Porter Airlines launches first Western Canada transborder service

Canada-based Porter Airlines announced Monday the start of a seasonal, nonstop flight between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The new route, the carrier’s first transborder service from Western Canada, will operate daily through April 19, expanding the airline’s North American footprint and providing additional options for leisure and business travelers.

The flights will be operated on Porter’s Embraer E195‑E2 aircraft, configured with 132 seats in a “no‑middle‑seat” layout that the airline markets as a higher‑comfort product. The service joins Porter’s existing year-round Toronto‑to‑Phoenix schedule and a seasonal Ottawa‑to‑Phoenix connection, and it is expected to feed further U.S. destinations via Porter’s codeshare partnership with American Airlines.

“Being able to give travelers more convenient options to travel from Vancouver is a pivotal moment for Porter,” said Andrew Pierce, Vice President of Network Planning and Reporting at Porter Airlines. “This route makes Phoenix’s unique desert and mountain landscape more accessible to our passengers in the west and offers travelers a seamless connection to additional destinations in the U.S., through our codeshare partner, American Airlines.”

Industry officials in both cities welcomed the addition. Chad Makovsky, Aviation Director for the Phoenix Airport Authority, said, “We’re excited for Porter’s growth in the Phoenix market. Their partnership and commitment mean that travelers have more high‑quality, convenient options between Phoenix and Canada. We look forward to welcoming travelers on Porter’s first transborder route from Vancouver.”

At Vancouver International Airport, Russ Atkinson, Director of Air Service Development, highlighted the broader economic implications. “We are pleased to support Porter Airlines’ growth at YVR and celebrate this new service from Vancouver. The new non‑stop route to Phoenix strengthens connectivity for British Columbians, adds capacity for a key leisure and business destination, and supports economic activity while providing travelers with greater choice.”

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American Airlines to resume flights to Venezuela, awaits government clearance

American Airlines has announced plans to become the first U.S. carrier to reinstate nonstop service between the United States and Venezuela, marking a potential milestone in restoring transatlantic connectivity. The airline emphasized that the move is contingent on securing government approvals and completing security assessments, which are underway in collaboration with federal authorities.

The decision follows American’s historical role as a key bridge between the two nations. The airline began operating in Venezuela in 1987 and, before suspending flights in 2019, held the title of the largest U.S. airline in the country.

“American has a more than 30-year history connecting Venezuelans to the U.S., and we are ready to renew that incredible relationship,” stated Nat Pieper, American’s chief commercial officer, in a company press release. He highlighted the potential for the renewed service to facilitate family reunification, business ventures, and tourism, underscoring the airline’s commitment to fostering economic and cultural ties.

American’s extensive network in Latin America and the Caribbean positions it as a strategic choice for the route. The carrier currently operates more nonstop destinations to the U.S. from the region than any other airline.

Details about the timeline, frequencies, and specific cities served remain pending, as the airline works through regulatory processes.

Man arrested in California for suspected unregistered aircraft operation, plane theft

A 38-year-old man from Pomona, Calif., was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of attempting to operate an unregistered aircraft and steal a plane, according to a federal criminal complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

The suspect, Christian Estoque, faces federal charges following an investigation by the FBI’s Los Angeles Joint Terrorism Task Force. 

Authorities allege that a single-engine aircraft was reported stolen on Jan. 3 from Auburn Municipal Airport in Washington state. The plane was recovered three days later at Corona Municipal Airport in Southern California.

According to the complaint, the aircraft’s transponder—used to identify its location—had been manipulated during the flight, making it difficult to track the plane’s movements. However, surveillance records and eyewitness accounts placed the aircraft at an airport in Kelso, Washington, on Jan. 4. At that time, a couple seen arriving in a rental vehicle were suspected of being aboard the stolen aircraft.

Investigators later linked the couple to a second aircraft at the same Corona airport on Jan. 27. This second plane had not been registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) since 2017. FBI agents conducting surveillance observed Estoque enter the unregistered aircraft and start its engine. Agents intervened, arresting him on suspicion of attempting to steal the plane.

Estoque is not a licensed pilot and is not listed on the registration for the aircraft, authorities confirmed. In statements to investigators, Estoque reportedly admitted to operating the aircraft while under the influence of methamphetamine.

Estoque made his initial appearance before a federal magistrate on Jan. 29 and was released on bond. The charges against him remain pending as the investigation continues.

