Air Transat and Porter Airlines conclude a new code-sharing agreement

Air Transat and Porter Airlines have concluded a code-sharing agreement to be implemented for the 2022 summer season.

The first phase of the agreement will focus on connecting Porter’s bases at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) and Halifax-Stanfield (YHZ) to Air Transat’s hub at Montreal-Trudeau (YUL), providing customers of both carriers with a greater selection of connecting flights in Canada, the U.S. and internationally.

Each carrier will market, under its own code and licence, flights operated by the other partner, enabling customers to combine flight segments on a single ticket and check their baggage just once.

Porter will carry its code on Air Transat-operated flights to and from Montreal on 11 European destinations (Athens,Barcelona, Brussels, Lisbon, London, Lyon, Madrid, Paris, Porto, Toulouse and Venice), 13 South destinations (Cancun, Cayo Coco, Holguin, La Romana, Montego Bay,Port-au-Prince, Puerto Plata, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, Roatan, Samana, Santa Clara and Varadero), five destinations in the United States (Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando and San Francisco) and two domestic destinations (Calgary and Vancouver). Air Transat will put its code on Porter’s flights to and from Toronto (Billy Bishop) and Halifax, connecting to all the above destinations in Montreal.

These are the parties’ current expectations and final routes remain subject to obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals. Following such approvals, the agreement is expected to be implemented in the summer of 2022.

Porter flights with Air Transat code TS/PD				Air Transat flights with Porter code PD/TS
Porter bases	Market	City	Airport Code	Air Transat hub	Market	City	Country	Airport Code
Billy Bishop	Domestic	Toronto	YTZ	Montreal-Trudeau (YUL)	Domestic	Calgary	Canada	YYC
Halifax-Stanfield	Domestic	Halifax	YHZ		Domestic	Vancouver	Canada	YVR
					Europe	Athens	Greece	ATH
						Barcelona	Spain	BCN
						Brussels	Belgium	BRU
						Lisbon	Portugal	LIS
						London	United Kingdom	LGW
						Lyon	France	LYS
						Madrid	Spain	MAD
						Paris	France	CDG
						Porto	Portugal	OPO
						Toulouse	France	TLS
						Venice	Italy	VCE
					South	Cancun	Mexico	CUN
						Cayo Coco	Cuba	CCC
						Holguín	Cuba	HOG
						La Romana	Dominican Republic	LRM
						Montego Bay	Jamaica	MBJ
						Port-au-Prince	Haiti	PAP
						Puerto Plata	Dominican Republic	POP
						Puerto Vallarta	Mexico	PVR
						Punta Cana	Dominican Republic	PUJ
						Roatan	Honduras	RTB
						Samana	Dominican Republic	AZS
						Santa Clara	Cuba	SNU
						Varadero	Cuba	VRA
					Transborder	Fort Lauderdale	USA	FLL
						Los Angeles	USA	LAX
						Miami	USA	MIA
						Orlando	USA	MCO
						San Francisco	USA	SFO

Air France Hop to end CRJ1000 operations at the end of the summer 2022, sold to Jetcraft

Air France Hop will end Bombardier CRJ1000 operations by the end of summer 2022.

Jetcraft Commercial Limited, the commercial aircraft division of Jetcraft, has announced it has acquired the 14 Bombardier CRJ1000 airliners from HOP!, the regional arm of Air France.

Jetcraft Commercial will begin taking delivery of the jets between March and December 2022.

Jetcraft Commercial launched in 2015, capitalizing on Jetcraft’s existing international presence and experience to offer clients an agile partner within the commercial aircraft sales and leasing community. With a diverse inventory, featuring aircraft from Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, De Havilland Canada, Embraer and others, Jetcraft Commercial has a proven record of procuring and placing commercial aircraft worldwide.

Breeze Airways announces a major expansion, will fly to Las Vegas and California

Breeze Airways has announced today it is adding flights in 10 new cities including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Nashville and Jacksonville, and boosting service in others, including Charleston and Hartford/Springfield.

Breeze is adding 35 new routes between May and August.

The airline will offer 77 routes in 28 cities in 18 states when all the new flights by early August.

