On Friday, Southwest and Archer Aviation, manufacturer of the Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a network of routes connecting Southwest terminals at California airports.

The airline is the state’s largest air carrier and owns key hubs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where Archer recently announced plans to construct eVOL infrastructure, such as takeoff and landing vertiports, at five airports.

Archer’s flagship aircraft, which takes off and lands like a helicopter but flies on fixed wings like an airplane, is designed for a pilot to fly as many as four passengers on 20 to 50 sm (17 to 43 nm) air taxi routes, cruising at up to 150 mph (130 knots).

As soon as next year, it will begin ferrying customers to and from airports at a price the manufacturer claims will be cost-competitive with ground-based rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft.

“Integrating Archer’s electric aircraft into the travel journey potentially gives us an innovative opportunity to enhance the experience of flying Southwest,” said Paul Cullen, vice president of real estate for the airline.

Cullen also left the door open for an expansion of Southwest’s air taxi service to locations in other states.

Added Dee Dee Meyers, senior adviser to California Governor Gavin Newson and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development: “This initiative is designed to help revolutionize clean transportation with zero-direct emission and affordable options, enhancing the passenger experience, and supporting California’s climate action goals.”

The agreement with Southwest builds on Archer’s existing relationship with United Airlines, which in 2021 agreed to purchase 100 Midnight air taxis for an estimated $1 billion. Under that agreement, Archer will develop a software platform, mobile booking platform, and vertiport integration technology for a commercial service operated by United.

Delta Air Lines, the third major U.S. carrier with plans to launch an air taxi network, is working with Archer competitor Joby Aviation.

In addition, Archer in June signed a deal with Signature Aviation that would give it access to more than 200 FBOs, including those at New York Liberty International Airport (KEWR), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (KORD), and other airports the company intends to serve. The manufacturer also has an agreement with FBO network operator Atlantic Aviation to electrify Atlantic terminals in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco.

“With Archer’s Midnight aircraft, passengers will be able to fly above traffic to get to the airport faster,” said Nikhil Goel, chief commercial officer of Archer. “Southwest customers could someday complete door-to-door trips like Santa Monica [California] to Napa in less than three hours.”

Archer and Southwest will begin by developing a concept of operations for Midnight out of Southwest terminals, partnering with airline employees and union groups such as the Southwest Airlines Pilot Association (SWAPA).

The companies “plan to collaborate over the next few years as eVTOLs take flight,” which does not commit them to a 2025 or 2026 launch. Archer, Joby, and other eVTOL manufacturers such as Beta Technologies and Overair intend to enter commercial service during that time frame.

Adding Southwest as a partner could be key for Archer when considering the activities of its competitor overseas.

Both firms plan to fly in the United Arab Emirates, including the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. In February, however, Joby signed what it describes as an exclusive six-year deal with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority, giving it the sole right to operate an air taxi service in the emirate. Archer CEO Adam Goldstein has disputed the exclusivity of the agreement, saying it will have no impact on the company’s plans.

That dynamic has not yet played out in the U.S.—both companies plan to fly in New York, for example. But if Joby intends to replicate the strategy of gaining an edge over competitors with exclusive deals, partnerships such as that with Southwest become more important.

Notably, the companies have also butt heads on eVTOL infrastructure. Each is pushing for a different electric aircraft charging system to become the industry standard, similar to how Elon Musk fought for Tesla’s North American Charging Standard to supplant the widely accepted Combined Charging Standard (CCS) for electric ground vehicles (a fight Tesla ultimately would win).

Similarly, Joby wants its Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS) to replace a modified version of the CSS supported by Archer, Beta, and others, which could throw a wrench into their FBO electrification plans.

Among eVTOL manufacturers, Archer and Joby are the closest to being able to fly in the U.S. Each has achieved a full transition flight using a prototype air taxi and expects to begin the critical for-credit phase of FAA certification in the coming months.

In addition, both are qualified to perform eVTOL maintenance and repairs and are in the process of training an initial group of pilots to fly their respective aircraft.

The goal is for those activities to be complete in time for a 2025 launch. Whether Southwest will be a part of that occasion remains to be seen.

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The announcement came shortly after the agency sent a team of experts to Istanbul to investigate an emergency landing Wednesday by a FedEx (NYSE: FDX) Boeing 767-300 freighter when its front gear failed to deploy.

