Airlines

Ryanair expansion at Cardiff Airport including new route to Belfast

Ryanair to purchase 150 LEAP-1B-powered 737-10 aircraft

The most popular airline in the UK, Ryanair, has announced its busiest Cardiff schedule ever for the summer of 2023, with almost 25 weekly flights over four routes, including a new Belfast route, as well as the higher frequency on its perennially popular Dublin route.

Ryanair launches 6 new London routes for summer 2023.(Opens in a new browser tab)

Ryanair’s Cardiff Summer 2023 schedule will deliver:

– 4 routes (incl. 1 new) – Belfast, Dublin, Faro & Malaga

– 25+ weekly flights

– +63% growth on Summer 2022

– 210K passengers to/from Cardiff in FY24

– Over 155 local jobs

On top of sunny Summer 2023 holiday destinations like Faro and Malaga, Ryanair has responded to the UK Govt’s 50% APD cut for domestic travel from April ’23 with the opening of new domestic routes, incl. this new Cardiff to Belfast route from Wednesday, 29 March. However, this 50% reduction ignores international connectivity which is fundamental for the growth of the UK’s economy and tourism. Ryanair calls again on the UK Govt to fully abolish APD for all travel immediately, which would not only promote tourism but support much-needed connectivity to the UK – an island-based economy on the edge of Europe.

Customers can now book a well-deserved Summer break enjoying Ryanair’s lowest fares to the widest choice of destinations, incl. its exciting new Belfast route for Summer 2023, on Ryanair.com.

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

DAMAC Air: Dubai’s New Luxury Airline Offers Free Flights for Registration

The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.