Latest analysis
‘Resilient’ Cathay seeks further growth as fuel costs cloud horizon
Cathay Pacific Group is set to grow capacity 10% in 2026 as it looks to build on a third consecutive year of profit, but the impact of rising fuel costs from the crisis in the Middle East adds to a volatile backdrop.
Scheduling for scale: How smaller airlines can compete with giants
While some carriers are disadvantaged on size, they can still build simplified banks that support high-value connections, write Felix Ackermann of Lufthansa Consulting and former Lufthansa Consulting intern and current Masters student Ian Saravanan
Turkish Airlines flags Middle East uncertainty after bright start to 2025
As one of the first carriers to report financial results following the Israeli and US air strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory action on several Gulf states, plenty of attention was on Turkish Airlines for a perspective on how fresh troubles in the Middle may impact its business.
Airline News Digest: 28 February - 6 March 2026
Our regular rundown of the biggest airline stories from the past seven days.
Why Lufthansa chief views Gulf hubs as a ‘geopolitical Achilles’ heel’
Lufthansa Group chief executive Carsten Spohr has been one of the main cheerleaders for the idea that the global airline industry has a new-found “resilience” in the post-Covid era.
What might new Middle East war mean for global airline industry?
While countries in the Middle East region are well-versed in handling regional conflicts, the latest escalation of tensions is on a scale that has not been seen for some time.
Airline News Digest: 21-27 February 2026
Our regular rundown of the biggest airline stories from the past seven days.
IAG ends strong 2025 with profit margins at top end of targets
British Airways and Iberia parent IAG closed a strong year by boosting operating profit 17.3% to just over €5 billion ($5.9 billion) and hitting the upper end of mid-term profit margin targets set out 15 months ago.
Interviews
Mongolia’s Hunnu Air talks up bold network expansion plans with refreshed fleet
Few would have heard about Hunnu Air, but the Mongolian carrier is quietly growing its network reach, as it taps on opportunities gained from fleet modernisation efforts.
Why Emirates is adding an A350 service to Gatwick as it eyes further UK growth
Emirates will begin operating a fourth daily flight to Gatwick airport, bringing its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered Airbus A350-900 jets to the West Sussex facility for the first time.
How Saudia is transforming its business while growing to meet tourism demand
Commercial chief Arved von zur Muehlen outlines moves to transform the legacy carrier in tandem with the opening up of the kingdom to tourists
Neves focuses on network and frequency as Etihad gets back on growth path
Etihad Airways chief executive Antonoaldo Neves is steering the Abu Dhabi carrier into a growth phase with a strategy focused on boosting frequencies rather than dots on the route map
EgyptAir chief readies carrier for growth amid airport investment and tourism ambitions
Capt Ahmed Adel is positioning the North African carrier to play a crucial role as Egypt’s government invests in aviation infrastructure and seeks to double tourist traffic
Opinion
Scheduling for scale: How smaller airlines can compete with giants
While some carriers are disadvantaged on size, they can still build simplified banks that support high-value connections, write Felix Ackermann of Lufthansa Consulting and former Lufthansa Consulting intern and current Masters student Ian Saravanan
Branding the third space: How airlines are redefining the middle market
Airlines might have a lot to gain by offering elevated but attainable products to a willing customer base, argues Conran Design Group’s Ludwig Duran
Is the airline industry’s new-found ‘resilience’ actually just peak premium demand?
It might be the case that strong demand for the expensive seats among travel-hungry leisure passengers is a structural change in the post-Covid era. But there are clear risks in going all-in on that assumption
Is the airline industry at a point of inflection?
Some regions face a changed revenue environment amid slow GDP growth and stubborn inflation, writes CTAIRA analyst Chris Tarry
From making its debut as a magazine in 1985 through to its evolution into an online data and analysis tool, Airline Business has forged a reputation for providing high-quality, in-depth coverage of the airline sector’s strategic and economic drivers. Our trusted insight gives users a competitive edge in the global industry.