Today's Transportation Pulse
Trump hints at possible government aid for struggling Spirit Airlines
President Donald Trump told CNBC’s Squawk Box that the federal government could step in to assist Spirit Airlines, which is facing liquidation after filing its second bankruptcy in August. The carrier’s turnaround plan targets a mid‑2026 emergence, but jet‑fuel costs have surged about 55% since the Iran‑Israel conflict, tightening its finances.
Also developing:
By the numbers: DeepWay raises $310M in pre‑IPO round
Transit Briefs: San Diego MTS/NICTD, MDOT MTA, NJ Transit, Amtrak
San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) recommended their first fare hike since 2009, raising adult monthly passes from $72 to $85 and outlining a second increase to $95 in 2027. Maryland’s MTA announced a series of public open houses to reassess the Baltimore Red Line, weighing full light‑rail construction, phased delivery, or a bus‑rapid‑transit alternative amid federal funding uncertainty. NJ Transit, together with the FIFA World Cup 2026 host committee, unveiled a regional mobility plan that will transport more than 78,000 spectators per match using coordinated rail, shuttle buses and rideshare services. Amtrak installed a replica Liberty Bell at Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station as part of the “Bells Across PA” celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Boeing Lands Chinook without a Pilot at the Controls
Boeing announced that a U.S. Army CH‑47 Chinook completed a fully autonomous landing using its Approach‑to‑X (A2X) software. The test, part of the Army’s broader push for autonomy, required the pilot only to set key parameters before the system guided...
Brand Overhaul Triggers User PTSD Over Poor UI
I admit I have PTSD from Microsoft simply ruining Wunderlist (remarkably so, with a minimum number of high impact changes) ... but I'm feeling that way all over again with @blacklane. Branding's changed. Rides are now journeys. ...
Two Southwest Airlines Planes Nearly Collide Mid-Air As They Come Within 500 Feet of One Another Over Nashville
On April 18, two Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX‑8s – inbound flight WN‑507 and departing flight WN‑1152 – came within 500 feet of each other over Nashville International Airport after air‑traffic control mistakenly directed the inbound aircraft into the departing plane’s path....
Empower: Cheaper Rides, but Questionable Quality and Legality
There’s a new cheaper rideshare app called Empower that’s 25% cheaper than UberX or Lyft. BUT: 👴 Some cars are really old ❌ It’s supposedly operating illegally in DC (but working fine in other cities, including NYC, Miami, Dallas, and Houston) ⏱️ The...
After CBS Report, C.H. Robinson Seeks to Deflect Safety Responsibility to FMCSA
CBS News highlighted C.H. Robinson (CHRW) for hiring "chameleon carriers" with poor safety records, reigniting public scrutiny of freight broker liability. The network’s report coincides with the Supreme Court’s review of Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, a case that could...
Airfares up in March for the First Time in Nearly Two Years as Jet Fuel Prices Rise
Airfares in Canada rose 2.9% year‑over‑year in March, marking the first increase since June 2024. The monthly jump to 4.9% from February outpaced the 1.2% gain recorded in March 2025. National Bank analysts attribute the rise to a sharp spike...
Togg Maintains Turkish Market Leadership, Expands In Germany Confident Of Diaspora Support
Turkey’s electric and hybrid vehicle sales topped 51% of new‑car registrations in Q1 2026, with state‑backed Togg remaining the market‑share leader. The automaker launched in Germany in September 2025, leveraging the Turkish diaspora to generate organic demand and avoid heavy...
Bison XPress Startup Redirects Bakken Natural Gas to Cheyenne Hub, Reshapes Regional Spreads
Federal regulators have approved TC Energy Corp.'s Bison XPress expansion, enabling the project to begin full service. The startup adds roughly 300 MMcf/d (300,000 Dth/d) of incremental natural‑gas takeaway capacity from the gas‑rich Bakken Shale. By routing the new flow toward the Cheyenne...
El Salvador Launches World's Largest Dual‑type Aircraft Hangar
El Salvador just opened the biggest airplane maintenance hangar in the world.. They cut the ribbon on Hangar 7 at AEROMAN last week. Now the place has 65 lines and can work on both narrowbodies like A320s and proper widebodies...
