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Happy Fourth of July! Wishing everyone in the United States a safe and enjoyable Independence Day as America celebrates its 250th birthday. For everyone outside the U.S., I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thanks, as always, for reading Flightline wherever you are in the world.
- Network Review: We study WestJet's (WS) network and operation in July.
- April passenger totals at nearly 700 airports around the world.
- More than 20 new and proposed airline routes from around the world.
- How much airlines will pay annually under TSA's new Crewmember Access Point (CMAP) program.
- The world's first Boeing 777-300ERSF enters commercial service.
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
Riyadh Air (RX) continues building out its inaugural network with three additional international destinations. The Saudi startup will launch three weekly flights between Riyadh (RUH) and Málaga, Spain (AGP) on July 14, followed by three weekly service to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL), on July 30. Daily flights to Dhaka, Bangladesh (DAC), will begin Aug. 7. The additions continue Riyadh Air’s strategy of rapidly establishing links between Saudi Arabia and key leisure, business, and expatriate markets across Europe and Asia ahead of its broader long-haul expansion. All routes will see a Boeing 787-9 rostered.
American Airlines (AA) will return to Naples, Fla. (APF), for the first time in approximately 25 years with the launch of twice-daily service from Charlotte, N.C. (CLT), beginning Dec. 2. Operated by PSA Airlines (OH) CRJ-700 aircraft under the American Eagle banner, the route restores scheduled commercial service by American to one of Florida’s wealthiest Gulf Coast communities, a market that has experienced substantial population growth since the carrier last served the airport. If you are wondering, Naples is about 30 miles south of Fort Myers, Fla. (RSW).
Avelo Airlines (XP) will become the launch and anchor carrier at McKinney National Airport, marking the start of scheduled commercial service at the airport’s new passenger terminal. The airline will initially base two Boeing 737-800s at the airport. One note about McKinney - there is currently some airport code confusion, with the FAA continuing to use TKI while IATA has assigned the commercial passenger code DTX, which is the code travelers will use when booking flights.
New routes:
McKinney (DTX) to Fort Myers, Fla.: 2x weekly from Nov. 11.
McKinney to Las Vegas (LAS): 4x weekly from Nov. 12.
McKinney to Orlando (MCO): 5x weekly from Nov. 12.
McKinney to Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 5x weekly from Nov. 19.
McKinney to Tampa (TPA): 4x weekly from Nov. 19.
🔒 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 also includes:
★ Eurowings expands its Egypt network with two new routes to Cairo.
★ China Airlines resumes service to Toyama, Japan.
★ Air Tanzania launches a new Middle East triangle via Muscat and Zanzibar.
★ Middle East Airlines returns to Egypt's Mediterranean coast.
★ TransNusa enters the Thailand market with Jakarta-Bangkok service.
★ Biman Bangladesh Airlines resumes Dhaka-Tokyo flights.
★ LOT Polish Airlines adds Tromsø for the winter season.
★ Volotea launches new routes in Spain and Algeria.
Plus every fleet delivery, aviation safety and security news, industry developments, worldwide airport traffic data, and this week's in-depth review of the WestJet (WS) network.
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Dropped and Suspended Routes
No new route suspensions or cancellations to report.
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Fleet Intelligence
LATEST AIRCRAFT DELIVERIES
🇸🇬 9V-MBY, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Singapore Airlines (SQ) on June 30.
🇶🇦 A7-AOI, an Airbus A350-1041, was delivered to Qatar Airways (QR) on June 30.
🇨🇳 B-206F, a Boeing 737-84P(WL), was delivered to Urumqi Air (UQ) on June 28.
🇨🇳 B-32T5, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to Colorful Guizhou Airlines (GY) on June 30.
🇨🇦 C-FHBT, an Airbus A220-300, was delivered to Air Canada (AC) on June 30.
🇨🇩 ET-ASI, a Boeing 787-8, was delivered to Air Congo (4Z) on June 30.
🇫🇷 F-HXIC, an Airbus A320-252neo, was delivered to Transavia France (TO) on June 30.
🇬🇧 G-ZXID, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to easyJet (U2) on June 30.
🇺🇸 N17461, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, was delivered to United Airlines on June 30.
🇺🇸 N47457, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, was delivered to United Airlines on June 30.
🇺🇸 N827NV, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Allegiant Air on June 29.
🇺🇸 N846AK, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Alaska Airlines (AS) on June 29.
🇺🇸 N918UP, a Boeing 767-300F, was delivered to United Parcel Service (UPS) (5X) on June 30. This registration previously adorned a UPS Boeing 727 freighter.
🇺🇸 N919UP, a Boeing 767-300F, was delivered to United Parcel Service (UPS) on June 30. This registration previously adorned a UPS Boeing 727 freighter.
🇹🇷 TC-VFE, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to AJet (VF) on June 29.
🇻🇳 VN-A201, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to VietJetAir (VJ) on June 30.
🇮🇳 VT-NOE, an Airbus A321-251neo, was delivered to IndiGo (6E) on June 30.
🇮🇳 VT-YBQ, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to Akasa Air (QP) on June 29.
🇲🇽 XA-TVM, an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to Volaris (Y4) on June 29.
LATEST AIRCRAFT RETIREMENTS
❌ No new retirements to report.
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Aviation Safety & Security
Drone Purportedly Strikes JetBlue Aircraft
JetBlue (B6) Flight 948 from Las Vegas to New York Kennedy (JFK) landed safely Monday after the flight crew reported striking a drone at approximately 3,000 feet while on final approach. The aircraft was removed from service for inspection, although JetBlue said no damage or evidence of a collision was found. The FAA is investigating the reported drone strike, which comes just days after a United Airlines (UA) crew reported a near miss with a drone while approaching Newark, N.J. (EWR).
