Flight Friday: Smaller U.S. Carriers See Rises In Utilization, Fleet

With MRO Americas in Atlanta firmly on the horizon, this week’s FlightFriday, again, has a U.S.-focused theme, as we assess some of the slightly smaller U.S. operators.
Looking at the aggregated number of flights from 2019 and comparing it with 2023 onward—which removes most of the pandemic dip in utilization—at first glance, it appears that business as usual has returned.
Overall utilization of these combined operators is up around 10% in early 2025 compared to the same time in early 2019. The combined fleet of these operators is over 700, whereas back in 2019 it was around the 600 mark, so we have seen an increase in fleet of approximately 20%.

Let’s start with ULCC Frontier Airlines. It is an operator that has gained the most in comparison to the equivalent month of 2019. The airline's flights are up by over 70% compared to 2019. This uptick in utilization is aided by a fleet consisting of around 60 additional aircraft in service, an increase of 60%.
Alaska Airlines is back to operating at 2019 levels and has been since the beginning of 2024. Its utilization is flat when compared to 2019, as is its fleet. Over this time, it has removed the A320 family aircraft that it acquired from the purchase of Virgin America and replaced those with Boeing MAX aircraft, which means it is operating with a similar-sized, and more efficient, fleet.
JetBlue returned almost to 2019 levels during 2023. However, since its monthly flight totals have dropped by almost 15%. JetBlue has a fleet that is 10% larger than in 2019. Although with its Airbus A220s and A321neos powered with Pratt & Whitney PW1000G (GTF) engine, JetBlue has had to deal with durability issues which have reduced capacity.
Breeze Airways was not flying in 2019, however, with a fleet of almost 50 aircraft, Breeze now accounts for almost 7% of all the flights between these operators. Breeze's utilization is up 20% on 2023 levels as it looks to continue to add aircraft to its fleet.
Daniel Williams March 28, 2025

Deutsche Aircraft Bolsters Supply Chain Ahead Of D328eco Production

Deutsche Aircraft recently revealed its strategies to strengthen supply chain stability in preparation for the D328eco turboprop’s market entry during its Deutsche Aircraft Supplier Summit in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany.

The aerospace supply chain is facing several challenges that were discussed at the summit, including material shortages, supplier capacity constraints, logistics bottlenecks and regulatory compliance, particularly regarding sustainability and emissions regulations.

Consequently, Deutsche Aircraft is strengthening long-term relationships with key suppliers by ensuring stable sourcing agreements and collaborating closely to optimize lead times, says Patricia Ferrari, vice president of supply chain.

The OEM plans to expand its sourcing beyond traditional suppliers and increase engagement with emerging aerospace hubs in regions such as South America, India, Africa and Southeast Asia.

“We are leveraging advanced forecasting tools and buffer stock strategies to mitigate disruptions,” Ferrari tells Aviation Week Network, adding that Deutsche Aircraft will prioritize suppliers that align with its own sustainability goals and are committed to investing in eco-friendly production methods.

Another key topic at the summit was the role of technology in improving supply chain efficiency. Ferrari says Deutsche Aircraft is exploring the use of end-to-end supply chain visibility, predictive analytics and artificial intelligence, blockchain for traceability and cloud-based supplier collaboration.

“By integrating these digital solutions, we aim to build a more resilient, efficient and sustainable supply chain for the D328eco program,” she adds.

A global shortage of raw materials, including titanium from Russia, has affected various industries such as aerospace manufacturing. As a result, the industry is expected to shift toward more sustainable manufacturing and production processes.
Keith Mwanalushi March 26, 2025

Tokyo Narita Expansion Plan Aims To Increase Annual Slots To 500,000

Ambitious plans for growing passenger and cargo traffic to Japan depend on Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) adding a new runway and consolidating three terminals into one, according to NRT President and CEO Akihiko Tamura.

Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) “faces capacity constraints” that make expanding beyond HND’s current 490,000 annual departure and arrival slots limit unrealistic, whereas NRT has the ability to grow capacity, Tamura told the Japan International Transport and Tourism Institute Civil Aviation Symposium in Washington on March 26.

“Considering the expected increase in demand, it is essential to enhance the airport capacity in the Tokyo metropolitan area,” he explained, noting there is little room for expansion at HND.

“For this reason, the Japanese government is advancing a project to construct a new runway at Narita Airport, where expansion is still feasible,” Tamura said.

The new runway, to be 3,500-m (11,480-ft.) long, would be the airport’s third. NRT’s second runway would also be extended from 2,500 m to 3,500 m as part of the project.

Tamura said the runway work, plus a revamp of passenger and cargo facilities, will grow NRT’s annual arrival and departure slot capacity from 300,000 currently to 500,000.

“A new runway alone is not enough,” Tamura said. “The passenger and the cargo terminals must also be upgraded … The three [current passenger] terminals will be consolidated into one terminal, and a new cargo terminal will be constructed near the expressway.”

Also planned are rail improvements to “ensure that travel from the airport to the center of Tokyo can be completed in approximately 30 min.,” he added. “An airport city will be developed in the surrounding areas to attract industries that are well suited to aviation.”

Tamura said the new cargo terminal will be “very convenient for our shippers,” adding that the facility will feature “automation … to the maximum level that will make the terminal very efficient and productive.”

The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has indicated the runway work could be completed by the end of this decade, but a specific timetable for all of the projects has not been firmed.
Aaron Karp March 27, 2025