Spanish carrier Air Europa has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max. The factory-new aircraft (registered EC-OGS) is the first four Max 8s scheduled for delivery to Air Europa under a leasing agreement with AerCap, says the airline. It adds that another 10 will join the fleet next year and six in the first half of 2027, bringing its Max 8 fleet to 20. Fleets data shows that Air Europa has ordered 29 of the aircraft, including the newly delivered one. The airline's current fleet also includes 26 737-800s, 17 787-9s and 11 787-8s. Madrid-based Air Europa will deploy its Max 8s, configured to accommodate 189 passengers, on European and transatlantic routes, it says, noting that it is the first Spanish Max operator. Air Europa chair Juan Jose Hidalgo describes the first Max delivery as a "new chapter" for the airline. "We are not only modernising our fleet but also advancing toward a more sustainable and efficient operation, delivering benefits for both our passengers and the environment," he states. Iberia parent IAG has a 20% shareholding in Air Europa and last year abandoned a plan to acquire it from its parent Globalia, citing competition authorities' requirements. Air France-KLM and Lufthansa Group have since indicated interest in investing in Air Europa.

South African Airways has reported a loss for the 12 months to end-March 2024, after higher expenses for fuel and aircraft constrained its recovery. Revenue rose nearly a quarter, to R7 billion ($396 million), but this was more than offset by a series of "exogenous factors", says the carrier. These included a R415 million hit from currency volatility; fuel and leasing costs that rose by 46% and 30%, respectively; and late delivery of aircraft. As a result, the EBITDA result flipped from R436 million in 2022-23 (its first full year of flying since exiting business rescue, a form of bankruptcy protection, in April 2021) to negative R90 million in 2023-24. Through the period, SAA operated an average of 10 aircraft to 15 destinations, representing a rise of 42%. It highlights a "significant increase in flights" on international African routes as well as routes from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Sao Paulo starting in the second half of the financial year. Data shows that the airline currently operates 16 aircraft: 12 Airbus A320s, two A330s and two A340s. It also has six aircraft – four A340s and two A320s – in storage. It now serves 17 destinations, including a long-haul route to Perth as well as its Brazil link. "These results detail a past phase of intense uncertainty in the resuscitation of SAA, a period when the assumption of the company's control by the strategic equity partner was awaited," states group chief executive John Lamola. At the time, the carrier expected to be majority purchased by a consortium of two local investors, but the deal later collapsed. "Since then, we have entered a period of structured and strategic reconstruction of the business, focusing on institutionalising robust governance and management systems, whilst implementing plans on aircraft fleet modernisation and route network expansion aimed at the elevation of customer experience," adds Lamola. The airline has launched an "audit health plan" to standardise procedures and expand its internal audit capacity, as well as working with external auditors. "After six consecutive audits in three years, SAA is firmly back on track to meet all statutory reporting deadlines, and to devote its efforts towards improved audit outcomes," it says. Lamola asserts that the latest published results "reflect significant progress in SAA's financial health", and that the airline has "strengthened the channels of our revenue streams and cost-containment measures". He cites its "debt-free" status and an "asset-rich balance sheet that is supporting the steady growth of the airline and the recovery of SAA as a global aviation brand".

Breeze Airways is launching service to five new cities on the US West Coast. The carrier will fly from Burbank, California; Arcata, California; Redmond, Oregon; Eugene, Oregon; and Pasco/Tri-Cities, Washington from March 2026, bringing its total network to more than 300 routes in 76 cities and 34 states. It says the move is a "direct response to growing demand for the airline's successful hybrid business model and represents a significant expansion of Breeze's West Coast network". David Neeleman, Breeze's founder and chief executive, states: "With an expanded West Coast presence that connects travellers to our broader nationwide network, Breeze's service will bring even more options and convenience to these underserved communities. "Our continued growth is evidence that our unique form of air travel that combines affordability and ease with high-value options like premium seating and in-flight wi-fi is not only working, but highly desired by today's travellers." The move also comes as Avelo Airlines said earlier this week it was closing its base at Hollywood Burbank airport in California.