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
Why Do Rideshare Drivers Need Special Car Insurance?
Rideshare driving remains a popular gig, but personal auto policies typically exclude commercial use, leaving drivers exposed. Uber and Lyft only provide limited liability when drivers are logged in, creating a coverage gap that can force out‑of‑pocket expenses. Specialized rideshare insurance bridges this gap, though premiums can be steep—about $305 per month in New York City. Understanding the layered insurance structure is essential before signing up for a rideshare side hustle.
Boeing’s 737 Max Engine Anti-Ice Fix Finally in the Air
Boeing has begun formal certification trials of a new engine anti‑ice (EAI) design fix for its 737 Max family, targeting the pending entry of the Max 7 and Max 10 into commercial service. The flight tests are being performed on Boeing’s lead Max 10...
Brazil Rio Airport Concession: Aena's Landmark Win Ushers in True Private Control - Where Next?
Spain’s airport operator Aena secured the concession for Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão Airport after a competitive auction that attracted 30 bidders. The deal makes Aena the largest airport operator in Brazil and ends Infraero’s 49% ownership in the hub. Galeão...
First Underwater Jetpack Demonstrates Future Mobility
Dive Into the Future: The First Underwater Jetpack in Action by @IntEngineering #Technology #Innovation #EmergingTech #TechForGood https://t.co/UTkzxK1lZK
Honda CEO Says Brand Has 'No Chance Against' Chinese Rivals After Seeing Factory
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe warned that the Japanese automaker has “no chance” against fast, low‑cost Chinese electric vehicles after touring a parts factory. The company has already recorded a $15.8 bn loss from scrapping its 0 Series and Sony‑partnered EV projects,...
Sec. Duffy Seeks $10 B for ATC Modernization
.@SecDuffy told me today he wants $10 billion from Congress for next round of ATC reforms (mostly for software but some surface and tower funding as well) https://t.co/p3yujwifiS
War Risk Insurance Costs Surge for Middle East Offshore Projects
Rising war‑risk insurance premiums for vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz are inflating costs on critical offshore oil and gas projects across the Middle East. The surge follows recent attacks that have heightened geopolitical tension and disrupted logistics. Contractors now...
Oil Prices Jump to $97 as US‑Iran Ceasefire Expiry Fuels Supply‑Chain Uncertainty
Brent crude rose 1.6% to $97 per barrel as the two‑week US‑Iran ceasefire nears expiration, stoking supply‑chain concerns. Traders cite the looming truce deadline and possible Strait of Hormuz closure as the main drivers of price volatility.
15 Popular Cars Found On Consumer Reports' List Of Used Cars To Avoid
Consumer Reports released a list of 15 popular used‑car models that buyers should avoid, citing high numbers of NHTSA recalls, safety‑related defects, and reliability complaints. The list spans a range of segments—from full‑size SUVs like the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and...
High Fuel Prices Driving up Shipping Costs for Northern Grocers
Northern Canadian grocers are feeling the squeeze as soaring fuel prices drive up air‑freight costs, the primary mode for perishable items. Jet fuel has roughly doubled, prompting the North West Co. to add 20‑50¢ per pound (about $0.15‑$0.37 USD) in surcharges,...
Amazon Deploys 75 Electric Trucks From Einride to Boost Zero‑Emission Freight
Amazon has integrated 75 electric heavy‑duty trucks from Sweden’s Einride into its Relay freight platform, targeting three million electric miles per year and expanding charging infrastructure at five sites. The deal showcases Amazon’s broader push to decarbonize its logistics network...
Gulf States Warn U.S.-Iran Talks Could Cement Iran’s Grip on Hormuz
Gulf officials cautioned that the next round of U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad may lock in Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz rather than diminish it. They argue the focus on uranium enrichment sidesteps broader security concerns, risking a permanent...
