North America
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Airline Business
Why 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.
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Analysis
Delta’s Bastian upbeat on demand amid ‘most-constructive backdrop of my career’
Delta Air Lines chief executive Ed Bastian painted a positive demand picture after reiterating the airline’s full-year guidance today, describing the environment as “maybe the most-constructive backdrop” during his career.
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Analysis
Flair Airlines steady amid turbulent Canadian low-cost segment: CEO
Flair Airlines’ chief executive Stephen Jones is pushing back against suggestions that the Canadian low-cost carrier is struggling in the aftermath of competitor Lynx Air’s collapse.
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Newsletter
Airlines 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.
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Newsletter
Lagging 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.
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Analysis
American’s 85-strong Max 10 order includes ‘financial protections’ against delivery delays
Acknowledging that American Airlines’ order for an additional 85 Boeing 737 Max 10s is a “vote of confidence in Boeing”, airline executives say financial protections are built into the deal should the aerospace giant stumble further.
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Newsletter
Costs still in sharp focus for USA’s short-haul carriers
The recent suggestion from Wizz Air chief executive Jozsef Varadi that short-haul air travel “is a cost game, not a revenue game” has pertinence beyond that airline’s markets.
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Analysis
Allegiant chief compares airline’s low-cost market to ‘private swim lane’
Amid intense competition in the North American low-cost segment, Allegiant Air is seeking separation from the pack by focusing on unique routes and flying primarily during peak air travel times.
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Analysis
Hawaiian still searching for profits as Japan recovery drags
US airline group Hawaiian Holdings is still searching for the profitability that has mostly eluded it since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic nearly four years ago.
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Analysis
JetBlue slows aircraft delivery schedule as it expects no growth in 2024
Growth will be constrained for US carrier JetBlue Airways throughout 2024 as it expects double-digit numbers of Airbus A320s to be grounded for geared turbofan (GTF) engine inspections.
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Analysis
Why United chief Kirby is unfazed by more operational and cost pressures in 2024
United Airlines chief executive Scott Kirby reflected during the carrier’s earnings call on 23 January that he mostly called 2023 right.
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Analysis
Despite exceptional 2023 figures, airline safety faces scrutiny after wake-up calls
The airline industry’s exceptional performance in 2023 illustrates how much safety has improved over recent decades – but the new year’s opening week delivered a stark wake-up call.
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Newsletter
What next for JetBlue and Spirit after collapse of deal?
Whatever comes next, the court’s assertion that the ruling represents a “victory for consumers” will be tested
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Analysis
Spirit at risk of bankruptcy and liquidation as JetBlue deal falls through: TD Cowen
In the wake of a US judge’s decision to block JetBlue Airways’ attempted acquisition of Spirit Airlines, it is unclear how the respective low-cost carriers will chart paths forward.
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Newsletter
Supply chain issues will plague aviation for some time: Delta CEO
Delta Air Lines’ chief executive Ed Bastian says supply chain issues will continue to plague the industry for some time, citing Pratt & Whitney’s engine recall as an example.
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Newsletter
What does Boeing 737 Max 9 door incident mean for airlines?
The failure of a door plug on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jet on 5 January continues the commercial air transport industry’s inauspicious start to 2024 in safety terms
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Newsletter
Why airline industry focus is on the margins of profitability
Confirmation from IATA that the airline industry will return to collective profitability this year and that passenger volumes will shortly surpass pre-Covid levels is an indication that the sector has finally normalised.
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Analysis
United banks on international gains amid fourth quarter headwinds
United Airlines executives struck a bullish tone about the strength of international markets, even if the disruption to its Tel Aviv services was a key contributor to a weaker fourth quarter outlook.
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Newsletter
More signs of airline markets ‘normalising’ as fares soften
While airline executives are not panicking about the outlook, there have been increasing indications of passenger market ‘normalisation’ spreading to more regions, as carriers report fares softening from the highs seen in 2022
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Analysis
Airline Business performance tracker: Americas Q2 2023
Key data from the most-recent Americas earnings period – the April-June 2023 quarter – and the equivalent periods stretching back to the last pre-Covid year, powered by Airline Business Insight