What is worth watching in the New Year….
PLAY – the Icelandic carrier recently announced its intention to move away from connecting Europe with North America, to concentrate of leisure destinations in Southern Europe. The application for a Maltese AOC is expected to be approved in early 2025. Aircraft will be bar in Tenerife. In the long term, 6-7 aircraft will operate under the Icelandic AOC, 3-4 under the Maltese one.
With many airlines increasing their transatlantic schedules, PLAY was in danger of lagging behind, so decided to make changes. It will be interesting to see how this new strategy plays out in an extremely competitive market.
Riyadh Air – although the network is still a well-kept secret, the first flights should operate in Spring 2025. Long-term, the airline plans to operate over 100 destinations from RUH by 2030. Although facing stiff competition, the airline has signed deals with major carriers. There’s already a leased B787-9, the remainder of the fleet will be A321 variants.
Boeing – now there’s a new CEO, will 2025 be a better year for the beleaguered company? The machinists strike lasted 3 months but resulted in further aircraft delays and announcements that the workforce would be streamlined. There’s been no revision of the previous CEO’s prediction that 737 MAX7 and MAX10 will receive certification in the first half of 2025. The 777X was due to enter service in 2025, but that has been pushed back to 2026. A new resident in the White House could also impact on Boeing’s order books, as hefty tariffs will not encourage Chinese airlines to place orders. The question is, will the CEO be able to turn things around?
Airbus – challenges here are mainly due to the company’s sales success. Its key focus of ramping up production and accelerating deliveries is being hindered by the well-publicised parts supply chain issues. The problems at Spirit AeroSystems have not helped. Hopefully, now that Airbus has purchased its own interest in that company, the situation will improve. Will Airbus increase its annual delivery target to 800 aircraft for 2025? With the A350F due to enter service in 2026, there should be significant progress.
Dash 8 – despite production ceasing in 2021, after 600 deliveries, the aircraft remains popular. A certified refurbishment programme has been approved, where existing aircraft will be purchased and upgraded before being sold on. During this time, a decision will be made on whether to restart Q400 manufacture at a new facility.
Low-Cost Carriers – after the pandemic, those in the USA expected business levels to return. However, this has not been the case and many locos have experienced lower profits with some not expecting to make money at all. So, what can we expect in 2025?
We now know that Spirit has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company has already predicted they will emerge from this in early 2025. Southwest is also experiencing a profits slump and shareholders actively campaigning for change to the business model. JetBlue, although not wanting to be branded as a low-cost carrier, is also scrutinising its balance sheet. The company has not posted a profit since before the pandemic. Will their transatlantic routes from Europe survive?
Capacity Caps – the concept of artificially capping capacity is at odds with the industry’s wish for growth. The Dutch Government’s plans for a drastic movement reduction at AMS were overruled by the Dutch Courts following pressure from the European Commission and US Department of Transportation. A revised plan will operate for Winter 2025, although there may be objections again.
At DUB, High Court intervention paused the imposition of a cap to limit passenger numbers across the 2 terminals to 32m/year. The most vociferous objectors have been Aer Lingus and Ryanair, closely followed by transatlantic carriers. The airport is working with local government to increase this to 40m/year.
Manchester’s Masterplan – for the third year running, MAN was voted the worst UK airport by the consumer magazine, Which? The airport challenged the findings, claiming they were based on an outdated testimony from disgruntled passengers. Its £1.3bn transformation programme is due for completion in 2025. 29 airlines will move to T2, T1 to soon close. Work will then begin on T3. Also, new security scanners are being installed, which should help to alleviate the long queues.
Another complaint has been attitude of security staff. Rude and surly a common theme. In 2 recent visits, I’ve not encountered either problem. Yes, it’s a busy airport and passengers don’t bother to prepare themselves for screening. Perhaps I’ve been lucky!
London Runways – and it’s not just LHR and LGW. There are expansion plans for LCY, SEN, STN and LTN in terms of passenger numbers with existing runway infrastructure. The LHR saga rumbles on; will a new UK Government finally get things moving on a third runway or continue to prevaricate like its predecessors?
And finally…
Jet2 – held a photoshoot at MAN on Thursday 12 December, for its 3 remaining B757. Runway 23L the scene for this historic event. G-LSAE, G-LSAI AND G-LSAK were position and re-positioned to record their forthcoming retirement. A drone was also used for overhead shots. It’s believed that the video is available on Facebook. In case you don’t have an account there, Airliners Live and Think Planes recorded the event for YouTube.
Information courtesy of Airliner World (January 2025), Jet2
Images courtesy of FL360aero, Jet2 (via Facebook)
©TPSC, LadyJet2 and photo/diagram suppliers