Aviation Unscripted

The China-USA air traffic market is today barely 10% of what it was om 2019. It is essentially dead compared to pre-Covid, and there are structural changes in the Chinese economy and political system that will keep it that way. Join us for 7 minutes of hard facts.

Join us for 8 minutes of hard-talk regarding how airports and communities must update their ASD game to accommodate the new realities of the air transportation industry.

We're reviewing our 2014 Research Report on the opportunities - or lack of same for air service to Cuba. Back in 2014, when Obama "opened" Cuba-USA relations, the rapture in the media and in some financial circles was incredible, with projections of great opportunities for business and leisure segments. It's unfortunate that most of these folks never bothered to actually get educated on the fact that there is no business in Cuba and as for leisure, the third-rate beach resorts are dog.

Air service access development is now mired in the past, with reliance on obsolete and sometimes unethical consultant approaches. Join us to take a look at the future.

As many small communities are misled into thinking that service at the local airport is just a matter of doing more analyses and pestering airlines, another dynamic has taken hold: fleets of small airliners are disappearing. Join us for some facts.

The aviation industry seems enthusiastic about the potential of Mike Whitaker being FAA Administrator, based on his resume. But now they need to ask hard questions about his perspectives and how he will address the massive issues facing the Agency. And if he does not come to the confirmation hearings with all intellectual guns firing regarding his views, we're in for 5 more years of politics, not results.

Experience is great, but the latest candidate must show clear vision in identifying the problems facing the FAA, and outlining how he'll address them. Otherwise, it will just be a case of a political seat warmer.

Jet-A heading 20% up. Airline labor seeing massive gains across the bargaining table. This will change airline route and market planning. Here, we outline how and who will be affected. Do take note that the rest of the aviation consulting and research segments are in lockjaw mode - at least until it's too obvious to ignore.

Weighing Passengers on Commercial Flights; The China Traffic Mirage and What It Means To USA Airports; The Red Way Airline Fiasco - Anything Learned?

Too many airports are misled into believing that just "more flights" is the same as better air service. The route revisions at Avelo and the abject failure of inept experiments such as "Red Way" at Lincoln are stark reminders. Tossing money at getting more flights instead of carefully-focused air access improvements has wasted hundreds of thousands of community dollars.

Air access for rural America is in the swamp of the past and this video outlines a way to recognize it and to get out. We're outlining the factors that are keeping rural air access programs in a past fantasy world. EAS is for the 1980s. SCASD programs are not even relevant any longer. Politicians don't bother to look at anything other than bromide solution

It is increasingly clear that any less than glowing news about advanced air mobility is media-embargoed. Sounds wild, but unless this changes, the folks running headlong into AAM investments will be in big trouble. The concept is great. But it is now isolated from any developmental scrutiny,

Invest the next nine minutes to get insight into the #1 potential generator of unwarranted and clumsy regulatory intervention. Do a web search. Lots of incidents of customer service failures in airport customer service, generating days of unearned media coverage. Airlines spend tens of millions on advanced IT systems to process passengers efficiently. Unfortunately, in too many cases they then contract customer service delivery to unmotivated contract staff. Saves lots of money. Nothing like turning your passengers over to folks with no long-term interest in the airline's service.

We're discussion three key aviation news items this week. Invest 8 minutes for insights that get to the core of what's happening in the industry.

It appears that the electric aircraft/air taxi programs get more sunshine press than critical scrutiny. The concept is incredibly exciting, but it has degenerated into one that is not to be questioned. Two giant cracks developed in the last two weeks that have been ignored instead of addressed. Invest 8 minutes for perspectives that are accurate but unwelcome in the industry.

Log on, get comfortable and take notes. In this one hour twenty minute analysis, Mike Boyd is joined by Bill Swelbar in a review and discussion of the FAA Re-Authorization bills now proposed in Congress. In addition, Bill reviews potential applications of a "de-perimetered" DCA.

Enough obsolete consultant voodoo. Fixing the pilot shortage won't do diddly to address the challenges to rural and small community air accees.s

The air transportation system has materially evolve, yet most ASD programs are focused on yesterday. Invest 14 minutes for seven key steps that describe the new environment, and how to apply them. No holds barred, straight tal,

Any community working to retain and recruit commercial air service will be well served to take the 14 minutes for a 7-step review of the new imperatives in working to assure connectivity with the air transportation system.

SMS - Safety Management Systems - are now required for all USA Part 139 airports. Every person working at the airport comes under this new program. There are new staffing and record-keeping requirements to navigate. Log on and get clear insight from Captain John Cox, of Safety Operating Systems, Inc., one of the nation's foremost aviation safety experts.

A must-view for airport managers and air service staff. We go into the core issues surrounding Southwest's future strategies. As the only airline to actually open new markets during the CCP-Covid pandemic, it is now ready to consolidate and build on filling out its route system. We cover how despite the shady claims made by some ASD consultants, Southwest's route planning was entirely internal, and the 18 stations opened are now successful. The three priorities of the airline are outlined, and it's clear that the CEO puts the airline's success as due to the employee team. Log on for straight talk between Mike and Mr. Jordan

A candid discussion on the difference and the value equations between ULCC service and network carrier service. Just having ULCC flights does not open a community to economic development. It's a different transportation modality.

Straight talk from one of the nation's most aggressive and innovative ULCCs.

Boyd Group International's Mike Boyd hosts a quick session regarding the strategies of Sun Country, one of the most innovative and aggressive - and focused ULCCs.