IATA AGM 2021

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Boston

How IATA thinks airlines could reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050

For some airlines, the net-zero target was nothing new. But for all carriers, the important task is working out how to get there – and then implementing that plan. 

Airline Business Weekly Briefing Logo WEB2

Airline industry comes back fighting under IATA chief Walsh

The IATA AGM marked by a shift away from the harmonious front seen in parts of the commercial air transport industry at the height of the pandemic.

Walsh-Boston-c-IATA

IATA’s annual event brings wave of optimism, glimmer of normality

Airline leaders left IATA’s World Air Transport Summit this week in a buoyant mood, sensing the industry’s worst days are behind it, and that normalcy is months, not years, away. They also left having made firm commitments to reduce carbon output, saying the industry is emerging from the pandemic-driven aviation downturn with invigorated dedication to environmental stewardship. Exactly how airlines will significantly cut carbon, however, remains unclear.

Pegasus Airlines

Chief of low-cost airline Pegasus to chair IATA board after 2022 AGM

The transition will continue a period during which the role has been taken by the chief executive of an airline outside the group of network carriers that are traditionally the high-profile core of IATA’s membership.

Dubai DXB 2021

Emirates’ love affair with the A380 endures: Clark

Even though the final Airbus A380 has rolled off the production line in Toulouse, Emirates Airline – and president Tim Clark – are still madly in love with the superjumbo, as the carrier looks forward to welcoming the last three of the type into the fleet later this year.

Hong Kong International Airport

Passengers increasingly frustrated with Covid-19 restrictions: IATA

An IATA survey has revealed significant frustration with Covid-19 travel restrictions, and that air travellers believe the freedom of travel should be restored.

CFM_RISE_Open fan installation options - background

Un-ducted fans, hydrogen aircraft too expensive if financed by industry alone: Emirates’ Clark

Developing new aircraft powered by novel technologies such as un-ducted fans and hydrogen-burning engines remains essentially unfeasible without billions and billions of dollars in direct government aid.

Emirates Airline president Tim Clark

Innovation may suffer as airlines rebuild: Clark

A senior airline executive warns that a further casualty of the coronavirus crisis - in addition to at least two years of financial pain - will likely be innovation and new products.

Airbus

Search for carbon-cutting breakthroughs delay new-aircraft launches

Ambitious carbon-reduction goals have led airframers to pursue longer-term, more-revolutionary technologies rather than bringing incremental efficiency improvements to market faster, according to a top Airbus executive.

British Airways, American, Virgin aircraft at Heathrow Nov 18

Opening of transatlantic travel must go smoothly

The upcoming reopening of transatlantic air travel can serve as an example of how other travel markets can be restarted – which is why the aviation industry has so much riding on the process going smoothly.

IATA director general

IATA chief Walsh on 2022 recovery, ‘rogue’ suppliers and sharing the pain on sustainability

Ahead of this year’s IATA AGM in Boston, FlightGlobal spoke to the airline association’s director general Willie Walsh about his aims for the gathering – and his views on the challenges and opportunities ahead for the airline industry 

CEO interviews

Tony Douglas - Riyadh Air -006

Riyadh Air closing in on narrowbody order as Douglas continues groundwork

Riyadh Air is set to place its expected narrowbody aircraft order “in the coming months” as Tony Douglas, chief executive of the ambitious Saudi Arabian start-up, continues to plot the national carrier’s launch path.

B777-300ER-Philippine Airlines PAL-c-Boeing

Philippine Airlines chief eyes growth after successful restructuring

A major restructuring exercise amid the depths of the coronavirus pandemic has put spring in the step of Philippine Airlines. 

Passengers disembark at Mildura Bonza

Bonza finds its wings with Australia’s infrequent fliers

Australian low-cost start-up Bonza is making traction with its unique business model, which aims to stimulate demand among infrequent fliers on largely un-served routes.

Con Korfiatis - Flyadeal

How Flyadeal set early pace in Saudi growth story

While the arrival of new entrants is grabbing headlines this year as part of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans to create a new global aviation hub and triple passenger numbers by 2030, growth has been part of the story since day one for Flyadeal and its chief executive Con Korfiatis.

Qatar Airways chief executive

Al Baker on Airbus, the supply chain, and orders

Akbar Al Baker, one the airline industry’s most outspoken leaders, delivered his views on its relationship with Airbus, persisting supply chain problems, and the need to bolster the carrier’s orderbook in a quickfire media roundtable at the Paris air show today.

John Lamola SAA

SAA emerges profitably from ‘holding pattern’: CEO

South African Airways chief executive John Lamola believes that the Star Alliance carrier emerging profitably from its first full-year of operations since resumings flights almost two years ago underlines it is in good shape to expand.

Tony Douglas - Riyadh Air-003

Douglas plots ‘clean sheet’ Riyadh Air mission to connect Saudi Arabia

It may remain two years away from launch, but ambitious Saudi Arabian national carrier start-up Riyadh Air is certainly making itself known.

Allan Kilavuka-Kenya Airways

Capital raise next step as Kenya Airways chief eyes growth

Kenya Airways chief executive Allan Kilavuka believes the operational fundamentals of the carrier are strong after its restructuring efforts, but that raising capital is key to it moving back onto a growth path.

Owens Thomsen (c) IATA

IATA’s Owens Thomsen on why connectivity is key to sustainable development

IATA senior vice-president, sustainability and chief economist Marie Owens Thomsen sees air travel as an 'essential ingredient' to helping achieve the primary goal of sustainable development -- to eradicate poverty

Lufthansa Cargo

Bhat looks to the long-term at Lufthansa cargo

Ashwin Bhat takes over after the cargo business reported record operating profits for three years in a row, but since then the market has weakened with both rates and volumes declining. 

Leslie Thng_cr Scoot

‘Low cost is still our core’: Scoot chief looks beyond recovery

As low-cost carrier Scoot approaches full recovery, chief executive Leslie Thng says the airline wants to be the region’s leading operator, not the largest

AB-Lufthansa-CarstenSpohr-019

Carsten Spohr on how Lufthansa is back on the front foot

If the impact of the pandemic continues to be felt by both its airlines and the wider industry this year, new product investments and acquisition moves underline Lufthansa Group chief executive Carsten Spohr’s determination that this should not prevent it from regaining the initiative.