New Monash-Rio Tinto Agreement Targets Improved Performance of Pilbara Rail Network
Monash University’s Institute of Railway Technology has signed a Master Supply Agreement with Rio Tinto to provide research and engineering services for the miner’s 2,000‑kilometre Pilbara rail network. The partnership will focus on enhancing the AutoHaul autonomous system through real‑time...
China’s Shipyards Secure Wave of Oil Tanker Orders as Iran War Drives Demand
China’s shipyards are capitalizing on the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has blocked the Strait of Hormuz and tightened global crude transport. Shipping firms are scrambling for very large crude carriers (VLCCs) to bypass the chokepoint, prompting new orders from...
Iraq Turns to Risky Overland Routes as Oil Exports Collapse
Iraq’s oil exports have slumped about 80 % to roughly 1.2‑1.3 million barrels per day after the Strait of Hormuz became effectively closed. The government, which depends on oil for up to 95 % of its budget, is confronting a severe fiscal shortfall....
Ninth Circuit Revives Lawsuit over Deadly Hawaii Helicopter Crash
A three‑judge Ninth Circuit panel reversed a district court ruling that barred a wrongful‑death suit against Robinson Helicopter Co. over a 2019 Hawaii sightseeing crash. The court held that the General Aviation Revitalization Act’s 18‑year bar does not require a...
Can You Powder Coat An Engine Block?
Powder coating can be used to change the color of an engine block, but it requires the block to be removed from the vehicle and fully disassembled. The process involves thorough degreasing, applying a powder via an electrostatic gun, and...
2023 Bolt EUV Hits 40k Miles, Still Trouble‑Free
Our 2023 Bolt EUV just rolled over 40000 miles. It’s been fine. It does car stuff. It drives me the 31 miles too and from work without fuss. I’ve had to replace the cabin air filter. That’s it.
Self‑Driving Cars Will Replace Top Drivers First
Yes. Especially since, the way we're going, the country's worst, most potentially deadly drivers will be the last to be replaced by Waymos (if ever). The first drivers to be replaced by Waymos would be the nation's best drivers.
It's Not Your Imagination, Diesel Prices Are Going Up Faster Than Gas Or Oil
Diesel prices in the United States have surged to an average $5.55 per gallon in April 2026, outpacing gasoline’s $4.10 per gallon and creating a $1.45 gap. Since the start of 2026 diesel has risen roughly $2.05 per gallon, nearly double...
Cybertruck: Tesla’s Next‑Gen Tech for Tesla Fans
If you love driving Teslas, you will really love Cybertruck. It's all of Tesla's next generation technology
267 F‑15EX Jets Needed: Correcting The
F-15EX buy now explodes to 267 jets. This is the right call. The original plan made no sense and since writing the article below, that has slowly been corrected. Now they are coming to terms with a USAF without F-15E...
Triumph Financial Sets New Metrics, Has Strong Quarter in Factoring
Triumph Financial reported a robust first‑quarter, with factoring invoice purchases up 20.5% year‑over‑year and transportation revenue climbing 23.5% YoY. The company introduced new "North Star" KPIs that focus on transportation‑revenue growth, factoring operating margin and Payments EBITDA margin, signaling a...
New GMC EV OS Makes Phone Unpairing Hard
That shiny new 2026 @GMC Hummer EV, and every 2027 GMC EV, has its own, new infotainment OS. Everything's changed. Deleting an already paired phone? Not so easy. Here's how to do it, just for the record: https://t.co/3sDS862tOt #cars #auto...
Only U.S. Citizens Should Own Domestic Trucking Companies
It should be a law that you must be an American citizen to own a trucking company that operates in the US. Why? Because foreign operators are not within the reach of American justice system. https://t.co/jxA6cv9H3T
Horse Powertrain Reveals Lightweight Hybrid V6 System at Beijing Auto Show 2026
Horse Powertrain unveiled the HORSE W30, a 3‑liter lightweight hybrid V6 delivering 350‑400 kW and 600‑700 Nm, weighing just 160 kg—about 10 kg lighter than any rival. The engine can be mounted transversely or longitudinally and is paired with the 199 kg HORSE 4LDHT four‑speed hybrid transmission....
