Volaris Sees 12.6% Growth: The Week in Aerospace

Volaris' passenger numbers increased by 12.6% in March, while the load factor dropped to 84%. Boeing and Airbus saw strong deliveries in 1Q25. Meanwhile, FAA’s Tim Arel retires amid safety concerns. Delta revises its 2025 outlook downward, and IATA launches a global registry for sustainable aviation fuel. Other news includes legal issues for Mexicana and Howmet’s tariff challenges.

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Volaris Traffic Up 12.6% in March, Load Factor Drops to 84%

Volaris transported 2.6 million passengers in March, reflecting a 12.6% year-on-year increase. The low-cost carrier, which operates in the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America, reported gains in both demand and capacity during the month.

Boeing Delivers 130 Jets, Airbus 136 in 1Q25

Boeing and Airbus reported significant increases in jet deliveries in 1Q25, highlighting continued recovery and strong demand in the aerospace industry.

FAA Air Traffic Chief Tim Arel Retires Amid Safety Overhaul

Tim Arel, COO of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Air Traffic Organization, is set to retire ahead of schedule after a 40-year career in federal service. Originally planning to retire by the end of 2025, Arel has agreed to extend his tenure for several more months to ensure a smooth transition. His departure comes amid growing safety concerns surrounding air traffic operations, particularly at Reagan National Airport.

UNAM Astronomers Capture Orion Galaxy in 200,000 Photos

After six years of research and continuous innovation, a team of academics from the Institute of Astronomy at UNAM has captured an image of the Orion galaxy by compiling 200,000 individual photographs. This work is part of a larger effort to create the most precise map of the Milky Way, with the Orion image representing just 1% of the task, according to La Gaceta, UNAM's journal.

Delta Slashes 2025 Outlook, Cuts 2Q25 Flight Capacity

Delta Airlines will cut flight capacity in 2Q25 as a precaution after revising its 2025 outlook downwards due to tariffs and volatile fuel prices. Ed Bastian, Delta CEO, told CNBC that the company is operating as if it were approaching an economic recession. 

Bombardier’s Global 8000 to Be Fastest Jet Since Concorde

Bombardier’s Global 8000 business jet program is progressing on schedule, with the first production aircraft in the final assembly stage at the company’s Greater Toronto Area (GTA), facility in Canada. The jet is expected to enter service in 2025.

Mexicana de Aviación Faces US Lawsuit, Straining Public Funds

Mexicana de Aviación, operated by the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) through GAFSACOMM, faces simultaneous legal and financial challenges as it prepares for a pending lawsuit in the United States and seeks to finalize the acquisition of assets from the former Mexicana de Aviación.

IATA Launches SAF Registry for Global Fuel Transparency

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry, managed by the Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization (CADO). The initiative aims to create a standardized global market for SAF, facilitating transparent transactions and promoting adoption. The platform is now live, with over 30 early users onboard, including airlines, fuel producers, government entities, and corporate travel management companies.

Boeing Settles With Families, Avoids 737 MAX Crash Trial

Boeing has reached a settlement with the families of two victims of the March 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX crash. The announcement came shortly before the trial was set to begin in the US District Court in Chicago. This would have been the first trial against Boeing related to the two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, which led to the aircraft’s 20-month grounding and cost the company over US$20 billion.

Howmet May Halt Shipments, Citing Force Majeure on Tariffs

Aircraft supplier Howmet may suspend some shipments due to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, The company declared a force majeure event in a letter obtained by Reuters, a legal provision allowing parties to suspend contractual obligations when faced with unavoidable and unforeseeable circumstances.

Mexico City Skips Bidding for AICM Revamp Before World Cup

The Mexico City government bypassed the standard bidding process in selecting construction companies for renovation work at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to the Ministry of the Navy (SEMAR). The project, which focuses on modernizing and reinforcing Terminal 2, was announced during former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s (AMLO) administration and will cost MX$367 million (US$17.9 million).

US Airline Stocks Fall Further After Trump’s Tariff Move

US airline stocks have suffered sharp declines following President Donald Trump’s recent tariff announcement. The tariffs apply to nearly all imports from multiple countries, including a 10% baseline rate on trading partners, a 25% levy on all imported vehicles, and reciprocal tariffs of up to 50% on at least 50 countries.