Latest analysis
Airline news digest: 10-16 May 2025
Our regular rundown of the biggest airline stories from the past seven days.
Amid tariff turmoil, Japanese majors cautiously optimistic as profitability streak continues
ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines benefitted from strong inbound travel demand to remain profitable. Still, they were mindful about any likely impact from the Trump administration’s tariff policies.
With headwinds looming, an unfazed SIA Group touts beefed-up defences
While SIA Group will be monitoring the longer-term impact of the US government’s tariff policies, it is unfazed by the uncertainty, noting that it is “well-positioned” to deal with it, and other long-standing challenges facing the airline sector.
Gol rides surging international capacity to strong Q1
Gol is the latest Latin American carrier to report a strong first quarter as the region increasingly appears insulated from North America’s economic tumult.
Azul distances itself from last year’s operational struggles amid turning fortunes
After being pummeled by poor operational and financial performances last year, Brazilian carrier Azul has rebounded significantly and is charting a growth path once again.
Why United is bringing ‘segmentation’ to business class with its incoming Studio suites
United Airlines’ introduction of new business-class suites on incoming Boeing 787-9s mirrors a strategy that already allowed it and other major US carriers to squeeze more revenue from economy class cabins.
Canadian carriers respond to US market weakness
The past few weeks have seen operators including Air Canada and WestJet respond to weakness in US markets in particular, as tensions between their home country and the Trump Administration play out.
Airline news digest: 3-9 May 2025
Our regular rundown of the biggest airline stories from the past seven days.
Interviews
Norse chief Larsen preaches simplicity of low-cost long-haul business model
Focusing on the simple premise of flying large aircraft between major cities, Bjorn Larsen says, Norse is in it for the long haul.
PSA Airlines chief Dion Flannery pursuing ‘well-orchestrated growth plan’
After long grappling with a sharp pilot shortage that left many of its jets grounded and its fleet underutilised, US regional carrier PSA Airlines finds itself in a different position.
Michael O’Leary on Boeing quality, Max 10, fares, and ‘fat, dumb and happy’ peers
A year on from Michael’s O’Leary’s complaints about finding “spanners under floorboards” in Ryanair’s new Max jets, and the airline’s group chief executive is feeling more upbeat about Boeing’s progress.
Arajet chief outlines vision for connecting Santo Domingo to the Americas
Launching flights to the USA has always been a major component of Arajet’s business plan but the carrier has taken a circuitous route getting there, chief executive Victor Pacheco Mendez tells Airline Business.
How Air Samarkand is contributing to Uzbekistan’s rapid aviation growth
Only a few years ago, Central Asian country Uzbekistan counted its government-owned flag carrier as its sole local airline. But in 2025, much has changed
Opinion
Busting the airline demand management myths
Sustainability policies that do not reflect the reality of growth trends worldwide risk ‘carbon colonialism’, writes SimpliFlying’s Shashank Nigam
The pressing airline challenges in 2025
As airlines face operational and strategic issues, some leadership teams appear to have short memories, writes CTAIRA analyst Chris Tarry
What does an unpredictable US administration mean for the global airline sector?
After its initial optimism over expectations of business-friendly policies from the new administration, the airline industry is discovering it might have to take some rough with the smooth while Donald Trump is in the White House
‘Not my job’ is not a valid option for airlines on the net-zero journey
If airline leaders openly disagree with the industry’s net-zero pathway, it risks discrediting current initiatives, argues SimpliFlying’s Shashank Nigam
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