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Business Insider
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Which airline has the biggest or oldest fleet? Here's how Delta, United, American and Southwest compare.
United Airlines With 1,023 planes, United Airlines has the largest fleet in the world, according to data from Ch-aviation. More than half of those are Boeing 737s, which is unsurprising given that United is the planemaker's biggest customer. Unlike its legacy competitors, United shows a clear preference for Boeing planes. Airbus jets make up less than a fifth of its fleet. United's oldest plane that's still flying is a 34-year-old Boeing 767. Registered as N641UA, it was delivered in April 1991. While this is nearly two years younger than the oldest plane operated by a US airline, United has the oldest fleet with an average age of 15.8 years. It also has the highest proportion of wide-body planes at 22% of its fleet, showing how its extensive network offers numerous long-haul flights. Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines has the oldest plane still flying in the US — a Boeing 757 that was delivered just over 35 years ago. It's registered as N649DL and appears to typically operate charter flights. In fact, Delta also owns the next 21 oldest aircraft, which are a mix of 757s and 767s delivered between 1989 and 1991. However, the average age of its fleet is still slightly younger than United's, at 15.2 years. About half its 979 planes were made by Boeing, and half by Airbus, per Ch-aviation data. Boeing jets make up the bulk of its narrow-body aircraft, but if you're flying long-haul with Delta, it's more likely you'll find yourself on an Airbus. In fact, Delta is the only carrier on this list to operate wide-body Airbus planes, namely the A330 and the A350. Tariffs have complicated its orders from the European planemaker. Earlier this month, Airbus sent an A350 from its delivery center in Toulouse, France, to Tokyo, so Delta avoided paying tariffs. A similar tactic was used five years ago, when the World Trade Organisation permitted tariffs on aircraft as high as 15%, as the US and European Union accused one another of unfair subsidies for Airbus and Boeing. American Airlines American Airlines also has a roughly even split between Airbus and Boeing planes. Although the carrier only uses narrow-body Airbus planes, it has both short and long-haul Boeing jets. Still, American uses more narrow-body planes than its competitors, representing 87% of its fleet. Its average jet is also more than a year younger than its two rivals, at 14.1 years old. It has the smallest fleet of the three mainline carriers, totaling 988, per Ch-aviation data. However, when its regional subsidiaries are included, the American Airlines Group carries the most passengers in the world, totaling 226.4 million last year. Southwest Airlines The Dallas-based carrier was the progenitor of the budget airline business model, so its fleet makeup is quite different from that of the mainline carriers. Southwest 's fleet is made up entirely of Boeing 737 jets, numbering 802, according to data from Ch-aviation. So while it has the smallest fleet of the big four, they all have a similar number of narrow-body planes. Budget airlines typically only operate one type of aircraft because it saves on maintenance and training costs. However, its traditional business model has come under threat in recent years. Budget airlines have had to contend with changing consumer habits, increased fuel and labor costs, and domestic overcapacity that has made it harder to fill planes. So, Southwest has announced an array of changes, scrapping signature policies such as " two bags fly free" and bringing in assigned seating.
Business Insider
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Top 5 African countries with the largest national carrier fleets
The aviation industry in Africa is experiencing commendable growth, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. This expansion has led to an increase in the number of airline operators across the continent. The African aviation industry is witnessing notable growth post-pandemic. Enhanced partnerships aim to boost connectivity within Africa and globally. Other key carriers include EgyptAir, Air Algérie, Royal Air Maroc, and Kenya Airways. Here is a comprehensive overview of the African countries with the largest national carrier fleets as of 2024, highlighting the leading airlines by fleet size and their strategic developments: 1. Ethiopian Airlines – Ethiopia Fleet Size: 156 aircraft Destinations: 161 passenger, 68 cargo Alliance: Star Alliance Overview: Ethiopian Airlines stands as Africa's largest airline, both in fleet size and destinations served. The airline operates a diverse fleet, including Airbus A350s, Boeing 737s, 767s, 777s, 787s, and Bombardier Dash Q-400 aircraft. With plans to double its fleet and route network by 2035, Ethiopian Airlines continues to expand its global footprint. 2. EgyptAir – Egypt Fleet Size: 78 aircraft Destinations: 102 Alliance: Star Alliance Overview: EgyptAir, the national carrier of Egypt, operates a fleet of 78 aircraft, serving 102 destinations worldwide. The airline has recently expanded its fleet with an order of 18 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, aiming to modernize and enhance its services. 3. Air Algérie – Algeria Fleet Size: 56 aircraft Destinations: 78 Overview: Air Algérie operates a fleet of 56 aircraft, connecting 78 destinations across 28 countries. The airline plays a significant role in linking Algeria with various regions, including Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Air Algerie 4. Royal Air Maroc – Morocco Fleet Size: 52 aircraft Destinations: 89 Alliance: Oneworld Overview: Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Morocco's flag carrier, operates a fleet of 52 aircraft, serving 89 destinations across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. The airline has ambitious plans to quadruple its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, aligning with Morocco's goal to attract 26 million tourists by 2030. 5. Kenya Airways – Kenya Fleet Size: 34 aircraft Destinations: 44 Alliance: SkyTeam Overview: Kenya Airways, the national airline of Kenya, operates a fleet of 34 aircraft, connecting 44 destinations. The airline serves as a key player in East African aviation, offering extensive connectivity within Africa and to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Conclusion Ethiopian Airlines leads the African aviation sector with the largest fleet and extensive global reach. Other national carriers like EgyptAir, Air Algérie, Royal Air Maroc, and Kenya Airways also play significant roles in connecting Africa to the world. With ongoing fleet expansions and strategic partnerships, these airlines are poised to enhance intra-African connectivity and global integration.
