Airlines

Emirates Ends 28-Year Singapore-Melbourne Fifth Freedom Route

Emirates is set to terminate its EK404/405 service between Melbourne and Singapore, marking the end of a route that has been operational since 1996.

The daily flights, which use Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, were briefly suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in 2023. Emirates has yet to announce a final end date for this service, pending a final assessment from the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS).

Despite this change, emirates airlines will continue to serve Melbourne with its daily flights to Dubai. The airline will maintain its extensive connectivity with Dubai, including four daily flights between Singapore and Dubai, and two daily non-stop flights between Melbourne and Dubai.

Passengers traveling between Singapore and Melbourne will still have options through Emirates’ codeshare partnership with Qantas, which offers twice-daily flights on this route. This arrangement allows Emirates to continue offering seats on Qantas-operated flights, ensuring that travelers have alternative options.

As noted by The Straits Times, Singapore Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary Scoot dominate the Melbourne-Singapore route, collectively holding approximately 57% of the market, emirates skywards while Emirates accounts for about 11%.

Emirates has stated that once the termination date is confirmed, it will communicate the changes to affected passengers and provide alternative travel arrangements.

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.