NZ Unveils Pedal-Powered Monorail: A One‑of‑a‑kind Ride
Schweeb Racer: New Zealand’s One-of-a-Kind Pedal-Powered Monorail Experience by @MarchUnofficial #EmergingTech #Innovation #Tech #Technology https://t.co/YKP5OsFu6j
Can Greenland’s New Airport Put It on the Map for the Right Reasons?
Greenland’s new Qaqortoq Airport opened this week, giving the 3,000‑resident southern town its first paved runway and a modern terminal modeled on the capital’s hub. The airport is the second of three new airfields slated for completion by 2025 and...
Chinese Brand Aion Will Bring PHEV SUV to UK in 2027
Chinese EV newcomer Aion is set to expand its UK portfolio with a plug‑in hybrid SUV, a rebadged version of GAC's Trumpchi S7, slated for launch in 2027. The brand will first roll out its V electric SUV and UT...
Alpine A390
Alpine unveiled the A390, a five‑seat C‑segment electric fastback that marks the brand’s first tri‑motor, all‑wheel‑drive EV. The GT model tested produces 396 bhp, accelerates to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds, and carries an 89 kWh battery delivering about 220 miles of real‑world range. Priced...
Fiat Grande Panda Electric
The 2026 Fiat Grande Panda Electric, built on Stellantis’s Smart Car platform, re‑enters the UK as a larger super‑mini utility vehicle. It delivers 111 bhp, a 199‑mile WLTP range, and a unique retractable front‑grill charging cable, while offering a stylish interior...
Fuel Surcharges Jump as Airlines Tighten Schedules
Rising jet‑fuel prices have forced airlines in Thailand to slash capacity and double fuel surcharges. The International Air Transport Association reports global jet‑fuel averaging $184.63 per barrel, a 105% year‑on‑year increase, while Japan Airlines and ANA lifted Thai‑route surcharges to...
How to Avoid Airline Surcharges | Coffee Break Ep102 | 4-21-26
Airline fuel surcharges are rising, with Air France‑KLM Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic recently increasing fees on award tickets. The Coffee Break podcast episode 102 outlines practical ways to sidestep these extra costs, from leveraging alliance partners that don’t pass surcharges to...
Do Carriers Actually Need a Customs Broker for Canada?
Highway carriers have traditionally relied on customs brokers for Canadian border crossings, but the mandatory ACI eManifest filing can now be handled in‑house. Modern eManifest platforms let carriers submit cargo data to CBSA in under two minutes, store repeat information,...
What Tolkien’s Mordor Supply Chain Tells Us About Fleet Blind Spots
The article uses Tolkien’s Mordor as a metaphor for modern fleet blind spots, highlighting how many operators lack real‑time visibility into vehicle movements. While most trucks already contain sensors, the critical installation layer—connecting GPS and telematics hardware—is often rushed or...
American Airlines Served Broken Glass, Offers $100 Voucher
American Airlines Served Broken Glass In First Class — That's Worth A $100 Voucher [Roundup] - View from the Wing https://t.co/vRZoyEMAhv
X‑BAT VTOL Fighter Gains F‑16 Thrust Vector Nozzle
X-BAT Autonomous VTOL ‘Fighter’ Looks Dramatically Different Development of X-BAT is accelerating, including the use of a thrust vectoring nozzle from an experimental F-16 that was borrowed "Indiana Jones style." Latest on X-BAT: https://t.co/iqlLGaor38
Why Do People Fill Engine Blocks With Epoxy?
Mechanics sometimes fill engine blocks with epoxy resin to boost structural rigidity and create a closed‑deck design common in high‑performance builds. The epoxy bonds to metal, seals cracks, and can be machined after curing while still allowing coolant flow if...
