On January 18, Atlas Air Flight 3885 was between Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico, when the crew received a fire indication in the Boeing 747-8F’s No. 2 engine at approximately 3,000 feet. An emergency was declared and the aircraft returned to Miami with no injuries reported.

• READ MORE: NTSB Issues Urgent Safety Warning for Some Boeing 737s

No signs of an uncontained engine failure were found, the NTSB’s final report noted, though minor burn damage was reported on the GEnx engine’s thrust reverser fan duct. The aircraft returned to service nine days later on January 27.

According to the agency’s report, a third-party maintenance contractor was tasked with performing a borescope inspection on the No. 2 engine, requiring the removal of a plug. Both the mechanic and inspector certified that the inspection had been completed in line with maintenance manual standards.

The removed plug was found loose in the engine cowling, which resulted in the fire.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

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The FAA says it is investigating after the American jet was forced to deviate from its approach into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) in Texas to avoid the single-engine aircraft.

Data from Flightradar24 shows the aircraft passing just 400 feet from each other. The Cessna was not in contact with the Austin approach controller, operating under VFR.

The American 737 was operating Flight 2587 from Chicago, and the controller was vectoring the aircraft for its final approach into Austin. As the jet was lining up for Runway 36L at 1,700 feet, the Cessna 182 turned directly into its final approach course.

The crew of an American Airlines 737 responded to a TCAS alert after a Cessna 182 turned directly into the American flight’s approach path to Austin on 16 Oct. The two aircraft were only separated by 400 feet as the 737 passed almost directly over the Cessna. Watch and listen: pic.twitter.com/w1NMRvyJFo

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) October 18, 2024

“A Cessna R182, operating under visual flight rules, unexpectedly entered the flight path of American Airlines Flight 2587, which was approaching Austin-Bergstrom International Airport,” an FAA spokesperson said in a statement.

ATC recordings indicate the 737’s crew was alerted to the nearing traffic through the aircraft’s Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and responded accordingly. Speaking to the controller, one of the American pilots said, “We saw him when he flashed us and flew right into us.”

The maneuver resulted in a loss of separation with another Cirrus SF50 aircraft.

“The crew of the American aircraft received an onboard alert and adjusted its flight path, which resulted in a temporary loss of separation with a nearby Cirrus SF50,” the FAA said. “Air traffic control issued corrective instructions to the American aircraft and the Cirrus SF50. The three aircraft landed safely.”

The controller asked the crew if it would like to report a “near-miss” following the incident, per a CBS News report.

“American Airlines Flight 2587 landed safely at KAUS after completing a go-around,” an American Airlines spokesperson told CBS in a statement. “We thank our crewmembers for their professionalism and expertise and for always prioritizing safety above all else.”

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

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During a recent hearing, Thomas Haldenwang, head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany, said the country avoided a serious aircraft accident by “only a lucky coincidence.” German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel reports the fire-starting parcel was set to be loaded on a DHL flight in Leipzig.

The flight was delayed, and the parcel caught fire on the ground. Haldenwang said that had it caught fire midair, a major accident could have followed.

In August, Reuters reported that the German government notified businesses that fire-starting packages may be circulating within shipping networks. The warning followed a series of reports that other parcels had ignited in transit.

Russia is suspected of being behind these parcels. Officials said the German government has seen a rise in “aggressive behavior” by Russian intelligence agencies.

Also in July, a similar incident occurred at a DHL facility in Birmingham, England. It is under investigation by U.K. counterterrorism officials. According to The Guardian, the package caught fire after arriving from a flight on July 22 before being extinguished by firefighters.

“DHL applies strict security measures throughout its global network and works in full compliance with all applicable transport security laws, regulations and procedures,” the logistics company said in a statement to Reuters.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

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The Atlanta-based airline hopes to return its regional capacity to pre-pandemic levels in summer 2025, driven by improvements in pilot supply, company leadership shared during a third-quarter earnings call on Thursday.

“With hiring and training normalizing, we are growing into our resources and gaining traction on efficiency and initiatives, helping fund continued investments in our people and brand,” said Delta finance chief Dan Janki during the call.

Data from the Future and Active Pilot Advisors (FAPA) shows that Delta has hired 870 pilots so far in 2024, representing an over 50 percent year-over-year change from the same period in 2023. As a whole, the industry follows a similar trend, with major U.S. carriers reporting a roughly 40 percent reduction in hiring numbers overall.

Delta expects industrywide pilot hiring to be more in line with 2019 levels.

