Latest analysis
SAS chief on how Europe wasted golden chance to consolidate its airlines
Covid-19 was a missed chance for Europe to fix its airline sector once and for all, in the view of SAS chief executive Anko van der Werff
Airbus delivery delays and engine trouble limiting Volaris’ passenger capacity
Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris is counting on incoming deliveries of narrowbody Airbus jets to boost the efficiency and affordability of its fleet, and add passenger capacity across its network.
European industry bodies seek strategic role for aviation amid SAF push
Air transport industry bodies in Europe are continuing to press for more support for the development of sustainable aviation fuel production and recognition of the strategic value of the sector as the European Commission prepares to unveil its strategy for its forthcoming term.
Airline news digest: 15-21 February 2025
Our regular rundown of the biggest airline stories from the past seven days.
SIA Group taps partnerships as ‘strategic’ bulwark against onset of challenges
Despite improving its revenue and profitability, Singapore Airlines Group has flagged several “headwinds” in the near term, including increased competition and economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
‘We wish them luck’: Frontier chief Barry Biffle on failed Spirit tie-up attempts
Frontier Airlines chief executive Barry Biffle maintains that his airline’s rejected attempts to acquire rival ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines came down to differences of opinion.
Air NZ details ‘frustrating’ near-term challenges, but some bright spots emerge
Hit by a double-whammy of engine issues on both narrowbody and widebody aircraft, Air New Zealand has called out a lack of clarity over when the problems will be resolved, as its profitability takes a beating.
Boeing’s turnaround as reliable supplier ‘pretty miraculous’: United CFO
Michael Leskinen, United’s chief financial officer, asserts that Boeing’s production programmes have turned a corner – giving the major US airline optimism for future growth.
Interviews
Latvian transport minister on Air Baltic’s post-IPO future
Latvia’s government aims to retain at least a 25% interest in Air Baltic as the company prepares to open its capital to investors, but accepts that the carrier might have to give up some of its independence in order to flourish
Avelo’s Andrew Levy sees winning recipe in troubled market, looks to IPO
Avelo chief executive Andrew Levy insists his airline is on a successful path, thanks to closely following the time-tested tenets of the original low-cost-carrier business model – and not straying into territory that recently landed other US discounters in trouble.
How Annalisa Gigante aims to put IAG at the forefront of airline innovation
Led for just over a year by Gigante, Hangar 51 recently completed its eighth annual accelerator programme with a confidence that innovation is central to the business’s ability to thrive
Breeze ahead of major discount carriers on ‘premium’ trend: Neeleman
While much of the US airline sector scrambles to add more premium seats and other products to attract higher-paying customers, one start-up carrier has been positioned since inception to capture that slice of the market.
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
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
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