United Airlines Slashes 2026 Forecast as Fuel Costs Surge
United Airlines slashed its 2026 adjusted earnings outlook to $7‑$11 per share, down from $12‑$14, as jet‑fuel prices surged following the Iran conflict. The carrier posted a strong first quarter, delivering $1.19 adjusted EPS and $14.61 billion in revenue, a 10%...
Report: 65% of Pharma Supply Chain Leaders Have Limited Confidence in AI
A new WBR Insights LogiPharma Playbook surveyed 100 European pharma supply‑chain heads and found that while AI is moving from ambition to pilot projects, confidence remains low. Only 36% use AI beyond isolated experiments and 47% are still planning deployments....
![American Airlines Served Broken Glass In First Class — That’s Worth A $100 Voucher [Roundup]](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/images/thumbnails/66afa77d460345ba4231f2486f8bf330.webp?width=1200&resize=contain&quality=75)
American Airlines Served Broken Glass In First Class — That’s Worth A $100 Voucher [Roundup]
American Airlines faced a public relations setback when a business‑class passenger received a meal on a broken plate that contained shards of glass. The airline responded by offering a $100 voucher, valid for one year, as compensation. The incident underscores...
Airlines Cut Flights as Fuel Costs Surge — an Economic Fallout From the Iran War that Markets May Be Missing
Airlines worldwide are trimming schedules as jet‑fuel prices surge amid the fallout from the Iran war, which has pushed global fuel costs up roughly 30% since early 2025. Carriers are balancing record summer demand against eroding margins, opting to cut...
Navigating Energy Markets with Breakthrough’s Matt Muenster
Breakthrough’s chief economist Matt Muenster discussed how the company’s data‑driven transparency and strategic fuel management help large shippers navigate the heightened energy volatility of 2026. Leveraging more than $35 billion of freight‑spend data, Breakthrough’s FELIX platform aligns fuel reimbursements with real‑time...
176 Nations Poised for First Global Ship Carbon Tax
Will 176 nations adopt the first global carbon tax on ships? #energysky -- via Canary Media: https://t.co/HDJ3szA4hF
Breakbulk26: Risk ‘Buckets’ Disrupting Project Cargo Logistics Priorities
At the Breakbulk26 conference, GEODIS senior VP Luke Mace outlined three "risk buckets" that dominate project cargo logistics: people, long‑standing operational risks, and newer disruptions such as geopolitical conflict and infrastructure failures. He warned that these newer disruptions—ranging from the...
I Want To Be Like The Gears And Gasoline Guys When I Grow Up
Gears and Gasoline, a trio of veteran car builders, have turned their YouTube channel into a showcase for authentic, full‑car builds rather than click‑bait horsepower demos. Their content spans meticulous restorations, power‑train swaps—like a K24‑swapped Civic and a V6‑powered MR‑Spyder—and...
Washington Poised to Take Over Struggling Spirit Airlines
"Spirit Airlines: Government Mistake, Then Government Ownership?" https://t.co/HqRSeYamXa "Washington may be preparing to do what it often does when prior interventions and political shocks leave a company reeling: intervene again." https://t.co/QFSWp97KGx
You Delivered That Load Three Weeks Ago. Here Is Why You Still Do Not Have the Money — and What...
Small trucking carriers routinely sit on $40,000‑$100,000 of earned but unpaid invoices because brokers and shippers often stretch payment terms to 30, 60 or even 90 days. The resulting cash‑flow gap forces carriers to chase lower‑pay loads that settle faster,...
GCT, Vancouver Port to Jointly Study Roberts Bank Terminal Project
Global Container Terminals (GCT) and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly study the development of a proposed Roberts Bank Terminal 2. The one‑year exclusive study will let the parties share data and negotiate...
SkyNest Could Beat Business Class, Virgin Gets Worse & Spirit Is In Trouble
Air New Zealand unveiled SkyNest, an economy seat that unfolds into a full‑length mattress, promising a sleep experience that rivals traditional business‑class cabins. At the same time, Virgin Atlantic announced higher award‑ticket fees, while American Airlines stripped several elite perks from...