In partnership with
106
What’s Inside
This 4,900+ word issue covers developments at over 40 airlines, 113 airports, 36 aircraft deliveries, and dozens of route changes across the globe. Paid subscribers receive the complete Flightline briefing, including the full Route Intelligence Report, dropped and suspended routes, fleet intelligence, aviation security coverage, exclusive datasets, and subscriber-only industry analysis. Subscriptions start at just 65¢ per issue. Click here to subscribe.
- Delta Air Lines loads extra long-haul flights to Las Vegas for CES 2027 and directly challenges United at Newark.
- Allegiant Air slashes its summer schedule, cutting or shortening nearly 30 domestic routes.
- United Airlines expands its international network with four new routes to Latin America and the Caribbean.
- FedEx reverses its retirement plans for the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter, extending its service life to 2032.
- April passenger totals at 120 U.S. airports.
- An inside look at AirAsia Malaysia’s dense short-haul network and its massive capacity concentration in Kuala Lumpur.
Access the full datasets, global fleet movements, and expert context relied on by industry leaders. This issue contains over a dozen additional subscriber-only stories, the complete route intelligence report, and the full aviation security briefing.
Route Intelligence Report
New and Proposed Routes
United Airlines (UA) is adding four international routes, including new Caribbean and Latin America service from Denver, Houston, Washington Dulles and Chicago O’Hare. Denver, Colo. (DEN) to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (PLS), begins Dec. 19 with one weekly Boeing 737 MAX 9 flight. Houston Intercontinental, Texas (IAH) to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG), begins Dec. 17 with four weekly Boeing 737 MAX 8 flights. Washington Dulles, Va. (IAD) to Cartagena begins Dec. 19 with four weekly Boeing 737 MAX 8 flights. Chicago O’Hare, Ill. (ORD) to Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL), begins June 7, 2027, with daily Boeing 737-800 service.
Starlux Airlines (JX) plans to launch Taichung, Taiwan (RMQ) to Sapporo New Chitose, Japan (CTS), on Oct. 2, 2026. The route is scheduled to operate five weekly flights with Airbus A321neo aircraft.
🔒 Subscribers unlock the complete weekly Route Intelligence Report.
Missing from this preview: Paid subscribers receive every new route, frequency increase, seasonal launch, and network adjustment. This week's complete report includes:
★ Delta Air Lines (multiple CES frequencies, Newark expansion, Orlando rebuild)
★ easyJet (16-route winter expansion)
★ Breeze Airways (8 new routes)
★ United Airlines (4 new international routes)
Plus updates from Aeromexico (AM), Hong Kong Airlines (HX), Smartwings (QS), Starlux Airlines (JX), Sun PhuQuoc Airways (9G), and Transavia (HV).
Subscriptions start at just 65¢ per issue.
Dropped and Suspended Routes
Breeze Airways (MX) has further delayed the return of service between Vero Beach, Fla. and New Haven, Conn. (HVN). The route had been scheduled to resume June 17 following a one month suspension but is now not expected to restart until Oct. 3.
🔒 Subscribers also receive the complete Dropped & Suspended Routes file.
Our crystal ball is currently in the shop, but this file is the next best thing. Stop missing out! Paid subscribers receive the complete Dropped & Suspended Routes report, including Allegiant Air's sweeping seasonal network adjustments affecting nearly 30 routes, plus additional schedule changes from Air Canada (AC), and Delta Air Lines (DL).
Subscriptions start at just 65¢ per issue.
Fleet Intelligence
LATEST AIRCRAFT DELIVERIES
🇦🇪 A6-ARJ, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Air Arabia (G9) on June 26.
🇦🇪 A6-EXZ, an Airbus A350-941, was delivered to Emirates (EK) on June 26.
🇨🇳 B-228Y, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Hainan Airlines (HU) on June 25.
🇹🇼 B-18125, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to China Airlines (CI) on June 27.
🇨🇳 B-32F1, an Airbus A350-941, was delivered to Shenzhen Airlines (ZH) on June 27.
🇨🇳 B-32N8, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to China Southern Airlines (CZ) on June 24.
🇨🇳 B-32RC, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Loong Air (GJ) on June 24.
🇨🇳 B-32RR, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to China Eastern Airlines (MU) on June 27.
🇨🇳 B-32S0, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Xiamen Airlines (MF) on June 27.
🇨🇳 B-32SE, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to China Eastern Airlines on June 26.
🇨🇦 C-GKZH, an Embraer E195-E2, was delivered to Porter Airlines Canada (PD) on June 26.
🇨🇦 C-GWSY, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to WestJet (WS) on June 26.
🇬🇧 G-JZEC, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to Jet2 (LS) on June 26.
🇬🇧 G-ZXIE, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to easyJet on June 26.
🇭🇺 HA-LDP, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to Wizz Air (W6) on June 25.