Stringer cracks found in replacement E-4C Doomsday Planes

Sierra Nevada Company LLC has received a $26.3 million modification to a major U.S. Air Force contract to address structural repairs on a future Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft.

The SAOC program aims to replace the Air Force’s aging E-4B “Nightwatch” aircraft with a next-generation E-4C model. These aircraft serve as airborne command centers, ensuring uninterrupted command, control, and communication for U.S. national security leaders, including the president, during emergencies. The current E-4Bs are known as National Airborne Operations Centers, nicknamed “Doomsday Planes.”

In April 2024, Sierra Nevada Company LLC was awarded a $13 billion contract to integrate the replacement E-4C aircraft. The contract modification announced on Friday raises the total contract value to $13,107,266,157 from $13,080,890,647. The funding will cover repairs to stringer cracks on SAOC’s Engineering and Manufacturing Development 1 aircraft. The repairs are a critical step in ensuring the airframe’s structural integrity.

Per the contract announcement, all work will be performed at Sierra Nevada’s facilities in Englewood, Colo., and is projected to conclude by Dec. 31, 2027. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Mass., is overseeing the contract.

The new E-4C SAOC will be a highly modified Boeing 747-8i, to replace the older 747-200-based E-4B fleet. The Air Force flies four E-4Bs today, and SNC has purchased five 747-8is from Korean Airlines for the new SAOC program.

In 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received reports about cracks that were forming on Boeing 747-8 stringers. As a result, the FAA issued a new directive, requiring operators of all Boeing 747-8i and Boeing 747-8F aircraft to complete detailed inspections for cracks.

P.F. Chang’s restaurants: senior management shuffle continues

After appointing two new CEOs in one year, P.F. Chang’s restaurants continue to shuffle management positions for improvements.

A global leader in Pan-Asian inspired dining, P.F. Chang’s announced the appointment of Holly Smith as its new chief marketing officer on Friday. Smith will oversee the brand’s strategic direction, focusing on “deepening guest connections” and enhancing market relevance amid a competitive industry landscape, the company said in a press release.

Reporting directly to CEO and President Jim Mazany, Smith will lead the development of P.F. Chang’s marketing strategy, with an emphasis on engaging diverse audiences and elevating the customer experience. Her role follows Mazany’s appointment as CEO in November, succeeding Brad Hill, who was promoted to CEO in April.

A veteran in restaurant and hospitality marketing, Smith brings over two decades of experience driving brand growth. She has previously led high-impact initiatives for chains such as Rosa Mexicano, Yardbird, Macaroni Grill, and Joe’s Crab Shack. Her expertise spans menu innovation, pricing strategies, and consumer engagement, positioning her to guide P.F. Chang’s evolving brand identity.

“Holly’s proven ability to build dynamic, consumer-centric brand strategies makes her an outstanding addition to our team,” Mazany said in a statement. “Her vision will be invaluable as we continue to shape memorable experiences and expand our reach globally.”

Smith expressed enthusiasm for joining P.F. Chang’s during a period of growth, noting the brand’s “special place in the hearts of diners worldwide.” She aims to collaborate with internal teams to strengthen emotional connections with guests while driving long-term expansion.

Founded in 1993, P.F. Chang’s operates over 300 locations across 23 countries, including U.S. airport outlets.

NASA calls for innovative Parabolic Flight Services to boost access to reduced‑gravity research

NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California has issued a market‑research Request for Information (RFI) aimed at expanding the agency’s Flight Opportunities program. The RFI seeks input from commercial and academic entities capable of providing Parabolic Flight Services that deliver microgravity and reduced‑gravity environments for technology testing and scientific experiments.

The RFI, released Thursday, is not a formal contract offer; rather, it is a fact-finding exercise designed to map the current and emerging capabilities of the aerospace industry. Respondents are asked to submit capability statements that outline how they would meet NASA’s technical and operational requirements, with a particular emphasis on “novel or non-traditional flight platforms.”

NASA’s Flight Opportunities program traditionally relies on a fleet of modified agency aircraft that fly a series of steep climbs and dives—known as “parabolas”—to create short bursts of weightlessness lasting up to 25 seconds or more. While these flights have supported a range of research, from fluid dynamics to human physiology, the agency is now looking to diversify its options.

Interested parties are encouraged to provide technical documentation, literature, brochures, and reference projects that demonstrate relevant experience. All submissions must be received no later than March 2.