Flightline Briefing 78 - March 16, 2026

🇺🇸 19-46110, a Boeing KC-46A Pegasus (767-2C), was delivered to United States Air Force (USAF) on March 13.

🇭🇷 9A-CAQ, an Airbus A220-100, was delivered to Croatia Airlines (OU) on March 12.

🇲🇹 9H-XLD, an Airbus A321-271NY XLR, was delivered to Wizz Air Malta (W4) on March 13.

🇮🇱 4X-IHF, an ATR 72-600, was delivered to airHaifa (FT) on March 13.

🇹🇼 B-17890, a Boeing 787-9, was delivered to EVA Air (BR) on March 11.

🇦🇴 D2-TAL, an Airbus A220-300, was delivered to TAAG - Linhas Aereas de Angola Airlines (DT) on March 13.

🇩🇪 D-ABPO, a Boeing 787-9, was delivered to Lufthansa (LH) on March 14.

🇩🇪 D-ANLC, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to Condor (DE) on March 13.

🇳🇴 LN-SAE, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to SAS Scandinavian Airlines (SK) on March 13.

🇱🇺 LX-LEB, an Embraer E195-E2, was delivered to Luxair (LG) on March 13.

🇺🇸 N27439, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, was delivered to United Airlines (UA) on March 14.

🇺🇸 N320VG, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was delivered to American Airlines (AA) on March 14.

🇺🇸 N3296J, an Airbus A220-300, was delivered to JetBlue on March 13.

🇺🇸 N438FR, an Airbus A320-271neo, was delivered to Frontier Airlines (F9) on March 13.

🇺🇸 N677FR, an Airbus A321-271neo, was delivered to Frontier Airlines on March 13.

🇦🇹 OE-LRS, an Embraer ERJ-145EP, was delivered to Luxwing (BN) on March 12.

🇮🇳 VT-IOM, an Airbus A320-251neo, was delivered to IndiGo (6E) on March 14.

❌ None to report for this issue.

Denver (DEN) has begun soliciting donations of grocery store and fuel gift cards, along with other forms of assistance, to support Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees working without pay during the ongoing federal government funding lapse. Airport officials and local partners say the effort is intended to help frontline screeners cover basic expenses while maintaining staffing levels at one of the nation’s busiest aviation hubs.

Of course, TSA employees are federal employees of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (5 CFR §2635). Under those rules, federal employees generally may not accept gifts from outside sources that are connected to their official position. Gift cards are treated as cash equivalents, which are among the most restricted types of gifts.

Because of this, during past shutdowns and funding lapses TSA leadership has typically instructed employees not to accept gift cards, cash, or similar donations directly from airports, businesses, or passengers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $65,000 civil penalty against Avelo Airlines (XP) for allegedly violating drug and alcohol testing regulations.  The FAA alleges that Avelo failed to include 10 flight attendants and flight crewmembers in its required random drug and alcohol testing pool. During various periods between April 2024 and November 2024, the employees performed safety-sensitive functions when Avelo did not subject them to the required testing. Avelo has 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter (sent Thursday) to respond to the agency.

Latvian flag carrier airBaltic (BT) reported stable revenue and improved financial performance in 2025, posting €779 million in revenue, up 4 percent year over year. The airline significantly reduced its annual net loss to €44.3 million, roughly 40 percent lower than the previous year, despite higher operating costs and aircraft availability challenges linked to industry-wide engine maintenance issues. Passenger numbers reached a record 5.2 million on the airline’s scheduled network and 8.7 million including ACMI operations, with wet lease activity continuing to expand. The carrier also grew its fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft and reported stronger demand and improved yields in the second half of the year, positioning the airline for better results in 2026 as fleet availability improves and new aircraft deliveries arrive. 

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands recently completed his final flight as a guest pilot on a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) Boeing 737, marking the end of nearly a decade operating that specific aircraft type. The King, who has maintained his pilot's license for over 20 years by flying commercial routes roughly twice a month, is transitioning away from the Boeing 737 as KLM begins phasing out the fleet in favor of the more fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo. While this milestone concludes an era of flying passengers to various European destinations under the alias "Meneer van Buren," the King intends to continue his aviation hobby and will soon undergo retraining to qualify for the new Airbus fleet.

