The Airways Podcast

In this episode, the Airways Podcast crew returns with full force after tamdem travels to Asia and South America to discuss their trips, followed by Korean Air and Japan Airlines’ aircraft orders, the management shake up at Boeing and United Airlines’ FAA audit.

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by: Helwing Villamizar

In episode seven, season five of The Airways Podcast, join host Vinay Bhaskara and special guest, Indian aviation expert and former President of the Bangalore Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Devesh R. Agarwal, as they delve deep into India Aviation.

India's aviation industry is experiencing significant growth. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the country will become the world's third-largest air passenger market by 2030, after China and the United States. This rapid growth in air traffic is supported by various factors, including a rising middle class, increasing government spending, and the expansion and modernization of airports.

India's population is expected to increase from 1.3 billion to 1.5 billion by 2030. Currently, aviation penetration in India is only around 4-5% of the population, indicating significant potential for further growth.

Consequently, the Indian government is actively investing in the aviation sector by building new airports, expanding existing ones, and improving air traffic management systems. Additionally, World Trade Center Bengaluru recently hosted the World Trade Centers Association’s annual Global Business Forum to expand trade and investment opportunities for businesses worldwide in India’s aviation sector. Over the next five years, around 80 new airports will be opened in India.

These initiatives, India’s low-cost carriers, and the country's positive economic factors are just some of the topics you’ll hear in this informative and engaging conversation.

Hosted by Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by Helwing Villamizar

In episode six, season five of The Airways Podcast, join the crew and special guest, aviation analyst and author Jay Shabat, as they delve deep into the art of analyzing the commercial airline industry.

They discuss how external factors impact commercial aviation, the relationship between airlines and local economies, the challenges in building new airports, Delta Air Lines’ fleet strategy, and even try to predict future U.S. hub cities. It's a doozy!

Skift senior analyst Jay Shabat has spent nearly 20 years writing for Airline Weekly, an airline industry newsletter he launched after working as an analyst for US Airways and Air France. Shabat co-hosts the Airline Weekly Lounge podcast for Skift Airline Weekly and has authored Glory Lost & Found, a history of Delta Air Lines and American Places, which profiles local economies across the U.S.

Hosted by Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by Helwing Villamizar

In the latest episode of The Airways Podcast, join the crew and special guest Jens Kuhlen, President for North America at Gategroup, as they delve deep into the intricacies of the airline catering industry.

Gategroup’s subsidiary, Gate Gourmet (Switzerland, 1992), began as a catering service for Swissair. Over the years, it has grown into a global company with the most comprehensive catering network in the aviation industry. Gate Gourmet specializes in creating exceptional culinary concepts, handling everything from menu design to execution.

Present in 33 countries with over 135 units, the company provides reliable and standardized catering provisioning services, ensuring on-time performance for its airline customers and delivering a memorable onboard experience for passengers.

Jens Kuhlen joined Gategroup in 2015, initially assuming the role of Vice President of Group Controlling at Gategroup’s Zurich headquarters. He later progressed to the role of Chief Financial Officer for Gategroup’s North American region before being promoted to President of North America in 2022.

With a diverse professional history spanning over 25 years, Kuhlen holds a wealth of expertise in airline catering, corporate banking, and restructuring consulting.

Sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the airline food catering system, as told by an industry expert.

Hosted by Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by Helwing Villamizar

The fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial reports from major US airlines provide the crew valuable insights into their performance and the overall state of the aviation industry. American Airlines' Haneda Airport tentative approval and GOL's Chapter 11 Filing are also part of the mix in episode five of the fifth season of the Airways Podcast.

The crew also discusses Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico's antitrust immunity ending. The US government announced that it does not plan to renew the immunity granted to Delt and Aeromexico for their codeshare agreement.

This decision came after the Mexican government made significant changes at Mexico City International Airport, the country's main hub.

What does 2024 hold for these and other airlines?

Hosted by Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by Helwing Villamizar

In this episode of the Airways Podcast, the crew delves into the topic of the JetBlue-Spirit merger block and its implications for both airlines. They discuss the potential outcome of the legal battle and how it could shape the future of both carriers. Additionally, they explore the broader implications for the competitive landscape of the U.S. airline industry as a whole.

