Airlines

Finnair to lease two A330 aircraft to Oneworld partner Qantas

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In accordance with a long-term contract, Finnair will first wet lease (lease two A330 aircraft with crew) to Qantas for a period of two years, and then dry lease (lease two A330 aircraft without crew) to Qantas for a period of 2.5 years, beginning in 2025. The first aircraft will be under wet lease beginning in October 2023, and the second aircraft will be under wet lease beginning in early 2024.

The arrangement with Qantas is a component of Finnair’s relentless efforts to secure the best possible use of its A330 fleet, which has limited range when deployed in Finnair’s own long-haul operations due to the closure of Russian airspace. Following the shutdown of Russian airspace, Finnair’s fleet was optimized, and the agreement with Qantas marks its completion.

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The planes will be used in Qantas’ network on routes between Sydney and Bangkok as well as Sydney and Singapore throughout the wet lease period. The pilots of Finnair will fly regularly scheduled Finnair flights from Helsinki to Singapore and Helsinki to Bangkok. They will then continue flying regularly scheduled Qantas flights between Singapore, Bangkok, and Sydney before returning to Helsinki, where they are based.

In addition to performing aircraft maintenance at the Qantas destinations, Finnair partners with offices in Singapore and Bangkok also provide the cabin crew. Finnair has acquired enough pilot personnel to support the size of its fleet, which includes the planes it has leased to Qantas. Due to their full deployment in other airlines, the Qantas agreement has no impact on the number of cabin personnel at Finnair.

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The partnership enables Finnair to deploy its A330 aircraft in a cost-effective and successful manner. Because flying through Russian airspace increased travel times between Finnair’s hub in Helsinki and its Asian destinations, the airline has constructed a network that is more geographically balanced after the shutdown of the Russian airspace. As part of this new strategy, Finnair has been fostering relationships with its oneworld partners, as evidenced by the deal with Qantas.

Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.