In today’s issue: American shakes things up, New business class seats introduced in Germany, South African Airways tells Qatar to keep their money, The Dutch government tries again, and Comac looks abroad.

^{MAKING STATEMENTS}

🔵Changing things up: American Airlines announced that Vasu Raja, Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer, will leave the company in June 2024. In their statement announcing Raja's departure, American didn't give a reason for his departure or include a statement from anyone at the airline thanking him for his service.

More recently, Raja was known for cutting corporate sales and pursuing a domestic route network strategy that revolved around the Sunbelt. Stephen Johnson, Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer, will temporarily take over Raja's duties and lead the search for a new Chief Commercial Officer. Along with announcing Raja's departure, American also cut its Q2 profit forecast.

For a more in-depth analysis, check out Brian Sumers’ write-up over at The Airline Observer.

🔵No thanks 🚫: South African Airways’ Interim CEO made it clear that the airline will not be receiving an investment from Qatar Airways. Earlier this month, Qatar Airways announced that it is looking to enter into an equity partnership with an airline based in the southern part of Africa, leading to speculation that they could invest in SAA. The statement from SAA’s interim CEO comes as the airline is currently seeking new investors to provide a cash infusion.

🔵Trying again: KLM and Transavia criticized the Dutch government's updated plans to cut capacity at Schiphol Airport, as part of an effort to reduce aircraft noise pollution. The move follows a previous attempt by the Dutch government to cut capacity at Schiphol by 20%, which was abandoned after significant international pressure. A local Dutch court later ordered the government to take further action to reduce noise at the airport.

^{INSIGHTS FROM THE CROWD}

I'd love to hear from readers who work in the airline industry what they think the impact of Vasu Raja leaving American will be, and where they see the airline going from here.

I'll include some of the answers we get in a future newsletter to present the various opinions readers have (with the reader’s permission of course).

Send me your thoughts here:

^{LOOSE ENDS}

🔵New seats 💺: Collins Aerospace and Panasonic Aerospace jointly introduced a new business class seat that features a curved 45-inch OLED screen at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.

Meanwhile, STELIA introduced a lightweight version of the reverse herringbone seat that does not feature a motorized recline, among other adjustments from the original seat, in order to cut down on weight, cost, and maintenance.

🔵Looking abroad: The Saudia Group has offered the Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac the opportunity to build an assembly line in Jeddah amid deepening Saudi-China ties. The potential opportunity would help Comac diversify its manufacturing base, and establish a presence in the Middle East's aviation sector. The offer comes after a visit by a high-level Saudi civil aviation delegation to Comac's headquarters in Shanghai in February.

Saudia Airlines is also in talks with Comac to better understand the specifications and performance of its C919 narrow-body jet. If any of my readers know whether this is anything more than some good PR for Comac and Saudia Group, please do shoot me an email and let me know!

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🎧️ THINGS I’M LISTENING TO

🔵In the latest episode of AvTalk, the guys discuss the extreme turbulence encountered by Singapore Airlines’ flight SQ321 and how the media got the story wrong for so long. The guys also discuss the crash of the helicopter carrying the president of Iran and Frontier's new strategy.

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