AW Daily

Covid Speeds Opening of New American Airlines Concourse at Washington’s Reagan National Airport

February 17, 2021

American Airlines may be moving into expanded facilities at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport early, following accelerated work on a new concourse during the coronavirus pandemic. The Fort Worth, Texas-based Oneworld alliance carrier could begin flights from a new 14-gate...

Southwest Forecasts a Rise in Bookings 1 Year After Pandemic’s Start

February 16, 2021

Southwest Airlines is revising its quarterly guidance as passenger demand continues to improve beyond expectations, the company said in an investor update filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Although January and February demand was in line with...

Airlines Adjust Mask Rules to Accommodate Passengers With Disabilities

February 12, 2021

The new federal mask mandate includes exemptions for passengers with disabilities, which have required airlines to modify their own rules to comply with government regulations. Part of the requirements to be in compliance by mid-March includes airlines reviewing and revising as necessary...

Copa Airlines in Grip of Latin America’s Super Strict Travel Rules

February 11, 2021

Panama's Copa Airlines was essentially grounded for almost five months last year. Flights resumed in the fourth quarter, as Panama eased its travel restrictions, but the resurgent virus and fear of new variants has quashed demand since December. Copa's December...

Federal Aid Helps Mesa Boost Profits Above Pre-Pandemic Level

February 10, 2021

U.S. regional carrier Mesa Air Group's profits rose in the quarter ending in December from a year ago, mainly due to federal stimulus funds. The company reported fiscal first-quarter profits of $14.1 million, compared with $10.8 million the prior year,...

Airline Trade Group Offers Job Retraining in Dismal Sign for Furloughed Cabin Crews

February 9, 2021

It's generally not a vote of confidence in the strength of an industry when the leading trade group in the sector offers retraining education for laid-off and furloughed workers. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is sending just such a...

Ethiopian Airlines Leverages Cold Chain Facilities to Bring Vaccines to Africa

February 8, 2021

Ethiopian Airlines is taking the lead among African airlines by transporting the continent's first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, which arrived on a cargo flight from Beijing to Addis Ababa over the weekend. The flight was the culmination of large...

How These 2 Decisions Made a World Apart Could Define the Future of Airlines

February 5, 2021

Domestic leisure travel is sustaining the airline industry, and two airlines on opposite ends of the earth announced moves this week that signal that will be true for the foreseeable future. Qantas is beefing up its domestic network with a...

Allegiant Air Steps on the ‘Gas’ by Recalling Staff and Growing in 2021

February 4, 2021

Allegiant Air is leaning in to the leisure-first recovery in air travel with plans to be among the first U.S. carriers to grow beyond its pre-coronavirus pandemic schedule. The Las Vegas-based low-cost carrier plans to grow capacity 0.5-5.5 percent in...

American Airlines Backs Union on Fed Relief to Avoid 13,000 Furloughs

February 3, 2021

American Airlines' leadership said it backs union efforts to extend federal funding for airline workers through September 30. Without additional payroll support, the Fort-Worth, Texas-based airline said it could furlough or lay off up to 13,000 employees. "We are fully...

Bahrain’s New Terminal Positions Airport to Serve Larger Role in Middle East

February 3, 2021

Bahrain's new $1.1 billion airport terminal will have capacity to handle 14 million passengers per year, offering the Middle East a vastly improved alternative when flyers return to the sky. Almost 10 million passengers traveled through the terminal it replaces,...

JetBlue Could Triple New York LaGuardia Flights With Controversial American Airlines Alliance

February 2, 2021

JetBlue Airways could triple the number of flights it offers at New York's sought-after LaGuardia airport under its new alliance with American Airlines. New York-based JetBlue plans as many as 50-60 peak day departures from LaGuardia with the northeast alliance...