The US Department of Transportation has suspended its review of Allegiant Air and Viva Aerobus's proposed cross-border joint venture due to concerns about Mexico's implementation of the two countries' air services agreement. The airlines filed a joint application in December 2021 requesting immunity for alliance agreements covering flights between the USA and Mexico. The procedural schedule for the review originally set a 31 July deadline for DOT action, but the department says it is pausing its review and will "therefore not be able to meet this deadline because of outstanding questions relating to the continued implementation of the US-Mexico air transportation agreement". The message was conveyed in a letter from DOT assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs Annie Petsonk to Mexico's undersecretary for transportation Rogelio Jimenez Pons. Petsonk adds: "It is longstanding DOT policy that a necessary predicate for our consideration of grants of antitrust immunity is the de jure and de facto implementation of a fully liberalised air transport agreement. "As we have discussed in our consultations, recent actions the government of Mexico has taken affecting US carrier operations at [Mexico City's] Benito Juarez International airport have, in our view, called into question the existence of this predicate." She did not provide specifics about the "recent actions" in her complaint. Petsonk adds that the DOT cannot further consider the application until it receives additional information "demonstrating compliance with, and full implementation of" the US-Mexico air transportation agreement terms. "We remain eager to continue our work with your offices to resolve these issues," she adds. Mexico's competition regulator approved the proposed alliance in October 2022, and Allegiant had signaled that it hoped to implement it during the first half of 2023, pending DOT approval. While acknowledging the suspension of the process, both carriers have remained optimistic about their proposed alliance. "We hope the United States and Mexico can resolve their differences over the bilateral agreement quickly, so travelers from both countries can benefit from the Allegiant/Viva joint venture," Allegiant says in a statement. Viva Aerobus says in its own statement: "We are confident that Mexican and United States transportation authorities will collaborate to find a resolution, allowing the approval process to resume to form this important alliance that will bring important advantages and benefits to both countries, strengthening connectivity, stimulating tourism, and connecting millions of families in the largest international air market. "Through this venture the public will gain greater access to affordable airfares, new routes and destinations, and more convenient travel options that will allow them to enjoy the incredible leisure, entertainment and family experiences that await them in both countries."

Etihad Airways will begin flights from Abu Dhabi to Boston in the USA on 31 March 2024. The Middle Eastern carrier says it will operate the route four times a week with Boeing 787-9s. Boston is Etihad's fourth US destination, joining Chicago, New York, and Washington, along with flights to Toronto in Canada. Etihad highlights its partnership with JetBlue Airways to provide connections to cities throughout North America.

Cebu Pacific will increase the number of new aircraft deliveries this year to 21 from 15 to "further improve operational resiliency amid growing demand for air travel". Seventeen will be Neos, while the remaining four are Ceos on short-term leases, the Philippine carrier states. This is the second time the airline has raised its delivery target for the year. In January, Cebu Pacific disclosed plans to introduce 10 new aircraft, comprising three Airbus A320neos, three A321neos and four A330neos. This was raised to 15 in a 5 May investor briefing, with the addition of five leased A320s. In that May briefing, the airline's chief executive Mike Szucs said he foresees it would be on average "maybe one or two aircraft down in terms of the flying lines" due to aircraft and engine shortage, which had already crimped the carrier's ability to operate planned capacity in March and April. The airline disclosed the new delivery target as it inducted its ninth new aircraft, an Airbus A321neo, on 27 July. "This aircraft delivery allows us to increase our operational resilience while continuing to provide safe, reliable, and affordable air travel to our passengers," says Alex Reyes, chief strategy officer, Cebu Pacific. Flight tracking data shows the narrowbody, registered RP-C4133 (MSN 11335), was flown from Airbus' Hamburg Finkenwerder delivery centre on 26 July, stopping in Muscat and Ho Chi Minh City before arriving at Ninoy Aquino International airport in Manila on 27 July. Fleets data shows that the airline is listed as the owner of the Pratt & Whitney PW1133G-powered A321neo. The all-Airbus operator has a fleet of 61 aircraft, which are predominantly A320 family jets, with 56 in service and five in storage, and orders for 10 A320neos, 10 A321XLRs, 10 A321neos and 11 A330-900s.