WINTER WEATHER TRAVEL DISRUPTIONS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGHOUT WEEK

Severe winter weather continues to interfere with air travel in the US, and with another Arctic blast due later in the week, travelers can expect to see more disruptions, reports Skift. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were a total of 1,944 cancellations and 4,996 delays nationwide. United Airlines and Southwest Airlines each canceled more than 300 flights. The winter storm caused sub-zero temperatures, heavy snow, and strong winds across the US, and has now moved toward the Northeast, covering major cities from Washington, DC, to Boston in snow. According to airplane tracking website FlightAware, more than 1,400 flights were delayed or canceled on Wednesday morning, with most travel delays occurring in New York and Washington, DC. The National Weather Service said that another winter storm is expected to affect the Southern and Plains regions of the US later this week.

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHES BOEING INVESTIGATION

According to Travel Pulse, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will join the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in investigating Boeing after a side panel blew off an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 plane last week mid-flight. "This incident should have never happened, and it cannot happen again," the FAA said in a statement. A door plug on the aircraft apparently came loose and after inspection, Alaska and United Airlines, the only US-based airlines to use the jet, found similar deficiencies on other MAX 9 planes. "We will cooperate fully and transparently with the FAA and the NTSB on their investigations," Boeing stated. The FAA said it would "determine if Boeing failed to ensure completed products conformed to its approved design and were in a condition for safe operation in compliance with FAA regulations. Boeing's manufacturing practices need to comply with the high safety standards they're legally accountable to meet." The Boeing 737 MAX 9 has been grounded indefinitely. "The safety of the flying public, not speed, will determine the timeline for returning the 737 MAX 9 to service," the FAA said.

DELTA ADDS STATE-OF-THE-ART AIRBUS A350-1000 TO WIDEBODY FLEET

Delta has announced its plan to add 20 new Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft as it continues to refresh and streamline its fleet while improving fuel efficiency. The carrier currently operates 28 A350-900 and has an orderbook for 36 next-gen A350 aircraft, bringing the A350 fleet to over 60 by the end of the decade. “The A350-1000 will be the largest, most capable aircraft in Delta’s fleet and is an important step forward for our international expansion,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s Chief Executive Officer. The new aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, allowing them to be over 20% more fuel efficient than retiring planes, supporting Delta’s long-term sustainability goals. In addition, the new fleet will feature world-class amenities, with about 15% more premium seats including Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin. It will also offer more than 1,000 hours of free in-flight entertainment; free, fast in-flight Wi-Fi; and premium food and beverage options.

SFO EXPECTS DELAYS UNTIL JULY AS PLANNED RUNWAY CLOSURE GOES INTO EFFECT

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has advised travelers to expect delays over the next several months as a planned runway closure goes into effect, reports Travel + Leisure. As of January 16, the airport closed Runway 28 Left for five months in an effort to complete a taxiway improvement project. That closure is expected to be in effect until summer, but will reopen no later than July 1 “in advance of the Independence Day weekend and peak summer travel season,” the airport wrote in a statement. “Because the closure will reduce the Airport’s overall runway capacity, SFO advises travelers that delays are possible during the closure period…SFO is working with airlines and the FAA to adjust flight schedules to minimize delays.” Both international and domestic flights may experience delays of 30 to 60 minutes, according to the airport. That will last from January through April and be especially true during peak times. The project, which will cost about $55 million, intends to make it easier for planes to exit the runways after landing. Officials say this will “improve safety and bring the layout of the taxiways up to the latest standards.”

JUDGE BLOCKS JETBLUE-SPIRIT MERGER

A federal court has blocked the JetBlue-Spirit Airlines merger, reports Travel Weekly. US District Court Judge William Young concluded that the merger would substantially harm competition. "Throughout trial, the government invoked the experience of the average Spirit consumer: a college student in Boston hoping to visit her parents in San Juan, Puerto Rico; a large Boston family planning a vacation to Miami that can only afford the trip at Spirit's prices," Young wrote in the 109-page order. "It is this large category of consumers, those who must rely on Spirit, that this merger would harm; the defendant airlines, though exceedingly well-represented, simply cannot demonstrate that these consumers would avoid harm." Young also wrote that if the merger were allowed as proposed, "it would further consolidate an oligopoly by immediately doubling JetBlue's stakeholder size in the industry." JetBlue and Sprit said they disagree with the ruling in a joint statement. "We continue to believe that our combination is the best opportunity to increase much needed competition and choice by bringing low fares and great service to more customers in more markets while enhancing our ability to compete with the dominant US carriers," they said. The airlines are evaluating their next steps as part of the legal process.