers expected to pass through, which is 700,000 more than last year.
Airlines
> IndiGo on May 23 announced it will offer business class services on its flight by the end of 2024, the domestic airline said in an exchange filing. The premium class travel option will be offered on the busiest and the business routes, the airline said in the filing.
> Hundreds of flight attendants are expected to gather at a conference on Monday to rally for better pay and benefits. The rally, part of the 51st annual Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) Board of Directors convention, will take place in front of the Hilton Atlanta on Courtland Street on Monday afternoon.
> Garuda Indonesia (GA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have taken a significant step to deepen their commercial partnership. This new agreement aims to offer reciprocal benefits for their frequent flyer program members and explore revenue-sharing arrangements for flights between Indonesia and Singapore, pending regulatory approvals.
> Emirates and Avianca have launched a new codeshare partnership. The new partnership allows customers from both carriers to benefit from greater connectivity on selected routes to and from Colombia via three European hub airports.
Fares, Miles, Points
> Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club program has devalued redemptions flying All Nippon Airways again, this time in business class.
Hotels
> Extended Stay America, with 760+ locations and fully equipped kitchens, on-site guest laundry and free wi-fi have a promotional code for up to 50% off participating locations. Weekly rates start from $343. Use the promo code below for up to 50% off stays at participating hotels.
> Marriott and Hilton appear to be neck-and-neck in the race to expand their footprints and loyalty programs. But if you look at the more important metric of fees earned for services they provided hotel owners, you’ll see Marriott far ahead.
Aviator
> WestJet has its eye on a number of used aircraft it hopes to add to its fleet to offset delays on pending aircraft deliveries from Boeing, the CEO of the Calgary-based carrier said.
> Airbus has announced plans to establish a Tech Hub in Japan. The new initiative is designed to develop partnerships in the country to advance research, technology and innovation in aerospace and push boundaries to prepare for the next generation of aircraft.
Routes
> Breeze Airways is adding new nonstop service to Raleigh-Durham from Burlington. Starting May 23, the new seasonal flights will run on Thursdays and Sundays, with rates starting at $79 one-way.
> Wizz Air has continued to reduce frequencies across its bases for the upcoming 2024/25 winter season, which begins on October 27, as the carrier’s A320neo-family fleet undergoes inspections due to manufacturing issues with engines.
> Frontier Airlines is set to launch daily nonstop flights from San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) to five major cities this summer. The service will begin in July with flights to Denver International Airport (DEN) and San Diego International Airport (SAN).
> JetBlue will not be offering direct flights from the Sacramento International Airport to two cities on the East Coast later this year. A spokesperson from the airline told FOX40.com it will suspend direct flights from SMF to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City and Logan International Airport in Boston for the winter season starting Oct. 27.
Airports
> Workers who refuel the planes at John F. Kennedy Airport in Queens plan to go on strike Friday — providing uncertainty for travel plans during the busy Memorial Day weekend, The Post has learned.
> Passengers were left stranded for hours after returning from holiday to find a meet-and-greet airport parking firm had abruptly halted operations. Birmingham Airport said it had been informed Blue Circle Parking had suspended all operations and was in the process of cancelling and refunding customers.
> Airports can really make or break the travelling experience — from the seating choices to outlet availabilities to food options, there are so many opportunities to surpass expectations. But it’s safe to say certain airports fall short. So, one Reddit user asked, “What do you think are the best and worst airports in Canada?” and it started some interesting discussions about certain Canadian airports:
> Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) invites the public to attend the latest Master Plan Open House, which will be held Tuesday, June 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
> So you finally got TSA pre-check. Here’s how to avoid being the most annoying person in line and get through fastest.
> Just in time for summer vacations, travelers can now book their next flight to any of Miami International Airport’s 175 nonstop destinations and see all their airline options in just a few keyboard clicks with MIA Discover, the airport’s new 3D route map and destination guide.
Incidents
> The left wingtip of JAL Flight 503, with 328 passengers and crew on board, collided with the right wingtip of another JAL plane at Terminal 1 of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport at around 7:30 a.m. Thursday.
> Romanian investigators have disclosed that a departing Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-300destroyed several runway edge lights, as well as signage, during take-off from Bucharest last month.
Rental Cars and Rideshare
> A new complaint asks the Federal Trade Commission to investigate fees that Uber and DoorDash added to customer orders in Seattle following the implementation of a minimum wage law earlier this year.
> Uber’s new feature allows drivers to use their front-facing camera to record video and audio during trips. Uber say the new feature will add a layer of safety at no additional cost to drivers.