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

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.

Cebu Pacific A320ceo-_52135565074

‘Bigger, better, stronger’: Cebu Pacific targets gains in post-pandemic market

Cebu Pacific’s new chief executive Mike Szucs sees the opportunity to outstrip its pre-crisis financial performance in the years ahead as the Philippine budget carrier emerges from the pandemic.

Pieter Elbers IndiGo

IndiGo well positioned for India air travel boom: Elbers

Pieter Elbers has secured some early wins as the new chief executive of Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo, as he contemplates long-term growth in what is destined to be one of the world’s most important aviation markets. 

Indigo A320neo

Shivani Kulkarni’s journey from An-32s to IndiGo A320neos

Hooked on aviation since her pre-teen years, Shivani Kulkarni has progressed from flying Indian air force An-32 turboprops to A320neos for the nation’s most popular domestic carrier.

Icelandair Boeing 737 Max

Why Icelandair is banking on flexibility to sustain recovery

Buoyed by record revenue and load factors in the third quarter, airline chief executive Bogi Nils Bogason sees the combination of its connecting model across the Altantic and Iceland’s strong tourist market as positioning the carrier to thrive beyond this summer’s peak

ALTA executive director

ALTA executive director Botelho on how sector is coming back stronger

Resurgent travel demand heightens the need for action to bring down regulatory and cost hurdles for Latin American and Caribbean carriers

MyAirline A320

MYAirline chief eyes Malaysia’s post-pandemic travel boom

Malaysian start-up MYAirline stands poised to commence services, led by a team of industry veterans who have faith that they can go that extra mile for passengers.

Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet

How Alexis von Hoensbroech is taking WestJet back to its roots

As he leads WestJet out of a punishing pandemic period, Alexis von Hoensbroech is doubling-down on the carrier’s low-cost legacy and its deep roots in the Canadian West

AirAsia X - Benyamin Ismail Photo

AirAsia X chief charts cautious recovery after restructuring

Malaysia-based AirAsia X is “treading cautiously” after its restructuring, as it looks to building back its operations in an environment that is slowly reopening after two years of the pandemic.

Ahmet Bolat, chairman Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines fast-tracks return to growth path

Turkish Airlines chairman Ahmet Bolat believes that retaining staff and its strong financial performance through the pandemic has been key to enabling to return to growth as the Istanbul carrier has already passed pre-crisis activity levels.vels.