On Thursday, the Department of Transportation issued performance statistics for the major U.S. airlines for the full year.  According to the DOT’s Air Travel Consumer Report, Delta achieved an overall on-time rate of 82.1% percent.

Airlines With the Most Delays This Year, According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics(Opens in a new browser tab)

The ATCR is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines. DOT remains committed to ensuring airline passengers are treated fairly and is concerned about recent flight cancellations and flight disruptions and difficulties families are experiencing in sitting together with no fees. The Department is currently investigating four domestic airlines to ensure that they are not engaging in unrealistic scheduling of flights. Last week, DOT rolled out a new family seating dashboard that highlights the airlines that guarantee fee-free family seating, and those that do not, making it easier for parents to avoid paying junk fees to sit with their children when they fly.

Major airline on-time performance for 2022, according to ATCR

1. Delta Air Lines – 82.1% of flights on time
2. Alaska Airlines  – 79.1% of flights on time
3. United Airlines – 78.7% of flights on time
4. American Airlines – 77.1% of flights on time
5. Hawaiian Airlines – 75.8% of flights on time
6. Southwest Airlines –  73.2% of flights on time
7. Spirit Airlines – 73.0% of flights on time
8. Frontier Airlines – 66.1% of flights on time
9. JetBlue Airways – 64.6% of flights on time
10. Allegiant Air – 63.4% of flights on time

December 2022 Flight Cancellations

In December 2022, reporting marketing carriers canceled 5.4% of their scheduled domestic flights, higher than the rate 1.1% in both November 2022 and in pre-pandemic December 2019.  Of the industry-wide 5.4% cancellation rate in December 2022, 54.51% of the cancellations were attributed to Southwest. Southwest canceled 14,042 flights from December 24 to December 31, which was 72.3% of the total flights that reporting carriers canceled during that time.

1. Southwest Airlines – 14.6%
2. Alaska Airlines Network – 7.6%
3. Allegiant Air – 5.3%
4. Delta Air Lines Network – 2.9%
5. JetBlue Airways – 1.9%
6. American Airlines Network – 1.8%

Mishandled Baggage

In December 2022, reporting marketing carriers handled 40.4 million bags and posted a mishandled baggage rate of 1.09%, higher than the rate of 0.51% in November 2022 and higher than the rate of 0.66% in pre-pandemic December 2019. Of the industry-wide 1.09% mishandling rate in December 2022, 26.68% of the mishandling were attributed to Southwest.

Four thieves tried to steal a helicopter at Sacramento Executive Airport in the early hours of the morning between 4 am and 6 am in the morning, but only one was able to start. During an attempted theft at an airport in the US state of California, a criminal stole a $7.5 million chopper and crashed it. No one was hurt at the scene.

The gathered evidence, information from witnesses, and security footage, according to Sean Ragan, the FBI’s Special Agent in Charge, point to a suspect in the case.

The motive for the suspect’s desire to steal the helicopter is being investigated by federal officials. It’s possible that someone wants to purchase the plane for a trip. Terrorism might be a possibility if they intended to purchase it for a different illegal purpose or to harm other people’s property.

The blade of a Bell 429 helicopter plummeted to the ground, scattering debris over the immediate region. Other helicopters that were parked nearby also sustained minor damages.

The incident is being looked into by both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

The most popular low-cost carrier in India, SpiceJet, has appointed BBT Air – Aviation Services as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in Greece. BBT Air will be in charge of the airline’s sales, growth, and general representation in the Greek market, offering top-notch services to passenger and travel agencies.

Spicejet likely to induct 7 Boeing 737 Max aircraft on wet lease by November-end(Opens in a new browser tab)

BBT Air’s Commercial Director, Mr. Konstantinos Melas, said: “We are pleased to welcome SpiceJet to our portfolio and market. We’re confident that additional sales opportunities will materialize once SpiceJet becomes available in Greece. Our top aim will be to contact marine travel agencies and offer them another choice for flights within and outside of India because Greece has impressive results in marine/offshore traffic. Starting from there, we’ll seek to advance SpiceJet in our nation and consider the possibility of establishing a direct connection between Athens and Delhi in the future. . A much-desired route that is currently missing from Greece”.

