US's Eastern Airlines to debut B777 pax, cargo ops in 1Q22

US's Eastern Air Holdings acquires Hillwood Airways

Eastern Air Holdings, the parent of Eastern Airlines (2D, Miami International), has finalised the acquisition of a 100% stake in Texas-based passenger charter specialist Hillwood Airways (HWA, Fort Worth Alliance), although both airlines will continue to operate under their existing brands.

The transaction was concluded on August 15, 2023. Eastern Airlines said in a US Department of Transportation application for the transfer of certificates that it would "coordinate sales and marketing" with Hillwood Airways and "assess in the future whether to merge their operating certificates". The de facto transfer of Hillwood Airways' certificates of public necessity and convenience is a procedural step allowing the airlines to offer a full range of services and is not equivalent to the merger of their respective Part 121 AOCs.

"Hillwood Airways has a tremendous reputation for safety and service within the charter industry and among its customers. We look forward to scaling its operation and building on its success," Eastern Air Holding Chief Executive Kenneth Wooley said.

Hillwood Airways currently operates a fleet of three B737-700s...

Mitsubishi confirms SpaceJet program termination

After attempting to hose down speculation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry (MHI) subsidiary Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (Nagoya Chubu) has confirmed it is quitting the civil aircraft manufacturing business and drawing a line under its troubled SpaceJet program. In a February 7 statement, MHI announced the news which Japanese media had began reporting 24 hours earlier.

"Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announces the discontinuation of SpaceJet development activities," the statement said. In a statement released the previous day, MRI rebutted the breaking media reports. "While it is true that MHI is considering a variety of possibilities regarding this matter, we will release any information requiring disclosure promptly in the event that any decision has been made," that statement said.

The axing of the SpaceJet program, which had its aircraft launch date delayed six times and has incurred development costs of approximately JPY1 trillion yen (USD7.6 billion dollars), also ends Japan's hopes of reviving its domestic aircraft manufacturing industry. In 2020, further work on the SpaceJet program was suspended to cut development costs.

Work on the SpaceJet, formerly...

US's Eastern Airlines inducts first B777-200(ER)

Following a lengthy certification process, Eastern Airlines (2D, Miami International) has now completed the induction of its first passenger-configured B777-200ER.

N771KW (msn 28530) was acquired by the airline during the peak of COVID-related aircraft groundings in May 2020. However, the 20.9-year-old jet subsequently remained in storage at Victorville and Kansas City International through November 2022, when it began proving flights.

The airline currently operates an all-B767 fleet comprising one B767-200, three B767-200(ER)s, and seven B767-300ERs which are deployed mainly on charter services after Eastern Airlines curtailed its once more extensive point-to-point Latin American network to a single return route - Miami International to Santo Domingo Las Américas. The airline is also trying to secure rights to fly to China.

Chief Executive Steve Harfst told ch-aviation that the aircraft would be used on a mix of charter, ACMI, and scheduled operations on the existing route.

Eastern plans to pivot to a B777-dominated fleet. In 2021, it announced plans to acquire a total of thirty-five B777s,...

Editorial Comment: The article updates with Eastern Airlines' comments. - 12.01.2023 - 07:40 UTC

US legacy carriers oppose Eastern's China aspirations