The NTSB will meet June 6 in Washington, D.C., to hear presentations from investigators, deliberate over the draft report, and vote on proposed findings, probable cause, and safety recommendations related to the near crash on February 4, 2023.  

A preliminary report said that a FedEx 767 freighter was only 150 feet above the ground when pilots realized a Southwest Airlines jet was preparing to take off on the same runway and aborted its landing at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS). The FedEx pilots also warned the Southwest crew to abort its takeoff. The FedEx aircraft veered sharply to the right and pulled up to avoid a collision.

In Turkey, the transport ministry said the aircraft, arriving from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG) on Wednesday morning, informed the control tower at Istanbul Airport (LTFM) that its landing gear failed to open and touched down with guidance from the tower, sliding to a stop.

Turkish authorities are leading the investigation of the incident, with the NTSB providing support. 

The aircraft involved is a 10-year-old Boeing 767. FedEx Express operates 137 B767s, more than any other jet aircraft in its fleet, according to the latest quarterly report. The airplane will be out of service for an undetermined period while the investigation continues and repairs are made, but FedEx has other planes in reserve.

FedEx said in a statement it was cooperating fully with investigators. No crewmembers were injured. 

Video of the incident shows the airplane’s back wheels touching down, followed by its fuselage, with sparks and smoke coming from its underside. 

Boeing is under public scrutiny for a series of safety incidents involving the 737 Max narrowbody and for production concerns related to the 787 Dreamliner. But manufacturers aren’t responsible for maintenance or other uncontrollable circumstances that could cause a malfunction years after an aircraft enters service.

Storm Recovery

Meanwhile, FedEx also had to deal with disruptions and damage from severe weather incidents in the United States.

The FedEx Express global air hub in Memphis, Tennessee, experienced “substantial” delays Wednesday night due to severe thunderstorms that created hazardous operating conditions, the company said in a service bulletin. It alerted customers that some packages scheduled for delivery on Thursday could arrive late. No damage was reported.

Meanwhile, a tornado slammed into a FedEx Ground facility in Portage, Michigan, on Tuesday evening, causing extensive damage. FedEx said some service delays are likely to be seen with inbound and outbound shipments across portions of Michigan, but it is diverting incoming shipments to lessen the impact on service. Several team members sheltered in place inside the facility during the storm. There were no serious injuries, the company said in a customer alert.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on FreightWaves.

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“Based on expected capacity growth beyond 2024, we’ve made the difficult decision to suspend Initial First Officer Training classes through the remainder of 2024 and defer job offers, beginning with our April classes,” the memo to prospective candidates said.

A Southwest spokesperson shared that the airline plans to pause new hire classes starting in April.

“Southwest is slowing hiring across the Company in 2024 to levels at or below our attrition rate, and we’ve adjusted Pilot hiring in line with our current business plan. Our published flight schedule is aligned with these staffing levels,” an airline spokesperson said in a statement.

The airline said it will move pilots with conditional job offers (CJO) to a so-called “deferred candidate pool,” which will be used when hiring recommences. The airline did not provide a specific date to resume hiring.

• READ MORE: JetBlue Looks to Trim Workforce

According to data from FAPA.aero, Southwest hired 1,916 pilots in 2023, one of the highest years on record for the carrier. In January 2024, the airline and its pilots – represented by the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) – inked a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with immediate 29% pay increases.

In a different memo shared by xJonNYC on Twitter/X, the carrier said it now projects to hire 345 pilots this year.

In a Q4 2023 earnings call, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan hinted at reduced hiring plans in 2024. “…we planned in 2024 with head count flat to down as compared with year-end 2023 as we slow hiring to levels that are at/or below our attrition rate that will drive efficiency gains in 2024 with more to come in 2025,” Jordan added.

While several U.S. carriers have slowed previous record-setting hiring trends, Spirit joins Southwest in halting new hire classes altogether. The ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) announced in October 2023 that it would pause pilot hiring indefinitely.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

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Thrive Aviation CEO Curtis Edenfield, a Southwest alumnus, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration in a press release. “it’s certainly a full circle moment for me,” Edenfield said. “The program catalyzes a new pilot’s aviation career, offering them mentorship, training, and the opportunity to build the needed hours. This partnership is a testament to our shared vision of culture and innovation.”

