Boeing reports fourth-quarter and full-year 2021 results, message to employees

Boeing issued this financial report:

Fourth Quarter 2021

  • Continued global return to service of 737 MAX, including progress inย China
  • Revenue ofย $14.8 billion; operating cash flow ofย $0.7 billion
  • 787 program recordedย $3.5 billionย pre-tax non-cash charge; focused on actions required to resume deliveries
  • GAAP loss per share ofย ($7.02)ย and core (non-GAAP)* loss per share ofย ($7.69)

Full-Year 2021

  • Revenue ofย $62.3 billion; operating cash flow ofย ($3.4) billion; cash and marketable securities ofย $16.2 billion
  • GAAP loss per share ofย ($7.15)ย and core (non-GAAP)* loss per share ofย ($9.44)
  • Total backlog ofย $377 billionย and addedย 535 net commercial orders
  • Focused on safety, quality and operational stability

Table 1. Summary Financial Results

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

(Dollars in Millions, except per share data)

2021

2020

Change

2021

2020

Change

Revenues

$14,793

$15,304

(3)%

$62,286

$58,158

7%

GAAP

Loss From Operations

($4,171)

($8,049)

NM

($2,902)

($12,767)

NM

Operating Margin

(28.2)%

(52.6)%

NM

(4.7)%

(22.0)%

NM

Net Loss

($4,164)

($8,439)

NM

($4,290)

($11,941)

NM

Loss Per Share

($7.02)

($14.65)

NM

($7.15)

($20.88)

NM

Operating Cash Flow

$716

($4,009)

NM

($3,416)

($18,410)

NM

Non-GAAP*

Core Operating Loss

($4,536)

($8,377)

NM

($4,075)

($14,150)

NM

Core Operating Margin

(30.7)%

(54.7)%

NM

(6.5)%

(24.3)%

NM

Core Loss Per Share

($7.69)

($15.25)

NM

($9.44)

($23.25)

NM

*Non-GAAP measure; complete definitions of Boeing’s non-GAAP measures are on page 6, “Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures.”ย ย ย ย 

The Boeing Company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $14.8ย billion, reflecting higher commercial volume and lower defense revenue. GAAP loss per share ofย ($7.02)ย and core loss per share (non-GAAP)* ofย ($7.69)ย reflect lower charges and higher commercial volume (Table 1). Boeing recorded operating cash flow ofย $0.7 billion.

“2021 was a rebuilding year for us as we overcame hurdles and reached key milestones across our commercial, defense and services portfolios. We increased 737 MAX production and deliveries, and safely returned the 737 MAX to service in nearly all global markets. As the commercial market recovery gained traction, we also generated robust commercial orders, including record freighter sales. Demonstrating progress in our overall recovery, we also returned to generating positive cash flow in the fourth quarter,” saidย David Calhoun, Boeing President and Chief Executive Officer. “On the 787 program, we’re progressing through a comprehensive effort to ensure every airplane in our production system conforms to our exacting specifications. While this continues to impact our near-term results, it is the right approach to building stability and predictability as demand returns for the long term. Across the enterprise, we remain focused on safety and quality as we deliver for our customers and invest in our people and in our sustainable future.”

Table 2. Cash Flow

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

(Millions)

2021

2020

2021

2020

Operating Cash Flow

$716

($4,009)

($3,416)

($18,410)

Less Additions to Property, Plant & Equipment

($222)

($265)

($980)

($1,303)

Free Cash Flow*

$494

($4,274)

($4,396)

($19,713)

*Non-GAAP measure; complete definitions of Boeing’s non-GAAP measures are on page 6, “Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures.”ย ย ย ย 

Operating cash flow improved toย $0.7 billionย in the quarter, reflecting higher commercial volume, higher advance payments, and lower expenditures (Table 2).

Table 3. Cash, Marketable Securities and Debt Balances

Quarter-End

(Billions)

Q4 21

Q3 21

Cash

$8.0

$9.8

Marketable Securities1

$8.2

$10.2

Total

$16.2

$20.0

Debt Balances:

The Boeing Company, net of intercompany loans to BCC

$56.6

$60.9

Boeing Capital, including intercompany loans

$1.5

$1.5

Total Consolidated Debt

$58.1

$62.4

1ย Marketable securities consists primarily of time deposits due within one year classified as “short-term investments.”

