In today’s issue: Frontier calls out wheelchair abuse, The TSA sets an all-time record, Azul and GOL get closer, and Aegean reports an okay Q1.

^{ACCESSIBILITY IN THE SKIES}

🔵Sounding the alarm 🚨:  The CEO of Frontier, Barry Biffle, claimed last week that “there is massive, rampant abuse of special services. There are people using wheelchair assistance who don’t need it at all.” Each customer requiring wheelchair assistance costs the airline up to $35 according to Biffle.

🔵More accessible 👨‍🦽: Collins Aerospace will unveil a new seat, at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2024 in Hamburg, designed to accommodate passengers using wheelchairs. The seat will allow motorized wheelchair users to remain in their wheelchairs during the flight. The system will include a restraint mechanism that can be easily managed by onboard crews, improving the boarding and deplaning process while reducing wheelchair mishandling.

^{SHARE THE ROUNDUP}

^{Like reading The Airline Roundup?}

^{EARNINGS AND NETWORK NEWS}

🔵Still in the red 🔻: Aegean reported €268.8 million in revenue in Q1, an increase of 17% YoY. However, the airline had a net loss of €21 million in Q1 compared to a €14 million loss during the same period last year.

During the quarter, the airline offered 3.8 million ASKs (up 12% YoY), flew 2.9 million passengers (up 11% YoY), and had a load factor of around 82% (about flat YoY). Aegean also took delivery of 7 new aircraft since March 2023.

🔵Another step closer: Amid ongoing speculation about a potential merger, Brazilian carriers Azul and GOL have agreed to a codeshare partnership, to connect their domestic networks. The deal will cover all routes within Brazil that are operated by one of the two airlines, but not the other.

In total, around 380 nonstop routes are expected to be included in the partnership. Frequent flyer members of both airlines will be able to earn miles on all flights included in the codeshare.

^{LOOSE ENDS}

🔵A new record 🏆️: The TSA set a record this past Friday screening 2,951,163 individuals, the most ever in the agency's 22-year history. The previous record was 2.9 million on November 26, 2023, the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

🔵The fallout continues:  In the aftermath of last week’s fatal incident, Singapore Airlines announced that their flight crews will now pause the meal service and return to their jump seats while the fasten seatbelt sign is on. Previously, only hot beverages couldn’t be served while the fasten seatbelt sign was on. 

As of Sunday, 40 passengers and one crew member remain hospitalized. Meanwhile, the aircraft was ferried back to Singapore on Sunday where it will remain out of service for the foreseeable future.

🎧️ THINGS I’M LISTENING TO

🔵Checkout the Airline Weekly Lounge’s latest episode breaking down Ryanair’s recent earnings call and previewing what is promising to be a busy summer travel season.

📺️ THINGS I’M WATCHING

🔵Checkout SANspotter’s review of Zipair’s 787-8 business class across the Pacific. 

^{SUBSCRIBE THE ROUNDUP}

^{New to the Roundup? Subscribe here:}

^{Have feedback?}