AvTalk 234: Route proving with the A321XLR

What this episode covers

On this episode of AvTalk, our Chris Lomas becomes the first non-Airbus employee to fly the A321XLR as he joins the route proving campaign. Plus, one company sold aircraft parts based on forged documents, Akasa Air in India loses so many pilots to another airline they have to cancel flights, and two aircraft avert an incident after a controller in Venice plugs their headset in the wrong hole. Mexico is back! As we foreshadowed last week, Mexico has regained its Category 1 FAA safety rating, which is great news for everyone. Germany keeping its A340s just a while longer It looks like Germany will keep its governmental A340s in service, at least through the end of the year. Forged documents and fake parts A London-based company has been accused of supply parts to airlines based on forged safety certificates. Qantas wants its money back Following his abrupt, pre-mature departure from the airline amid an “acute loss of confidence,” Alan Joyce may be out of a payday as the airline seeks to reclaim some of his compensation. Pilots avert incident after controller headset mistake An air traffic controller in Venice plugged their headset into the wrong port forcing a Ryanair crew to request an inbound Iberia flight go around. A321XLR route proving Chris Lomas takes us behind the scenes to learn more about route proving with the Airbus A321XLR. First question: what is route proving? Previous episodes on the A321XLR and test flights with Jim Fawcett and Malcolm Ridley. Air Baltic sees engine issues easing Air Baltic is hopeful that Pratt and Whitney engine issues are behind it as it brings its full A220 fleet back online. Air Belgium giving up on scheduled flights The airline has not found success with scheduled passenger flights out of Brussels and is refocusing on wet lease and cargo operations. Edelweiss to take ex-LATAM A350s The Swiss carrier will induct a handful of ex-LATAM A350s beginning in 2025. Those aircraft will replace the carrier’s aging A340s. New Pacific Airlines heads to Music City Following their rebranding, New Pacific Airlines will begin service to Nashville and Reno in mid-November. Akasa Air cancels flights after pilot defections Enough Akasa Air pilots have left that the airline has been forced to cancel a large number of flights. FAA extends northeast slot waivers The FAA has extended its slot usage waivers for the northeast until October 2024. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Click here for a transcript of this episode.