Passenger Transportation Services







Passenger Transportation Services

Bloomberg News reports that China has stalled Airbus approvals in order to put pressure on Europe for home-made Chinese jets.

Bloomberg News reported that China had'stopped the approval of Airbus delivery to show 'impatience at European regulators who were delaying certification for Chinese-made COMAC planes. Reports cite people with knowledge of the situation as saying that the 'Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC)' has been delaying the final approval for Airbus jets entering the country and being put into service. Airbus has delivered the fewest commercial aircraft in the first quarter of the year since 2009. Chief Executive Guillaume Faury said last month that the delay was caused by a "administrative issue" which held up nearly 20 aircraft bound for...


Asia

North America

Passenger Transportation Services

Newark Airport's international flight processing is not being stopped by Homeland Security officials, according to the US Homeland Security chief

Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said that he did not need to stop international?flights processing?at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport. He cited cooperation from?state and?local law enforcement officials located near a detention facility. Mullin told a Dallas press conference that as long as the partnership between local and state law-enforcement agencies continues, there will be no need for this. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill on Friday ordered the state police to take control of a migrant center in Newark, which had been a flashpoint for clashes between protesters and federal Immigration...

Passenger Transportation Services

JetBlue identifies increased fuel costs and benefits from Spirit's shutdown

U.S. airline?JetBlue increased its fuel cost?forecast for the second quarter on Monday as?the global aviation industry struggles with increasing jet fuel prices in the wake of disruptions caused by the closure of Strait of Hormuz. Fuel costs are expected to be between $4.26 and $4.36 per gallon in the second quarter. This is a significant increase from an earlier estimate of $4.13 to $4.28. JetBlue, however, said that it expected to "recover?40% of the increased fuel costs in the?quarter," thanks to its consistent operational performance. The airline has raised its revenue growth forecast per available seat-mile to between 9% to?12%...

Passenger Transportation Services

Travel restrictions tightened as Ebola threat rises

World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak that has been occurring in Democratic Republic of Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, and warned of a high-risk of it spreading to neighboring countries. This decision has led?governments?to step up containment measures related to travel. The following is a list with the screening measures and travel restrictions announced and implemented by various countries. UNITED 'STATES In may, Washington prohibited non-citizens from entering 'the United?"States after they had traveled to the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last few weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...

Transport Infrastructure

Five people are killed and over 40 injured in a chain-reaction crash on a Virginia highway

State police reported that five people died and over 40 were injured, including three critically, when a tour vehicle plowed into a sport-utility vehicle on a U.S. highway in Northern Virginia early Friday morning, triggering a chain reaction crash. Police said that a preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the motor coach failed to slow down as it approached slower traffic in an area where construction was taking place along Interstate 95. This is a major highway corridor running north-south through the region. The bus then slammed a Chevrolet Suburban into another vehicle, and the Acura SUV. According to...

Passenger Transportation Services

US Travel Group warns that closing Newark Airport to international travel will cost $8 billion per year

The U.S. Travel Industry Group said that the removal of immigration officials from Newark Airport would cause "immediate harm and lasting harm". It could also strand Americans and cost the U.S. $8 billion in annual spending by tourists. U.S. Travel Association reported that U.S. Customs officials process 5,000,000 Americans returning to the United States annually at Newark Airport in New Jersey, near New York City. The group warned that "Americans from all over the country could have their flights to the U.S. canceled or diverted." The group said that "millions of international visitors would face the same disruption and, with...

Passenger Transportation Services

There are some flights to the Middle East that have resumed but there is still disruption.

As regional carriers re-build their schedules following war-related disruptions, some airlines are gradually restoring flights to the Middle East. However, the conflict continues disrupting wider traffic flows. Middle Eastern airlines have increased capacity following severe disruption caused by the Iran War, but many carriers outside of the Gulf still divert Europe-Asia flights to avoid the area. The latest flight information is listed below alphabetically: AEGEAN AIRLINES The largest airline in Greece has cancelled flights between Thessaloniki and Tel Aviv up until June 26. Dubai flights are cancelled until August 31. Erbil, Baghdad and Erbil flights will be cancelled until July...