“As you know, pilot constraints as the majors were hiring early in the recovery period put a lot of strain on availability of pilot crews for the regional carriers…and we’ve been working very closely with them,” Delta president Glen Hauenstein said.

Hauenstein added that the company expects U.S. airlines to hire approximately 5,000 pilots next year. In 2019, airlines were just 23 new hires short of this figure, according to FAPA’s data.

“So [we are] returning to more normalized pilot hiring across the industry,” Hauenstein said.

This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

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The financially ailing aerospace giant also announced sweeping changes to its commercial aircraft programs, including the 767 and previously-delayed 777X.

The company continues to face a month-long Machinists strike with Boeing’s chief operating officer Stephanie Pope saying it is looking at “next steps” due to unproductive negotiations.

• READ MORE: DOT Audit: FAA’s Boeing Oversight ‘Not Effective’

In a letter to employees sent Friday afternoon, Boeing’s CEO Kelly Ortberg said the manufacturer is in a “difficult position.”

“Beyond navigating our current environment, restoring our company requires tough decisions and we will have to make structural changes to ensure we can stay competitive and deliver for our customers over the long term,” he added.

According to preliminary earnings figures, the company expects to report $5 billion in losses for the third quarter.

“We need to be clear-eyed about the work we face and realistic about the time it will take to achieve key milestones on the path to recovery,” Ortberg shared. “We also need to focus our resources on performing and innovating in the areas that are core to who we are, rather than spreading ourselves across too many efforts that can often result in underperformance and underinvestment.”

Ortberg said the company plans to lay off roughly 10 percent of its workforce, equating to 17,000 jobs. The cuts are set to take place over the next several months, he said, and will include executives, managers along with rank-and-file employees.

In addition, Boeing will further delay its Boeing 777X with initial delivery of the jet now expected in 2026, roughly a year behind schedule. Ortberg said the company is also permanently halting 767 production in 2027 after fulfilling current freighter orders.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

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Major airports throughout the state have halted operations completely, including Tampa International Airport (KTPA), which shut down on Tuesday morning. Orlando International Airport (KMCO) remains open but has paused all commercial operations.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ) also closed on Tuesday afternoon.

‘Batten Down the Hatches’

Tampa is among the cities set to be hit the hardest by Milton. The city’s main airport—Florida’s fourth busiest—shut down early to prepare facilities for the storm. John Tiliacos, the airport’s executive vice president of airport operations, said this process takes up to 24 hours.

“Our team has been planning and executing all of the preparation that we need to take for Hurricane Milton’s arrival,” Tiliacos said during a press conference.

In a Facebook post, the airport said its team has been working around the clock to “batten down the hatches.” The airport has 58 jet bridges, each of which needs to be chained down, which can take around an hour each to complete.

Aircraft and other airfield equipment also need to be secured in advance of the storm.

“Tampa International Airport is extremely close to Tampa Bay and storm surge and flooding are a top concern for us.…If you consider that we may potentially face 10 to 15 feet of storm surge, we are talking about a lot of water that will find its way onto the airport,” Tiliacos said.

The airport said it will reopen after a damage assessment is conducted.

Roughly 85 miles away, Orlando International Airport says it is also preparing for the storm, securing jet bridges and sand-bagging doors.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

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Delta currently operates a fleet of 11 Boeing 757-200s for the NBA that are leased from Aviation Capital Group. These aging jets—which are well over 30 years old—feature a special VIP configuration.

According to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data, the 757s have only 72 seats, a stark difference from the 199-seat configuration used on regular Delta flights. The 757s were first introduced to the NBA’s travel schedule as part of a 2015 agreement with the Atlanta-based airline.

New Aircraft

In July 2024, a law firm representing the airline and league submitted plans to extend the agreement, which was slated to end in September 2026. Now with DOT approval, the revised agreement includes a fleet of up to 14 specially configured Airbus A321neo aircraft.

• READ MORE: Flying on Delta’s New Fuel-Saving Airbus A321neo

As first reported by Corporate Jet Investor, these aircraft will have humidifiers and lie-flat beds onboard with interiors being designed by Comlux. They will be used to shuttle players from the NBA’s 30 teams along with coaches and other staff between games.

Like the 757 arrangement, Delta will operate the Airbus aircraft, placing them under its operating certificate. During the league’s offseason, the airline can also utilize the aircraft for “ad-hoc” charters.

