Divers

✈ Lufthansa has been operating passenger-less Boeing 747 flights due to fuel supply issues at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Instead of stopping between Johannesburg and Frankfurt, the airline chose to fly over 1,000 kilometers to Namibia for refueling, covering round trips over 2,000 kilometers. This decision followed passenger complaints about initial layovers.

🚀 In Washington, U.S., air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport twice warned a helicopter pilot of a collision risk minutes before crashing into a passenger plane carrying 64 individuals. The pilot replied, acknowledging the plane and maintaining visual separation. Despite the warnings, the collision occurred 12 seconds after the second communication, and 2 minutes after the first alert. Experts suggest the pilot may have been focused on a different aircraft 11 miles behind the one that was hit.

🎫 Youtuber WorldWide Dom shared a video of Iberia's Airbus A321XLR on a Boston to Madrid flight, highlighting features such as the cabin, bathroom, and entertainment options. Iberia launched the A321XLR on November 6, with Boston flights starting November 16. The aircraft will debut on the Washington route with three weekly flights from April 12, 2025. WorldWide Dom praised the potential of the aircraft for making long-distance travel more affordable.

✈️ Álvaro padre e hijo, both pilots at Air Europa, flew together for the first time, marking a momentous event for the airline. The father has an "impeccable" career and serves as an inspiration within the family and among colleagues. This flight represents the beginning of a new era and continues a family tradition. The event symbolizes pride in the legacy and tradition passed down through generations at Air Europa.

🛫 Sunday, passengers on a Volotea flight from Sevilla to Bilbao were diverted to France due to adverse weather at Loiu airport. Strong wind gusts, reaching up to 160 km/h during the week, forced the crew to land in Bordeaux. The challenging conditions have led to numerous diversions to alternative airports and difficult landing footage.

✈ Ryanair's ally in the Spanish government, Transport Minister Óscar Puente, expresses dissatisfaction with the airline's tone in a letter sent by CEO Eddie Wilson on January 21. Puente seeks a reversal to the prior situation, before Ryanair announced a reduction of 800,000 seats at regional Spanish airports. He reminds Ryanair that Spain's transportation policy serves the general interest, not specific companies, and is not subject to airline pressures, potentially violating Law 18/2014 and EU State aid rules.

🛸 In Bilbao, Vueling pilots faced challenging landing conditions due to wind gusts reaching up to 160 kilometers per hour. Despite the disruption, their skills ensured a safe and incident-free touchdown.

✈ Air France-KLM and Lufthansa are interested in buying Air Europa, with meetings held in Palma and Madrid. Juan José Hidalgo, the major shareholder, wants to maintain majority control. Air France-KLM has hired Société Générale to bid for Air Europa, 80% owned by the Hidalgo family and 20% by Iberia's parent company. Javier Hidalgo aims to secure a deal in February, involving a €240 million capital increase and a €235 million loan to pay off Air Europa's €475 million debt to SEPI.

✈ Volotea, amid financial crisis, closes its hub at Athens Airport, affecting 80 direct jobs and potentially 450 more linked to hub providers. Operating for 6 years, the hub featured 2 aircraft in summer and 1 in winter. Aegean Airlines recently invested €100 million in Volotea, likely influencing the decision. Displaced workers may find opportunities as Sky Express expresses interest in hiring due to expansion needs.

✈ Ryanair met with Boeing in Seattle early January to expedite aircraft deliveries, essential for meeting its passenger traffic goals. With a current fleet of 609 planes, including 172 B737-8s, Ryanair's CEO Michael O´Leary stated delivery delays will impact expansion plans for fiscal 2026. Adjusting its 2026 forecast to 206 million customers (+3%), Ryanair expects the remaining 29 of 210 ordered aircraft by March 2026. Financially, Ryanair reported a Q3 net profit of €149 million, up from €15 million the previous year, with a 9% increase in traffic to 45 million passengers. Despite a 12% drop in accumulated profits over nine months to €1.94 billion, Ryanair is optimistic about reaching 300 million annual passengers in a decade. For summer 2025, Ryanair's capacity is nearly full, adding 164 new routes for a total of 2,600 across its network.