All articles by David Knibb
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AnalysisLATAM JV decision raises questions about role of courts
Competition issues about joint ventures and antitrust immunity for airlines typically are handled by transportation or competition regulators. Courts rarely intervene. But Chile’s Supreme Court recently set an example for courts not only to play a role, but to have the final say on airline joint ventures.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Why and how badly is liberalisation stalled?
Eight years since the US-EU open-skies agreement ushered in what was heralded as a new era in liberalisation, the rhetoric has changed – and perhaps the reality has too.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Will precondition for antitrust immunity be relaxed?
The US precondition of Open Skies before it will grant antitrust immunity is about to face a challenge.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Debate continues over regional subsidies
Recent controversies in New Zealand and Australia highlight the debate over whether, how, and how much to subsidise regional air service.
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AnalysisANALYSIS: Latin LCCs diverge on cross-border strategies
Latin America’s seven low-cost carriers are spreading their wings, but each is following its own strategy with little in common with the others.
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AnalysisANALYSIS: Sydney's airport dilemma
Australia’s announcement of the site for Sydney’s second airport may end a decades-long debate, but it is only the first of many questions still facing one of the country’s most contentious projects.
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AnalysisANALYSIS: Has Emirates-Qantas been a game-changer?
Standfirst: A year after Emirates and Qantas launched their landmark alliance, it is still controversial.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Europe faces task of defining foreign 'control'
The European Commission’s decision to investigate foreign control of several European airlines raises a number of questions. Potentially, some of them are profound.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Virgin Australia shines spotlight on ownership rules
The public fears of Qantas Airways have come true, but its most recent challenge to Virgin Australia’s foreign ownership seems to be making no more headway than did its first. If Virgin’s gambit has succeeded, airlines in other countries with similar laws might be able to copy its example to ...
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Where are all the Latin American LCCs?
"Absurd” is the reaction of some aviation analysts to the absence of low-cost carriers (LCCs) in much of Latin America.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Virgin Australia stakes raise equity questions
The latest moves by Etihad and Air New Zealand to raise their stakes in Virgin Australia pose questions about why they and Singapore Airlines are so keen to own part of the Australian carrier, and what their long-term intentions might be.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: The laboured progress of liberalisation
Reality lags well behind the lip service paid to liberalised aviation. Occasional headlines herald breakthroughs, such as the new Canada-China accord,...
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News
IN FOCUS: Brisbane deadlock ignites airport charge debate
Approaches to charges covering the support of airport infrastructure developments differ across the world, but as a stand-off in Brisbane over how much airlines should pay in advance for development of a new runway illustrates, it remains a thorny issue
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News
IN FOCUS: How new export credit rules will change aircraft finance
New rules for export credit have come into force, but questions remain over the goal of pushing more airlines towards commercial financing or whether the new agreement tackles every issue of concern.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Transatlantic venture faces antitrust test
European antitrust officials are about to impose commitments on United Airlines, Air Canada, and Lufthansa because of concerns about the anti-competitive...
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Under-valued airlines prompt alternative thinking
It comes as no surprise at Qantas that an investor group would emerge such as the one including former senior executives Geoff Dixon and Peter Gregg. Analysts...
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Regional airlines must choose whether to align with a major carrier or go it alone
Many regional airlines face tough choices between independence and integration as the consolidation of major carriers prompts a rethink in business strategy
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: What future awaits a revived Mexicana?
Investors strive to return grounded carrier to the air, but which market niche can it serve?
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Asia leads returning appetite for equity markets
After an adverse year, equity markets may be receptive again to airlines that want to raise capital. The most optimistic is Japan Airlines (JAL), which...