The Legal Battle and Regulatory Approval

The JetBlue-Spirit merger has faced significant challenges in obtaining regulatory approval The case is currently in the hands of a Boston judge, and the trial has concluded. The Biden administration's more aggressive enforcement of antitrust laws is evident in this case. The U.S. Justice Department has sought a permanent injunction to block the deal, citing concerns about the impact on competition in the industry.

Alas, a federal judge blocked the airlines’ proposed merger, siding with the Justice Department. Now, Spirit may face financial difficulties, potentially leading to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing and the liquidation of its assets. As for JetBlue, it would need to pivot, either to restructure to become a full-service airline or else.

The airlines have jointly filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. If the merger is allowed, it could reshape the market for low-cost airlines, as Spirit is currently the largest budget carrier in the nation. The disappearance of Spirit Airlines would create opportunities for other low-cost carriers, such as Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air, to expand their market share. On the other hand, if the merger is blocked for good, it could lead to increased competition among the remaining airlines, potentially driving up fares.

The competitive environment of the U.S. airline industry is already undergoing significant changes, with the industry facing unique opportunities and challenges in the post-COVID environment. The outcome of this legal battle will contribute to shaping the future of the industry and the strategies of the major players involved.

Note: This episode was recorded before the airlines filed their notice of appeal.

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by: Helwing Villamizar

In this episode, hosts Helwing, Rohan, and Vinay are back to discuss what has been an unnerving start of the year for commercial aviation.

On January 2, 2024, a runway collision occurred at Tokyo Haneda Airport between Japan Airlines Flight 516, an Airbus A350-900, and a De Havilland Canada Dash 8 operated by the Japanese Coast Guard.

Flight 516 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from New Chitose Airport near Sapporo, Japan, to Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

The collision resulted in a fire and tragically killed five of the six crew members onboard the Dash 8. However, all 367 passengers and 12 crew members on the A350 were safely evacuated with no loss of life.

On January 5, 2024, there was an incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9, where a door plug blew out mid-air during a flight from Portland, Oregon.

As a result, nearly 200 planes were grounded, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched an investigation into the incident.

Helwing, Rohan, and Vinay discuss the incident and the implications for Boeing, highlighting the importance of quality control to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft components.

The incident raises concerns about the potential vulnerabilities and hidden weak spots in Boeing’s manufacturing practices that could pose risks to passenger safety.

The crew ends the episode by briefly discussing Delta’s recent order for 20 more Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.

This order reflects the carrier’s ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet and enhance its long-haul capabilities with the wide-body, twin-engine aircraft known for their fuel efficiency, range, and passenger comfort.

Note: The podcast episode may contain additional discussions, insights, and opinions related to these topics.

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by: Helwing Villamizar

The Season 5 premiere of The Airways Podcast features an informative conversation between Airways’ Chris Smith and Olov Lindström, the Norse Atlantic Airways (N0) Fleet Chief Pilot and the first person to captain a Boeing 787 to Antarctica.

During the episode, Capt. Lindström takes us on a deep dive into the special preparations necessary to make the flight to Antarctica as safe as possible.

On November 15, 2023, N0 achieved the first-ever landing of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Antarctica. Landing at Troll Airfield (QAT), the aircraft, designated 'Everglades', was a Boeing 787-9 registered LN-FNC.

With the Norwegian Polar Institute and Aircontact, Scandinavia's largest airbroker firm, flight N0787 transported 12 tons of essential research equipment, including 45 scientists, to the remote Troll research station in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica.

So fasten your seatbelts, grab your headsets, and prepare for an unforgettable season as we comment on the world of commercial flight, uncovering the untold stories and behind-the-scenes operations that shape the skies above.

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by: Helwing Villamizar

In this last episode of season 4 of the Airways Podcast, hosts Helwing, Rohan, and Vinay discuss their bold and not-so-bold predictions for what’s to come in 2024 for our beloved commercial aviation industry.

We also want to thank all our listeners for their support and the time they've spent listening to our podcast this year. Your feedback and engagement have been invaluable to us, and we can’t wait to begin season 5.

