Airlines

Breeze Airways Debuts at New Bern, North Carolina with Seasonal Service to Hartford and Orlando

Kim Stevens

Breeze Airways, the U.S.’ only NLCC, or ‘Nice Low-Cost Carrier,’ today inaugurates seasonal nonstop service from Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) to both Hartford, CT and Orlando, FL.

The new nonstops will both have twice-weekly service, with introductory fares starting from $49* one way, if purchased by May 30, for travel between May 26 and June 13, 2024.

From New Bern, NC to:

  • Hartford, CT (Seasonal service, starting May 24, Thursdays and Sundays, from $49* one way); and
  • Orlando, FL (Seasonal service, starting May 24, Thursdays and Sundays, from $49* one way).

Also, Breeze is commemorating its third anniversary this week with a special system-wide promotion. Travelers can get 33 percent off** all roundtrip base fares for travel from May 29 through October 1, 2024, by applying the code THREE at checkout at www.flybreeze.com or on the Breeze app.

The birthday promotion is available until May 24 (11:59pm PT) and applies to all routes and cities across Breeze’s nationwide network. Starting with just 16 cities in May of 2021, today Breeze has expanded to offer more than 170 nonstop routes from 56 cities across 29 states and has flown more than five million Guests.

“Craven County prides itself on progress. This is a momentous triumph and on behalf of the Craven County Board of Commissioners and the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport Authority, I extend my gratitude and commendation to all whose efforts culminated in this positive growth,” expressed Jason Jones, Chairman of the Craven County Board of Commissioners, and board member of the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport Authority.

“We are excited to be starting our Breeze Airways service this Memorial Day weekend and we are positive that folks are going to love it” said Airport Director Andrew Shorter.

“Since we started flying in May 2021, Breeze has continued to add great destinations to

our rapidly growing footprint,” said Breeze CEO and Founder David Neeleman. “These new summer additions will surely be welcomed as we continue to bring efficient, affordable and elevated travel to underserved markets.”

Recognized by Travel + Leisure readers as one of the Top 5 Best U.S. Airlines for the second consecutive year, Breeze offers Guests both bundled and a la carte options known as Nice, Nicer and, on flights operated with the Airbus A220-300, Nicest. The Nicer bundle includes a checked bag and carry-on as well as a premium economy seat in its “extra legroom” section. The Nicest bundle includes two checked bags, priority boarding and Breeze Ascent—the carrier’s inflight experience featuring 2×2 recliner seating and complimentary snacks and beverages, including alcohol. 

Breeze doesn’t charge change or cancellation fees up to 15 minutes prior to departure and offers other benefits such as free family seating and a la carte pricing. With seamless booking, no change or cancellation fees, up to 24-months of reusable flight credit and customized flight features delivered via a sleek and simple app, Breeze makes it easy to buy and easy to fly. Learn more about Breeze’s flight offerings via our site or the app.

RDU’s New International Flights Set to Arrive

Kim Stevens

Ready to travel the globe? Three new international flights are on deck at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). Here’s a primer on when they start, where they fly and everything else you need to know.

🌍 Lufthansa to Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)

RDU’s newest European nonstop flight will take you to the continental gateway of Frankfurt beginning June 6. Situated in the heart of the Frankfurt Rhine-Main metropolitan region, business and leisure travelers alike will find lots to explore in Frankfurt — and enjoy convenient connections to Europe and beyond. Lufthansa’s Star Alliance network connects from its base airport in Frankfurt to 200 destinations across continental Europe, the United Kingdom, India, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The flight will operate five times weekly aboard an Airbus A330-300.

ğŸŒŽ Copa Airlines to Panama City (PTY)

Next up is Panama City, Panama — a world-class destination where greenery, indigenous peoples and glamorous city life are waiting for you. Starting June 21, RDU travelers can fly nonstop to Panama’s capital city via Copa Airlines. And you’ll be able to connect onward to dozens of international destinations in Central and South America and the Caribbean as part of Copa’s Star Alliance network. (Pro tip: check out Copa’s Panama Stopover program, which enables travelers to enjoy a stopover of up to seven days in Panama City without paying any additional airfare.)

Nonstop service to Panama City will fly four times weekly to Tocumen International Airport (PTY) aboard a Boeing 737-800.

ğŸŒŽ Aeromexico to Mexico City (MEX)

Starting July 1, RDU will connect nonstop to Mexico City, Mexico via Aeromexico. This vibrant city features some of the world’s best food, architecture, museums and adventures. Flyers can take advantage of Aeromexico and Delta Air Line’s Joint Cooperation Agreement that offers an extensive network of flights, with exclusive products and services, as well as frequent flyer benefits with lounge access.

The Aeromexico service will operate daily aboard an Embraer E-190.