By the end of the year, the airline’s fleet will more than double, from 13 planes to 30 aircraft.

The expansion also includes long range routes such as Providence-Los Angeles, Syracuse-Las Vegas and Charleston-San Francisco. The airline will also become the first passenger airline to fly out of San Bernardino International Airport (near Ontario, CA).

The expansion is being fueled by new Airbus A220-300s.

Breeze Airways has announced new service from Akron-Canton Airport.

Service to Nashville will start on May 26.

Service to Hartford/Springfield begins on June 3.

The New Expanded Route Map:

All Nice. All New. A220. #FlyBreeze #A220 pic.twitter.com/nkuZWtM1bB

— Breeze Airways (@BreezeAirways) March 8, 2022

Lufthansa to launch a new regional subsidiary in 2023

Lufthansa’s CEO Carstan Spohr has confirmed plans to launch a new regional airline in Germany that should operate with its regional subsidiary CityLine.

The new airline will have its own Airline Operator Certificate (AOC) and is being targeted to launch services in early 2023.

No name has been announced.

How Russia’s airline industry was pushed to the brink in a week

From Financial Times:

https://www.ft.com/content/9a24a4b3-a3fa-4a37-b783-cbe393461473

How Russia’s airline industry was pushed to the brink in a week https://t.co/JKWypxbRsI

— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) March 6, 2022

Hawaiian Airlines to resume daily Oakland-Kona summer service, add flights between San Francisco-Honolulu

Hawaiian Airlines is offering Bay Area travelers more convenient options to visit Hawai’i this summer by bringing back nonstop service between Oakland (OAK) and Kona (KOA) on the Island of Hawai’i, and adding a second daily flight between San Francisco (SFO) and Honolulu (HNL).

Hawaiian’s Oakland-Kona service, which the carrier last operated in the summer of 2016, will be available June 15 through Sept. 6. HA66 will depart KOA at 11:55 a.m. and arrive at OAK at 8:10 p.m.HA65 departs OAK at 8:10 a.m. with a 10:40 a.m. arrival at KOA, giving travelers ample time to settle in and start enjoying the island. The seasonal route will become Hawaiian’s fourth daily flight connecting Oakland and the islands, joining existing nonstop service between OAK and Honolulu, Kahului on Maui, and Līhu’e on Kaua’i.

Hawaiian will provide the additional San Francisco–Honolulu service May 15 through Aug. 1. HA54 will depart HNL at 8:45 p.m. and arrive at SFO at 5:05 a.m. HA53 departs SFO at 7 a.m. and arrives at HNL at 9:30 a.m.

“The Kona Coast has been an increasingly popular destination for Bay Area travelers, and we are pleased to once again offer our Oakland guests convenient nonstop service to the Island of Hawai’i, while also providing a second flight option between San Francisco and Honolulu,” said Brent Overbeek, senior vice president of network planning and revenue management at Hawaiian Airlines.

Both flights are available for sale at HawaiianAirlines.com.

Travelers will enjoy the airline’s warm Hawaiian hospitality onboard a modern, quiet and fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo narrow-body aircraft featuring 16 luxurious leather recliners, 44 Extra Comfort seats and 128 main cabin seats.

During the peak summer period, Hawaiian will average nine daily flights between the Bay Area and the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiian is also offering daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Maui from June 11 through Aug. 15.

Kona and Oakland just got closer. ✈️

This summer, we’re making travel between our Islands and the Bay Area even more convenient. From June through September, we are bringing back our nonstop service between Oakland (OAK) and Kona (KOA). Book now: https://t.co/TH2VeEhTvX. pic.twitter.com/Q5UvsSbVl3

— Hawaiian Airlines (@HawaiianAir) March 7, 2022

American Airlines to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine

American Airlines made this announcement:

Throughout the month of March, American Airlines is creating opportunities for its customers and team members to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

Beginning today, funds collected in flight by flight attendants and online through American’s partnership with UNICEF’s Change for Good program will be directed to support UNICEF and its humanitarian response in Ukraine. The funds raised this month at www.unicefusa.org/aa, and on flights to and from international destinations and Hawaii, will support UNICEF in reaching vulnerable children and families in Ukraine with assistance like access to basic services including water, sanitization, immunization and health care, as well as schooling and learning support and emergency cash assistance for up to 7.5 million children. Additionally, the funds can support UNICEF’s overall response for children in Ukraine and neighboring countries of pre-positioning critical health supplies to cover the immediate needs of internally displaced people in nine strategic hromadas (municipalities).

