Philippines-based carrier Cebu Pacific on 1 January took delivery of its ninth Airbus A320neo. The aircraft, powered by used sustainable aviation fuel, took its maiden flight from the Airbus Hamburg facility in Germany to the Ninoy Aquino International airport in Manila, the low-cost airline says. This aircraft delivery is first of the 11 expected new Airbus neo deliveries for the year and include three A320neos, four A321neos, and four A330neos. Chief strategy officer Alex Reyes states: "This SAF-powered aircraft delivery supports our sustainability strategy in shifting to a more fuel-efficient neo fleet by 2028." To date, the airline's fleet consists of 21 A320ceos, nine A320neos, seven A321ceos, 10 A321neos, four A330ceos, four A330neos, 14 ATR 72-600s, six ATR 72-500s and two ATR freighters.

Mesa Air Group made an operating loss of $141 million during its fiscal fourth quarter ended 30 September, slipping from a profit of $5.08 million in the same period a year earlier. The parent company of Mesa Airlines says it generated $125 million in operating revenue during the quarter, a figure down about 4% year on year. Contract revenue decreased about 5%. These decreases were driven by lower block-hours, offset by the expiration of temporary rate reductions related to payroll support programme, the US group adds. In its fourth quarter, 48% of total revenue was derived from Mesa's contracts with United, 45% from American, 2% from DHL and 5% from leases of aircraft to a third party. The fourth-quarter net loss of $115 million compares with one of just $7.5 million in 2021's equivalent period. Operating expenses grew to $266 million, from $125 million a year earlier. During its latest fiscal fourth quarter, Mesa agreed to sell 18 Bombardier CRJ550s to United Airlines, closing 10 during the period. Since quarter-end, it initiated and concluded a wind-down agreement with American Airlines, reached deals with United Airlines for capacity-purchase expansion for CRJ900 flying and rate increase, a loan, and an engine purchase; renegotiated certain aircraft debt and lease obligations; and agreed to sell 11 CRJ900s in 2023's first quarter. For the full year, Mesa made an operating loss of $189 million, down from a profit of $63.1 million. Operating revenue increased to $531 million from $503 million. A net loss of $182 million compares with a profit of $16.5 million a year earlier. Mesa ended the quarter with $57.6 million in cash and equivalents, down from nearly $121 million at 30 September 2021. The group had $599 million in total debt, secured primarily with aircraft and engines. "We believe our strong relationship with United will provide significant opportunities for growth in the future," states Mesa chief executive Jonathan Ornstein. Deals with that US major, he notes, "allow us to expand United's reach into cities that have seen reductions or loss of flight service created by the industry-wide pilot shortage", and Mesa will be "the only exclusive regional carrier for United operating large regional jets". Ornstein adds: "In particular, we believe Mesa's participation in the Aviate programme, combined with United's industry-leading growth plan, will provide the most reliable, fastest path for aviators to transition to a major commercial carrier. "Combined with the significant liquidity United is providing, this agreement represents a transformational step for our business as we aim to resolve the impacts of the industry-wide pilot shortage that we faced in fiscal 2022."

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has disclosed that it will cut the number of planned flights to Japan by 20% in January, in order to abide by the Japanese government's latest advisory amid concerns about new Covid-19 cases in China. "As airlines are not allowed to increase flights beyond the number that they operated in the week of 23-29 December, Cathay Pacific will only be able to operate 65 flights per week in total to these destinations," it says in a release. Cathay had planned to increase its services to the country by a fifth into the New Year, action that has now been scrapped. From 30 December until further notice, all flights to Nagoya and Fukuoka will be cancelled, while services to Sapporo will be reduced from seven to five per week, and certain Tokyo Narita and Osaka flights will be cancelled on select dates. For flights from Japan to Hong Kong, it will operate all scheduled flights as planned from 30 December to 8 January 2023, including ferry flights carrying no passengers to Japan to help customers return to Hong Kong. All flights to and from Nagoya have also been cancelled from 9 January onwards.