Shot. Chaser. FAA Admin has "waived all standard agency acquisition policies" for ATC upgrade per @theaircurrent.com. Only 2 companies, Peraton & Parson/IBM have submitted bids altho "Earlier in the process, sources told Reuters, multiple companies were expected to apply."

Lufthansa Faces A Long Struggle To Recover Its Competitiveness aviationweek.com/air-transpor... (via @airflottau.bsky.social)

SCOOP: The FAA has exempted ATC modernization projects from standard agency acquisition policies, a move that could accelerate procurement timelines but one that may also have unknown additional impacts. (via @theaircurrent.com) Read here: theaircurrent.com/air-traffic-...

Electric aircraft developer Beta plans an IPO by the end of the year, via @elanhead.com and @jonostrower.com

NEWS: The wife of a passenger killed in the DCA midair is suing American, PSA and the U.S. government, alleging wrongful death liability against all parties. As seen on @theaircurrent.com’s forthcoming TAC/Intel reporting service. (via @bgarrettglaser.bsky.social)

Cathay Pacific announces Hong Kong (HKG) to Seattle (SEA) route from March 30, 2026. Flights to operate 5 weekly using the Airbus A350-900: • CX852 Depart HKG 1:30 PM Arrive SEA 10:10 AM • CX853 Depart SEA 11:50 AM Arrive HKG 4:45 PM (+1 day)

Lockheed’s Skunk Works reveals Vectis stealth drone, eyeing first flight in 2027 https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/lockheeds-skunk-works-reveals-vectis-stealth-drone-eyeing-first-flight-in-2027/

3D Viz: What’s left of the 50-seat U.S. regional jet network theaircurrent.com/valuable-res... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

This was really fun to make. It's even more fun to explore. (no paywall)

Embraer faces E175 production delays over engine shortage www.ch-aviation.com/news/158423-... (via ch-aviation)

Spirit to slash flight capacity by 25% and cut jobs, memo says www.reuters.com/business/wor... (via @reuters.com)

A fun collection of historic ATR stickers at the RAA forum in DC today. Check out the Trans World Express (opb Trans States Airlines, née Resort Air?) 100th ATR-42 sticker from August 1988. Pivoting to a route map #TBT, the airline's map the next month, Sept. 1988. #AvGeek

of all the things I am not going to buy, this is the thing I am not going to buy the most

New A321XLR route: Aer Lingus will launch 5x weekly service between @dublinairport.bsky.social and Raleigh-Durham with the plane on April 13, 2026.

Please do not contact me when I'm on a plane. I'm listening to my tunes and reading my books and watching my historical dramas and doing my crosswords and do not want to be bothered.

SCOOP: Internal FAA documents indicate that the planned move of agency HQ employees to the DOT building in Navy Yard could "impact NAS safety" and cost over $250 million, @theaircurrent.com reports. Read more here for all the details about this plan: theaircurrent.com/regulation/f...

FAA document warns move to DOT HQ could impact safety, cost over $250 million theaircurrent.com/regulation/f... via @willguisbond.com) #staycurrent

Special Report: ATR is making a run at its loneliest market theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @jonostrower.com #staycurrent

!!!

New from 404 Media: airlines are selling *5 billion* ticketing records to the government for warrantless searching, per new docs we obtained. ARC is a data broker owned by United, American, Delta, etc. Then sells peoples' travel info to ICE, Secret Service, FBI etc www.404media.co/airlines-sel...

From TAC/Intel: Boeing’s CEO signaled another delay in certification and entry into service of its 777-9 is coming. (via @theaircurrent.com)

Avelo turns to Embraer to build first U.S. E2 fleet theaircurrent.com/airlines/ave... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

#AA11 #UA175 #AA77 #UA93

Airbus CEO: A220-500 launch paced by program profitability theaircurrent.com/aircraft-pro... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

Boeing Defense plans to replace striking workers with new hires www.reuters.com/business/wor... (via @reuters.com)

I love the 1/x... will our series ever end? Tune in to find out.

GE Aerospace partners with Beta Technologies on hybrid-electric propulsion theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

Well, we finally did it. We've been talking about doing a multi-part series on what ails AA for over a year now. What's wrong with American Airlines, part 1/x podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t... With @briansumers.com @crankyflier.com

Finally, some clarity: Alaska confirms 787-10s incoming for international expansion theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @theaircurrent.com)

Economies of scale matter. The proposed merger of aircraft lessors SMBC and Air Lease into “Sumisho Air Lease” would have 499 owned and 104 managed aircraft with around 465 on order. via @jonostrower.com @theaircurrent.com

Me: Can you comment on this? Public Affairs: Can we go off the record? Me: Ok PA: Off the record, no comment.

Seeking scale, SMBC to acquire Air Lease Corporation theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

I cannot wrap my head around how much news there has been in the last 48 hours.

Air Wisconsin to sell several CRJ-200 jets, eyes strategic shift under new ownership www.msn.com/en-us/money/... (via Appleton Post-Crescent)

After much delay, IAI secures 777-300ERSF STC cargofacts.com/allposts/fre... (via Cargo Facts)

Oh it's going to be an #AvGeek + Transit artwork Trader Joe's competition, huh? GAME ON.

it's an extremely popular terrifying burger.

At a burger place in my neighborhood, this is the AI slop art on the back wall. The more I stare at it, the more horrified I become. Thankfully, the burgers are excellent.

Spirit Airlines Prepares New Bankruptcy Filing www.wsj.com/business/spi... (via ⁦‪@WSJ‬⁩.com)

Jaiwon Shin removed as CEO of struggling eVTOL developer Supernal theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @elanhead.com and @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

NEWS (via TAC/Intel our upcoming pro service from @theaircurrent.com): FAA has granted Boeing and the 777-9 clearance to begin Type Inspection Authorization phase 2D tests, which will focus on community noise eval in Montana. Phase 3 still a ways off, but progress continues for the 777X.

Trump’s executive order on drones will shape U.S. eVTOL roll-out theaircurrent.com/aviation-pol... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

When you think about the bigger strategic implications of Boeing's recovery NOT succeeding, the U.S. government stake in Intel is the template for the future. If Trump had been in office in 2024, this might've been the path. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

I thought this said "clowned" at first

Incidents Prompt Airbus, Thales To Patch New Communications System aviationweek.com/air-transpor... (via Aviation Week)

NEWS: FAA anticipates that the final solicitation for the ATC modernization "integrator" will go live by the end of August, weeks later than planned. All that and way more about the "brand new" ATC system in my latest for @theaircurrent.com: theaircurrent.com/air-traffic-...

The ‘brand new’ ATC system might not be as new as you think theaircurrent.com/air-traffic-... (via @willguisbond.com) #staycurrent

SCOOP: New FAA administrator plans agency leadership restructuring theaircurrent.com/regulation/f... (via @willguisbond.com) #staycurrent

SCOOP: Ukraine will promise to buy $100bn of American weapons financed by Europe as part of a deal to obtain US guarantees for its security after a peace settlement with Russia, according to a document seen by @financialtimes.com. www.ft.com/content/8dad...