Rental car revenue at Destin, Fla. (VPS) was $2,461,628 in January.

2025 passenger totals for a trio of Moscow airports have been released:

Rising global oil prices tied to tensions in the Middle East are prompting airlines to reinstate or sharply increase fuel surcharges across their networks. Hong Kong’s (HKG) Cathay Pacific (CX) will more than double fuel surcharges on tickets issued from March 18, with long haul departures from Hong Kong rising from about $73 to $149, South Asia routes increasing from roughly $34 to $69, and other regional sectors climbing from about $18 to $37. In South America, Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR) has also introduced new fuel surcharges, adding 7,500 Argentine pesos per segment on domestic flights and between $10 and $50 per segment on international services. Both airlines cited sharply higher jet fuel costs, which typically account for roughly 30 to 40 percent of airline operating expenses, noting the surcharges will be reviewed periodically as fuel markets evolve.

Korean Air (KE) has announced plans to regain full control of its in-flight catering and duty-free retail operations by acquiring the remaining 80 percent stake in Korean Air C&D Service from private equity firm Hahn & Company. The deal, valued at approximately 750 billion won ($530 million), was approved by the carrier's board on March 12 and marks a strategic reversal of its 2020 decision to divest the unit to secure liquidity during the pandemic. By bringing these essential services back in-house as a wholly owned subsidiary, the airline aims to ensure a stable supply of onboard meals and elevate the passenger experience at Seoul Incheon (ICN) and Seoul Gimpo (GMP). This move is particularly critical as the airline prepares for its upcoming integration with Asiana Airlines (OZ), allowing for tighter quality control and a standardized premium service across the newly expanded fleet.

Southwest Airlines will close its stations at Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD), ending all service at both airports on June 4 as part of a broader effort to streamline its network. The Dallas-based carrier said it will continue serving the Chicago and Washington, D.C. regions through nearby airports, including Chicago Midway (MDW)and Baltimore (BWI) along with Washington Reagan National (DCA). Southwest first entered O’Hare in 2021 and has served Dulles since 2006, but the airline said operating conditions and network priorities led to the decision to consolidate operations at its stronger regional bases. 

Data aggregator Cirium has released its monthly on-time performance results for airlines around the world in February. Let’s have a look at the most on-time airlines in the Asia/Pacific and European regions. Thursday’s issue will cover Latin America and Africa/Middle Eastern results.

🇮🇳 Passenger traffic totals for airports across India for January 2026 are as follows below.

In a rare instance of judicial enforcement, Austrian bailiffs boarded a Ryanair (FR) aircraft at Linz Airport (LNZ) on Monday after the carrier repeatedly ignored a court order to compensate a passenger for a 13-hour flight delay. The incident stemmed from a 2024 dispute where a traveler was forced to pay for an alternative flight to Mallorca (PMI) and subsequently won a legal claim for €890 in damages and costs. Because the airline’s crew was unable to settle the debt on the spot due to their cashless operating model, officials affixed a seizure notice, known locally as a "cuckoo sticker,” to the Boeing 737’s cabin. While the plane was permitted to depart for London Stansted (STN) under specific legal conditions, the notice grants the court the power to auction the aircraft if the debt remains unpaid by a set deadline.

David Bassett, founder of Amerijet International Airlines (M6), has died at age 77. Bassett launched the Miami-based cargo carrier in 1974 with a single leased aircraft and grew it into a major all-cargo airline serving the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, helping pioneer dedicated freight operations in the region. He led the company for more than four decades and was widely recognized for his contributions to the air cargo industry.

At the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Lima, LATAM Cargo, the freight arm of LATAM Airlines Group (LA), highlighted its continued leadership in the South American air cargo market. The group transported more than one million tons of cargo in 2025 and generated about $1.7 billion in revenue, accounting for 11.4 percent of the airline group’s total revenue while maintaining roughly 30 percent regional market share. LATAM also expanded its freighter network between South America and Europe, increased capacity on key trade lanes, and strengthened its role transporting major export commodities such as flowers, salmon, and fresh fruit to global markets.