AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said airlines could become targets of Washington’s economic campaign against Iran, one day after identifying aircraft leasing companies as a sector under review. The comments raise the prospect of broader sanctions exposure for commercial operators, lessors and counterparties linked to Iran.
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Ethiopian Airlines is nearing a deal to acquire as many as 10 long-haul Boeing freighters, according to industry sources. The potential order would support the carrier’s plans for a new African hub designed to strengthen its cargo network and compete more directly with Gulf carriers.
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said airlines could become targets of Washington’s economic campaign against Iran, one day after identifying aircraft leasing companies as a sector under review. The comments raise the prospect of broader sanctions exposure for commercial operators, lessors and counterparties linked to Iran.
High activity
Southwest Airlines will launch its first airport lounges in late 2027, opening four initial locations and planning seven more over the following years. The network, being developed with Chase, marks the latest step in the carrier’s shift from a low-cost domestic model toward a broader full-service offering.
Vueling, IAG’s Barcelona-based low-cost carrier, is reportedly postponing the introduction of its new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft until the first half of 2027. The delay is tied to outstanding certification work for the aircraft’s seats, extending the timeline for fleet and capacity planning.
Filings from Skyscanner, Kiwi.com and Wego offer a window into the economics of online flight search after Google reshaped how travelers discover and book airfares. The companies built distinct businesses around flight comparison, providing a clearer view of the value left for independent intermediaries.
United Airlines is abandoning 10 planned regional routes from Chicago O’Hare, including services to Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, along with a planned Guadalajara route. The cancellations signal a pullback in regional flying as the carrier manages capacity at a major hub.
Flybondi has had no scheduled operations for nearly four weeks since its last flight, while reports in Argentina indicate a possible restructuring that could ultimately replace the low-cost carrier’s brand with OCA Air. The developments raise questions about Flybondi’s operating future and market presence.
South African jet-fuel suppliers should maintain higher inventory levels to protect airlines from refinery disruptions, Sasol CEO Simon Baloyi said after an outage at the Natref refinery last week prompted carriers to prepare backup fuel plans. The episode exposed limited resilience in the country’s aviation-fuel supply chain.
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