Forbes
02-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Boeing 737 MAX Tariffs Push Ryanair To Toy With Aircraft It Can't Fly
Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, has warned that the airline will reassess its orders for up to 329 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft due to the added costs of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. O'Leary toyed with the notion that the airline might acquire China's COMAC C919 planes, though these are neither certified for the airline to fly nor available in the quantities necessary. Responding to O'Leary's speculative claim, U.S. representative Raja Krishnamoorthi warned that COMAC presents a security risk. Krishnamoorthi cited COMAC's close ties to the Chinese military and speculated the manufacturer may have acquired intellectual property illegally to build its aircraft. Ryanair's CEO responded to Krishnamoorthi in a letter on Thursday, Ryanair pointing the finger directly at the cost-impact of President Donald Trump's trade war. 'If the US government proceeds with its ill-judged plan to impose tariffs and if these tariffs materially affect the price of Boeing aircraft exports to Europe, then we would certainly reassess [Ryanair orders] Ryanair operates an all-Boeing fleet of Boeing 737s, including 205 Boeing 737-800s and 119 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. The airline has ordered additional aircraft, including 29 737 MAX 8s, with the last delivery scheduled for March next year. Ryanair has also ordered 150 737 MAX 10s, with options for an additional 150 and deliveries planned over the next decade. COMAC's planes have not yet passed the European Union Aviation Safety Agency certification. While the manufacturer has been attempting to win over carriers in Southeast Asia, its current production rate is too low for COMAC to pose any serious threat to the Airbus and Boeing duopoly. Even if China can follow through on its promise to help COMAC reach a production rate of 150 aircraft per year by 2028, it will still lag far behind. However, Boeing's 737 MAX 10 is still pending FAA certification, so Ryanair could face delayed deliveries of its future aircraft regardless. Ryanair's main issue is to avoid an unsustainable price increase on the 737 MAX 8s it is due to take delivery of over the coming year. In the letter to the Congressman, O'Leary said keeping these costs low 'is vital to our business model.' Boeing delivered 105 737s during the first quarter of this year, representing a significant share of its 130 aircraft delivered in total and an improvement over the 67 units delivered in the first quarter of last year. The company is on the path to recovery from numerous complications and delays that followed the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX mid-exit door plug blowout last year. In its first quarter results, Boeing said it still plans to reach a 737 production rate of 38 units per month this year. The U.S. manufacturer's commercial aircraft division is still operating at a loss of $537 million for the quarter. However, this is better than the $1.14 billion loss reported through March of last year. Its current commercial aircraft order backlog is $460 billion. A postponement of deliveries while the tariff dispute plays out would affect the airline's capacity and Boeing's revenue but might prove inevitable unless the Trump administration rethinks its current strategy to remove tariffs on new aircraft. 'It is up to Boeing and the U.S. government to ensure that its great aircraft are competitively priced,' O'Leary said. These tariffs are impacting airlines and aircraft manufacturers on both sides of the pond, with U.S. airlines looking for creative ways to avoid the added costs and Airbus blankly stating it will not take on the burden.
