Routespring, Inc.’s Post

New Post: The Evolution of Commercial Airplanes: From the Wright Brothers to Hypersonic Travel Plane https://buff.ly/3SQLPPZ

Interesting question raised by Brian Sumers. Brian, I always enjoy your provocative and thought-provoking headlines. I’ll admit I’m not a subscriber to your newsletter – yet – so I haven’t read the arguments made in your article. However, I do want to comment on whether airlines like Air Tahiti Nui should keep flying. To start, I think we can agree that 1) the barriers to exit in the airline industry are too high, and 2) there are too many protectionist barriers that prevent large-scale airline consolidation and that greatly limit the ability to easily redeploy movable assets (aircraft and crews) to efficiently align supply with demand. As a result, there are far too many ‘zombie’ airlines that keep industry returns on capital low while every other part of the value chain benefits. There are far too many airlines to name that are simply not financially viable yet continue to exist thanks to endless subsidy and bailouts, and government spending can crowd out private sector investment in the sector. However, does that mean that state-owned airlines like Air Tahiti Nui shouldn’t exist? If you think of scheduled air service as essential infrastructure, much like roads and railways, then there is a value to society in ensuring a reliable air transport network. Air service not only guarantees a steady supply of seats to support the tourism industry, but also ensures that local residents have access to essential services (education, medical care, etc.) not readily available in their island-nation. This is particularly true for island nations like Tahiti and elsewhere in the Pacific, Caribbean, etc. Fortunately, most of these routes are commercially viable, and do not require the government to step in. However, that is not always the case, and depending on the private sector carries inherent risk – e.g., that a route will be canceled – that governments may not be willing to accept. The question is then one of ‘build’ vs. ‘buy’, i.e., operate a state-owned airline, or subsidize foreign airlines through revenue guarantees, wet-leases, JVs (e.g., the former Virgin Samoa), etc. This requires a benefit-cost analysis. While engaging a foreign airline is likely to be more cost-effective, this is akin to importing the service and represents a foreign currency cash outflow from the country, with few positive externalities. Conversely, with a state-owned airline, you’re creating quality jobs (pilots, mechanics, management, etc.) that have a positive economic multiplier effect and generate tax revenues. I cannot opine on Air Tahiti Nui without seeing the numbers. However, I would say that some of these sub-scale state-owned airlines serve an important role that would probably not be satisfactorily filled by the private sector. #airlinesandairplanes

Here's how to prepare for your next Air Canada flight. 🇨🇦✈️

✈️ It’s #AviationHistoryMonth! Did you know that the current speed record for circumnavigating the globe by air was set in August 1995 by the Concorde? The flight started and ended at JFK in New York City and lasted 31 hours, 27 minutes, 49 seconds, beating its own record by over an hour. Share your favorite Aviation History fact with us in the comments! ⬇️ #AviationHistory #radiantdelivers #supplychain

Airplanes and air travel, the changes over my lifetime and other flight related topics….give it a listen/watch https://lnkd.in/eFBKYsCW

I found this article helpful when preparing to travel by air! Check out: How to Fight the Flight Follies | https://lnkd.in/guS_kKzf

Are you on board with the rankings? ✈️ WalletHub’s new report revealed the top airlines in the United States for 2024. Ranking the nine major domestic airlines plus one regional carrier, WalletHub assessed them across 13 key metrics in categories like baggage and departures, in-flight comfort and cost, and safety. After leading for two years, Delta Air Lines now ranks fourth, with Alaska Airlines soaring to No.1, followed by SkyWest and Spirit.

Can you change your Air Canada flight? Here is a step-by-step guide explaining all the Rules and Restrictions you must follow. Click here to read it: https://lnkd.in/dQN3wg_P #AirCanadaFlightChange #ChangePolicy #FlightChangeGuide #AirCanadaRules #FlightRestrictions #AirCanadaChangeGuide #ChangeYourFlight #AirCanadaPolicy #FlightChangeRequirements #AirCanadaFlightRules

I found this article helpful when preparing to travel by air! Check out: How to Fight the Flight Follies | https://lnkd.in/efppfE-2

SHOCKING. The Federal Air Marshal Service National Counsel Director Sonya Hightower LaBosco gives insight to how our Air Marshals are being used improperly. They’re not on aircraft, rather handing out water bottles on our southern border. The Biden administration is intentionally leaving our commercial aircraft unprotected. Some of the only times they’re on commercial aircraft is to follow *anyone* that flew into D.C. around January 6. Seeing family, friends, vacationing etc. The desperation to find something that’s not there, is amazing. I wonder if the Air Marshals think skinny college boys wearing all black bringing hammers to the capital were Trump voters? How ridiculous. They don’t think that because they’re rational. These highly trained experts should not be handing out water bottles. How disgusting is this administration. Tax payer dollars hard at work for the corrupt left, leaving others unprotected while they fly. The eventual and logical outcome of the conscious decision by this administration to have limited protection in the skys should be all the insight you need into the minds of this White House. #aviationsecurity #aviationsafety #security #securityindustry #securityassessments #securityclearance #trending #trendingnow #trendingnews #newsupdate #newstoday #thoughts #thoughtsoftheday #safety #police #sheriff #cops #deputy #leo #lawenforcement #backtheblue #thinblueline #navy #navyreserve #airforce #airforcereserve #nationalguard #nationaldefense #airnationalguard #army #armystrong #armyreserve #marines #marinecorps #coastguard