North Dakota Airline Boardings for April up 8%

Kim Stevens

The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) reports that the commercial airline boarding numbers for April 2024 reached 94,112 passengers, which represents a growth of 6,889 boardings or an 8% increase from April of 2023. Seven of the eight of the commercial service airports also had higher passenger numbers than during this same period last year.

Jamestown Airport Construction Impacts:

The Jamestown Regional Airport’s primary runway has a pre-planned closure from May 7th – June 16th in order to complete a major pavement rehabilitation. Commercial flights will not occur during this time period and the May and June boarding numbers will reflect impacts by this closure. The airport’s crosswind runway will remain open for general aviation use during the duration of the project.

April Passenger Records:

The Fargo Hector International Airport achieved a new monthly passenger record with 41,466 passenger boardings. The previous record for the airport for the month of April was set in 2023 with 39,680 passengers.

The Devils Lake Airport also achieved a new monthly passenger record with 635 passenger boardings. The previous record for the airport for the month of April was set in 2023 with 554 passengers.

View the April Airline Boarding Report

April 2024 Statewide Airline Passenger Statistics

  • Total Airline Passenger Boardings: 94,112
  • Available Airline Departure Seats: 120,251
  • Average Aircraft Load Factor: 78%
  • Number of Successful Airline Departure Flights: 1,439
  • Number of Airline Departure Flight Cancellations: 3
  • Airline Departure Flight Cancellation Rate: 0.2%

Etihad Cargo Expands U.S. Capacity with Inaugural Boston Flight

Kim Stevens

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has expanded its U.S. network and will offer increased capacity to the region with the introduction of a new service to Boston, Massachusetts. The carrier’s inaugural flight arrived on 31 March, commencing the regular service that will see the airline operate four flights per week to Boston. Boston is Etihad Cargo’s fourth U.S. destination, and the new route reinforces Etihad Cargo’s commitment to providing tailored cargo solutions to the North American region.

The new service will be operated on a state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which will provide an additional cargo capacity of 50 tons per week, catering to the robust demand for freight between Boston and Abu Dhabi. Etihad Cargo will offer tailor-made solutions for the diverse range of commodities prevalent in the Boston region, with a focus on perishables, medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, and aircraft parts.

Boston is recognized globally as a critical hub for food, pharmaceuticals, and cutting-edge research and development. Etihad Cargo’s expansion into this market is poised to significantly enhance the flow of perishables such as lobsters and seafood, as well as critical pharmaceuticals, including medical devices and oncology treatments, from Boston to Abu Dhabi and the rest of the world.

The launch of the Boston route marks the latest addition to Etihad Cargo’s comprehensive US network, which includes double daily flights to New York’s JFK airport, daily services to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington, D.C. (IAD), and a weekly freighter service to Chicago. This expansion brings the total number of flights Etihad Cargo operates to the US to 33 per week and demonstrates the airline’s ongoing efforts to enhance global connectivity and support trade across its network.

Stanislas Brun, Vice President of Cargo at Etihad Cargo, said: “The introduction of the Boston route is a strategic expansion of Etihad Cargo’s US network, offering more belly capacity to partners and customers. Boston is an important destination for food and pharmaceuticals, as well as a center for innovation and development. Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi-Boston service will support the region’s export economy, particularly in facilitating the global distribution of its world-class seafood and breakthrough medical products, and further strengthen trade ties between the US and UAE.”

Further enhancing the carrier’s capabilities in the US, Etihad Cargo expanded its network with Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of the SATS Group, to incorporate all the carrier’s stations in the US. This partnership has elevated Etihad Cargo’s premium offerings and enabled the carrier to deliver consistent, high-quality, end-to-end air cargo solutions via its CEIV-certified products, including PharmaLife, designed for the secure transport of pharmaceuticals; FreshForward, which ensures the freshness of perishable goods; and specialized services like LiveAnimals and SkyStables, dedicated to the safe and humane transport of live animals.

North Dakota Airline Passenger Boardings up 4% in January

Kim Stevens

The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released the monthly report that provides information relating to the airline passenger traffic at the eight commercial service airports within the state.

Commercial airline boarding numbers for January 2024 reached 94,504 passengers, which represents a growth of 3,525 boardings or a 4% increase from January of 2023.

View the January Airline Boarding Report

January 2024 Statewide Airline Passenger Statistics

  • Total Airline Passenger Boardings: 94,504
  • Available Airline Departure Seats: 115,335
  • Average Aircraft Load Factor: 82%
  • Number of Successful Airline Departure Flights: 1,384
  • Number of Airline Departure Flight Cancellations: 42
  • Airline Departure Flight Cancellation Rate: 2.9%

North Dakota Surpasses 1.1 Million Airline Boardings in 2023

Kim Stevens

North Dakota’s commercial service airports finished calendar year 2023 with a statewide total of 1,136,828 airline passenger boardings. This is a growth of 108,669 passengers and an 11% overall increase from calendar year 2022. Seven of the airports also finished the year with higher passenger counts than in 2022 and Fargo and Devils Lake recorded their best year on record.