Transportation

DHS chief warns US that it could stop international flights and cargo at Newark due to immigration dispute

The U.S. Homeland Security Department announced on Thursday that the Trump administration could soon stop processing international passengers and cargo at Newark Airport because local law enforcement officials are not assisting federal immigration authorities in northern New Jersey. Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security at Fox News' "Fox and Friends", said that if things do not change soon we will have to take this step. He was referring to United Airlines' major hub near New York City. Mullin claimed that local police did not ensure that federal immigration officials were able to enter and exit the New Jersey detention centers...

Passenger Ground & Sea Transportation

Special Report-Why Tesla AI trainers do not trust self-driving technology or safety statistics

In an office in Utah, hundreds of Tesla employees scrutinize the video footage collected by cars using the Full Self-Driving feature (FSD). In some clips, the cars are shown hitting deer or cats. Other clips show more common accidents. They sometimes don't stop before hitting. They speed up a lot. Sometimes, workers witness children playing on the street. These Tesla staffers, also known as "data labels," train the AI-powered Tesla driver-assistance system. They note incidents of good driving and bad driving, and report problems to engineers who are working to improve the software. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, says that FSD...

Transport Infrastructure

FAA expects Boeing MAX 7 certification this summer and sees production increases

The 'head of the Federal Aviation Administration' said Wednesday that he expected the Boeing 737 MAX 7?to be certified this summer, and the MAX 10 - the larger version - to be approved by the end of?the?year. Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator, said at an aviation conference in Washington that he expects Boeing to increase production of the 737 MAX again in the next ninety days. He said that the FAA backed Boeing's decision of increasing production from 42 planes per month to 47 planes. Bedford stated that it was important to the country for Boeing to be successful. "We're absolutely...

Passenger Transportation Services

United Airlines CEO rejects consolidation after American rejection

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby stated on Wednesday that the carrier will not pursue airline consolidation in the near future. This comes after American Airlines rejected his proposal for a possible merger. Kirby, speaking at a Bernstein Investor Conference, said that he has long believed that the "big deal"?United was pursuing was the only one which made economic sense. But he added that such a deal would require a partner who was willing to do it, which "we clearly don't" have. "I don't believe that United at least will participate in any sort of consolidation in the near future," said?Kirby....

Passenger Transportation Services

Sources say American Airlines will double the number of employees at its India tech hub.

Two people with knowledge of the matter said that American Airlines Group, the U.S. carrier, plans to double its headcount at its India technology center to 800 by early next year. Southwest Airlines, a rival airline, announced last week that it plans to expand the global capability center in Hyderabad to 1,000 employees within the next few decades. JPMorgan Chase and Walmart, McDonald's and Nvidia, along with Eli Lilly, have also expanded their technology operations in India, to tap into its talent pool. These hubs, which were formerly mainly back-office functions, now handle core functions such as engineering, R&D and...

Passenger Transportation Services

SpaceX's Starship Test Strengthens IPO Case, but Obstacles Remain

SpaceX's Starship launch, which was upgraded on Friday, made enough progress to maintain the momentum behind?Elon Musk’s $1.75 trillion IPO. However Musk warned that the rocket's full reusability is still a work-in-progress. Starship is crucial?to lowering SpaceX’s launch costs, expanding Starlink’s?satellite?business - its main cash generator - and supporting future endeavors such as space-based computing and deployment of orbital AI-data-center satellites, and possibly human missions to Mars and the moon. "SpaceX didn't need perfection in this Starship flight. Mark Vena CEO of SmartTech Research said that it needed to show that the upgraded vehicle was moving in the right directions....

Europe

Transportation

Munich Airport briefly stops flights over drone sighting

The police and airport authorities confirmed that flights were halted at Munich Airport for an hour on Saturday morning after a pair of pilots saw a drone. A spokesperson for the airport said that during the shutdown, more than 20 flights which were due to land in Munich were diverted to another airport. Two pilots flying separate planes on the airport tarmac saw a drone hovering over the airport at around 9 am (0700 GMT). This prompted the closure, according to the witnesses. The flights resumed an hour after the first one. A police spokesperson stated that "extensive police operation,...

