August 13, 2020

American Prepares for a Smaller Route Network Without More Government Money

1 With the expiration of the CARES Act looming in about six weeks, American Airlines is first out of the gate with possible cuts to its route network when the financial spigot from the federal government is turned off.

Airlines were required to maintain service levels from prior to the pandemic in exchange for the CARES Act funding, but with the money about to expire and the government not yet making a decision about a CARES Act 2.0, American is publicly making it clear what will happen without more money coming in.

The airline reportedly will shutter up to two dozen destinations currently on its route map in a schedule update to be released next week. We’re told the airports will all be lined up and handed a package of premium nuts if they are going to remain in the network.

The cessation of service would take effect shortly after the CARES Act funding expires on October 1. Whether AA is serious about the cuts or is bluffing to force the government to act remains to be seen — we expect it’s the former — but it’s real money and real jobs that the airline is putting on the chopping block.


Southwest Extends Schedule Through April

2 Southwest Airlines today has extended its schedule from January through April 11, 2021. The airline is showing luv to Steamboat Springs, CO (HDN), the only new destination on the early 2021 schedule. Let’s keep in mind that ANY new destination these days is something to celebrate.

Seasonal service to the skiing haven will begin on December 19 and last through April 5. Service to HDN will operate 3x daily from Denver and once-daily on the weekends from Dallas/Love Field.

The rest of the schedule is reported to be fairly quiet, but we’ll post more about that on Monday on crankyflier.com when we can review over the weekend.


Air New Zealand Putting Hold on Future Australian Bookings

3 With Australia putting significant caps on the number of passengers permitted to fly into the country, Air New Zealand will be placing a hold on future reservations for flights into Australia, with some restrictions lasting until late-October.

The Australian government is currently permitting only 25 passengers per flight into Brisbane and 40 into Sydney, with Melbourne being closed for international flights. Air New Zealand is suspending new Sydney bookings until early September, Melbourne until late October, and Brisbane is currently up in the air.

Much like waiting in line for a crowded bar on a Saturday night — remember what that was like?– the airline will open up bookings if current customers cancel or change their travel plans opening up a seat. One out, one in — we’ve all been there. In the meantime, if getting on an Air New Zealand flight to Australia is a major priority, there’s always slipping $20 to the bouncer….


Air France and its Pilots Come to Agreement to Increase Transavia Flying

4 Air France has come to an agreement with its pilots union to permits the airline’s LCC subsidiary — Transavia — to operate domestic flights on behalf of Air France, because apparently Transavia isn’t losing enough money as it stands today.

The vote was a rout, with over 90% of Air France’s pilots approving the measure. Air France’s domestic operations have lost money for years, and the airline now faces increasing competition from new LCC carriers and France’s TGV high-speed train network.

Reports say that Pakistan International Airlines made a last-minute bid to fly Air France’s domestic operations for them at an even cheaper rate than it was paying Transavia, but Air France declined because…fake pilots.


Interjet Finds New Domestic Partner

5 Interjet, Mexico’s weakest and third-largest airline, has opted to partner with Mexico’s next weakest airline, Mexico City (MEX)-based Aeromar Airlines. Both airlines look to improve their financial footing which was already perilous before the pandemic.

Both airlines will sell seven routes on behalf of the other, also allowing for connections between the two airlines for a seamless (in-theory) passenger experience. The airlines plan to expand the agreement in the near-future to cover the entire network of both airlines.

Interjet currently operates a total of 238 weekly frequencies on 10 routes, all of which are within Mexico, with Aeromar operating 265 weekly frequencies on 16 routes.


Airline Potpourri

  • Air India is ending service to five European destinations: Copenhagen, Madrid, Milan, Stockholm and Vienna.
  • Cathay Dragon will debut its first A321neo this October, assuming it’s actually flying places.
  • Finnair will be cutting service to Nice (NCE) and Turku, Finland (TKU) in September while reducing frequency to other European destinations.
  • IranAir is resuming once-weekly service to Vienna this Saturday, August 15.
  • TAP Air Portugal will resume service in September to Chicago/O’Hare, New York/JFK, and San Francisco. This will see the airline operating in all nine U.S. gateways from prior to the pandemic. Whether any passengers will actually be onboard remains entirely unclear.
  • Wizz Air is planning on opening a second UK base at Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) with seven new routes being added.

Andrew’s Moment of Levity

My roommate saw a cockroach in the kitchen this morning, so he sprayed everything down and cleaned it thoroughly. Tomorrow I’m going to put a cockroach in the bathroom.