In 2023, the airports also tallied 1,137,485 passenger deplanements for a grand total of 2,274,313 passengers (arrivals and departures) that traveled through the commercial service terminal buildings of North Dakota over the past year.

The aviation industry has been adversely affected since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when the country experienced a significant decline in passenger numbers beginning in March of 2020. That year, airline passenger demand dropped by over 50% and North Dakota recorded an annual total of 572,093 passenger boardings. Since that time, airline passenger demand has seen a remarkable recovery, and the current data reveals that air travel demand remains strong in North Dakota.

The current growth in passenger demand bolsters the justification for airlines to look to add more flights, destinations, and seat capacity to North Dakota’s airports. Airlines, however; continue to cite challenges in their ability to upscale as they continue to grapple with a shortage of pilots and other aviation related jobs. The need for a growing aviation workforce will continue to create opportunities for our youth to consider a career in the aviation sector. Pilots, aircraft mechanics, airport operators, and unmanned aircraft technicians are just a few of the exciting career options that are projected to continue to be in high demand. 

Despite all challenges, North Dakota continues to provide the public with a high level of air service availability as the state’s airports provide the public with six continual non-stop destination options and an additional four seasonal non-stop options. All eight of the commercial service airports in North Dakota also continue to provide their communities with reliable jet service options.

“North Dakota’s airports achieved an impressive 11% annual increase in passengers during 2023 and have officially rebounded from many of the pandemic-induced challenges,” stated Kyle Wanner, Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission.  The numbers tell a story of determination and growth while also showcasing the state’s commitment to providing our citizens and guests with strong and reliable air service. As we look to the future, the aviation industry will continue to support our diversifying economy while also providing incredible career opportunities for the next generation.”

Calendar Year 2023 Boarding Records:

  • The Fargo Hector International Airport achieved a new annual passenger record with 516,071 passenger boardings. The previous calendar record for the airport was set in 2019 with 471,333 passengers. This growth has prompted the airport to move forward with a terminal expansion which will begin construction in the spring of 2024.
  • The Devils Lake Airport also achieved a new annual passenger record with 8,087 passenger boardings. The previous calendar record for the airport was set in 2019 with 6,973 passengers.

View the 2023 Calendar Year Airline Boarding Report

Calendar Year 2023 Statewide Airline Passenger Statistics

  • Total Airline Passenger Boardings: 1,136,828
  • Available Airline Departure Seats: 1,353,568
  • Average Aircraft Load Factor: 84%
  • Number of Successful Airline Departure Flights: 17,157
  • Number of Airline Departure Flight Cancellations: 297
  • Airline Departure Flight Cancellation Rate: 1.7%

Large-Scale Study Using SAS Aircraft Concludes Biofuel Improves Air Quality

Kim Stevens

Bio-based aviation fuel reduces the number of ultrafine particles that are emitted from the aircraft engines, thereby improving air quality. This is one of the conclusions drawn from a large-scale international study using a SAS aircraft at Copenhagen Airport.

Researchers measured an aircraft with 34 percent bio-based fuel (known as Sustainable Aviation Fuel, SAF), in the tank while it was taxiing between the runway and the gate at the airport. Ground measurements show a reduction in the emission of ultrafine particles by about 30 percent.

The measurements were conducted by researchers from DLR, The German Aerospace Center. During the experiment, they set up a mobile laboratory with advanced measuring equipment at a gate in Copenhagen Airport. From there, they measured air quality when a SAS aircraft with 34 percent SAF blended in its fuel tank arrived in Copenhagen from Stockholm. Measurements were done three to four times daily and conducted while the aircraft was on ground and taxiing between runway and gate.

Results from the measurements provide the most detailed picture to date of the effect of using SAF on local air quality at the airport.

“SAS is very proud to participate in this project as it is a great example of how our collective efforts can enable further discoveries of sustainable solutions for the aviation industry. The findings of this unique experiment at Copenhagen Airport showcase that using SAF not only reduces CO2 emissions but also reduces the impact of contrails, and enhances local air quality,” says Ann-Sofie Hörlin, Head of Sustainability at SAS.

“This is really good news. It’s an important discovery that sustainable aviation fuel has an impact on air quality. We already know that it helps reduce CO2 emissions, so this is another significant benefit of shifting aviation to sustainable fuels,” said Christian Poulsen, Chief Operating Officer at Copenhagen Airport.

