AW Daily

Alaska Airlines Signals Improving Recovery by No Longer Offering Updates on Cash Burn

February 24, 2021

The coronavirus pandemic recovery is looking just a little bit brighter for airlines, from surging bookings at EasyJet to signals of a new phase financially at Alaska Airlines. Seattle-based Alaska has dropped the metric that the industry has focused on...

The United Airlines Engine Failure Is a Story Being Wildly Botched by Media: Commentary

February 23, 2021

For the past several nights, television news in the U.S. has replayed terrifying footage of an engine on a United Airlines jet, in flames in flight along with scenes of huge bits of the engine scattered across a Colorado neighborhood....

Finnair Sees Opportunity in Norwegian’s Woes

February 22, 2021

Finnair may be one of the few airlines in the world that could see its home market expand when the pandemic recedes. The carrier's Nordic competition is receding, leaving it in a good place to swoop in and grab market...

How Long Will Airlines Continue to Extend Loyalty Perks?

February 19, 2021

How long will airlines continue to allow customers to extend loyalty benefits as vaccines begin to offer the prospect of people flying again? The short answer is it depends on the airline. Airlines are being challenged to find ways to...

Air France-KLM Sees Strength in Amsterdam, Paris Hubs During Recovery

February 18, 2021

Air France-KLM is optimistic about the strength of its dual Amsterdam and Paris hubs in the coronavirus pandemic recovery, betting that they will be strong performers as flyers begin to come back in significant numbers. During the Paris-based group's fourth-quarter...

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...