The airline’s website, spicejet.com, as well as travel agencies with access to its B2B portal already have the flights displayed and available for purchase. By calling +30 210 9793500, the offices of BBT Air Aviation Services, which also accepts and manages all group requests and supports local travel agencies, passengers can also purchase their tickets there.

SpiceSaver, SpiceFlex, and SpiceMAX are the three pricing alternatives offered on all flights, providing greater service options, comfort, and flexibility for all passenger demands, both at the airport and during the flight.

The selection of BBT Air as GSA in the Greek market is a part of SpiceJet’s goal to expand internationally and providing its customers with seamless end-to-end connectivity between the two nations. The airline, which is India’s largest regional carrier and has a fleet of Boeing 737s, Q-400s, and freighters, operates numerous daily flights under UDAN or the Regional Connectivity Scheme.

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IndiGo, India’s most preferred carrier has announced new direct flight between Mumbai-Dhaka from March 26, 2023. This new route has been introduced to cater to the rising demand for travel from Mumbai. The airline has also announced the resumption of operations between Mumbai and Singapore effective March 26, 2023.

IndiGo strengthens international connectivity with direct flights between Mumbai and Istanbul(Opens in a new browser tab)

The resumption of flights between Mumbai and Singapore will help promote tourism as both cities have many tourist attractions. According to Singapore Tourism Board, India accounted for over 686,000 of the overall 6.3 million global visitor arrivals in 2022, emerging as Singapore’s second-largest source market after Indonesia (1.1 million visitors). Singapore has famous attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore Flyer, Gardens by The Bay, S.E.A. Aquarium, Sentosa Island, Sentosa Merlion Tower, Trick Eye Museum. These flights will not only promote tourism but also make travel hassle-free to these destinations through direct connections and additional capacity.

These flights are designed to cater to business and leisure travelers who are constantly on the lookout for new and affordable flying options to access destinations which help in building businesses and are known for their tourist attractions. Customers who wish to plan their travel can book tickets via our official website www.goIndiGo.in. The introduction of these flights will further bolster the airline’s international connectivity.

STARLUX Airlines, a Taiwan-based luxury carrier, announced the launch of its inaugural Taipei-Los Angeles transpacific flight debuting on April 26. Initially starting with five weekly flights, the service is expected to ramp to daily in June. STARLUX also announced the establishment of its first US office based in Los Angeles and its new designation as the “Official International Airline Partner of the LA Clippers” as part of a multi-year partnership with the NBA team.

With eyes to the skies and “luxury” embedded in its brand, STARLUX strives to achieve the highest standards in operations, service, safety, and management. The airline operates the TPE-LAX route with its new-generation Airbus A350 configured in a premium four-class layout, with four seats in First, 26 in Business, 36 in Premium Economy, and 240 in Economy.

The 10 longest routes in the world flown by airlines, ranked by distance(Opens in a new browser tab)

Travelers in First and Business will have a cozy private space with a sliding door and seats with full-flat and Zero G mode for full relaxation. The extra-legroom Premium Economy section features a 40-inch Recaro seat with a leg rest and footrest bar. Economy Class seats are also built for utmost comfort, equipped with leather headrests and wide seat pitch. In addition, the A350 offers nose-to-tail seatback entertainment featuring 4K personal large screens.

The Clippers are an innovative global brand with an international fan base and reach, and STARLUX is the latest international company to join Clipper Nation. In addition to in-arena activations and hospitality elements in Los Angeles, STARLUX’s partnership with the Clippers includes international rights through the NBA’s international team marketing program. The airline will activate in-flight branding, international sweepstakes, and other digital and in-person activations featuring Clippers elements and personalities.