Named after the southwest heading on a compass rose, the Destination 225 program provides a clear roadmap for aspiring aviators. Through coursework and flight training, cadets earn their commercial pilot’s license.

The program’s second phase focuses on building flight time as certified flight instructors (CFI), preparing cadets for opportunities with participating airlines like Thrive Aviation. By meeting the program’s requirements, cadets can become candidates for new hire first officer positions at Southwest Airlines.

• READ MORE: Southwest Announces Pathways Program for Future First Officers

“Southwest is excited to welcome Thrive Aviation to our Destination 225° Pilot Pathways Program as a new partner in our Cadet Pathway,” said Lee Kinnebrew, Vice President of Flight Operations at Southwest. “The program aims to support and inspire pilots interested in joining Southwest as a First Officer, and we look forward to working with cadet candidates as they build flight experience.”

Thrive Aviation joins several other partners in Southwest’s Destination 225 program. In the private aviation space, the Dallas-based carrier also partners with XOJET Aviation and JetLinx.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

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Often called the unofficial start to summer, experts are predicting the holiday weekend to be one of the busiest on record as some 43 million travelers are expected to take to the roads and skies. 

According to AAA, there’s an anticipated 11 percent increase in the number of people planning to fly compared to last year and a 5.4 percent increase from 2019 levels.

• READ MORE: Flying GA on Memorial Day: What Pilots Can Expect

“We know for sure that there is going to be a very high level of demand, a lot of traffic and a lot of pressure on the system,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in an interview with ABC News.

Airlines also expect to see an increase in passengers. United Airlines says the holiday will be its busiest in more than a decade, transporting 2.9 million passengers between Thursday and Tuesday, while Delta Air Lines expects to carry 2.8 million passengers over that period—a 17 percent increase from last year. American Airlines plans to operate more than 26,000 flights.

The surge will be an early test for the industry after having been plagued with a string of recent woes, such as technical glitches, flight disruptions, safety concerns, and staffing shortages.

The Southwest Airlines debacle in December resulted in the cancellation of more than 15,000 flights after the company’s outdated scheduling software crashed. 

Unfortunately, Southwest’s meltdown was only the beginning of other industry issues, including the FAA’s NOTAM system crash in January that led to the first nationwide ground stop since 9/11.

On top of the technical problems, 2023 has only highlighted the need for safety reform after several near-misses at U.S. airports—many  still under National Transportation Safety Board investigation. The FAA also is facing a serious shortage of 3,000 air traffic controllers, reportingreports that 1-in-5 positions remain unfilled nationwide.

However, airlines and the FAA are working together to alleviate these difficulties. Airlines have complied with the agency’s request to minimize flights to the Northeast by using larger aircraft to help with capacity because of a controller shortage at a key New York-area facility. The FAA also added 169 new flight routes along the East Coast to ease congestion.

While the dearth of controllers remains an obstacle, Buttigieg maintains it  is not the cause of most delays. FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen also backed that sentiment in a letter to Congress, noting that “about 5 percent of delay minutes can be attributed to FAA staff shortages.”

“Cancellation and delay rates were at unacceptable proportions last year,” Buttigieg said. “It’s important that (does not) not happen again.”

While he believes improvements have been made, he also admitted it’s “no guarantee that summer is going to go well.”

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This week United Airlines announced it took delivery of the 100th Boeing 737 Max to its fleet—making it the second largest operator of the aircraft—just slightly behind European-based carrier Ryanair.

Data from Boeing shows that the airline has ordered 544 aircraft, including 300, which have come in the past two years alone. United said it’s on track to receive two new Max aircraft every week this year. According to Ch-aviation, United’s aircraft order backlog is at 680 aircraft, of which many are being delivered in 2023 and 2024 as part of the airline’s rapid growth structure.

Low-cost carrier, Southwest Airlines, has also placed confidence in the Max. The airline was the first to introduce the Max to its fleet in 2017. Today, a total of 514 Max aircraft have been ordered by Southwest which is currently operating 163 of those. Because of its loyalty to the Max, Southwest could once again overtake United as the largest operator in the future.

Overseas, Indonesia’s Lion Air and UAE carrier Flydubai both have orders for 251 Max aircraft. Lion Air currently operates 19 of the aircraft, while Flydubai operates 47 Max jets. Additionally, Ryanair has a current order of 210 Max jets, with 96 already in service.

