For United CEO Scott Kirby, channeling Winston Churchill, it’s 1942. The war underway is still a long way from over. Battles still are being lost. But positive momentum is building. And a vision for post-war revival is starting to take...
Read MoreBuckle up, everyone. It’s time for third-quarter earnings season, starting with Delta on Tuesday. The dominant theme across the industry, of course, will be the Covid crisis, and its ongoing decimation of travel demand. Seven months into the crisis —...
Read MoreThe fourth quarter is now underway, with the Covid crisis showing few signs of easing. There is, to be sure, some positive momentum in a few domestic markets. Russia is leading the way with y/y demand growth. China’s not quite...
Read MoreThe fateful day of October 1 is fast approaching. It’s the day that U.S. airlines will lose federal money for wages, unless Congress acts to extend payroll support. With time running out, airlines and their unions are lobbying hard for...
Read MoreThe once-in-a-lifetime Covid crisis already is reshaping the global airline business in profound ways. In London, the world’s largest air travel market, the upheaval has some major players in retreat, and others (like Wizz Air) sensing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Never...
Read MoreOn Sept. 11, 2001, the French newspaper Le Monde, expressing solidarity with the American people, famously wrote “We’re all Americans now.” Last week, on the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington, U.S. airlines face a...
Read MoreBy now, airlines hoped the Covid crisis would be over. Or at least that the world would be a lot further along in the recovery. September has arrived, almost nine months since Chinese carriers began facing Covid’s wrath. For the...
Read MoreIt’s nice to be a major cargo carrier right now. China Airlines joined Korean Air and Asiana in the exclusive club of airlines that actually made money last quarter, all thanks to carrying stuff rather than people. Taiwan’s EVA Air...
Read MoreFinally, an airline that actually made money last quarter. Two of them actually. Korean Air and its hometown rival Asiana, both cargo power players even in normal times, reported solid Q2 profits as yields for shipping goods rose dramatically. The...
Read MoreAirlines are not happy with their governments. Air Canada complains of overzealous border restrictions. Asia’s airline association complains of inconsistent policies. Allegiant criticized Washington for inadequate testing and information. Ryanair is livid about government bailouts. Fair enough. But the true...
Read MoreU.S. airlines sounded common themes as they disclosed gargantuan second-quarter losses. Demand recovery was promising, until it wasn’t. Costs are down sharply, but more painful labor cuts are necessary. Corporate and international traffic volumes remain negligible. Carriers are dialing back...
Read MoreThings are getting interesting in the U.S. After a decade of mostly benign market conditions, a pandemic-induced mega-shock has some airlines rethinking their strategies. American sees opportunity to fortify is lagging Northeastern presence by partnering with JetBlue. JetBlue sees the...
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