What is the busiest airport in the US? Expect the biggest crowds at these destinations.(Opens in a new browser tab)

Starting June 1, Clippers-themed amenities will be provided on STARLUX TPE-LAX flights, such as themed meal packaging including paper placemats, napkins, towelettes, inflight meal foil covers, mini food flags, burger wrapping paper, and kids meal boxes. Other niceties include playing cards, eye masks, paper cups, stirrers, rice cracker packages, luggage tags, boarding passes, and stickers will be distributed at check-in.

Airline ticket reservations for departures from April 26, 2023, onward can now be booked through travel agents and on www.starlux-airlines.com. Flights will depart Los Angeles for Taipei on Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday at 00:50 hours. Flights will depart Taipei for Los Angeles on Monday and Wednesday through Saturday at 23:40 hours.

Following the Tata Group’s acquisition of the losing airline in January of last year, Air India issued a voluntary retirement offer to its non-flying workers on Friday. This was the second such offer.

According to a notification, the current offer will be offered for permanent general cadre officers who are 40 years of age or older and have accomplished a minimum of five years of continuous service with the airline. Employees in the clerical and unskilled categories who have completed a minimum of five years of continuous employment will also be eligible.

Air India set to allow its pilots to fly until age of 65(Opens in a new browser tab)

The promotion will be available till April 30th. According to sources, approximately 2,100 employees will be eligible to take advantage of the current voluntary retirement offer. The airline currently employs approximately 11,000 workers, including both flying and non-flying employees.

“The employees will also receive an ex-gratia sum as a one-time bonus if they apply for voluntary retirement between 17 March 2023 and 30 April 2023. The notification stated that eligible employees who apply by March 31, 2023, will receive an additional Rs 1 lakh over and above the ex-gratia sum.

Both flying and non-flying workers were covered in the initial voluntary retirement offer. At the time, approximately 4,200 employees were eligible, and of those, approximately 1,500 chose the offer. The strategy aims to place Air India on a course for consistent growth, financial success, and market dominance.

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Why does Air India issue VRS to those over 40?

In an effort to cut costs and boost operational effectiveness, Air India has made voluntary retirement programs (VRS) available to its workers. By granting employees the option to retire voluntarily, Air India is enabling the airline to cut its personnel and associated costs without having to resort to layoffs or other more extreme measures.

The current offer, according to a notification, is only available to permanent general cadre officers who are 40 years of age or older and have at least five years of continuous service under their belts. Furthermore eligible are workers in the administrative and unskilled categories who have worked continuously for at least five years.

Employees who choose to retire early or voluntarily are frequently given financial incentives to do so through VRS schemes, which can include severance payments, expanded medical coverage, and pension plans. By providing these incentives, Air India can persuade workers to retire of their own will, lowering the company’s payroll costs and strengthening its financial position.

“If staff opt for voluntary retirement between March 17 and April 30, 2023, they will also be given an ex-gratia payment as a one-time bonus. According to the notification, eligible personnel who submit their applications by March 31, 2023, will receive an additional Rs 1 lakh on top of the ex-gratia payment.”

It’s worth noting that offering VRS is a common practice among many companies, especially those facing financial difficulties or restructuring efforts. It’s important to note that any VRS scheme must comply with labor laws and regulations, and affected employees should carefully evaluate the terms of the scheme before deciding to accept the offer.

Advancements in technology and training

Older workers might be paid more and receive better benefits than more recent hires, and they might also have different skill sets and working habits that are no longer in line with the demands of the business. In order to save payroll costs and create room for younger, more affordable personnel with more modernized skills and expertise, the corporation may opt to retire some of its older employees.

It’s crucial to remember that any decisions made regarding the retirement or termination of employees must adhere to labor rules and regulations, and those impacted may be entitled to severance payments or other benefits.