AviationOutlook Newsletter - Jan 2, 2025

Dear readers,

Welcome to AviationOutlook Newsletter, your one-stop source for the most relevant Aviation & Aerospace news briefs and industry insights (minus noise).

Here are the important updates for today. Let’s get started.

Air India Launches Airbus A350-900 Service on Delhi-Newark Route

Air India has officially deployed its Airbus A350-900 aircraft on the Delhi-Newark route as of January 2, 2025.

This marks a significant milestone in the airline's transformation under Tata Group ownership, with the A350 offering enhanced passenger experiences and improved operational efficiency.

Key Points

• Aircraft and Route Details: The Airbus A350-900 will operate five times weekly between Delhi (DEL) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), replacing the Boeing 777 previously used on this route.
• Fleet and Configuration: Air India currently has six A350-900s in its fleet, configured with 316 seats across three classes—28 Business Class suites, 24 Premium Economy seats, and 264 Economy seats.
• Strategic Expansion: This deployment builds on the success of the A350 on other routes, including Delhi-New York JFK (since November 2024) and Delhi-London Heathrow (since September 2024).
• Future Plans: Air India has an additional 34 A350 aircraft on order, including larger A350-1000 models, signaling continued investment in long-haul operations.

What It Means

The deployment of the fuel-efficient A350 positions Air India as a stronger competitor in the transatlantic market. Enhanced passenger amenities and operational cost savings are expected to attract premium travelers and boost profitability.

With 60% of Air India's U.S. flights now featuring upgraded interiors or new aircraft, the airline is poised to capture a larger share of the lucrative India-U.S. travel market.

Other key Aviation and Aerospace Industry updates for today 👇

Jeju Air Crash Investigation: Black Boxes Hold the Key

South Korean authorities are investigating the crash of Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800, which killed 179 people on December 29, 2024.

Police raided Jeju Air and Muan Airport offices, probing potential negligence tied to the airport’s infrastructure and aircraft systems.

Both black boxes were recovered; cockpit voice data was decoded, while the flight data recorder is being analyzed in the U.S. Authorities are inspecting all similar aircraft nationwide for safety issues.

China's COMAC C919 Begins First Scheduled Flights Beyond Mainland Borders

China’s domestically-produced COMAC C919 jetliner began its first scheduled international service on January 1, 2025, with daily flights between Shanghai and Hong Kong operated by China Eastern Airlines.

This milestone marks the C919’s debut beyond mainland China, replacing the Airbus A321 on this route.

The aircraft, designed to rival Boeing and Airbus narrow-body jets, represents a significant achievement in China’s aviation manufacturing. With 10 C919s in its fleet and 105 on order, China Eastern is the largest operator of the type.

The service highlights China’s push to expand its aviation reach globally while showcasing advancements in domestic aerospace technology.

Airlines Offer Travel Waivers After New Orleans Terror Attack

A terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, on January 1, 2025, left 15 dead and dozens injured.

In response, Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency in Orleans Parish to enhance security ahead of major events like the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.

Airlines, including Delta, United, and Southwest, are offering travel waivers for passengers scheduled to fly to or from New Orleans between January 1-3.

These waivers allow rescheduling or refunds under specific conditions to accommodate affected travelers.

Cirium Names World’s Most On-Time Airlines for 2024

Aeromexico was named the most punctual airline of 2024 by Cirium, with an on-time arrival rate of 86.7%, followed by Saudia (86.35%) and Delta Air Lines (83.46%).

Japan Airlines led the Asia-Pacific region, while Delta topped North America. Iberia Express ranked first in Europe, and Safair was the most punctual in the Middle East and Africa.

Punctuality was defined as flights arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled time.

The rankings reflect global improvements in airline operations despite challenges like high travel demand and supply chain issues, showcasing a competitive year for on-time performance across regions.

Archer Aviation Completes High-Volume eVTOL Manufacturing Facility

Archer Aviation has completed construction of its 400,000-square-foot high-volume manufacturing facility, ARC, in Covington, Georgia.

The plant, built in partnership with Stellantis, will begin producing the Midnight eVTOL aircraft in early 2025, aiming to scale to two aircraft per month by year-end and 650 annually by 2030.

Stellantis will serve as the exclusive manufacturer, contributing capital, advanced manufacturing technology, and expertise.

The Midnight aircraft is designed for sustainable urban air mobility with low noise and safety features.

Archer recently raised $430 million from investors, including Stellantis and United Airlines, to support its production and commercialization goals.

airBaltic Cancels 4,670 Flights Due to Pratt & Whitney Engine Delays

Latvian airline airBaltic has canceled 4,670 flights for the summer 2025 season due to prolonged engine maintenance delays by Pratt & Whitney, which supplies engines for its Airbus A220-300 fleet.

The disruptions will impact 67,160 passengers, forcing the suspension of 19 routes and reduced frequencies on 21 others.

Despite these challenges, airBaltic will continue operating over 70 destinations across Europe and beyond. The airline is offering rebooking options or full refunds to affected customers while working closely with Pratt & Whitney to resolve the issue.

Global supply chain constraints have exacerbated the situation, affecting airlines worldwide.

China Certifies RX4E as First Four-Seat Electric Aircraft

China’s first four-seat electric aircraft, the RX4E, has received a type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), marking a breakthrough in new energy aviation.

Developed by the Liaoning General Aviation Academy, the RX4E complies with CCAR-23 airworthiness regulations and is powered by a 70 kWh lithium battery with a 140 kW electric propulsion system.

It offers a maximum flight time of 1.5 hours with zero emissions, low noise, and reduced costs.

Applications include pilot training, sightseeing, and aerial photography.

Ryanair to Receive 29 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft in $3 Billion Expansion

Ryanair will take delivery of 29 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in 2025 as part of a $3 billion investment. These fuel-efficient planes will reduce CO2 emissions by 16%, noise by 40%, and carry 4% more passengers.

The expansion will support Ryanair’s goal to grow annual passenger numbers from 200 million in 2024 to 210 million in 2025.

The aircraft will be deployed to low-cost airports in countries like Sweden, Italy, Spain, and Poland, bypassing nations with high aviation taxes, such as the UK, France, and Germany.