“It is deeply troubling to see the humanitarian crisis unfolding as a result of the conflict in Ukraine,” said Brady Byrnes, Vice President of Flight Service for American. “Our purpose at American Airlines is to care for people on life’s journey and in order to truly fulfill that purpose, we must step up when it matters most.”

The UNICEF Change for Good program is an alliance between the UNICEF and the international airline industry to convert spare change donated by customers traveling on aircraft into critical services and supplies for vulnerable children around the world. Since their partnership began in 1994, American’s flight attendants have helped to raise more than $17 million to support UNICEF and its worldwide humanitarian efforts.

For more information about the UNICEF Change for Good program and to donate online, visit www.unicefusa.org/aa.

In addition, all AAdvantage miles donated to American’s Miles for Social Good program during the month of March will be directed to Airlink to help transport physicians and relief workers to Eastern Europe to assist with humanitarian relief in Ukraine. Airlink is a global humanitarian organization delivering critical aid to communities in crisis by providing airlift and logistical solutions to nonprofit partners responding to disasters around the world.

For more information about American’s Miles for Social Good program and to donate online, visit www.aa.com/letgoodtakeflight.

United launches Ukraine relief effort to support flying workers and supplies to areas in need

United Airlines today announced a fundraising effort that has the potential to play a critical role in the mission to fly aid workers and supplies to the areas of Ukrainethat are most in need.

Starting today, United’s MileagePlus® members can donate cash or miles to the airline’s signature relief partners – Airlink, Americares, American Red Cross and World Central Kitchen – by visiting united.com/UkraineSupport. United will match the first five million donated miles – the equivalent of hundreds of connecting flights to places like Poland, Hungary and Romania – and $100,000 as well as award bonus miles to anyone who gives $50 or more.

“The human tragedy we are witnessing in Ukraine is horrifying and has shocked us all so we’re doing our part to quickly help get aid to the people who desperately need relief,” said United President Brett Hart. “Our partners have been on the ground for more than a week and it’s clear they need more resources to fulfill their mission of flying workers and supplies to and from the frontlines of this crisis. We’re proud to do our part and will continue to look for ways to lend support where it’s needed.”

United’s relief partners are already on the ground in the countries supporting Ukraine and are assisting in a number of different ways including:

Airlink: Using the power of aviation to deliver critical aid – medical, WASH, shelter, and emergency response and medical teams for 20+ humanitarian organizations to help refugees.
Americares: Mobilizing large-scale shipments of medicine and relief supplies and prepared to deploy an emergency medical team to provide essential health services for refugees fleeing Ukraine.
World Central Kitchen: Working with local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks in the region to provide hot, nourishing meals at border crossings, shelters, and other refugee communities across Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania and Slovakia.
American Red Cross: Supporting the global Red Cross network providing humanitarian relief to those affected by the Ukraine crisis.

In addition to fundraising efforts, United has paused Russian airspace transit, suspended interline agreements with Russian carriers and until further notice, credit card payments from Russia will no longer be accepted on the United app or united.com. For more information on United’s humanitarian campaign or to donate, visit united.com/UkraineSupport.

JetBlue is now accepting applications for Pilot Gateway programs

JetBlue Airways today announced it is once again accepting applications for its pilot Gateways. With seven distinct education and training paths for pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians, JetBlue’s industry-leading Gateways offer anyone with the talent and dream of flying a range of pathways into the industry, opening the door for more people to discover and define their own career path in aviation. As the airline with the longest-running pathway programs, JetBlue is proud to continue its legacy, producing hundreds of new-hire pilots for the airline with 12% of last year’s new-hire pilots coming through one of the JetBlue Gateways.

