Airlines

EasyJet to open new three-aircraft base at Birmingham airport

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EasyJet has said that it will grow its UK network by establishing a new hub in Birmingham. In total, the investment will support over 1200* employment and generate about 100 direct jobs for pilots and crew in the UK. The biggest airline in the UK, easyJet, employs about 10,000 workers in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland at the moment.

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The airline will have three A320s with 186 seats based at the airport. By positioning itself as the carrier of choice to serve UK consumers and meet the ongoing demand for travel, easyJet’s network is strengthened by the investment of a ninth base there. This will allow it to further increase its share of the UK leisure market for both the airline and easyJet holidays.

The move is a part of easyJet’s strategy to seize key growth opportunities across its network and comes in the wake of the UK’s return to growth this summer, during which easyJet will also run its largest-ever summer flying program in the UK, flying about 8% more capacity than it did before the pandemic, over 1 million more seats during peak summer, and 57 new routes, including 23 from the UK.

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Each UK-based aircraft directly supports 400 employment and £27 million in UK GVA when direct, indirect, and induced impacts are taken into account, in addition to assisting with crucial UK domestic connectivity outside of London.

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.