Cash and investments in marketable securities decreased toย $16.2 billion, compared toย $20.0 billionย at the beginning of the quarter, primarily driven by debt repayment partially offset by operating cash flow. Debt wasย $58.1 billion, down fromย $62.4 billionย at the beginning of the quarter due to the prepayment of a term loan and repayment of maturing debt.

Total company backlog at quarter-end wasย $377 billion.

Segment Results

Commercial Airplanes

Table 4. Commercial Airplanes

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

(Dollars in Millions)

2021

2020

Change

2021

2020

Change

Commercial Airplanes Deliveries

99

59

68%

340

157

117%

Revenues

$4,750

$4,728

0%

$19,493

$16,162

21%

Loss from Operations

($4,454)

($7,648)

NM

($6,475)

($13,847)

NM

Operating Margin

(93.8)%

(161.8)%

NM

(33.2)%

(85.7)%

NM

Commercial Airplanes fourth-quarter revenue increased slightly toย $4.8 billion primarily driven by higher 737 deliveries, partially offset by lower widebody deliveries and less favorable mix. Fourth-quarter operating margin was primarily driven by a charge on the 787 program.

Boeing is continuing to make progress on the global safe return to service of the 737 MAX. In December, the Civil Aviation Administration ofย Chinaย issued an airworthiness directive outlining changes required for Chinese airlines to prepare their fleets to resume service. Since the FAA’s approval to return the 737 MAX to operations inย November 2020, overย 300,000ย revenue flights have been completed, and the reliability of the 737 MAX fleet remains above 99 percent (as ofย January 24, 2022). The 737 program is currently producing at a rate of 26 per month and continues to progress towards a production rate of 31 per month in early 2022. The company is evaluating the timing of further rate increases.

The company continues to perform rework on 787 airplanes in inventory and is engaged in detailed discussions with the FAA regarding required actions to resume deliveries. In the fourth quarter, the company determined that these activities will take longer than previously expected, resulting in further delays in customer delivery dates and associated customer considerations. Accordingly, Commercial Airplanes recorded aย $3.5 billionย pre-tax non-cash charge on the 787 program. The program is producing at a very low rate and will continue to do so until deliveries resume, with an expected gradual return to five per month over time. The company now anticipates 787 abnormal costs will increase to approximatelyย $2 billion, with most being incurred by the end of 2023, includingย $285 millionย recorded in the quarter.

Commercial Airplanes secured orders for 164 737 MAX and 24 freighter aircraft. Commercial Airplanes delivered 99 airplanes during the quarter and backlog included over 4,200 airplanes valued atย $297 billion.

Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun shared the following message with employees today addressing the companyโ€™s fourth-quarter results:

As we share our fourth-quarter results, I want to thank you for your hard work and resilience. 2021 was a key rebuilding year for us, and together, we overcame significant hurdles. While we have more work to do, I am confident that we are well positioned to accelerate our progress in 2022 and beyond.

The industryโ€™s mounting recovery has spurred solid commercial airplane demand. Order activity picked up significantly, particularly for the 737 MAX. In total, we booked over 900 gross commercial airplane orders including approximately 750 orders for the 737 family.

The 737 MAX is now safely flying in nearly every jurisdiction around the globe and the fleet is performing very well. With about 1,600 flights daily and more than 300,000 revenue flights completed since late 2020, the fleet is delivering reliability equal to or better than any fleet flying. And with over 800,000 total flight hours since late 2020, the fleet has now flown more flight hours than it had prior to the initial grounding. We also delivered 245 737 MAX airplanes in 2021, and weโ€™ve steadily increased production with a focus on safety and quality. We began 2021 at very low production rates, and today, are producing at 26 airplanes per month on our way to 31 per month early this year. Looking back at where we started, 2021 was a pivotal year for the 737 team.

Weโ€™re now applying that same disciplined and detailed focus to the 787 program. As you know, we are progressing through a comprehensive effort to ensure every airplane in our production system conforms to our exacting specifications. This effort continues to impact our deliveries and our financial results โ€“ but we are fully confident it is the right thing to do. I view the financial impacts of this work as a long-term investment in a program that has significant runway ahead. We are taking the time now to ensure weโ€™re positioned well as widebody demand recovers. Weโ€™ll continue to keep you updated as we progress toward returning to 787 deliveries.

