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Airline news digest: 14-20 December 2024
Our regular rundown of the biggest airline stories from the past seven days
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Hear Graham and Lewis’s thoughts on key issues in the global airline industry
IATA predicts air cargo volumes to rise 5.8% in 2025
Air cargo volumes are predicted by IATA to rise by 5.8% year on year to reach 72.5m tonnes in 2025, supported by e-commerce and Red Sea-related demand.
Airline news digest: 7-13 December 2024
Our regular rundown of the biggest airline stories from the past seven days
What does Asiana acquisition mean for Korean Air?
With Korean Air finally completing its acquisition of compatriot Asiana Airlines, attention is turning to what the deal means for the carrier group and the wider airline sector.
European airlines see route to 2% SAF useage but share anxiety on what comes next
Several European airlines have expressed cautious optimism about meeting near-term sustainable aviation fuel useage targets, but say much more needs to be done to incentivise production to meet medium-term targets, particuarly when it comes to second- and third-genreation feedstocks.
Can airlines and airports reset relationship over Heathrow charges?
While it is hardly uncommon for airlines and airports to be at odds on the issue of landing charges, few processes were as fractious or as drawn-out as the last round of regulated fees set for London Heathrow airport
Q3 2024 global performance report for benchmark airlines
The global airline industry saw its aggregate profitability improve in the key third quarter versus its second-quarter performance, albeit the year-on-year operating result was still down by around $1.7 billion year on year.
Interviews
Oneworld chief on future priorities for alliance after first 25 years
Chief executive Nat Pieper hopes to have all members plugged into its common digital platform by the end of next year, which will help drive the grouping’s mission to meet passengers’ travel expectations
Avianca chief declares Colombian carrier’s business transformation complete
Competing with low-cost carriers remains a critical area of focus, chief executive Frederico Pedreira tells Airline Business. ‘But we also have customers that want to pay more’
Kownatzki sees growing SunExpress thriving on path less travelled
While it is maybe questionable the extent to which airlines have built back better since the pandemic, fast-growing leisure carrier SunExpress can point to gains from taking a different approach going forward
‘Totally different from the past’: Thai looks to new chapter post-rehabilitation
As Thai Airways International moves closer towards an exit from business rehabilitation, its chief executive Chai Eamsiri says the airline has changed from its former self.
Gulf Air looks to ‘transformational pivot’ to differentiate offer in crowded Middle East market
Bahrain’s flag-carrier is putting its faith in a customer offering based on convenient connections and a strong on-board product on a young Airbus narrowbody and Boeing 787 fleet, while playing its part in boosting tourism and investment into the kingdom
Opinion
‘Not my job’ is not a valid option for airlines on the net-zero journey
If airline leaders openly disagree with the industry’s net-zero pathway, it risks discrediting current initiatives, argues SimpliFlying’s Shashank Nigam
Airlines end 2024 navigating more uncertainties
As the year comes to an end, airlines face more uncertainty around the impact of external factors on performance, writes Ctaira analyst Chris Tarry
Is Trump’s election a setback for airline sustainability efforts?
A second term for Donald Trump is likely to complicate the net-zero journey for airlines. Whether or not the reality turns out better than the rhetoric, the industry has lots to lose by failing to uphold its environmental commitments
Airlines must keep the fundamentals in mind
Basic economics suggest fares will continue to fall in many markets while costs are unlikely to follow suit, writes CTAIRA’s Chris Tarry
From making its debut as a magazine in 1985 through to its evolution into an online data and analysis tool, Airline Business has forged a reputation for providing high-quality, in-depth coverage of the airline sector’s strategic and economic drivers. Our trusted insight gives users a competitive edge in the global industry.