Part of the Max’s appeal is the aircraft’s longer range and better fuel efficiency, along with the ability to fit more passengers than its predecessor—the 737NG. Its newer engines combined with design changes make the Max jets 14 percent more fuel efficient than the 737NG.

When it came into service in 2017, the 737 Max shared commonalities with the 737NG allowing pilots and ground crew to adapt to the aircraft without having to be certified on a new aircraft type. Pilots would only need to do tablet-based training rather than sim training as if it were a new airplane—something that played into the crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people.

But despite a 20-month grounding, the Max has managed to make a comeback as Boeing’s best-selling commercial aircraft. Prior to being reintroduced, several changes were made, including updating operating manuals, repairs to the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), and more rigorous pilot training.

Since the return to service, Boeing says the Max is being used in countries all over the world with virtually no incidents, but not without scrutiny from some regulators and the flying public.

During a recent congressional hearing focused on safety and aircraft certification, FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen assured Congress that the Max was not an issue, noting, “I can say categorically that the 737 Max airplane is safe.” 

Nolen also stated that the FAA is continuing to review new versions of the Max, including the Max 7 and Max 10, ahead of its delivery in 2023.

Boeing expects to increase production rates for Max jets to 50 per month by the end of 2026.

The post Airline Rapid Growth Plans Hinge on Boeing 737 Max appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

According to the FAA, FedEx Express Flight 1432, a Boeing 767, was cleared to land on Runway 18 Left at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS). The clearance was received and acknowledged when the 767 was several miles away from the airport.

“Shortly before the FedEx aircraft was due to land, the controller cleared Southwest Flight 708 to depart from the same runway,” the FAA statement continues. “The pilot of the FedEx airplane discontinued the landing and initiated a climbout. The Southwest flight departed safely.”

H2: FlightAware Shows Descent Profile

The flight tracking website FlightAware captured the descent of the FedEx 767. It reached an altitude of approximately 150 feet at approximately 6:40 a.m., then entered a rapid climb. The FedEx jet landed at 6:51 a.m. after the Southwest 737 had departed.

FedEx released a statement regarding the incident, noting that FedEx Express Flight 1432 from Memphis, Tennessee, to Austin, Texas, safely landed “after encountering an event just before landing at Austin Bergstrom International Airport.” As this is an ongoing investigation, the air cargo carrier referred all further inquiries to the FAA.

Southwest Airlines did not respond to FLYING’s request for comment by press time.

The event is under investigation by both the FAA and NTSB as a possible runway incursion.

This marks the second time in the past month that there has been a runway event involving major airlines in the U.S.

• READ MORE: The JFK Incursion Tragedy That Wasn’t 

On January 13, 2023, at JFK International Airport (KJFK) in New York an American Airlines Boeing 777 taxied into the path of a departing Delta Airlines 737. Both the Delta airplane and American Airlines carried full passenger loads at the time of the event. The tower control noticed the incursion as the 737 was rolling and canceled the takeoff clearance. The 737 came to a stop approximately 1,000 feet from the American Airlines 777.

The NTSB has not yet released a preliminary report on the New York incident.

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“We’re thrilled to welcome Auburn University as a partner in Southwest’s Destination 225˚  Program,” said Lee Kinnebrew, vice president, Flight Operations at Southwest Airlines. “We continue our work of introducing career pathways for the next generation of professional pilots and look forward to supporting students as they train, gain flight experience and develop into competitively-qualified Southwest First Officer Candidates in the years ahead.”

The name of Southwest’s program, established in 2019, is a reference to the southwest heading on a compass. Other member aviation schools include the University of Oklahoma, University of Nebraska Omaha, Texas Southern University, and Arizona State University. Southwest also offers mentorship for ex-military candidates and current employees. Auburn University has previously established partnerships with Delta, Endeavor, Envoy, Jet Blue, and United Airlines’ career programs for its students, and boasts a job placement rate for its professional aviation graduates “near 100 percent in recent years,” according to its press release. 

• READ MORE: SkyWest Airlines Partners with Southwest Airlines’ Destination 225° Program

The Destination 225° program includes the opportunity to build hours through flight instruction within a candidate’s college aviation school and the possibility of placement with a Southwest partner carrier after graduation, according to Auburn. 

