Pilar Wolfsteller
Pilar Wolfsteller, Americas Air Transport Editor, is an FAA-certified flight instructor (CFI), and holds a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating. She joined FlightGlobal in 2019, and is based in Las Vegas. She covers airlines across the hemisphere and her interests also include future-oriented sustainable aviation technology, advanced air mobility projects and pilot training topics. Pilar began her journalism career at the global news agencies Bloomberg and Reuters, and has reported from more than 50 countries.
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NewsHawaiian and Alaska agree to break-up fees if planned tie-up falls through
Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines have released more information about their potential merger, including reciprocal break-up fees in the case of non-consummation of the proposed transaction.
NewsAlaska acquisition of Hawaiian is ‘pro-consumer, pro-competitive’: Minicucci
Alaska Airlines chief executive Ben Minicucci says that the planned acquistion of Hawaiian Airlines will benefit not only the companies, but also employees and consumers, and it was the right opportunity for the Seattle-based company at the right time.
NewsAlaska Airlines to acquire Hawaiian for $1bn plus debt
Alaska Airlines to acquire Hawaiian Airlines for $1 billion, the companies said on 3 December.
NewsFAA proposes rule to extend cockpit voice recording requirement to 25h
The US Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a new rule to increase the recording time of cockpit voice recorders to 25h for all newly manufactured aircraft from its current 2h requirement.
NewsAvianca CEO Neuhauser takes new job as CEO of parent Abra Group
Avianca chief executive Adrian Neuhauser will take the helm of Abra Group, which owns Avianca and Brazil’s Gol, in January, while remaining executive vice-chairman of the Colombian carrier’s board of directors.
InterviewHow Hydroplane founder is drawing on her stellar engineering talent
In her role as chief executive of zero-emission general aviation propulsion developer Hydroplane, Anita Sengupta is drawing on some out-of-this-world engineering experience at NASA.
NewsBAA Training signs for 48 Cessna Skyhawk trainer aircraft
Lithuania-headquartered BAA Training has agreed to buy 48 examples of Textron Aviation’s Cessna Skyhawk aircraft, which are expected to be delivered in 2026.
NewsUS Court approves SAS’ investment agreement with Castlelake consortium
A US court has approved Scandinavian operator SAS’ entry into a formal investment agreement with Castlelake, Air France-KLM, the Danish government and financing company Lind Invest.
NewsFAA taking ‘immediate action’ to implement improvements to ATC safety
Following the publication of a damning report on the state of US air traffic control (ATC) operations earlier this week, the Federal Aviation Administration has said it is taking “immediate action” to enhance training and safety reporting.
NewsElroy Air’s Chaparral C1 makes maiden flight
Elroy Air’s autonomous turbogenerator-hybrid electric vertical take-off and landing (hVTOL) cargo drone Chaparral C1 has flown for the first time.
NewsCopa posts 61% higher Q3 profit as demand climbs
Copa Holdings, the parent company of Copa Airlines, reported a third-quarter profit on higher demand and stable expenses, as the cost of jet fuel fell by one-fifth.
NewsDelta and Air Baltic launch codeshare partnership
Delta Air Lines and Latvia’s Air Baltic have launched a codeshare partnership due to begin this month.
NewsSafety review team says US airspace at “significant risk” for accidents
A comprehensive report by an independent review committee has found the US national airspace system (NAS) and air traffic control organisation (ATO) full of risks for potential accidents.
NewsUS airlines welcome Dutch government’s about-face on Schiphol slot cuts
US airlines are celebrating news that the Dutch government has backed off a plan to reduce the number of flights at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport next year.
NewsAzul reports record adjusted profit as fleet transition pays off
Brazil’s Azul earned a R1.6 billion ($319 million) adjusted third-quarter operating profit as passenger and cargo demand remained strong during the traditionally weaker southern hemisphere winter season.
NewsAmerican Airlines applies for Haneda slots and plans more Caribbean flying in 2024
One day after United Airlines submitted an application to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate more flights to Tokyo’s Haneda airport, Fort Worth-based rival American Airlines has done the same.
NewsAvianca posts profit as it scrambles to fill Colombian capacity needs
Avianca reported a profit for the third quarter of 2023, as passenger demand remains strong following the demise of two domestic airlines, pushing the company’s results beyond figures in its original business plan.
NewsFAA will establish rulemaking committee on pilot mental health
The US Federal Aviation Administration will establish an aviation rulemaking committee to examine issues around pilot mental health after several recent incidents shed new light on the problem.
NewsUnited applies to US regulators for operating slots at Tokyo’s Haneda airport
United Airlines has applied to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate daily nonstop flights to Tokyo’s Haneda airport from Bush Intercontinental airport in Houston, intending to acquire slots vacated by Delta Air Lines earlier this year.
NewsUS airlines gearing up for ‘busiest ever’ Thanksgiving holiday travel period
US airlines are gearing up for a major holiday travel weekend as demand for air travel over the upcoming Thanksgiving travel period is higher than both last year and pre-pandemic 2019.