We look forward to bringing you more captivating episodes and exploring the fascinating world of commercial aviation with you in 2024.

Just a note to remind our listeners that we have decided to make all our premium content freely available to all our listeners. We believe that everyone should have access to our AV geeky content.

To support the Airways Podcast, we encourage you to consider subscribing to our monthly or yearly subscription. By subscribing, you not only help us cover our costs but also enable us to invest in new equipment and research and bring you even more exciting guests and informative episodes.

Your support will directly contribute to the growth and sustainability of our podcast, and your contribution, big or small, will make a significant difference in helping us continue to produce quality aviation content for you and our growing community.

Happy New Year from the Airways Podcast team!

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by: Helwing Villamizar

In this second episode on the Alaska-Hawaiian merger, Helwing, Vinay, and Rohan take another look at Alaska Air Group's plans to buy Hawaiian Airlines, in what could be the next instance of consolidation among US airlines.

The crew discusses how, over the past ten years, Hawaiian has undergone significant changes in its long-haul network. They also talk about how Southwest made a notable entrance into the Hawaiian Islands and how Alaska Airlines took over and subsequently discontinued some routes previously operated by Virgin America.

Finally, they consider how Alaska Airlines had codeshare agreements with various airlines both before and after its entrance into the oneworld alliance, how the merger between Alaska Airlines and Virgin America faced scrutiny, and how there were concerns about potential slot divestments, specifically in airports such as JFK or HND.

We also have some exciting news to share with you today!

Starting now, we have decided to make all our premium content freely available to all our listeners. We believe that everyone should have access to our AV geeky content.

While we are thrilled to provide this opportunity for everyone to enjoy our podcast, we kindly ask for your support in a different way. Running a podcast requires time, effort, and resources, and we want to continue bringing you the best aviation content possible.

To support the Airways Podcast, we encourage you to consider subscribing to our monthly or yearly subscription. By subscribing, you not only help us cover our costs but also enable us to invest in new equipment and research and bring you even more exciting guests and informative episodes.

Your support will directly contribute to the growth and sustainability of our podcast, and your contribution, big or small, will make a significant difference in helping us continue to produce quality aviation content for you and our growing community.

We genuinely appreciate your support and the time you've spent listening to our podcast. Your feedback and engagement have been invaluable to us, and we are excited to embark on this new chapter together.

Thank you again for being an incredible part of our aviation journey. We look forward to bringing you more captivating episodes and exploring the fascinating world of commercial aviation with you.

Fly high, and stay tuned!

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by: Helwing Villamizar

In this quick episode, Vinay and Rohan discuss Alaska Air Group's surprise Sunday announcement of its plans to buy Hawaiian Airlines, in what could be the next instance of consolidation among US airlines.

The Settle-based airline group will purchase Hawaiian Holdings for US$18 per share in a deal valued at US$1.9 billion, including Hawaiian's debt.

This merger is unique in that both airlines will continue to operate under separate brands, though their frequent flyer programs will be combined. Alaska is the sixth-largest airline in the US by seats, while Hawaiian is the tenth-largest.

Combined, Alaska and Hawaiian would be the fifth largest carriers, only behind American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, unless the DoT approves the jetBlue-Spirit merger first.

How are these two mergers different? Be sure to leave your comments here on Substack, on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by: Helwing Villamizar

In this episode, Vinay and Rohan dive deep into the beginnings of aviation journalism on the internet with special guest TV producer and founder of The Airchive, Chris Sloan. They unravel the story behind theairchive.net, a treasure trove of aviation-related documents and memorabilia that serves as an online archive for both educational and entertainment purposes.

Chris and the crew share their insights and experiences, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of digital aviation journalism through anecdotes and engaging storytelling, highlighting how Sloan then transformed his love for commercial aviation into a digital archive with over 60 items and counting.

They delve into the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal moments that shaped the industry, ultimately paving the way for the vibrant aviation community we know today.

Be sure to join along at the end of the episode for fun-packed trivia!

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by: Helwing Villamizar

Episode Links

In this episode, the Airways Podcast crew discusses the 2023 Dubai Airshow before delving into the chronicle of US airlines with David H. Stringer, history editor at Airways Magazine and a member of the editorial board of the British publication, The Aviation Historian.