Panasonic Avionics Targets 202
Panasonic Avionics in 2027 plans to offer a “truly global” multi-network LEO satellite-powered IFC solution — including across G7 and BRICS countries — by pairing two LEO-only ESAs atop aircraft fuselages to support service from OneWeb and China’s Spacesail. https://t.co/lKUdtEPHvt
San Francisco Solved Metro Vandalism With One Neat Trick
BART installed six‑foot plexiglass fare gates in August, replacing the 1970s waist‑high barriers. The new gates are projected to add about $10 million in annual revenue and have cut cleaning labor by roughly 1,000 hours in the first six months. Crime...
India Expands Rail, but High Fares Curb Ridership
#India should be commended 4 the investments in expanding its train network—unlike most govts. in Sub-saharan African countries. But if commuters nos. are low due to unaffordable ticket prices, then there’s more work to do. Via @Nik_Inamdar @BBC https://t.co/Hzmv0R9pKy
AST to De-Orbit Satellite After Failed Launch
AST SpaceMobile announced that its BlueBird satellite, launched on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, failed to reach a usable orbit and will be de‑orbited. The company expects the satellite’s cost to be recovered through its insurance policy. The Federal Aviation Administration...
USDOT OIG to FRA: Improve Oversight and Management of Accountable Personal Property
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General released an audit on April 14 highlighting serious shortcomings in the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) management of accountable personal property (APP). FRA’s core policy, unchanged since 1993, fails to meet the...
These States Will Let Your iPhone Be Your Driver's License
Apple is expanding its Apple Wallet to store driver’s licenses and state IDs, a feature now available in roughly half a dozen states and territories. Users need an iPhone 8 or newer, Face ID or Touch ID, two‑factor authentication, and the latest iOS,...
Containerized Weapons Become Cornerstone of the Golden Fleet
CNO Daryl Caudle says containerized weapon systems will play a key role in the Golden Fleet. “If it fits in a shipping container, I want it” https://t.co/BF0x8gmvTB
2027 Mercedes-Maybach SL-Class
Mercedes‑Maybach unveiled the 2027 SL680, a ultra‑luxury two‑door convertible priced near $227,000. It shares the AMG SL63’s 577‑hp twin‑turbo 4.0‑liter V‑8, nine‑speed automatic and all‑wheel drive, but adds extensive sound‑deadening, a softer suspension and bespoke interior appointments. The SL680 accelerates...
China’s Comac Lands Its Most Significant International Customer Yet
Vietnam’s low‑cost carrier Vietjet has signed a lease for ten Comac C909 regional jets, marking the Chinese manufacturer’s most significant international customer to date. The C909, a 78‑97 seat aircraft, will initially operate on routes between Vietnam and China, building...
C&C Marine and Repair Celebrates Keel Laying for New Hybrid Escort Tug Quartet
C&C Marine and Repair held a keel‑laying ceremony in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, to launch a quartet of advanced hybrid escort tugs for Green Tug Towing, which will service Woodside Energy’s new LNG terminal. The new series joins an earlier four‑tug...
Industry Floods Into Autonomous Vessel Race as U.S. Navy Opens MUSV Marketplace
The U.S. Navy has opened its Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) program to an open marketplace, inviting multiple commercial and defense firms to submit prototype designs. Anduril Industries is teaming with HD Hyundai and Edison Chouest Offshore to combine autonomy software...
Another Flight Leaves Passengers Behind Due to Border Delays
Ryanair confirmed that a flight from Milan Bergamo to Manchester left roughly 30 passengers behind after passport‑control queues stalled due to the EU’s new Entry‑Exit System (EES). The biometric border‑check platform, fully operational on 10 April, has caused chaotic delays at...
JetBlue Retracts Ticket Price Claim After Lawmakers React
New: @JetBlue says post on ticket prices was in error (This post caught attention of @RubenGallego and other lawmakers) https://t.co/l9SNHHUopp
Iranian Ship Seized, Linked to China‑Frequented Fleet
Seized Iranian-Flagged Ship Was Part of Fleet That Frequented China—MV Touska is controlled by sanctioned Iranian company accused of transporting items for potential military use @austinramzy https://t.co/dNGUknky0h https://t.co/dNGUknky0h
Enclosed Ebike Uses Retractable Outriggers to Keep Riders on the Upright
Swiss startup ecowerk has launched the Manta, an enclosed electric velomobile that rides on two wheels but deploys manual retractable outriggers for stability at low speeds or stops. The bike is powered by a 500‑W front‑hub motor, a 1,500 Wh lithium‑ion...
