The AviationSource Weekly Recap: 23-29 January 2023

Lines of jet aircraft parked on the tarmac. Air travel and air traffic.
Photo Credit: Ekky Wicaksono via Pexels
Jamie Clarke 7 Min Read
7 Min Read

LONDON – Hello and welcome to the AviationSource weekly recap for the 23rd-29th January 2023. Without further ado, let’s take a look at this week’s highlights!

This weekly recap will replace previous versions of the AviationSource Newsletter that we used to do, meaning everything can be accessed from the website only instead of annoying emails!

Let’s take a look at the top 10 highlights from this week!

Spirit to sell off its 29 Airbus A319s


Spirit Airlines has entered an agreement with Gryphon Trading Company, LLC, for a major sale of 29 Airbus A319s. The price range for the assets varies between $152 million and $201 million U.S. dollars.

The last remaining two A319 aircraft are scheduled to leave in the year 2025 as the lease contract period expires.

Qantas reassures passengers following a spate of incidents


Following last week’s spate of incidents involving Qantas aircraft, the national flag carrier’s international and domestic CEO Andrew David has issued a statement to allay customer concerns.

Last week saw a string of incidents involving the carriers Boeing 737-800 fleet, which saw in-flight incidents on three consecutive days. A further incident involved the turnback of a Qantaslink turboprop regional commuter with a possible wing flap problem.

CAA sets out vision for the future of UK airspace


The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has set out a vision for the future of UK airspace which will help deliver quicker, quieter, and cleaner journeys, as well as create more capacity for the benefit of those who use and are affected by UK airspace.

The aviation and aerospace regulator has developed a refreshed Airspace Modernisation Strategy to make sure that this invisible piece of the UK’s national infrastructure is fit for purpose.

Sikorsky delivers 5,000th ‘Hawk’ helicopter


Lockheed Martin company Sikorsky has delivered its 5,000th “Hawk” variant helicopter, a U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk.

The iconic aircraft will continue to support medium-lift requirements for the U.S. military and international operators for decades into the future.

Virgin Atlantic Honours Queen Elizabeth II on Airbus A330neo


Virgin Atlantic has honored the late HM Queen Elizabeth II by naming its latest Airbus A330neo after it.

G-VEII, the fourth A330neo in the fleet, will be named after the Monarch.

Cirium Report: 44,500 new aircraft to be delivered over next two decades


The new Cirium Fleet Forecast reveals demand for approximately 44,500 new aircraft globally over the next two decades, worth US$2.9 trillion.

The forecast published by Ascend by Cirium, the consultancy arm of aviation analytics firm Cirium, is an independent outlook of the global passenger and freighter market for the next 20 years.

It reaffirms an encouraging long-term projection for the aviation industry and its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, predicting that 20-year aircraft deliveries will be 1% lower globally than predicted a year ago.

MAG announces final phase investment in £1.3bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme


Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has announced a £440m investment in Manchester Airport that will create thousands of jobs and unlock billions of pounds of economic value for the North over the next decade.

The investment will transform the passenger experience at the UK’s third largest airport, with new spacious facilities, state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and an exciting array of shops, bars, restaurants, and airport lounges.

It will see Manchester Airport expand its role as the UK’s global gateway in the North, connecting the region to even more international destinations, including some of the world’s most important economic markets.

Flybe Enters Administration Again, Cancelles All Flights


In a Breaking news story being pushed across the UK at 3 am UK local time, Flybe has announced that they have gone into administration.

What was supposed to be “Flybe 2.0” seems to not be able to survive the current travel market demand and restrictions that are placed on the carriers.

At the time of publishing this article, there have been no official comments as to what has caused the carrier to enter administration, with the airline just 10 days ago announcing plans to increase its services to, up to 4 flights per day to Edinburgh and Glasgow and 2 daily to Aberdeen from 2nd June.

KLM Group Firms up Order for Four Airbus A350 Freighters


The KLM Group has announced that they have placed a firm order for four of Airbus’ newest iterations of its flagship aircraft, the A350 Freighter.

It is understood that the A350 freighters are being brought in to replace Martinair’s (the operating carrier for KLM cargo) aging 747 freighters from the second half of 2026.

Auckland Airport closes due to torrential flooding


New Zealand’s Auckland International Airport was forced to close on January 27 due to severe torrential flooding. A state of emergency has been declared for the North Island city of Auckland, and mass evacuations are now taking place.

According to the Australian national broadcaster ABC News, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown issued a statement on Friday night New Zealand time, saying:

“This declaration reflects the extent of damage, displacement, and disruption caused by this evening’s severe weather event and enables emergency services and response agencies to draw on resources, and enact additional powers, to assist affected Aucklanders.”

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In the meantime, we will see you next Sunday for another Weekly Recap!

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