Reduced Losses but Continued Pain in 2021

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects net airline industry losses of $47.7 billion in 2021 (net profit margin of -10.4%). This is an improvement on the estimated net industry loss of $126.4 billion in 2020 (net profit margin of -33.9%). “This crisis is longer and deeper than anyone could have expected. Losses will be […]

Airlines reject CDC’s suggestion that carriers should block middle seats

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just reignited the debate on whether airlines should be blocking middle seats just as airlines thought it was settled. A newly-publicized study found that maskless flyers could spread COVID-19 at a higher rate when middle seats are not blocked, as Insider’s Hilary Brueck reported. Flyers on opposite ends […]

US regional ExpressJet plots comeback

ExpressJet, a US regional carrier which ceased flying last September, is seeking permission to begin scheduled commercial operations under its own brand. The airline previously operated routes exclusively for United Airlines but halted services from Sept. 30, 2020 following the Star Alliance member’s decision to consolidate its Embraer ERJ-145 flying with rival affiliate CommutAir. However, […]

JetBlue One Step Closer To Transatlantic Flights: CAA Approves Airline

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has today confirmed regulatory approval for US airline JetBlue to begin flights to the country. It’s the first time the regulator has issued its own approval for an airline since the UK broke from the European Union at the start of the year. It’s yet another box checked for the […]

Colombia’s International Boom: 32 New Routes

In the last seven months, Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil Colombia) has authorized 32 new international routes by 11 carriers. The new flights are to destinations in the US, Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, and Curazao. Let’s investigate further. A big international expansion In September, Colombia opened up its airspace, after five months closed, to […]

How Chile’s Sky Airline Became An All-neo Operator In 15 Months

The Chilean low-cost carrier Sky Airline is the second operator worldwide to have a 100% A320neo capacity. More impressively, it has transitioned into becoming a full neo operator in only 15 months, gaining a few extra benefits along the way. Looking at Sky Airline’s fleet Sky Airline is a low-cost operator which started flying in […]

DHL Express adds B777F capacity between Asia Pacific, the US and Europe

DHL Express has added capacity between destinations in Asia Pacific, the US and Europe to meet growing demand, particularly for e-commerce. The carrier said it will utilise Boeing 777 freighters to offer weekly capacity of almost 2,350 tonnes. One of the B777Fs will be operated by DHL Express’ partner airline Kalitta Air, flying five times […]

Willie Walsh: Let aviation do what it does best

New IATA Director General and CEO, Willie Walsh, reveals his plans for the association. Interview by Graham Newton. Can you give us a personal insight on what the last year has been like for an airline boss? It has been the most challenging and harrowing time in the business. We always compare a current crisis […]

Eastern Air Lines Lands in Europe

Eastern Airlines has announced its first transatlantic route, which will fly from Chicago to Sarajevo in Bostnia and Herzegovina. The bold move comes as the U.S carrier continues to chase profitable business opportunities outside of core markets that are well-served by traditional legacy carriers. Starting on May 28, Eastern will between Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport […]

SWISS first airline in the Lufthansa Group to trial IATA Travel Pass app

SWISS is to become the first airline in the Lufthansa Group to trial IATA’s new Travel Pass app, which it will do on its Zurich-London Heathrow route from 22 April onwards. The trial marks a major further step in making travel simple and reliable again during the current COVID-19 pandemic. SWISS has also been testing […]