AW Daily

Spirit Airlines planes parked at a hangar at the Detroit airport

Spirit Airlines Taps Loyalty Program to Back at Least $500 Million in New Debt

November 9, 2022

Spirit Airlines plans to raise several hundred million dollars in new debt backed by its loyalty programs, in the latest confirmation that loyalty assets are some of the most lucrative on airlines' balance sheets. The $500 million private deal is...

Passengers board a Spirit flight in Denver

Why Did Spirit Airlines Just Cut 35 Routes?

November 8, 2022

Spirit Airlines has cancelled at least 35 routes from January as industry-wide issues take their toll on air carriers' ability to recover — and expand — their schedules next year. The South Florida-based discounter has pulled 35 routes from its...

A Ryanair plane taxis at the Porto airport

Ryanair CEO Sees Independent Rivals ITA Airways, TAP Snapped Up in Mergers

November 7, 2022

Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary was his usual confident self on Ryanair's competitive position in Europe, even as many of the airline's competitors have become fodder of takeover chatter. Europe's largest airline by passengers, Ryanair does plan to actively participate...

Singapore Airlines Expects Lift From Reopenings in Japan, Taiwan

November 4, 2022

Singapore Airlines is adding back flights to meet travel demand at a rapid clip this winter. Fukuoka, Hong Kong, Osaka, Sapporo, and Taipei, to name a few, will all see more frequencies as more East Asian markets ease Covid travel...

An Allegiant Air flight takesoff from Las Vegas

What Allegiant Air’s Bad Quarter Suggests About the Future of Budget Carriers

November 3, 2022

Allegiant Air was once among the most regularly profitable airlines in the world. Then came the pandemic and in the third quarter, when almost every U.S. carrier made money, the discounter joined only Hawaiian Airlines in posting a loss. Las...

RwandAir’s Grand Plan to Connect Africa Still Waiting on Qatar Airways Investment

November 2, 2022

RwandAir has big ambitions to connect Africa. But realizing those ambitions has to wait, pending a delayed major investment by Qatar Airways in the airline. First unveiled in 2020, Qatar Airways plans to buy a 49 percent stake in state-owned...

Emirates planes line the concourse at the Dubai Airport

Emirates Held Back by Staffing Shortages and Not Enough Planes Into 2023

November 1, 2022

Travel demand couldn't be better for Emirates, with President Tim Clark describing flights as "full up" as far out as March. But the airline, and broader industry, is struggling to meet the demand amid persistent staffing and aircraft supply chain...

An Air Arabia Airbus takesoff from Abu Dhabi

Air Arabia, Wizz Air Among Budget Airlines Gaining Share in Gulf Hub Shift

October 31, 2022

Air Arabia did not even serve Abu Dhabi, home of Etihad Airways, before the pandemic hit. Today, the budget airline is the second largest at the United Arab Emirates hub, and a symbol of the shift underway at some of...

Iberia and Vueling planes at the Madrid airport

IAG Rides Transatlantic Strength to Robust Summertime Profits

October 28, 2022

International Airlines Group and Air France-KLM pleased investors Friday with strong summertime profits that show no signs of fading this fall, even as macroeconomic and cost headwinds intensify. Both carriers echoed many of the broad trends currently defining the airline...