🔒 Subscribers also receive the complete Aviation Safety & Security briefing.
Missing from this preview: An in-depth look at the TSA's replacement of the Known Crewmember (KCM) program with the new Crewmember Access Point (CMAP) system, including biometric identity verification, enhanced crew vetting, and how much American, Delta, and United will pay each year under the new airline-funded program. Annual subscriptions are on sale for just $35, less than $4 per month for more than 100 issues each year.
Aviation Industry News
Scandinavian Airlines (SK) has announced the largest aircraft investment in its history, committing more than US$10 billion toward the acquisition of up to 40 Airbus widebody aircraft as the carrier accelerates its long haul expansion following its financial restructuring. The order includes 18 firm Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, additional A330-300s to support near term growth, and options that could bring the total fleet renewal to 40 aircraft. The investment will improve fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and environmental performance while supporting the airline’s long term growth strategy centered on Copenhagen. The announcement comes just two years after SAS emerged from Chapter 11 restructuring and follows last year’s order for up to 55 Embraer E195-E2 regional jets, underscoring the carrier’s aggressive fleet modernization program.
New this week: I’ve also published a complete Allegiant Air (G4) fleet list, updated through July 1, 2026. The PDF includes every active aircraft registration, type, serial number, and delivery date, making it a handy reference for fleet enthusiasts, photographers, and industry professionals. It’s available separately in the Flightline Shop for just $1.
Pakistan International Airlines Enters Private Ownership
Pakistan has officially completed the transfer of Pakistan International Airlines (PK) to private ownership, ending decades of government control. Operational management has been assumed by PIA Equity Ltd., a special purpose vehicle backed by the Arif Habib consortium, following the financial closing of the privatization process. The transaction represents a total investment of approximately $642 million, including $446 million in fresh capital earmarked for fleet renewal and operational improvements, while about $196 million was paid directly to the Pakistani government.
The airline’s new owners have pledged to modernize PIA’s 32-aircraft fleet, optimize its network, and leverage air service agreements with 97 countries. Most of the carrier’s historic debt, previously estimated at nearly $3 billion, has already been transferred to a state-owned holding company, leaving the restructured airline with a much cleaner balance sheet. Current operations include services to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), London Heathrow (LHR), Manchester (MAN), Toronto (YYZ), Kuala Lumpur, Beijing (PEK), 14 Middle Eastern destinations, and 13 domestic cities, with a long term goal of restoring flights to the United States.
OLD. NOT OBSOLETE: Delivered to United Airlines on April 18, 1991, N641UA has quietly become one of the longest-serving widebody aircraft still flying anywhere in the world. The Boeing 767-322ER has spent more than three decades crossing the Atlantic and North America, surviving multiple fleet renewal cycles and even returning to service after sustaining substantial damage in a hard landing at Houston in 2023. As of May 26, the aircraft had accumulated 134,026 flight hours and 20,528 cycles, a testament to both the durability of the 767 design and United’s long-term investment in the type. Despite its age, the aircraft continues to operate regular passenger service with the carrier’s modern Polaris cabin.
April 2026 Passenger Traffic Totals at Worldwide Airports
Here are the April 2026 passenger totals at nearly 700 airports around the world. Unfortunately, India’s website that hosts the monthly statistics has been down for the past few weeks, so I could not include them this month.
Paid subscribers get the full dataset rather than this preview.
Police Blotter
A 26-year-old Thai Airways (TG) flight attendant has been arrested in Australia after authorities allegedly discovered more than 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of heroin concealed within the lining of 12 tote bags she was carrying upon arrival at Melbourne. The drugs have an estimated Australian street value of approximately $345,000 USD. Australian Border Force officers were alerted by a detector dog before X-ray screening revealed abnormalities in the luggage. The cabin crew-member, who had just arrived while working Thai Airways Flight TG465 from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, has been charged with importing and possessing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison under Australian law. Thai Airways has launched an internal disciplinary investigation, says it is cooperating fully with Australian authorities, and stated the employee will be dismissed if the allegations are substantiated.
🔒 Subscribers also receive the complete Aviation Industry briefing as well as the full Air Cargo update.
Missing from this preview: LOT Polish Airlines' record 2025 financial results, IATA's latest global passenger demand report, airline checked baggage statistics for May, an update on Lufthansa's grounded Boeing 787-9 D-ABPQ, Qantas' latest capacity expansion, an analysis of Russia's growing fleet availability problems under sanctions, complete worldwide air cargo coverage, April passenger traffic at nearly 700 airports around the world, and this week's in-depth network review of WestJet (WS).
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📈 Flightline Financials 🏦
| Airline & Airport Operator Stock Prices Most Recent Closing Price | |||
| AAL American $18.15 | AERO AeroMéxico $17.61 | ALGT Allegiant $119.16 | ALK Alaska $51.25 |
| BA Boeing $218.58 | CPA Copa $153.05 | DAL Delta $93.06 | EMBJ Embraer $63.05 |
| JBLU JetBlue $5.92 | LTM LATAM $56.91 | LUV Southwest $50.47 | RJET Republic $21.54 |
| RYAAY Ryanair $63.48 | SKYW SkyWest $98.35 | UAL United $135.13 | ULCC Frontier $7.73 |
| VLRS Volaris $9.20 | BRENT CRUDE Oil Per Barrel $71.08 | ||
| ASR Asur $309.00 | OMAB OMA $112.20 | PAC GAP $252.42 | CAAP Corp America $25.28 |
| Global Currency Exchange Rates $1 USD Equals: | |||
| EUR Euro 0.88 | GBP British Pound 0.75 | MXN Mexican Peso 17.56 | CAD Canadian Dollar 1.42 |
Daily Passenger Counts at U.S. Airports, 2026 vs. 2025
A Note of Thanks
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