caretaker

Air traffic in the US on Sept 11, 2001:

Steerpike

I was hoping this would have some comparison to today, a '9/11 to Covid' type comparison!

What is the current state of commercial flights these days in the US, or perhaps the world? I guess there are two issues; how many FLIGHTS nowadays, compared to this time last year, then also, what is the 'occupancy' of those flights. I'm assuming much fewer flights, and then much fewer bums in seats on those flights, resulting in an overall 'miles flown' being way down.

markonline1

Whenever I’ve checked flightaware, there seems to have always been quite a lot of traffic out there, even transatlantic. As a regional non hub airport, we are operating at around 70% of our flights. Loads are down on last year, but way better than 3 months ago. 50 to 60% on most, although not all. The TSA number I heard for Labour Day, if I remember correctly, was just under a million compared to 2.2 million last year.

scrubbedexpat091

For my little part of the world, US flights from Vancouver are down significantly with no sign of any meaningful recovery. American Airlines pulled out completely for the time being, the rest have minimal flights.

For the US, this can give an idea of how many passengers are being processed by TSA each day, still a fair amount below 2019.

https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/passenger-throughput

March 16th was the last time TSA processed more than 1 million passengers.

Sept 4th has been the busiest day so far this month with 968,673 passengers processed.


Some insight from one airlines CEO at least, not looking overly great for them, and they are one of best managed airlines in the US.

https://www.boston.com/travel/travel...st-ceo-message


Some of the passenger airline flights are also not passenger flights at all. Air Canada, United, and some others have been flying cargo only flights as well, Air Canada last quarter was bringing in more revenue from cargo than passengers, first time that has ever happened in their entire history as a company.

jkeller

Lufthansa is joining the club to retire the A380. Looks like they are holding on to the latest 747-800 planes they have. With so many airline looking to drop the a380's I'm just wondering if that leaves a segment for the 747-800 series? A "....we need a jumbo jet, but not an a380 size jumbo in our fleet...."???


https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...80s-next-week/

markonline1

I think the industry is pretty done with quad jets.

scrubbedexpat091

Doubtful if passenger airlines or any airline really would order enough to change Boeing's mind, as Boeing plans to shut the production of the 747 down after the last deliveries are done, which is expected to be in 2022.

scrubbedexpat091

Seems Southwest has had to ground 130 737-800 aircraft due to weight discrepancy until they can correct the weights of the aircraft in question in their systems.

Also DOT inspector general office found the FAA violated its own guidance in addressing non-compliance by Southwest.

"The report said from early 2018 until August 2019, FAA allowed Southwest Airlines “to continue reporting inaccurate and non-compliant weight and balance data based on the carrier’s risk determination.”

The FAA had previously announced they were seeking to fine Southwest $3.92 million for weight infractions on 21,505 flights the airline operated on 44 aircraft between May 1, 2018 and Aug. 9, 2018.

Article Here.

Steerpike

Is this a fuel efficiency and maintenance issue?

markonline1

I would guess fuel mostly.

Pulaski

Try to watch this, it you can, without getting goosebumps.

There are some incredible shots here of the GST 747, low and slow. Where else can you see a 747 fly past below you when you're on the ground, or hugging the terrain below a mountain ridge, or so low that you can almost see the pilot. .... And look out for the shot from the rear of an OV-10A Bronco fire spotter, as the 747 approaches and the Bronco ducks out of the way!

Pulaski

The capital cost of investing an extra $40million +/- in engines per plane probably isn't to be sniffed at either.

scrubbedexpat091

Looks like Pence had a little delay the other day, his flight had a bird strike on departure and had to return, he later took a C-17 I think it was.

Steerpike

New conspiracy theory - the fires are started by out of work pilots and / or Jet fuel sellers!

Pulaski

You need to try harder, that isn't even close to the craziest CT out there this year.