As cargo demand expands, we also booked record orders for new and converted Boeing freighters, including 84 orders for our 767, 777 and 747 freighters. Our Global Services team also announced 10 new converted freighter lines to meet the growing demand. Overall, our Global Services business showed great resilience, in part due to our well-balanced portfolio of both government and commercial offerings. This quarter, the team delivered our 50thย 767-300 converted freighter and captured new commercial and government business valued at $6 billion. As the commercial market recovers, BGS is well positioned for growth in 2022.

In our defense and space business, we secured key orders and delivered on critical customer milestones. We completed the first carrier tests with the U.S. Navy for the MQ-25, started flight testing on the second uncrewed Loyal Wingman aircraft, and delivered 47 total aircraft including the first KC-46 for Japan and Norwayโ€™s first P-8A Poseidon. We also generated $7 billion in orders in the quarter, extending our BDS backlog to $60 billion.

We took another key step in our overall recovery, notably in our financial performance, by generating positive cash flow in the fourth quarter, which represents our first positive cash quarter since early 2019. At the same time, the ongoing 787 activities resulted in financial charges that significantly impacted our earnings. While we never want to disappoint our customers or miss expectations, the work weโ€™re putting in now will build stability and predictability going forward.

And looking to our future, weโ€™re sustaining and expanding key investments, including in our people, in sustainability, advanced manufacturing, digital engineering, supply chain capability, technology development and partnerships.

Weโ€™ll stay squarely focused on safety, quality and transparency as we strengthen our culture and rebuild trust each day. While challenges remain, I am confident in our future. Our market is resilient, our team is world-class and we are taking the right, tough actions today to position ourselves for success. Thank you for all you continue to do to support our customers, our communities and each other.

Dave

The first Boeing 737-8 is painted for Lynx Air

Lynx Air (Canada) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-GJSL (msn 43312) YYC (Chris Sands). Image: 957246.

Lynx Air’s first painted Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 (C-GJSL) has come out of the paint shop at Boeing pending delivery.

Lynx Air was launched on November 16, 2021, with plans to begin flying low-fare flights in the first quarter of 2022.

The airline has commitments for up to 46 Boeing 737-8 MAX 8s, with deliveries starting in February 2022.

Top Copyright Photo: Lynx Air (Canada) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-GJSL (msn 43312) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 956583.

SKS Airways is getting ready to start regional operations in Malaysia

SKS Airways is a new airline in Malaysia, based in Subang. The upstart received its AOC from Malaysia on October 1, 2021.

The new airline is planning to commence regional operations in the first quarter of 2022.

SKS Airways was incorporated on November 13, 2017 as a wholly Malaysian owned airline. A member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), SKS Airways is part of the SKS Group of companies. SKS Group was founded in 1983 and presently a multi-disciplined organization with core businesses that spans across property development, investment holding, hospitality and credit finance in Malaysia and Australia (www.sksgroup.com.my).

  • Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) awarded full Air Service License (ASL) to SKS Airways effective 1 January 2022.
  • SKS Airways was also awarded Air Operatorโ€™s Certificate (AOC) by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) effective 1 October 2021.

SKS Airways is a commercial airline offering passenger, cargo and charter services. With its hubs in Subang and Senai, the airline plans to connect Malaysia and beyond to destinations in ASEAN and southern China.

SKS Airways will begin operations with Twin Otter aircrafts, well-known all over the world for toughness and reliability with excellent Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities which enables it to land comfortably on short airstrips. The 19-passenger turboprop Twin Otter aircraft is highly versatile and one of the most flexible planes ever built. These aircraft are deemed reliable in providing alternative air transportation especially to the remote island resorts which are only accessible via surface or boats. SKS Airways will be collaborating with major tourism industry players in developing attractive and affordable holiday packages to suit your holiday requirement.

Route Map:

Video:

Airbus creates its own airline to lease out its Belugas

Airbus has launched a new air-cargo service using its unique BelugaST fleet to offer freight companies and other potential customers a solution to their outsized freight transportation needs.

The new service – Airbus Beluga Transport – will provide commercially-contracted customers in a variety of sectors, including space, energy, military, aeronautic, maritime and humanitarian sectors, with a solution to their large cargo transport needs.

The first mission took place at the end of 2021 with a delivery from Airbus Helicoptersโ€™ manufacturing site in Marignane, France, to Kobe in Japan for an undisclosed customer. Beluga #3 stopped to refuel at Warsaw (Poland), Novosibirsk (Russia) and Seoul (Korea).