🇰🇷 HL8551, a Boeing 737-8 BBJ MAX, was delivered to Kia on June 25.
🇹🇭 HS-TWE, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, was delivered to Thai Airways (TG) on June 24.
🇺🇸 N17458, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, was delivered to United Airlines on June 24.
🇺🇸 N17459, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, was delivered to United Airlines on June 27.
🇺🇸 N17460, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, was delivered to United Airlines on June 26.
🇺🇸 N302NY, an Airbus A321-253NY XLR, was delivered to American Airlines (AA) on June 26.
🇺🇸 N347JT, an Embraer ERJ-175LR (ERJ-170-200 LR), was delivered to Envoy Air (MQ) on June 25.
🇺🇸 N349DD, an Embraer ERJ-175LR, was delivered to Envoy Air on June 26.
🇺🇸 N639SY, an Embraer ERJ-175LL, was delivered to SkyWest Airlines (OO) on June 25. Painted in United Express livery.
🇺🇸 N81107, a Boeing 787-9, was delivered to United Airlines on June 27.
🇺🇸 N828NV, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Allegiant Air on June 26.
🇺🇸 N9013M, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Southwest Airlines (WN) on June 25.
🇺🇸 N9014W, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Southwest Airlines on June 25.
🇪🇬 SU-GGJ, an Airbus A350-941, was delivered to Egyptair (MS) on June 26.
🇹🇷 TC-VFJ, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to AJet (VF) on June 24.
🇦🇬 V2-LID, an ATR 42-600 (42-500), was delivered to Liat Air (LI) on June 24.
🇦🇺 VH-8IL, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Virgin Australia (VA) on June 27.
🇻🇳 VN-A202, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to VietJetAir (VJ) on June 26.
🇻🇳 VN-A389, an Airbus A320-232, was delivered to Vietnam Airlines (VN) on June 26.
🇦🇿 VP-BCP, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines (J2) on June 25.
🇷🇸 YU-APV, an Airbus A320-232, was delivered to Air Serbia (JU) on June 25.
LATEST AIRCRAFT RETIREMENTS
🇩🇰 OY-SRN, a Boeing 767-219/F with Maersk Air Cargo (DJ), was withdrawn from use (wfu) and ferried on June 28 to Costwold, England (GBA) for part-out and scrap.
The Lithium Boom is Heating Up
Lithium stock prices have more than doubled in the past year in response to ballooning costs and shortages. $ALB climbed 185%. $SQM, 133%.
This $1B unicorn’s patented technology can recover up to 3X more lithium than traditional methods. That’s earned investment from leaders like General Motors.
Now they’re preparing for commercial production just as experts project 5X demand growth by 2040. EnergyX is tapping into 100,000+ acres of lithium deposits in Chile, a potential $1.1B annual revenue opportunity at projected market prices.
Energy Exploration Technologies, Inc. (“EnergyX”) has engaged Beehiiv to publish this communication in connection with EnergyX’s ongoing Regulation A offering. Beehiiv has been paid in cash and may receive additional compensation. Beehiiv and/or its affiliates do not currently hold securities of EnergyX.
This compensation and any current or future ownership interest could create a conflict of interest. Please consider this disclosure alongside EnergyX’s offering materials. EnergyX’s Regulation A offering has been qualified by the SEC. Offers and sales may be made only by means of the qualified offering circular. Before investing, carefully review the offering circular, including the risk factors. The offering circular is available at invest.energyx.com/.
Comparisons to other companies are for informational purposes only and should not imply similar results. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Market shortfall are forward‑looking estimates and are subject to substantial uncertainty.
Flightline Feature Stamp Collection |  |
Aviation Safety & Security
Drone Near Miss
A United Airlines Boeing 737 narrowly avoided what could have been a serious collision while landing at Newark, N.J. on June 26 after the flight crew reported a drone passing dangerously close to the aircraft on final approach. The pilot of Flight 1513 from Key West International Airport (EYW) told air traffic control the drone, described as a circular device roughly three feet in diameter, passed about 100 feet below the aircraft during descent. A second flight crew also reported spotting the drone at approximately 2,000 feet in the same area. The aircraft landed safely without incident, but the FAA has opened an investigation. The event serves as another reminder of the growing safety threat posed by unauthorized drone operations near airports, where even a small unmanned aircraft can create a significant hazard during the critical takeoff and landing phases of flight.
TSA Partners With Google Wallet
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has partnered with Google Wallet to simplify enrollment in its TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program. Eligible Android users can now opt in directly through Google Wallet, allowing participating travelers to verify their identity through facial recognition at dedicated TSA PreCheck checkpoints without routinely presenting a physical ID or boarding pass. The program is currently available at 65 U.S. airports and works with more than 100 participating airlines. Participation remains voluntary, facial images are deleted within 24 hours of the scheduled departure, and travelers are still encouraged to carry a physical ID as a backup. The integration marks another step in TSA’s ongoing expansion of biometric identity verification at airport security checkpoints.
