Lewis Harper
Based in London, Lewis has been editor of Airline Business since 2021, having joined the publication as managing editor in 2016. His reporting covers the global airline sector, with Europe a key focus. Lewis also edits the Airline Business Newsletter and Airline Business’s daily publications at industry events, and he co-hosts the Airline Business Podcast. He previously worked in senior production roles at FlightGlobal and a variety of publications covering industries such as chemicals and defence.
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Airline Business premiumWeek 17 2024: US carriers join Boeing in outlining first-quarter performance
This week sees US carriers continue their earnings season, with American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines all due to report.
Airline Business premiumWhy United’s ‘moat’ gives Kirby confidence high margins are structural
When United Airlines beat analyst expectations this week with a smaller-than-expected first-quarter loss and higher-than-expected revenues, one person who was not surprised was chief executive Scott Kirby.
Airline Business premiumResist political pressure to renege on ESG commitments
The airline industry must not be tempted to undo its achievements so far on workforce diversity and the huge net-zero challenge by embracing the regressive policies favoured by politicians who might soon hold the balance of power in some geographies
Airline Business premiumWeek 16 2024: Has Delta set bar impossibly high?
Delta Air Lines kicked off the latest quarterly earnings season last week with a message so positive that it almost feels inevitable that sentiment only has one direction to travel as more airlines reveal their first-quarter 2024 performances.
NewsletterWhy Brazil’s airlines are welcoming ‘great dialogue’ with government
Brazil’s airlines are continuing to navigate tough market conditions, but there are signs that the government is listening to their concerns and may be about to offer at least $1.2 billion in new credit lines amid rising capital costs in the country.
AnalysisIATA global airline traffic leaps above 2019 for first time during longer February
Global airline traffic among the IATA membership in February exceeded pre-Covid levels for the first time since the pandemic, aided by the leap year adding an extra day to the month.
NewsletterGreater Bay Airlines chief executive appointment reflects greater trend
The appointment of a new chief executive at a small carrier in Hong Kong might not have created many headlines this week, but it does offer another concrete example of a growing trend among the world’s airlines.
AnalysisAirlines accelerate hiring of women to top executive roles from low base
The industry has been employing more women in the C-suite for some time now, but new data hints at the pace of change quickening after years of glacial progress, with positive steps continuing into the first few months of 2024
AnalysisEuropean airlines cite Chinese access to Russian airspace as they seek ‘level playing field’
Europe’s airlines are keen for authorities to address the competitive advantage that Chinese carriers currently experience in being able to fly through Russian airspace, as part of a broader push for what they call a “level playing field” with international competitors.
NewsletterEurope’s airlines heartened by sharp change in perception of industry
Thanks to its founding mission, Airlines for Europe (A4E) might be naturally inclined towards pointing out things that need improving in the policy and regulatory sphere, but the European airline association also used its annual summit on 20 March to highlight a fundamentally positive development for the region’s carriers.
NewsFewer ‘spanners under floorboards’ but O’Leary still seeks Boeing improvements
Ryanair group chief executive Michael O’Leary has declared his confidence in the safety of Boeing 737 Max aircraft but says he still believes the airframer’s management team in Seattle needs to “get its act together”.
NewsIAG chief warns blocking consolidation could ‘destroy’ airlines
The chief executive of IAG has implored regualtors to allow consolidation to happen in Europe, arguing that the futures of some carriers are at risk if deals are blocked
NewsAir France-KLM boss hits out at unfair Dutch ‘greenwashing’ ruling
Air France-KLM chief executive Ben Smith has described a Dutch court ruling over alleged ‘greenwashing’ as unfair.
News’Like lipstick on a pig’: Ryanair chief slams Single European Sky reforms
Ryanair group chief executive Michael O’Leary has hit out at the European Union’s reforms of its Single European Sky initiative, branding them as “useless”.
News’ITA deserves a future’: Lufthansa chief
Lufthansa Group chief executive Carsten Spohr is “optimistic” about the business securing a stake in Italian carrier ITA Airways as the European Commissions nears a crucial stage of its investigation into the deal.
NewsletterAirlines candid on Boeing concerns
Good weeks have been few and far between at Boeing for some time, but the past few days have proven particularly challenging as the airframer works to move beyond its various issues.
InterviewVolotea chief Carlos Munoz has IPO ambition for carrier committed to being different
After a turbulent three years amid the pandemic and then the impact of rapidly rising fuel costs, Volotea under founding chief executive Carlos Munoz has renewed confidence thanks to a strong 2023 and encouraging start to this year
NewsletterLagging Asia-Pacific leaves global airline traffic just short of 2019 levels
That the global airline industry is able to record a 17% year on year rise in passenger traffic for January 2024 and still be just below 2019 levels is a reminder of how nascent some aspects of its Covid-19 recovery are.
NewsWalsh accuses UK government of ‘short-sighted cash grab’ with APD rise
The head of global airline association IATA has accused the UK government of a “short-sighed cash grab” after it announced plans to increase air passenger duty (APD) for some traveller types.
AnalysisMindful of wake-up calls, airline industry looks back on one of its safest years
While the airline industry might have had an inauspicious start to 2024 in safety terms, it can still point to a recent safety record that is both historically impressive and broadly moving in the right direction.