• READ MORE: Airbus Delivers First Aircraft Built on Its New Assembly Line in Toulouse

A July filing from the parties says the A321neos will be delivered over approximately 32 months, equipped with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. Delta’s current fleet of A321neos includes 62 active aircraft.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

The post NBA Nabs Approval for VIP-Configured A321neos appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

According to flight tracking platform Flightradar24, both Jordanian and Iraqi airspaces are among those closed in the region. Flights currently airborne between Europe and the Middle East have either returned to their origins or diverted.

Airspace at 17:00 UTC, 1 Oct 2024. pic.twitter.com/md8UvGnxeQ

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) October 1, 2024

Lufthansa flights to Mumbai (VABB) and Hyderabad, India (VOHS), and Dubai, United Arab Emirates (OMDB), turned back to Frankfurt, Germany (EDDF). Swiss’ flight between Zurich (LSZH) and Dubai diverted to Antalya, Turkey (LTAI).

British Airways Flight 107 from London Heathrow (EGLL) to Dubai diverted to Larnaca, Cyprus (LCLK), on Tuesday evening. Multiple Emirates flights en route to the carrier’s Dubai hub were also impacted per flight tracking data.

“Following [Tuesday’s] airspace closures, Emirates has cancelled some flights and diverted others. We are closely monitoring the situation and are making all efforts to ensure minimal disruption to customers, while assisting those impacted,” an Emirates spokesperson said in a statement. “Emirates advises customers departing or arriving at Dubai International Airport to check their flight status on emirates.com for the latest information regarding their flights.”

Arrivals and departures from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (LLBG) in Israel were halted following the attack.

The news comes just hours after several European airlines—including Lufthansa and KLM—extended flight suspensions to Tel Aviv; Beirut, Lebanon (OLBA); and Tehran, Iran (OIIE), until at least the end of October.

This story is developing.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

The post Airlines Scramble to Reroute Flights Following Iran Missile Attack appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The project, which already broke ground in June 2023, aims to increase flight capacity and reduce delays at the world’s seventh-busiest airport. The airport anticipates construction of the $1 billion project to be completed by fall 2027.

“The FAA and the Biden-Harris administration are pleased to assist CLT in ensuring the safest and most stress-free experience for travelers possible,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta Griffin, in a news release. “The fourth runway project delivers on both goals—not only for travelers in and out of Charlotte, but for those visiting one of the nearly 200 cities with routes from CLT.”

In addition to the new runway, the grant will fund the completion of north and south end-around taxiways and other airfield improvements to enhance safety and increase capacity, the agency said.

Positioned west of Runway 18C/36C, the new runway will be roughly 10,000 feet long and is expected to significantly improve capacity at the airport.

“We are thrilled to receive this notable investment from the FAA,” said Charlotte airport CEO Haley Gentry in the release. “The funding will enable the airport to continue progress on this crucial and nationally significant infrastructure project, boosting capacity and operational efficiency.”

Charlotte is American Airlines’ second-largest hub with approximately 700 flights per day. In 2023, the airline said it was eyeing plans for up to 800 daily flights with the new runway.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

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But headquartered in the same region is Oshkosh Corp., which—among other functions—is a major player in fire truck manufacturing. The firm also specializes in aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) equipment with its line of specialized trucks.

Oshkosh Corp. has carved a niche in the firefighting industry with its line of airport fire trucks. These specialized vehicles are designed to handle the unique challenges posed by aviation accidents, offering a level of capability that sets them apart.

Among these are water tanks that are significantly larger than those of traditional municipal fire trucks, ensuring that firefighters have ample water to combat large-scale fires without needing frequent refills. The fire trucks boast powerful pumps capable of delivering high-pressure water streams, essential for penetrating the outer skin of aircraft and reaching internal fires. Many of these vehicles are also outfitted with advanced foam systems that can create a blanket over fires, helping to suppress flames and reduce the spread of smoke.

The company’s Striker 8×8 model can hold up to 4,500 gallons of water and 630 gallons of foam at a time. In comparison, a normal municipal fire truck can hold around 1,500 gallons of water alone.

In addition to their water capacity and firefighting capabilities, these vehicles are designed to handle various terrain, including runways, taxiways, and grassy areas. Some of Oshkosh’s Striker models can go from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 35 seconds.

Over 5,000 Oshkosh Striker vehicles have been made and shipped to airports around the globe. The company is also rolling out an electric fire truck called Volterra, which has already been adopted by some airports.

AirlineGeeks had the opportunity to visit Oshkosh’s manufacturing facility in its namesake city. A video from the tour is below:

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

The post Why Airport Fire Trucks Are So Unique appeared first on FLYING Magazine.