The 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...
Read MoreIt was nice while it lasted. But the U.S. demand recovery has lost its momentum. After a near-complete freeze in discretionary air travel that started in late March, Americans gradually became more comfortable getting on planes, to popular fun spots...
Read MoreLike a damsel in distress, the world is waiting for its superhero. Not Batman. But a vaccine, which scientists say will likely come soon—before the end of the year, perhaps. Even if mid-2021 before a magic bullet is produced, delivered,...
Read MoreThings were going well for easyJet before the crisis. Rivals were perishing. Yields were rising. The short-term question now is can it recover some momentum as European countries reopen their borders, as virus infections in Europe recede, and as tourists...
Read MoreWith each passing week, more and more Americans are returning to the air. But will the current sunbelt spike in Covid cases, affecting markets like Florida, Arizona, Texas, and southern California, derail the nascent leisure recovery? Or are enough people...
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