Issue No. 899

Champion of the Americas

Copa Is Back to Its Exceptional Pre-Pandemic Profits

Pushing Back: Inside the Issue

Any doubts about Air India’s ambition to become a leading global airline? Not after the massive order for Airbus and Boeing planes it announced last week. In the earnings space, Air Canada still can’t seem to figure out how to make money in the winter. Norwegian, another wintertime struggler, is nevertheless showing signs of promise as it seeks to prey on SAS’s misfortunes. Finnair has many misfortunes of its own but likewise showed signs of progress last quarter. And, Copa … Wow. Enough said.

More earnings this week, including a look at why Air France posted higher margins than KLM, the latter being Air France-KLM's historically stronger performer. Also, perhaps some news on the unfolding Viva Air saga in Latin America? Will one of its many suitors execute a takeover? There could be some news as well from regulators on pending merger deals, including JetBlue’s plan to buy Spirit and Korean Air’s plan to buy Asiana.

Weekly Skies

JetBlue Airways has one big bargaining chip that it can offer the U.S. Department of Justice in exchange for approval of its proposed merger with Spirit Airlines: Its alliance with American Airlines.

Fleet

Air India has committed to at least 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing worth an estimated $34 billion as part of the Tata Group’s effort to remake the long-ailing Indian flag carrier into a global aviation leader. The airline will…

Feature Story

What’s the most profitable airline in the world right now? There’s now an easy answer to that question.