Based on the A300-600 design, the five-strong BelugaST fleet, which has until now been the backbone of Airbusโ€™ inter-site transportation of large aircraft sections, are being replaced by six new-generation BelugaXLs to support Airbusโ€™ ramp-up of its airliner production.

The new Airbus Beluga Transport service can cater for a multitude of possible market applications since the planes possess the world’s largest interior cross-section of any transport aircraft, accommodating outsized cargo of up to 7.1m in width and 6.7m in height.

In the near future, once Airbus has commissioned all six new BelugaXLs, the fully-released BelugaST fleet will be handed over to a newly-created, subsidiary airline with its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and staff. Philippe Sabo added: โ€œThe new airline will be flexible and agile to address the needs of external worldwide markets.โ€

To maximize the BelugaSTโ€™s turnaround capability for its targeted international customer base, new loading techniques and equipment are being developed for the operation. These solutions include an automated On-Board Cargo Loader (OBCL) for missions where a loading/unloadingย  platform is not available at the origin or destination airport.

Hawaiian Holdings reports its 2021 fourth quarter and full-year financial results

Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A321-271N WL N213HA (msn 8237) LAS (Keith Sommer). Image: 956582.

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2021.

Fourth Quarter 2021 – Key Financial Metrics
    GAAP   YoY Change   Adjusted   YoY Change
Net Income (Loss)   ($92.6M)   +$70.0M   ($70.3M)   +$102.5M
Diluted EPS   ($1.81)   +$1.69   ($1.37)   +$2.34
Pre-tax Margin   (24.1)%   +128.7 pts.   (18.4)%   +126.8 pts.

 

Full Year 2021 – Key Financial Metrics
    GAAP   YoY Change   Adjusted   YoY Change
Net Income (Loss)   ($144.8M)   +$366.2M   ($383.4M)   +$167.5M
Diluted EPS   ($2.85)   +$8.23   ($7.55)   +$4.41
Pre-tax Margin   (11.6)%   +71.3 pts.   (30.5)%   +56.7 pts.

“Throughout 2021 the Hawaiian Airlines team has executed a remarkable recovery from the depths of the pandemic.ย  Demand for leisure travel remains resilient as evidenced by strong domestic travel volumes to Hawaiสปi, and the building blocks continue to fall into place for a recovery of international demand in 2022,โ€ said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO. “I am energized every day by the outstanding contributions of my colleagues throughout Hawaiian who have positioned us for a bright future.”

Statistical data, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.

Financial Results

Fourth Quarter 2021

The Company reported total revenue of $494.7 million, down 30% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, on 19% lower capacity.

The Company reported total operating expenses of $566.1 million, and adjusted operating expenses of $443.4 million.

The Company reported EBITDA of ($58.9) million and adjusted EBITDA of ($30.7) million.

 

Full Year 2021

For the full year of 2021, the Company reported total revenue of $1.6 billion, down 44% compared to the full year of 2019, on 29% lower capacity.

The Company reported total operating expenses of $1.7 billion, and adjusted operating expenses of $1.6 billion.

The Company reported EBITDA of $63.4 million and adjusted EBITDA of ($238.7) million.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of Decemberย 31, 2021 the Company had:

  • Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $1.7 billion
  • Outstanding debt and finance lease obligations of $1.9 billion
  • Air traffic liability of $631.2 million

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $2.0 billion in liquidity, including its undrawn $235 million revolving credit facility.

2021 Highlights

Routes and scheduled services

  • Launched four new routes with nonstop flights from Honolulu to Austin, Orlando, and Ontario and from Maui to Long Beach
  • Resumed certain international flights, between Hawaiสปi and French Polynesia, American Samoa, and Sydney, Australia
  • Participated in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet and deployed two wide-body aircraft to transport over 3,000 Afghan refugees between U.S. military bases

 

Guest experience

  • Eliminated change fees and announced no expiration of HawaiianMiles rewards
  • Opened new airside concourse in Honolulu (HNL) and moved to a new terminal in Los Angeles (LAX) offering improved experiences for our guests and employees
  • Announced intent to implement the Amadeus Altea software suite
  • Participated in the State of Hawaiสปi’s preclearance program to expedite guests through the State’s COVID-19 arrival protocols

