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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- News
New US rule requires airlines to refund passengers for ‘significant’ delays
The US government has issued a new consumer-friendly rule on how and when airlines must refund travellers if their flight itineraries are ”significantly” altered, their luggage is lost, or ancillary services are not delivered.
- News
Volaris remains ‘sceptical’ of Pratt & Whitney progress on GTF engines, says CEO
Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier Volaris is facing an uphill battle in 2024 as it deals with a capacity shortfall caused by a substantial part of its Pratt & Whitney-powered narrowbody fleet being out of service for much of the year.
- News
Volaris squeezes out $33m first-quarter profit despite capacity cut due to GTF groundings
Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier Volaris has disclosed a first-quarter profit of $33 million – its first since 2019 – as the company kept a sharp eye on costs and despite the hit to capacity caused by the enforced grounding of Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan (GTF)-powered aircraft.
- News
Drone incursions stopped Frankfurt airport traffic twice in 2023
Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt airport, one of continental Europe’s busiest, says that air traffic had to be completely halted on two days in 2023 due to drone incursions around the airfield.
- In depth
Pipistrel delivers first four Velis Electro airframes to US customers
Slovenian aircraft maker Pipistrel recently delivered the first four Velis Electro fully-electric aircraft to US customers under a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness exemption that allows the aircraft to be used in flight training for the first time.
- News
VoltAero targeting maiden flight of Cassio 330 ‘at year-end’, says CTO Botti
French hybrid-electric aircraft developer VoltAero is maintaining its end-2025 goal for certification of its five-seat Cassio 330 as it gears up for a busy year of testing, including a hotly anticipated maiden sortie.
- News
GAMA redoubles efforts to convince Europeans of business aviation’s value
Trade body the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is redoubling its efforts to convince European lawmakers and the public of business and general aviation’s importance to the continent’s technology value chain.
- News
Italy’s Tecnam launches updated P2006T NG
Italian airframer Tecnam has launched an updated version of its popular P2006T four-seat piston-twin, which it designates the NG.
- News
Lilium begins producing battery packs to power its eVTOL jet
German advanced air mobility developer Lilium has begun producing battery packs designed to power its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jet on its first piloted flight, scheduled for the end of this year.
- Analysis
JetSmart looks to grow in Argentina as economics and regulations improve: CEO
After launching domestic service in Colombia last month, JetSmart chief executive Estuardo Ortiz is already marching toward his next conquest – Argentina – with the goal of taking advantage of seismic economic and regulatory changes.
- News
Edelweiss A340 experiences apparent windshear incident in Zurich
An Edelweiss Air Airbus A340 experienced a possible windshear incident on take-off from Zurich airport, which nearly sent it back onto the runway.
- News
US Senate committee to consider Homendy for second term as NTSB chair
The US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will hold a hearing next week on the nomination of Jennifer Homendy for a second three-year term as chair of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
- News
Azul reports higher Q4 earnings as it taps into new markets and keeps costs low
Brazil’s Azul increased fourth quarter revenue and profit in 2023, as it tapped into new markets while keeping costs in check.
- News
Gol slips to fourth quarter loss as it works through bankruptcy process
Restructuring Brazilian low-cost carrier Gol swung to a net loss of R1.1 billion ($221 million) in the fourth quarter, the first results it has disclosed since entering bankruptcy protection in January.
- News
FAA set to fine Spirit Airlines over hazardous materials mishandling
The US Federal Aviation Administration has proposed fining Spirit Airlines $146,500 after employees allegedly mishandled hazardous materials, thus violating US Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.
- News
Avianca increases 2023 earnings on back of record passenger numbers
Colombia’s Avianca saw earnings rise in 2023 as it transported 31.9 million passengers, the most in its history, while keeping costs in check.
- News
WestJet chief operating officer Pen adds president role
Canada’s WestJet has named chief operating officer Diederik Pen to the post of president, effective on 1 April.
- News
Boeing aims to get near 38-per-month 737 production rate this year: CFO
Boeing this year plans to gradually increase 737 production, but its output will be restricted to “below 38” jets monthly as it works through quality issues raised by two recent safety audits.
- News
Taxes and strikes slowing Frankfurt traffic recovery
Fraport expects passenger numbers at Frankfurt airport to increase to be between 61 and 65 million this year, still leaving the Lufthansa hub airport some way short of the nearly 71 million high it handled before the pandemic in 2019.
- News
ULCC JetSmart launches domestic operations in Colombia
Chilean ultra-low-cost carrier JetSmart has launched its operations in Colombia after securing an air operator certificate (AOC) from the country’s aviation regulator, Aerocivil.