Toki Air, a regional airline based in Japan, has announced the extension of its suspension and schedule changes until January 20, 2024, due to ongoing aircraft maintenance. The airline is currently operating with only one aircraft after one of its two ATRs was struck by lightning, rendering it temporarily out of service.
PLAY Airlines, Iceland’s low-cost carrier, has announced the cancellation of several routes in its 2025 schedule. The affected routes include flights from Reykjavik Keflavik to Gothenburg, Hamilton, Palma de Mallorca, and Stockholm Arlanda. This decision reflects the airline’s strategy to optimize its network and focus on routes with higher demand.
GallopAir, a new airline based in Brunei, has successfully launched its first commercial service, operating a flight between Guangzhou, China, and Brunei. The flight was conducted using a C909 aircraft, operated under a partnership with China Southern Airlines, marking a significant milestone for the airline’s entry into the aviation market.
euroAtlantic Airways, a Portuguese charter and ACMI operator, has announced a new partnership with Azul Brazilian Airlines to provide direct flights between Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport and Lisbon. The agreement will commence on December 19, 2024, with one aircraft already in operation and the possibility of adding more in 2025 to meet rising demand.
China Eastern Airlines has achieved a significant milestone by operating the C919’s first scheduled commercial flight outside mainland China. The flight, which departed from Shanghai and landed in Hong Kong, marks the aircraft’s debut on an international route, replacing the Airbus A321 on this sector.
Animawings, a Romanian carrier, has announced the launch of a new seasonal route from Bucharest to Ibiza, set to begin on June 5, 2025. The route will be operated using the Airbus A220-300, a modern and efficient aircraft well-suited for short- and medium-haul flights.
Two former executives of Thai Airways International, Phrit Bupphakham and Poonsak Chumchuai, have been found guilty by corruption regulators for their involvement in the illegal approval of landing fees. The misconduct resulted in total damages of US$2 million to the airline.
Skymark Airlines, a leading Japanese carrier, has announced an anticipated change in its major shareholders. UDS Airlines Investment Limited Partnership plans to transfer 3.0 million shares to Sojitz Corporation through an off-market transaction. Following this transfer, Sojitz will hold more than 5% of voting rights in Skymark Airlines, positioning itself as a key shareholder.
Alaska Airlines has announced the appointment of John Wiitala as its new Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering. This strategic leadership change reflects the airline’s commitment to maintaining the highest safety and operational standards as it continues to modernize its fleet and expand its network.
airBaltic, the Latvian flag carrier, faces mounting financial pressures as current bond liabilities and rising interest rates threaten its long-term sustainability. According to Klavs Vasks, chairman of airBaltic, a state capital injection may be inevitable unless the Latvian government is willing to fully relinquish its stake to other investors.