The Herald Scotland
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Gatwick accepts changes on aircraft noise and public transport in expansion bid
An improved noise insulation scheme for local residents was proposed by Gatwick in its response on Friday, along with accepting a call to have 54% of passengers using public transport prior to bringing the northern runway into operation. Stewart Wingate, London Gatwick's chief executive, said: 'This project represents a £2.2 billion investment, fully funded by our shareholders and it is essential that any planning conditions enable us to make full use of the northern runway.' Gatwick Airport in West Sussex (Gareth Fuller/PA) Ms Alexander had said the Planning Inspectorate recommended she approves an alternative development consent order (DCO) application for the West Sussex airport's plan to bring its emergency runway into routine use. The modifications related to 'controls on the operation of the scheme', such as the proportion of passengers who travel to and from the airport by public transport, and noise mitigation. Ms Alexander is expected to make a final decision by October 27. Gatwick also called for backing to help reach the 54% target, including support from organisations such as the Department for Transport and the full reinstatement of the Gatwick Express train service. Fears over potential road congestion could be tackled by an alternative cars-on-the-road limit to be met before first use of the northern runway, Gatwick also proposed. It said that if neither the 54% transport mode share or the cars-on-the-road limit are met, then use of the northern runway would be delayed until £350m of road improvements have been completed. The aim would be to ensure any additional road traffic flows can be handled and to avoid congestion. Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The proposals are in response to Ms Alexander's February 27 letter stating she is 'minded to grant consent' for the northern runway planning application which asked for feedback on additional conditions recommended by the Planning Inspectorate. Mr Wingate said: 'We are confident that our amended proposals will allow us to grow sustainably and meet passenger demand, while addressing the matters raised by the Secretary of State in her letter, including noise and environmental impacts. 'Growth is at the heart of the Government's agenda and we are fully supportive of the drive to work with businesses to create good quality jobs, reignite the economy and drive innovation around the country.' He added: 'By increasing resilience and capacity we can also support the UK's position as a leader in global connectivity and deliver substantial trade and economic growth in the South East and beyond. 'We look forward to receiving the Secretary of State's final decision later this year.' Gatwick's privately financed project would see it move the emergency runway 12 metres north, enabling it to be used for departures of narrow-bodied planes such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. This would enable it to be used for around 100,000 more flights a year. Gatwick's plan also involves remodelling and replacing existing taxiways – which connect runways to terminals, hangars and other facilities – extending both terminals, and installing new aircraft gates. The airport says its scheme is 'shovel ready'. It hopes the upgraded runway will be operational by the end of the decade. Gatwick says its plans would create £1 billion per year in economic benefits, and generate an additional 14,000 jobs.
Mint
22-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Air India CEO Wilson steps down as chair of low-cost airline arm, Aggarwal to take over
Nipun Aggarwal to replace Wilson as Air India Express chair Air India continues restructuring under Tata Group ownership Jet delivery delays hinder Air India's modernization efforts (Adds details from memo and background on Air India and Air India Express throughout) NEW DELHI, April 22 (Reuters) - Air India CEO Campbell Wilson will step down as chair of the airline's low-cost subsidiary Air India Express and be replaced by chief commercial officer Nipun Aggarwal, a memo said on Tuesday, as a multi-billion dollar restructuring of the former state-owned airline continues. Wilson will also be replaced on the board of Air India Express by Basil Kwauk, Air India's COO. Aggarwal and Kwauk will retain their existing roles, the memo sent by Wilson showed. Air India is in the midst of a turnaround strategy two years after Tata Group took control. The group merged four airlines into two - the namesake full-service brand and Express, which merged with AirAsia India last year to create a bigger airline, and has refreshed leadership across both carriers. "With this structural work largely complete, the task at hand now to fully leverage and optimize the Group fleet, network, sales, distribution and loyalty assets," Wilson said in the memo seen by Reuters and confirmed by an Air India Express spokesperson. Aggarwal joined Air India in January 2022 after spearheading the acquisition of the carrier by Tata and has been responsible for several functions including aircraft acquisition, financing and strategy. Reuters reported last month Air India is exploring a multi-billion dollar order for dozens of widebody jets. However, jet delivery delays have complicated the airline's turnaround efforts and have forced it to operate older jets longer than planned, increasing maintenance costs and slowing its modernization and expansion drive, even as air travel booms. After Bloomberg News reported that China has ordered its airlines not to take further deliveries of Boeing aircraft amid a tariff war, an industry source told Reuters Air India may be interested in acquiring jets snubbed by China for its low-cost carrier but warned that the situation was fluid. Air India and Boeing were not immediately available for a comment. Air India Express, whose main strategy is to complement its parent on its routes, declined to comment. Express has a fleet of over 100 aircraft, comprising 68 Boeing 737s and 36 Airbus A320s. It expects to add about 15 aircraft to its fleet in the present fiscal year, which began on April 1, with some procured from Air India. (Reporting by Abhijith Ganapavaram and Ananta Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and David Evans) First Published: 22 Apr 2025, 09:37 PM IST
