Airlines

After a tumultuous year for the airline sector in 2008, as spirallintg fuel prices and then weakening demand prompted a string of airline collapses and retrenching by others, Airline Business takes a look at some of the key issues facing the airline industry in 2009 and beyond.

The Market

Airlines face a bumpy ride in 2009 as the recession provides an even bigger challenge than rocketing fuel prices

Liberalisation

Airlines continue to push for liberalisation and all eyes will be on progress in negotiations for a second stage EU-US open skies deal

Consolidation 

Amid heightened merger and acquisition activity, airlines still face obstacles to fulfil their merger aspirations 

Cargo

Air freight faces bleak prospects for the year with IATA forecasting a 5% fall in cargo traffic, but air cargo executives see some positives for when the upturn comes

See the Airline Business blog for a look back at some of the big stories in 2008