Howard Hardee
Howard Hardee is Americas aviation reporter for FlightGlobal.com and Flight International magazine, covering regional and low-cost carriers in North America and low-emissions initiatives throughout the industry. He formerly covered politics for journalism nonprofit Wisconsin Watch. Before that, he wrote about music, science and California forestry.
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NewsArcher’s Midnight eVTOL yet to get airborne but ‘will be flying soon’
California air taxi developer Archer Aviation has yet to fly its in-development Midnight aircraft but says it remains on track to hit targets for certification and entry to service.
NewsEviation’s electric commuter aircraft undergoing ‘subtle’ redesign
The Washington-based developer maintains that the adjustments will be minor and that the aircraft’s timeline for certification and service entry remains unchanged.
NewsTextron confirms Surf Air Mobility’s order for first 20 Cessna Grand Caravans
Textron Aviation has confirmed California start-up Surf Air Mobility’s order for the first 20 Cessna Grand Caravans to be converted with in-development electric and hybrid-electric powertrain technology.
NewsSkyWest’s CEO Chip Childs reveals the regional carrier is ‘1,200 pilots short’
Regional airlines continue to be most acutely affected by the USA’s ongoing pilot shortage as SkyWest Airlines remains some 1,200 pilots below its pre-pandemic flight crew staffing levels.
NewsJetBlue-Spirit trial could be delayed by looming US government shutdown
The US Department of Justice’s antitrust trial to block low-cost carrier JetBlue Airways’ acquisition of Spirit Airlines could be delayed if the federal government shuts down for more than two weeks.
NewsVoltAero tests hybrid propulsion system with fuel produced from vineyard waste
In what it claims is an industry first, French aircraft developer VoltAero has flight-tested the hybrid-electric powertrain that will eventually power its Cassio 330 five-seat aircraft using “100% sustainable fuel”.
NewsAir Transat and CAE to build pilot pipeline with new Ascension Academy
Canadian leisure carrier Air Transat and CAE have created a new cadet academy to help the airline meet soaring demand for pilots.
NewsCondor to launch flights between Frankfurt and San Antonio in May 2024
The German leisure carrier’s new transatlantic route would be the first non-stop flights between Europe and San Antonio International airport.
NewsStart-up carrier New Pacific Airlines to launch flights to Reno and Nashville
Recently re-branded US start-up New Pacific Airlines plans to double the size of its burgeoning networks with two new destinations – Reno, Nevada and Nashville, Tennessee.
NewsUniversal Hydrogen takes ‘key step’ in certification of fuel cell propulsion system
California start-up Universal Hydrogen is a step closer to establishing a certification basis for retrofitting ATR 72 regional turboprops with its fuel cell technology.
NewsAir Transat’s extra engines could spare it from worst of P&W’s engine recall
Canadian leisure carrier Air Transat maintains that it will not be immediately impacted by Pratt & Whintey’s recall of PW1100G geared turbofan engines, which power the airline’s fleet of Airbus A321LRs.
NewsTransat AT posts first profitable quarter since 2019 due to strong leisure demand
The parent of Canadian carrier Air Transat reports on 14 September making C$57.3 million ($43.5 million) during its fiscal third quarter – its first quarterly profit since late 2019.
NewsMesa Airlines CFO Zubeck to leave US regional carrier
After working for nearly two years as chief financial officer of US regional carrier Mesa Airlines, Daniel Torque Zubeck is resigning from the company effective 15 September.
News‘Canary in the coal mine’: Frontier cuts Q3 capacity forecast as bookings sag
Frontier Airlines has cut its capacity forecast for the third quarter based on lower bookings and higher fuel prices, making it the latest North American carrier to lower expectations for the period.
NewsCuberg CEO outlines battery developer’s plan to enable short-haul electric flights
Previously flying somewhat under the radar, California battery developer Cuberg is now signalling its intentions to be a difference-maker in the electric aviation industry.
NewsSpirit reduces Q3 revenue forecast due to fuel cost bump
Ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has become the latest US airline to lower its third-quarter revenue forecast based on higher-than-expected fuel costs.
NewsInflation's 'biggest spike is behind us': Alaska Airlines CFO
Still facing cost increases on some fronts, Alaska Air Group's leadership believes it has successfully navigated the worst of industry-wide inflation related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
NewsStarlux plans to launch trans-Pacific routes to San Francisco and Seattle
Taiwanese start-up carrier Starlux Airlines is continuing its trans-Pacific expansion with plans to launch thrice-weekly flights from Tapei to San Francisco on 16 December and a new route to Seattle in 2024.
NewsJetBlue decries ‘startling switch in positions’ in federal antitrust lawsuits
JetBlue Airways has accused the US Department of Justice of “taking inconsistent positions” in respective lawsuits to break up JetBlue’s Northeast Alliance with American Airlines and block its proposed acquisiton of Spirit Airlines.
NewsJetBlue commits some Spirit assets in Northeast USA and South Florida to Allegiant
JetBlue Airways has entered a second divestiture agreement with a rival low-cost carrier – this time, Allegiant Air – as part of its bid to acquire Spirit Airlines.