To be eligible for the program, aviation majors must be able to obtain a First Class Medical Certificate, hold a private pilot certificate, have completed at least their freshman year of college, and must be authorized to work in the U.S., among other requirements. The Destination 225° selection process includes a written aptitude test and a virtual or in-person interview. Selectees can begin earning income as flight instructors while still in their university program, and must be willing to relocate to complete the program. 

“This partnership is a win-win for everyone and the latest in a long line of amazing news for the Auburn School of Aviation program,” said Jim Witte, director of Auburn’s School of Aviation. “Southwest Airlines has a proven tradition of excellence in the industry, and we are excited about joining its Destination 225° pathway program to feed the pipeline of the future.”

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The program will be hosted at CAE’s flight academy in Phoenix, Arizona, giving trainees a direct route to Spirit Airlines. CAE offers accelerated training at its academy and advertised a program that trains pilots from zero hours to airline readiness in as little as 56 weeks. 

“At Spirit, we recognize pilots are at the core of an airline. We have one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the industry, and we fly to world-class destinations,” said Ryan Rodosta, senior director of flight operations and system chief pilot for Spirit Airlines. “We’re growing fast and creating tremendous career-progression opportunities.” 

To qualify for the program, Spirit said in a statement that candidates could apply after they complete flight training at CAE Phoenix Aviation Academy and gain 500 hours of total flight time. If selected, they will receive a conditional offer of employment (COE) from the airline and a Spirit Electronic Flight Bag (EFB). Spirit also said the candidates would be mentored by Spirit personnel as they gained the rest of their minimum hours required for an ATP certificate.

Rodosta described CAE as a great partner “because of their commitment to safety and operational excellence,” as well as CAE’s commitment to finding solutions to support student training needs.

The timing seems good.

This summer, JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ: JBLU) bested Frontier Airlines (NASDAQ: ULCC) to acquire Spirit in a $3.8 billion deal. Last week, Spirit said its stockholders approved the merger based on a preliminary vote. The transaction is expected to complete no later than the first half of 2024, pending regulatory approval. If it closes, JetBlue would become the fifth largest domestic airline, allowing it to compete with the big four airlines—Delta (NYSE: DAL), American (NASDAQ: AAL), United (NASDAQ: UAL), and Southwest (NASDAQ: LUV), who have also ramped pilot hiring.

• READ MORE: United Airlines Will Spend $100 million to Expand Pilot Training Center Amid Pilot Shortage.

At the same time, Spirit has been expanding its own network. The company said today that the program with CAE would support that. The airline said it plans to accept 24 new airplanes in 2022, bringing its fleet total to 197 aircraft, and 33 more airplanes are planned for delivery in 2023.

“This new program will ensure Spirit Airlines has a pipeline of qualified pilots as they expand their fleet and route network,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE’s group president, civil aviation.

The post Spirit Airlines Partners with CAE for New Pilot Pipeline Program appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Though companies have to nominate themselves to be considered for a spot on the list, a panel of industry-leading judges selects the top internships. Aside from compensation and perks, the Yello panel factors in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), career development, full-time employment prospects, and unique program aspects.

Boeing, which hosts roughly 1,400 interns across all divisions, took the top spot for a range of reasons. For one, Boeing was recognized for its efforts to drive DEI intentionally by setting organizational goals and making strides to increase representation across programs. 

The company was also commended for the community it has built among interns by connecting them with mentors that are full-time employees for networking and professional development opportunities. 

Also, with its global presence and tradition of embracing hybrid work, the multinational company has internship cycles that spread year-round and ensure that more students have options for early career opportunities.

In light of the shifting pandemic work structure, Yello said 80 percent of the companies it reviewed embraced hybrid work rules that allowed them to expand their internship programs.

In addition to Boeing, other aviation and aerospace companies that made the list included Southwest Airlines [NYSE: LUV] and Spirit Aerosystems [NYSE: SPR]. Southwest Airlines’ internship program, based in Dallas, Texas, was highlighted for the unlimited free space-available flights and professional development courses, among other perks for interns. 

Yello also highlighted Spirit Aerosystems’ program for the opportunity that interns get to visit the Doc Museum in Wichita, Kansas, which houses a restored World War II Boeing B-29 Aircraft.

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