MG4 Range Reshaped for Australia: Big and Small Batteries Gone, but Keen Pricing Retained
MG has refreshed its Australian MG4 lineup, dropping the 51 kWh and 77 kWh variants in favor of a single 64 kWh battery model and a high‑performance XPOWER version. The Essence 64 starts at $39,990 AUD (≈$26,000 USD) and the XPOWER at $47,990 AUD (≈$31,600 USD), representing...
MDOT MTA Purple Line Newsletter Released for April 2026
The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) issued its April 2026 Purple Line newsletter, highlighting recent construction milestones and sustainability achievements. The Glenridge Operations and Maintenance Facility earned LEED Silver certification for meeting high standards in energy efficiency, water conservation, and...
EU to Widen Iran Sanctions to Those Who Block Hormuz
The European Union announced it will broaden its Iran sanctions regime to target individuals and entities that block the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s self‑imposed closure of the strait has cut roughly one‑fifth of global oil and LNG supplies, disrupting markets....
Honeywell Introduces New Warehouse Software Platform and Innovative Sortation Solution
Honeywell announced two new logistics solutions: the Momentum Core software platform and the IntelliSort Irregulars Sorter. Momentum Core consolidates warehouse execution, control and reporting into a single, modular system built on Ignition SCADA, allowing rapid reconfiguration without costly re‑platforming. The IntelliSort...
Just How High Has Owner-Ops' Truck-Trailer Maintenance Cost Moved?
In its latest bi‑annual update, ATBS reported that the average owner‑operator spent over $14,000 on truck‑trailer maintenance in 2025—about $250 a week or 15 cents per mile on roughly 94,000 miles. The firm emphasized that rising upkeep is the leading cause...
Ford Announces Budget EV to Compete with Tesla
Ford CEO confirms affordable EV to rival Tesla Model Y and Model 3 Read on EVwire: https://t.co/FugjL3OJuU https://t.co/ygQgcEpz2T
Iraq’s SOMO Secures Modest Oil Trucking Contracts
Iraq trucking oil to market. "SOMO awarded contracts to supply about 650,000 metric tons of fuel oil per month from April to June to be trucked overland via Syria." Still modest flows, though—that's only ~150-160 kbpd vs ~3,600 kbpd of pre-war Gulf...
Trail King’s Next-Gen Kingpin Steering Trailers Combine Manoeuvrability with Heavy-Duty Performance
Trail King Industries unveiled three next‑generation automatic kingpin steering trailers—the TK110HD‑S, TK160HDG‑S and TK130HES‑S. The models blend proven steering technology with operator‑driven design to boost manoeuvrability, low‑clearance capability and load‑control on restrictive routes. Each trailer features modular axle and deck...
Royal Enfield Launches The Flying Flea, Its First Electric Motorcycle
Royal Enfield unveiled the Flying Flea C6, its first electric motorcycle, marking a shift from a century of combustion engines. The bike weighs just 124 kg, packs a 15.4 kW motor and a 3.91 kWh battery, and offers a claimed 154 km range (about...
China’s Train of Glamour Joins EHL Alliance, First Chinese Luxury Rail Member
China’s high‑end Train of Glamour officially joined the European Luxury Hotels (EHL) Alliance on April 20, 2026, becoming the network’s first Chinese member. The move expands the alliance beyond hotels into luxury rail, offering affluent travelers a curated Chinese rail...
Study Finds Europeans Pay Highest Public-Transport Fares, Highlighting Affordability Gap
Statista’s latest market‑insights report reveals that European riders, led by Switzerland at $535 per month, pay the steepest public‑transport fares worldwide. The finding comes as global transit revenue climbs to $294 billion, a 40 % jump since the pandemic, intensifying debate over...