Fleet and financing

  • Extended leases for two A330-200 aircraft and amended leases for two other A330-200 aircraft, reducing monthly rent payments
  • Raised a total of $1.6 billion in capital through a loyalty program financing, an at-the-market equity offering of common stock and participation in federal Payroll Support Programs
  • Repaid approximately $440.9 million in future debt obligations

 

Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance

  • Participated in the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting, and furthered the Company’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
  • Published second annual Corporate Kuleana Report outlining progress in advancing various environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives
  • Pledged to offset emissions from international flights above 2019 levels in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organizationโ€™s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)

 

First Quarter 2022 Outlook

The table below summarizes the Company’s expectations for the quarter ending March 31, 2022 expressed as an expected percentage change compared to the results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

 

Item   First Quarter 2022 Guidance   GAAP Equivalent   GAAP First Quarter 2022 Guidance
ASMs   Down 10% to 13%        
Total Revenue   Down 31% to 35%        
Costs per ASM, excluding fuel and non-recurring items (a)   Up 10% to 13%   Costs per ASM (a)   Up 11.7% to 14.2%
Gallons of Jet Fuel Consumed   Down 18% to 21%        
Fuel Price per Gallon (b)   $2.53        
Adjusted EBITDA (c)   $(150) million to $(90) million   Net Income (c)    
Effective Tax Rate   ~21%        

 

Full Year 2022 Outlook

The Company is providing an update to its outlook for the full year 2022 based on changes since its prior outlook filed on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 13, 2021. The table below summarizes the Company’s expectations for the full year ending December 31, 2022 expressed as an expected percentage change compared to the results for the year ended December 31, 2019. Costs per ASM excludes any adjustments for labor agreements that are currently amendable or become amendable in 2022.

 

Item   Updated Guidance   Prior Guidance   GAAP Equivalent, Updated Guidance   GAAP Equivalent, Prior Guidance
ASMs   Down 3% to up 1%   Flat to up 4%        
Costs per ASM excluding fuel and non-recurring items (a)   Up 3.5% to 7.5%   Up 2% to 6%   Cost per ASM (a) Up 5.8% to 9.0%   Cost per ASM (a) Up 1.5% to 5.5%
Gallons of Jet Fuel Consumed   Down 4.5% to 8.5%   Up 0.5% to down 3.5%        
Fuel Price per Gallon (b)   $2.42   $2.09        
Capital Expenditures   $105M To $125M   $365M to $385M        

 

The Company’s estimates for its costs per ASM excluding fuel and non-recurring items for the quarter ending March 31, 2022 and full year ending December 31, 2022, exclude any cost assumptions for the tentative agreements reached with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).ย  When the agreement with the IAM is ratified, the Company expects a 1 to 1.5 point increase in its costs per ASM excluding fuel and non-recurring for the full year ending December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

(a) See Table under “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” for a reconciliation of GAAP costs per ASM to costs per ASM excluding fuel and non-recurring items.

(b) Fuel Price per Gallon estimates are based on the January 20, 2022 fuel forward curve.

(c) The Company is not providing a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, as it is unable, without unreasonable efforts, to calculate certain special and non-recurring charges, which could have a significant impact on the GAAP measure.

Statistical information, as well as a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.

Top Copyright Photo: Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A321-271N WL N213HA (msn 8237) LAS (Keith Sommer). Image: 956582.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

 

Avelo Airlines announces a partnership with University of Connecticut Athletics, will add 120 pilots in 2022

Avelo Airlines today announced a new partnership withย University of Connecticutย Athletics. Avelo serves six popularย Floridaย destinations from its East Coast base atย Southern Connecticut’sย most convenient airport โ€“ Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN).

As part of the partnership, Avelo will have premium asset placement atย UConnย men and women’s basketball, hockey and baseball games which include digital graphics, promotional contests, signage, PA announcements and more.ย UConnย and Avelo will also partner on local events with Jonathan and other promotional events through the 2021-2022 athletic season.

In other news, Avelo Airlines has announced it is bolstering pilot compensation to attract and retain world class aviators โ€” elevating first-year pay by nearly 50% for Captains and by nearly 30% for First Officers. The enhanced pay scale offers the highest first-year Captain and First Officer pay rates in the Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC) and regional carrier sectors of the U.S. airline industry.

Avelo expects to add an additional 120 pilots in 2022. In addition to hiring First Officers, for a limited time qualified pilots may be immediately hired as Captains.

