Airlines

United Airlines Recommences Shannon-Chicago Flights

On May 26, the first scheduled flight on United Airlines’ brand-new Shannon-Chicago route took off, bringing back travel between the Windy City and the airport in the west of Ireland after a six-year hiatus.

In preparation for today’s 9:30am departure on the first daily seasonal Chicago service from Shannon, heading for O’Hare International Airport, passengers began boarding the Boeing 757-200 aircraft at 8:50am.

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Singapore Airlines’ direct service to the South Island is significant for both passengers and cargo, Chicago is a significant U.S. entry point and a welcome addition to the regular services Shannon already provides to New York, Boston, and Newark. With a capacity of more than 42,000 seats, this essential Chicago route benefits not only tourists and leisure travellers but also gives clients access to crucial additional business links.

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“Passengers flying from Shannon can enter the U.S. as domestic travellers, saving important time, especially for connecting flights, through US preclearance facilities. passengers’ time in this section has been cut in half because to the improved security screening system deployed during the Pandemic, which has eliminated the need to remove liquids and devices from cabin bags.

The fact that Shannon is the first airport in the world to offer a combined EU/TSA security screening system means that passengers only have to go through one security check, making their trip through Shannon even easier’.”This gives an additional benefit for travellers flying to the United States.

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.

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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.

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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.