Delta Air Lines Chooses Amazon Leo Over Starlink for In‑Flight Wi‑Fi
Delta Air Lines announced it will replace Starlink with Amazon's Leo satellite platform for its inflight Wi‑Fi, signaling a strategic shift toward tighter cloud integration and higher bandwidth. The move positions Delta at the forefront of a new era of...
Airlines Slash U.S. Routes as Jet Fuel Spikes to $200 per Barrel
Major carriers are trimming U.S. schedules and raising fees after jet fuel prices jumped from $85‑$90 to $150‑$200 a barrel, a move that could reshape route management and cost structures across the industry.
Southwest Sells “Window” Seats that Have No Windows
Southwest Is Now Charging For Window Seats That Don’t Have Windows - View from the Wing https://t.co/9X0pmiwzdU
Whistleblower Challenges Donut Lab’s Solid‑State Battery Claims
Lauri Peltola, chief commercial officer at Nordic Nano, filed a criminal complaint accusing Donut Lab of overstating its solid‑state battery’s energy density and lifespan. The allegation, backed by internal emails, questions the company’s readiness for mass production and puts its...
2027 BMW M3
BMW’s 2027 M3 marks the final year of the current‑generation sedan, offering a 473‑hp base model with a six‑speed manual and a 503‑hp Competition variant that’s only available with an eight‑speed automatic and optional all‑wheel drive. Prices start at $80,650...
Strait of Hormuz Ship Traffic Briefly Rose and Then Slowed After Weekend Attacks
Commercial ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz surged to about 20 vessels on Saturday before collapsing after multiple attacks. Iran briefly reopened the waterway on Friday but shut it again on Saturday following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Lebanon and...
U.S. Trailer Orders Defy Seasonal Slowdown With March Gain
U.S. trailer manufacturers reported a surprising 42% month‑over‑month increase in March orders, defying the typical seasonal dip that begins in the spring. Despite the gain, net orders are still down 14% year‑over‑year to 18,800 units. ACT Research notes the order...
AIR Lifts Off With First Flight of Heavy-Lift Cargo Drone
Air has completed the maiden flight of its Production AIR Cargo-Heavy Lift UAS, a vertical‑take‑off and landing (VTOL) drone capable of carrying roughly 550 pounds in a 70‑cubic‑foot cargo bay. The aircraft demonstrated stable hover, transition, and forward flight, confirming...
Boeing Exec Discusses Supply Chain, AI, Future Pilot Training
Great to catch up today with @Boeing Global Services Chief (and proud @Aerosociety Fellow) Chris Raymond to talk everythibg fron supply chain crunches, navigating AI hype and next gen pilot training. #avgeek https://t.co/rcOrsIXkz2
BZ4x Time Attack Is Toyota Racing Prototype
Toyota unveiled the bZ Time Attack Concept, a purpose‑built EV that pushes the bZ4X platform beyond 300 kW (over 400 hp) without new hardware. The vehicle is a stress test, recalibrating inverter behavior, battery discharge limits, and thermal thresholds to explore sustained...
737 MAX – Boeing Aims for 53/Month in 2026
The FAA lifted the 38‑per‑month production cap on the 737 MAX in March 2026, moving to a performance‑based oversight model that relies on Boeing’s Safety Management System metrics. Boeing’s CFO confirmed the company can now pursue a Rate 47 target, with a...
Global Supply Chains Face “Normalization” Of Overlapping Risks
A Q1 2026 report by Squire Patton Boggs warns that global supply chains now face a normalization of overlapping risks—geopolitical tension, enduring tariffs, and expanding ESG regulations. Instability in the Red Sea and threats to the Strait of Hormuz are lengthening routes...
U.S. Extends Russian Oil Wind-Down License Despite Earlier Pledge to Let It Expire
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License 134B on April 17, extending the sanctions wind‑down authorization for Russian‑origin crude and products loaded before that date until May 16, 2026. The license permits necessary services—shipping, insurance, bunkering—for those cargoes, but does...
Virgin Voyages Reroutes Bermuda Cruise to Canada, Passengers React in Outrage
Virgin Voyages abruptly changed a scheduled Bermuda itinerary to a northern‑Canada route just days before departure, leaving travelers shocked and without a cash refund. The incident ignited a social‑media firestorm and raised questions about contingency planning for cruise‑linked hospitality operators.