The first-year Captain hourly pay rate increases from $135 to $200. Under the new scale, at five years of service Avelo Captains will earn $220 per hour. The first-year hourly pay rate for First Officers increases from $70 to $90 with an hourly rate of $140 at five years of service.

pilot pay table

The new pay scale is effective February 1, 2022, for current and future Avelo pilots.

In addition to increasing the pilot pay scale, the airline is offering a $20,000 sign-on bonus to new pilots hired before June 1, 2022. An initial $5,000 is paid after the pilot completes their orientation trips and the remaining $15,000 is paid at the completion of their first year with the company. The bonus is available to Captains and First Officers.

Additional benefits include:

โ€ข $1,800 virtual base stipend (paid monthly upon completion of orientation trips) to offset commuting costs โ€” paid to all pilots whether they commute or live in base
โ€ข For pilots who prefer to sleep at home every night โ€“ all scheduled Avelo flights start and return to their base each day
โ€ข Training pay of $6,300 per month (min guarantee at year-one First Officer rate)
โ€ข Training hotel is provided by Avelo
โ€ข Initial uniform and ongoing uniform allowance
โ€ข Full Cockpit Access Security System (CASS), Known Crewmember (KCM) program and jump seat agreements
โ€ข Premium pay of 125% of base hourly rate paid to pilots working over 75 block hours per month
โ€ข Day off flying is paid at 125% of base hourly rate on top of guarantee
โ€ข Guarantee 70 hours per month
โ€ข $2.25 per diem
โ€ข High seniority from day one
โ€ข Quick upgrade to Captain for pilots meeting the qualification of 14 CFR 121.436
โ€ข 401K retirement program
โ€ข Company-subsidized health, vision and dental coverage
โ€ข Meaningful profit-sharing when Avelo meets initial profitability threshold

At basic guarantee, new pilots in their first year will earn $209,600 for a Captain and $117,200 for a First Officer (includes sign-on bonus and virtual base stipend). Avelo is accepting applications for Captains and First Officers atย aveloair.com/careers.

NAC delivers one ATR 72-600 to Loganair on lease, its 9th ATR

Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) has announced it has delivered one ATR 72-600, msn 1257, to Loganair on a long-term operating lease.

The 72-seat ATR, which will be registered G-LMTC and named “Clan Cairns” in service with Loganair, will become the airlineโ€™s ninth ATR and form part of its continuing fleet renewal program.

Loganair aircraft slide show:

Loganair aircraft photo gallery:

 

OAG: US domestic airline capacity now 6% below pre-pandemic levels

From OAG:

US domestic airline capacity continues to see growth this month and is now just 6% below January 2019.

What are the busiest domestic routes in the US this month?

  1. New York to Chicago (LGA-ORD)ย is the busiest with a total of 262,256 scheduled seats (a 21% increase from last month).
  2. In second place isย New York JFK to Los Angeles (JFK-LAX)ย with 261, 813 scheduled seats.
  3. Atlanta to Orlando (ATL-MCO)ย has 251,029 seats making it the third busiest route.

Most popular states?

  • Five of the busiest airline routes start or end in New York and five start or end in Florida.

Busiest International Route?

  • New York JFK to London Heathrow (JFK-LHR)ย is the fifth busiest global international route this month with 213,199 seats.

See the full charts and statsย here

Alaska Airlines cancels nearly 25 flights out of Paine Field due to 5G restrictions

From KOMO in Seattle:

“Alaska Airlines canceled nearly 25 flights Monday at Everettโ€™s Paine Field because of 5G.

The airline confirmed 23 flights into and out of Paine Field were canceled because FAA restrictions mean the Embraer E175 airplane can not land in poor weather or low visibility because 5G could possibly interfere with systems.”

Read the full story:

https://komonews.com/news/local/alaska-airlines-cancels-nearly-25-flights-out-of-paine-field-due-to-5g-restrictions

Ultra Air is preparing to start operations in Colombia

Airline Color Scheme - Introduced 2021

Ultra Air (Medellin) is poised to commence low-fare operations in Colombia, possibly in February.

The new airline was formed in 2020 by the founder of Viva Air Colombia and also the former executive of Interjet of Mexico.

The upstart received its AOC on June 25, 2021.

The company received a mega-investment rating in the country.

Top Copyright Photo: Ultra Air (Colombia) Airbus A320-214 N712AV (HK-5393) (msn 2712) TPA (Keith Sommer). Image: 956579.