Passenger Transportation Services

Castlelake considers offer for British low-cost carrier EasyJet

Castlelake L.P., a U.S. investment firm, said on Friday that it was in the early stages of considering an offer for British budget airline easyJet. This sent the 'airline’s U.S. traded shares up nearly 10%. Castlelake stated in a press release that no approach had been made to easyJet's board and it was impossible to predict whether or not an offer would be made. According to UK takeover regulations, Castlelake must submit a firm bid by the 26th of June or abandon a deal. EasyJet announced the news a week ago, after warning that its outlook for the full year...

Passenger Transportation Services

European shares gain monthly on Middle East Peace Hopes

European shares edged higher on Friday to close the month with gains. Investors clung to hopes that a proposed agreement could be reached extending a Middle East truce and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Market optimism was sparked by reports that U.S. president Donald Trump had been weighing a preliminary U.S. Iran agreement. He said that he would reach a decision on the deal by Friday. Kathleen Brooks is the research director for XTB. She said that the market may test its patience if a deal cannot be reached by the end of June. This could have a major impact...

Western Europe

Middle East

Passenger Transportation Services

Israel's El Al resumes San Francisco flights between Tel Aviv, Silicon Valley and Tel Aviv

El Al Israel Airlines announced on Monday that it will resume nonstop flights between Tel Aviv, Israel and San Francisco starting October 25. The airline cited a demand for a route connecting the two tech hubs. The three 15-hour weekly flights were given the number LY49 in honor of the San Francisco 49ers Football team. Shlomi Zafrani is El Al's Vice President of Commerce and Sales. The opening of this new route is intended to "respond to the significant demand from businessmen and Israelis in the region and to facilitate a more convenient and direct connection between Israel, Silicon Valley...

Passenger Transportation Services

EasyJet says it is open to a takeover bid, but the timing of it is 'opportunistic.' Shares soar.

EasyJet's shares rose by 12% on Monday after the British airline announced it would be open to any Castlelake takeover offer. The company called the timing of the U.S. investment group "highly opportunistic". Castlelake announced on Friday that it is in the preliminary stages of considering an offer for?easyJet. However, no approach has yet been made to the board. There can be no certainty as to whether or not a bid will be made. It has until 26 June to either make a "firm bid" or walk away. EasyJet said on Monday that it would evaluate any offer, if made....

Passenger Transportation Services

Airport chief: US military aircraft affecting Israeli commercial activity

Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv is operating at only one-third capacity because of the presence of U.S. fuelling aircraft. This could lead to heavy flight cancellations in summer, according to the head of Israel Airports Authority. Director general Sharon?Kedmi told Kan's Reshet Bet that the military activities at the airport are limiting 70% of airport activity. He said, "We only use one-third the operational capacity of the airport." "We have reached the limits of our abilities." We will cancel some flights in the next few days. He added that foreign carriers would not be able to return in the...

Passenger Transportation Services

GE Aerospace sees no airline pullback in engine maintenance despite fuel spike

GE Aerospace CEO Larry 'Culp stated on Wednesday that despite higher fuel prices and softer flight departures, airlines have not slowed down on orders for engine parts or maintenance, indicating continued strength in GE Aerospace's high-margin aircraft engine aftermarket business. Culp, speaking at the Bernstein Investor Conference, said that departures have dwindled over the last eight weeks and growth is now "relatively stagnant." He said GE Aerospace did not see any operational impact, or any change in the commercial behavior of airline customers. Culp stated that "we feel very good about second quarter." He cited a?continued strong performance in spare-parts,...

Passenger Transportation Services

American Airlines will equip 500 narrow-body aircraft with Starlink Wi Fi by 2027

American Airlines announced on Tuesday that it will equip more than 500 of its narrow-body aircraft, for domestic and short-haul international routes, with Starlink inflight Wi-Fi. This service is expected to be available in the first quarter 2027. The financial terms were not disclosed. Airlines around the globe have been rushing to equip their fleets with faster, more reliable in-flight internet. This is because premium travel has increased since the COVID pandemic. American offers free Wi-Fi to all its customers who are enrolled in the 'loyalty' program in partnership with AT&T on almost all its flights. As of the end...