With an airline career spanning 32 years with Southern Airways, Republic Airlines, and Northwest, David’s research and writing are focused on preserving the stories of the companies, the aircraft, and the people who are now part of commercial aviation's past.

David's new book, America's Local Service Airlines, is the definitive history of the remarkable companies that brought scheduled air service to hundreds of small cities throughout the U.S. after World War II. With more than 70 airline history articles published in two quarterly journals and one monthly periodical, David is hard at work preserving the history of commercial aviation.

Join us for a history-packed episode!

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by: Helwing Villamizar

Episode Links

In this episode, the Airways Podcast crew discusses American Airlines dehubbing Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Spirit Airlines closing operations at Denver International Airport, Air India and Alaska Airlines entering into an interline partnership, and Porter Airlines conducting its proving flight campaign to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with the Embraer E195-E2 jet in preparation for its Canada-to-Florida expansion.

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by: Helwing Villamizar

In this episode, we focus our commentary on American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Line’s earnings calls. We also talk about Ackbar Al Baker's unexpected departure from Qatar Airways as Group CEO.

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Produced by: Helwing Villamizar for Airways

In this episode, we engage in a lively discussion with a very special guest, First Officer Marrit Gorter, Aruba’s first and only female airline pilot. We chat about her journey as a trailblazer in her profession, breaking down gender and age stereotypes, and changing perceptions within the aviation industry. No matter who you are, if you have any doubts about pursuing a career in aviation, this episode is for you!

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Episode Links

In this episode, we comment on United Airlines’ order for 50 more Boeing 787s and 60 more A321s. Will the airline finally kill off its A350-900s? Next, we head over to Europe to chat about Air France-KLM’s investment in SAS and the subsequent SkyTeam switch.

For our Plus extension, Rohan and Vinay discuss China Eastern Airlines’ questionable expansion plans.

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

In this episode of the new Airways Podcast, we discuss two important wide-body orders: Air Canada’s for 18 Boeing 787-10 jets, with the option to purchase 12 more, and Air France-KLM’s for 50 A350 jets, with the option to purchase 40 more. Plus, Rohan and Vinay go into detail about Delta Air Line’s unpopular changes to its frequent-flyer program.

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Episode Links

In this latest episode, we delve into the pressing issue of the skills shortage gripping the commercial aviation industry. Join us as we sit down with our esteemed guest, Capt. Chris Smith, author and commercial pilot, to explore the current lack of flight crew and ground staff and its impact on the industry.

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara.

Episode Links

In episode five of the new Airways Podcast, we discuss the Skiplagged lawsuit from American Airlines and the Qantas Boeing 787 order, among other top news stories of the week.

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Episode Links:

In this episode, we comment on U.S. airlines’ recent Q2 2023 earnings, Wizz Air’s order for 75 A321neos, and Etihad Airways’ upcoming Abu Dhabi-Boston Dreamliner route.

For our Plus extension, we sit down with the founder and editor of The Airline Observer, Brian Sumers, to talk all things aviation. The interview will be published next week for our Plus members, so stay tuned to Airways.

Hosted by: Helwing Villamizar, Rohan Anand, and Vinay Bhaskara

Episode Links

In this new episode, we comment on Delta Air Lines’ all-time record operating revenues in Q2 2023, United Airlines’ major transpacific expansion for the IATA Northern Winter of 2023–2024, and Azul’s plans to phase out its Airbus A350s after less than one year of operations.

For our Plus extension, we discuss the future of the Schiphol Airport flight cap ruling and the impasse between Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport and the TSA regarding the start of long-haul routes.

We are pleased to announce the relaunch of The Airways Podcast after a two-year hiatus. In this new episode, we comment on United Airlines’s operational meltdown and battle with the FAA, JetBlue's Termination of the NEA with American Airlines, and the US DoT's denial of Delta Air Lines’ request for gateway flexibility for two of its five Tokyo Haneda slot pairs to fly from any U.S. airport.

Then, for our feature interview, we discuss the latest developments in the industry garnered from the 54th edition of the Paris Air Show with our Editor-in-Chief, Roberto Leiro, who was at Le Bourget last month.

Episode Links