Airline and Airport News In Brief
The week of December 18, 2023, saw several significant developments in the airline industry, highlighting new routes and partnerships.
DHL Express and Japan Airlines announced a long-term agreement for JAL to operate Boeing 767-300ER freighters on Asia-Pacific routes, marking JAL’s first dedicated cargo flights in 13 years.
QantasLink is set to deploy an Airbus A220 on the Melbourne-Canberra route, showcasing the increased range and potential of the new aircraft in their fleet. Raleigh-Durham International Airport reported a notable increase in passenger traffic, reflecting a broader trend of growth in air travel demand.
Sun Country Airlines and American Airlines are enhancing their Caribbean connectivity with resumed and increased services to St. Maarten. Meanwhile, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is advancing airport infrastructure with a significant investment in a new AirTrain system at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport introduced an innovative AI-driven waste sorting technology, aiming to improve sustainability practices. This technology, known as Oscar, helps passengers correctly sort their waste, aligning with the airport’s environmental goals.
Transavia France announced several new routes for the summer 2024 season, expanding its network across Europe. Avelo Airlines is set to become the first commercial airline to operate from Lakeland Linder International Airport in Florida in over a decade, marking a significant milestone for the airport.
Delta Air Lines expanded its Atlanta-Rio de Janeiro route to year-round service, offering increased connectivity between these major cities.
TAROM plans to resume flights to Israel, while Eurowings launched a new route between Berlin and Tbilisi, Georgia, and Pegasus Airlines began service to Kutaisi, Georgia, boosting connectivity in the region.
Norse Atlantic Airways confirmed new routes for its winter 2024-25 network, including services to Montego Bay, Bridgetown, and Bangkok. Starlux Airlines expanded its U.S. network with a new route from Taipei to San Francisco, while Air India launched a new route to Melbourne, Australia, from Mumbai.
Transavia France is set to expand at Stockholm Arlanda Airport with a direct route from Marseille, and Air Arabia inaugurated its first flight to Phuket, Thailand. Vietjet opened reservations for flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Vientiane, Laos, and Norse Atlantic Airways commenced service from Berlin to Miami.
Frontier Airlines launched a nonstop service from Philadelphia to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and Flair Airlines opened a new route from Waterloo International Airport to Las Vegas. Finally, Jetstar Japan started a new domestic route linking Tokyo Narita and Asahikawa Airport, targeting leisure travelers heading to Japan’s ski destinations.