🔒 Subscribers also receive the complete Aviation Safety & Security briefing.
For as little as 65¢ an issue, you're missing: Additional reporting on a fatal onboard passenger disturbance that triggered multiple investigations involving law enforcement, cabin crew actions, and passenger restraint procedures.
Aviation Industry News
Alaska Airlines (AS) has fitted nearly 40 percent of its fleet with Starlink Wi-Fi so far, with the carrier posting monthly updates on its progress online. Click here to see how things are progressing.
The United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) states that “the average person now takes four different lithium powered devices on trips, meaning there are over 2,000 on a busy Airbus A380 flight.”
Operations at Caracas, Venezuela (CCS) have been severely disrupted after a powerful earthquake left major cracks in the airport’s primary Runway 10R/28L, forcing Venezuelan aviation authorities to close it by NOTAM through at least July 2 while engineers assess the damage. The airport had already suspended all flight operations immediately after the quake due to structural damage to terminal facilities, falling debris, and concerns over runway integrity. More than 100 flights have since been canceled or delayed, with airlines including Copa Airlines (CM) suspending service and American Airlines issuing travel waivers for affected passengers. The runway damage comes amid a broader humanitarian crisis following the earthquake, which has killed nearly 200 people and caused widespread destruction across northern Venezuela, including significant damage to transportation infrastructure in and around Caracas.
🇺🇸 April 2026 Passenger Traffic Totals at U.S. Airports
Here are the April 2026 passenger totals at 120 airports across the United States. Paid subscribers get the full dataset rather than this preview.
🔒 Subscribers also receive the complete Aviation Industry briefing.
For as little as 65¢ an issue, you're missing: Why U.S. airfares are rising again, China Eastern's US$9.35 billion Airbus widebody order, an exclusive look at American Airlines' oldest Boeing 737-800, April passenger totals at more than 120 U.S. airports, South Bend's surprisingly revealing airport revenue metrics, and this week's in-depth network analysis of AirAsia Malaysia (AK), covering 216 routes, 75 airports, 13,500 weekly flights, and 2.53 million weekly seats.
Air Cargo
Air freight trade between the United States and its two largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, totaled US$8.0 billion in April. Trade with Mexico accounted for US$4.7 billion, while shipments between the United States and Canada totaled US$3.3 billion, underscoring the importance of North American supply chains for time-sensitive cargo.
FedEx (FX) as quietly extended the service life of its iconic McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter fleet until 2032, reversing earlier retirement plans as strong global cargo demand and delayed replacement capacity keep the aging tri-jets economically viable. The decision underscores the aircraft’s continued importance to FedEx’s long haul freight network, despite its age and higher operating costs compared with newer Boeing 777F and 767F freighters. Following the FAA’s approval of inspection and maintenance protocols earlier this year, the carrier has begun returning grounded MD-11s to service, with additional aircraft expected to rejoin the fleet ahead of the peak shipping season. While the MD-11’s days are still numbered, FedEx’s latest timeline ensures the distinctive three engine freighter will remain a familiar sight across the global cargo network for several more years.
Your next 100 customers are already in Apollo
Find, reach, and close your perfect deals — without juggling five tools or hiring more reps.
Apollo gives you everything you need to build real pipeline, fast. From inbound to outbound, first touch to close.
All in Apollo.
📈 Flightline Financials 🏦
| Airline & Airport Operator Stock Prices Most Recent Closing Price | |||
| AAL American $17.87 | AERO AeroMéxico $18.34 | ALGT Allegiant $116.10 | ALK Alaska $53.96 |
| BA Boeing $217.25 | CPA Copa $157.19 | DAL Delta $92.57 | EMBJ Embraer $63.75 |
| JBLU JetBlue $6.00 | LTM LATAM $58.73 | LUV Southwest $51.91 | RJET Republic $19.05 |
| RYAAY Ryanair $64.49 | SKYW SkyWest $99.31 | UAL United $136.11 | ULCC Frontier $7.85 |
| VLRS Volaris $9.39 | BRENT CRUDE Oil Per Barrel $72.87 | ||
| ASR Asur $308.43 | OMAB OMA $111.99 | PAC GAP $252.90 | CAAP Corp America $25.54 |
| Global Currency Exchange Rates $1 USD Equals: | |||
| EUR Euro 0.88 | GBP British Pound 0.76 | MXN Mexican Peso 17.53 | CAD Canadian Dollar 1.42 |
Daily Passenger Counts at U.S. Airports, 2026 vs. 2025
A Note of Thanks
Flightline is written for readers who care deeply about commercial aviation, from routes and fleets to security, policy, and data. Subscriber support allows this publication to remain independent, focused, and free of advertising influence.
If you find Flightline valuable, sharing it with a colleague or fellow aviation enthusiast is the simplest way to help it grow responsibly.