It is a unique experiment, taking place over a period of four weeks during winter. It’s the first time that such extensive measurements have been conducted in an authentic airport environment, making it a highly complex experiment.

El Al Remains Committed to Keeping the Skies Open and Preserving Air Bridge to Israel

Kim Stevens

In a recent open letter, Dina Ben Tal Ganancia, CEO, EL AL, wrote that the airline remains committed to keeping the skies open and preserving the air bridge to Israel. “Many of our employees and their families have been called up for military reserve duty, contributing to the defense of our nation. Yet, we continue to operate flights to and from Israel as scheduled, even expanding our flight schedule to better serve our passengers.”

El Al added 60 flights last week and announced standardized fares to facilitate the immediate return of many Israelis, including soldiers and essential personnel. On Saturday, they operated 4 special rescue flights from New York, Bangkok, and Madrid to assist security forces and rescue and medical teams, with these flights funded by EL AL in cooperation with others. Furthermore, they transported essential emergency equipment.

“We understand that this situation is causing concern and uncertainty,” penned the CEO. “Our dedicated teams are working tirelessly to respond to the thousands of inquiries we receive daily. We are especially sensitive to the needs of bereaved families and those with loved ones injured or missing.”

The airline has established a 24/7 emergency line at +972-3-9404040 to address operational or service challenges.

To provide flexibility during these challenging times, El Al has extended their flexible ticket policy, allowing you to cancel your ticket and receive a voucher for future use.

To help passengers maintain continuous contact with their loved ones, the airline is offering free in-flight Wi-Fi on routes where our internet service is available.

EL AL is dedicated to serving the people of Israel. “We join you in hoping for a swift return to peace and the safe homecoming of all IDF soldiers,” wrote Dina Ben Tal Ganancia. “EL AL is here for you, both in routine and emergency situations.”

Qatar Airways Cargo Partners with DSV to Launch New Route from Huntsville

Kim Stevens

Qatar Airways Cargo has partnered with DSV Global Transportation and Logistics to launch a new route from Huntsville, Alabama, enhancing North America’s connectivity to Europe, Middle East and beyond, effective 7th September 2023.

The route, named by DSV as the “Gateway Star”, will see twice weekly Boeing 777 freighters operating from Felipe Ángeles International Airport in Mexico to Huntsville and arriving in Doha via Luxembourg. The freighters from Huntsville will operate on Thursdays and Sundays every week, offering 200 tons of capacity.

Ms. Elisabeth Oudkerk, SVP Cargo Sales and Network Planning at Qatar Airways Cargo added: “We are excited by this new partnership with DSV. This strategic initiative not only expands DSV’s market reach, but also establishes a direct scheduled service from Mexico City to Europe, Middle East and beyond via the strategic hubs of Huntsville, U.S and Luxembourg.”

Mads Ravn, Executive Vice President at DSV, expresses his enthusiasm for this milestone achievement: “Our partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo signifies a remarkable leap forward. This new air freight service underscores our unwavering commitment to revolutionizing logistics and ushering unparalleled connectivity to our valued clients. By collaborating with Qatar Airways Cargo, we not only extend our market presence but also create avenues for seamless access to the Middle East with a keen focus on boosting our oil and gas vertical.”

The major exports from Huntsville that will be carried on Qatar Airways Cargo flights are Auto parts for various manufacturers in Europe along with Perishables and Cars from Mexico. With the addition of Huntsville, Qatar Airways Cargo now serves 22 destinations in the Americas with freighter and passenger belly-hold flights, providing a combined weekly cargo capacity of over 5,500 tons.

American Airlines Expands Service at Coastal Carolina Regional Airport with Six Daily Flights

Kim Stevens

Travelers who choose their local airport, Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN), will soon have six daily American Airlines flight options connecting them through Charlotte to destinations of their choice all around the world.

The new schedule, which starts in July, represents an increase in total summer seat availability over American Airlines’ schedule in 2019.

“As residents continue to choose to fly local through EWN, airlines use that as an indicator for future demand from the community. Recent performance indicates that residents do indeed want to fly local through EWN and American is responding,” said Airport Director Andrew Shorter. This increase in flights will be in addition to the direct weekly summer service to and from Washington D.C. that began on June 3rd.

The new American Airlines flights are already available to book and booking early is highly encouraged as the busy summer season is off to a strong start.

“We expect our terminal expansion and the ongoing community support to continue to strengthen the airport’s future for airlines and passengers alike,” Shorter said. “Coastal Carolina Regional Airport thanks our community for using their local airport connection and helping us to grow one passenger at a time.”

In addition to the ongoing major terminal expansion project, EWN continues to demonstrate vision and leadership by creating an annual economic output of $513 million for the area as well as bringing in more than $27 million in state and local tax revenues.