Passenger Transportation Services

Karsan, a self-driving Turkish bus, has made its debut in Sweden

The public transport organizer said that a self-driving?bus made by Turkey's Karsan, was hit?from behind?by a tram in Gothenburg, Sweden?on Monday, only?anhour after it started carrying paying passengers. "The bus braked, and the?tram hit it," said Patrik chi, a spokesperson for Vasttrafik. Vasttrafik is a company owned by a regional authority that oversees public transport. Chi says that the collision caused no injuries. It raises 'questions' about the integration of 'autonomous vehicles? in urban traffic, at a time when Gothenburg is launching a yearlong trial of autonomous public transportation using Karsan’s eATAK bus. Karsan didn't immediately reply to a comment...

Passenger Transportation Services

Air India CEO: Successor will have "hands full"

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson stated on Thursday that the next Air India CEO will have "a lot on their plate" as they deal with the fallout of the Iran War, a ban to use the?airspace of Pakistan and a strong dollar. Wilson announced that he will be leaving in two months. Wilson said at a New York luncheon event that the next four years will be challenging, but in a new way. "The person who takes over will be busy, but I want to ensure that the right person has been put in place to continue this." has reported...

Passenger Transportation Services

UK delays import ban on jet fuel and diesel derived from Russian crude

The UK announced on Wednesday that it would continue to allow the importation of jet fuel and diesel refined from Russian crude into third-country countries. This ban was first announced in October to help the country deal with the supply problems caused by the Iran War. The decision was criticized by lawmakers in Britain and Ukraine, who claimed that the government had backed down on its promises to stop Moscow from profiting off oil production and using it to fund their war against Ukraine. The Prime Minister Keir starmer said that the measures are part of a larger sanctions package...

Passenger Marine Transportation

Special Report-Iran consolidates control of Hormuz through island checkpoints and diplomatic deals, as well as sometimes 'fees.'

The crew of the tanker gathered courage and navigated carefully along the route designated by Iran. They hugged the coast and manoeuvred their massive vessel between island checkpoints in the Strait of Hormuz. Agios Fanourios 1, a 330 metre long vessel, loaded with Iraqi crude and bound for Vietnam had been bottle-?up near the coast of Dubai, since late April. On May 10, the tanker set out for the Strait of Hormuz after an agreement with Iran, overseen by Iraq’s Prime Minister. The Iranian orders to the tanker are part of the complex multi-tiered system that Iran has used for...

Passenger Transportation Services

Air NZ warns it will suffer its biggest loss in four years due to Middle East conflict driving up fuel prices

Air New Zealand forecasts its biggest annual pre-tax losses in four years on Thursday, as the long drawn-out 'Middle East Conflict' drives up jet - fuel prices, increasing -its expenses, and adding pressure from weak demand, fleet constraints, and increased costs. The flag carrier of New Zealand forecasts its annual loss before tax of between NZ$340 and NZ$390 ($201.62-$231.27 millions), assuming an average jet fuel price per barrel of $145 in the second half. Last year, it had made a profit worth NZ$189m. The U.S. and Israel's war on Iran has caused a severe disruption in energy supply. Crude?prices have...

Passenger Transportation Services

Price hikes and outlook cuts are used by airlines to combat the fuel price surge.

The aviation industry was blindsided by the sudden increase in jet fuel costs from $85 to $100 to $150 to $200 per barrel during the U.S./Israeli war on Iran. Fuel accounts for as much as a quarter or more of the operating costs, which has forced airlines to increase fares and review their financial forecasts. Here is an alphabetical list of the ways airlines are responding to this issue: AEGEAN AIRLINES The Greek airline anticipates that the suspension of Middle East flights, as well as a spike in fuel costs, will have "notable impacts" on its results for the first...

Passenger Transportation Services

Nigerian Airlines face operational disruptions as jet fuel prices rise

Industry groups and airlines say that the airlines struggling with high jet fuel prices will suffer a second blow when supply shortages disrupt flight plans and crew rotations. This will increase safety and operational concerns in Nigeria's aviation industry. The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers said that a persistent scarcity of jet-fuel has caused widespread operational challenges. These include flight delays, route changes, and extended crew duty periods as airlines struggle to maintain schedules despite rising costs. NAAPE president Captain Bunmi Gindeh stated that fuel shortages are pushing crews to their limits. This is increasing fatigue, and could...