“Whether you’ve never been in an aircraft flight deck or already have a few solo flights under your belt and are planning for your future as a commercial airline pilot, we know that there is no single route to a career in aviation, but we do believe there should be a path available for anyone with the aptitude and passion to pursue it. Our Gateways offer multiple paths for those who’ve dreamed but never had the opportunity to pursue these highly-skilled careers in aviation,” said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue. “Since 2008 our Gateway programs have been removing many barriers of entry that often ground talented individuals before their dreams can even take flight. We are proud of our ability to extend opportunities to broader audiences and can’t wait to welcome the next generation of aviation professionals to JetBlue.”

External candidates can choose between two pilot development Gateways offering distinct paths to a JetBlue first officer position:

Gateway Select – With Gateway Select, qualified applicants who exhibit the right skills and aptitude can secure a path to JetBlue first officer status, regardless of previous flight experience. Accepted candidates receive guidance and mentorship as they progress through extensive and hands-on education and training with JetBlue and its partners. With a conditional job offer at JetBlue, based on completion of the program, qualifications, and required flight hours, Gateway Select aims to remove the uncertainty that grounds many from pursuing this rewarding career. First announced in 2016, JetBlue’s ab initio Gateway Select program has already started to graduate highly skilled pilots, with more than 30 candidates from the program joining JetBlue as first officers in the last year.
For applications and information on JetBlue’s Gateway Select Program, visit jetbluegateways.com.

Gateway University – With 11 Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI)-accredited partner colleges and universities including the program’s first HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institutions) added in 2021, JetBlue’s Gateway University program is the longest-running US airline program offering enrolled students a direct path to first officer status at JetBlue via a prescribed-time and experience-building pathway. JetBlue University helps mentor and encourage accepted students through school and time-building experience with JetBlue partner airlines or other time-building options while also opening opportunities to a broader and more representative group of aviation professionals.
For applications and information on JetBlue’s Gateway University Program, visit jetbluegateways.com.

JetBlue continues its commitment to developing internal talent by offering current crewmembers both Direct and Flex options toward becoming a pilot or maintenance technician. JetBlue’s program flexibility allows every crewmember to tailor their own experience, further emphasizing the airline’s culture as crewmembers define and work towards career goals.

The following JetBlue Gateways for pilot development are open to current JetBlue crewmembers, immediate family of those crewmembers, and affiliated partners:

Gateway Direct – Flight Ops – Current crewmembers can depart their current position and pursue a prescribed college education accompanied with primary flight training at Aviator College. Upon graduation, crewmembers join Cape Air as a first officer, time build to ATP minimums, and then gain valuable flight experience as a Cape Air captain. The combined experience with Aviator College and Cape Air prepares pilots for a successful transition to JetBlue. Open to JetBlue crewmembers and Cape Air employees only.
For applications and information on JetBlue’s Direct-Flight Ops Program, visit jetbluegateways.com.

Gateway Flex – Flight Ops – Current crewmembers can depart their current position and pursue a flexible path to becoming a pilot—as well as choose their own location for training and time-building within a defined framework. Open to JetBlue crewmembers only.
For applications and information on JetBlue’s Flex-Flight Ops Program, visit jetbluegateways.com.

Gateway Family – New in 2022, immediate family of current JetBlue crewmembers can make a “Blue-line” to a first officer position through a defined education, training and time-building path. Open to family members of JetBlue crewmembers only.
For applications and information on JetBlue’s Family Program, visit jetbluegateways.com.

Since the introduction of the first Gateway University program in 2008, the airline’s Gateways have continued to expand, offering opportunities for candidates to find the path and careers goals that are right for them. With a particular focus on internal development, JetBlue announced new Gateways in 2021 expressly for current JetBlue crewmembers interested in becoming Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs), and for immediate family members of JetBlue crewmembers interested in becoming pilots. By making these Gateways available to crewmembers and their families, JetBlue looks to not only encourage the next generation of aviation professionals, but reaffirm the airline’s culture of caring and commitment to crewmember development with increased opportunities for its diverse workforce.

JetBlue onboards hundreds of pilots and maintenance technicians each year and remains an employer of choice for aspiring aviators. Its Gateway programs are just one recruiting pipeline for internal and external candidates. For more information on JetBlue’s Gateways programs visit jetbluegateways.com,