Airline Business Podcast

Graham and Lewis discuss how the industry has performed in 2024 and what might lie ahead in 2025. They also consider the role of alliances in today’s industry, while also discussing the latest consolidation trends. Music credit: Tea K Pea “highabove”/Creative Commons www.flightglobal.com/airline-business

Graham and Lewis discuss Spirit Airlines' Chapter 11 announcement while considering what a Trump presidency might mean for the industry. They also examine the latest goings on in Brazil, where Azul and Gol are attempting to overcome different challenges, before looking at some aggregate data from the third-quarter earnings season. Music credit: Tea K Pea “highabove”/Creative Commons. Read more on...

Graham and Lewis discuss early signs in the third-quarter earnings season. They then examine the impact of more bad news on aircraft delivery delays, as Boeing grapples with strike action from machinists. Finally, they look back on this year’s IATA World Sustainability Symposium and what stakeholders had to say about progress towards the net-zero target. Music credit: Tea K Pea “highabove”/Creativ...

Graham and Lewis discuss the recent airline earnings season after more clarity emerged on the European fare situation. They also examine capacity trends among Chinese carriers. Music credit: Tea K Pea “highabove”/Creative Commons. Fares enough? Ryanair rows back on European yield concern https://www.flightglobal.com/analysis/fares-enough-ryanair-rows-back-on-european-yield-concern/159789.article W...

Graham and Lewis discuss the confusing picture that has emerged in the first half of the earnings season in Europe, plus the actions under way at US low-cost carriers as they seek to boost revenues and what might be in store in the Asia-Pacific region. They then look back at this year's Farnborough air show, which was a quiet one order-wise by historical standards, before taking an in-depth look a...

In the latest episode – sponsored by Panasonic Avionics – Graham and Lewis discuss the industry outlook following the recent IATA AGM in Dubai, including an improved profit forecast from the association. They then look at the latest consolidation developments, including a surprise tie-up seeking to take remedies from IAG's acquisition of Air Europa, and potential moves from the Middle East's Qatar...

In the latest episode – sponsored by Panasonic Avionics – Graham and Lewis look back on a first-quarter earnings season that saw a variety of challenges around the world, but also positivity on what will follow in 2024. They also discuss the new Airline Business website (www.flightglobal.com/airline-business). Airlines optimistic for another strong summer on transatlantic despite weakening signs h...

In the latest episode - sponsored by Panasonic Avionics - Graham and Lewis discuss the impact of the recently announced changes at the top of Boeing, which came after several airlines voiced concerns about aspects of the airframer's management. They then look back to the Airlines for Europe (A4E) meeting in Brussels, examining the issues on which the region's largest carriers have a united voice....

In the latest episode - sponsored by Panasonic Avionics - Graham and Lewis look back on an inauspicious start to 2024 in terms of airline safety and consolidation moves. They then consider what airlines including United Airlines, Ryanair and Wizz Air had to say about the year ahead in their recent earnings calls. Music credit: Tea K Pea “highabove”/Creative Commons Spirit pushes back on ‘misguided...

In the latest instalment of the podcast - sponsored by Panasonic Avionics -Graham and Lewis discuss the airlines to watch over the next 12 months. Among the carriers in the spotlight are Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Qantas, Air India, JetBlue and the Abra Group. Music credit: Tea K Pea “highabove”/Creative Commons From aircraft availability...

In the latest instalment of the Airline Business Podcast – sponsored by Panasonic Avionics – Graham and Lewis look back on the past 12 months for the airline industry, considering the high and low points. They also discuss what might be ahead in 2024. Music credit: Tea K Pea “highabove”/Creative Commons From aircraft availability to consolidation: 10 airline stories that will shape industry in 202...

In the latest instalment of the Airline Business Podcast – sponsored by Panasonic Avionics – Graham and Lewis discuss the aircraft orders placed at this year’s Dubai air show and what they might mean for capacity growth in the region, particularly when it comes to widebody jets. They also look at the air cargo sector’s declining fortunes since its pandemic-era highs and consider whether a turnarou...

Graham and Lewis discuss the latest consolidation moves in Europe, as Air France-KLM announces plans to take a minority stake in SAS. They also consider the industry’s sustainability challenge, in light of the IATA World Sustainability Symposium in Madrid, including hurdles in the development of a sustainable aviation fuel industry. Finally, they consider the latest opinions on the industry’s outl...

Graham and Lewis look back on another strong set of quarterly results from the global airline industry, while considering whether the coming months will see ‘normalisation’ in more markets. They then discuss the success or otherwise of the various start-up carriers that have launched operations over the past few years – and prospects for a few that are yet to get off the ground. Music credit: Tea...

Graham and Lewis discuss the operational challenges being seen in Europe and North America, as ATC issues and airspace restrictions combine with weather events and other factors. They also consider the longer-term capacity challenges in the industry and the impact of sustainability concerns on airline growth plans. They then revisit this year's Airline Strategy Awards, highlighting some of the win...

Graham and Lewis discuss how European and North American carriers performed during the recent earnings season, which saw a degree of ‘normalisation’ and plenty of positivity about the summer, despite the slower recovery of corporate travel. They then consider the growing problems around aircraft maintenance delays, particularly in light of India’s Go First grounding its fleet. Next they discuss Ry...

Graham and Lewis talk through the growing list of consolidation moves within the global industry, discussing why deals take such a long time to get over the line. They then look back on Graham’s recent interview with Lufthansa Group chief executive Carsten Spohr and what he had to say about the Italian market, before considering the launch of Riyadh Air and a bumper widebody deal for Saudi carrier...

Graham and Lewis discuss the recent collapses of European carriers Flybe and Flyr, asking whether those developments belie a much brighter outlook for the industry in 2023. They also consider recent comments from United Airlines chief executive Scott Kirby about fundamental changes to the industry coming out of the pandemic, which he suggests could make growth plans undeliverable if peers fail to...

Graham and Lewis discuss some of the most interesting developments in 2022, including KLM’s challenges, ITA Airways wrangling, Norwegian’s renaissance, JetBlue’s move for Spirit, Abra Group ambitions in Latin America, Air India’s transformation and consolidation, differing fortunes at domestic market-less Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, and Saudi ambitions as it looks to launch new flag car...

Graham and Lewis discuss IATA's recent forecast for 2023, which showed the industry tipping into profitable territory after a punishing few years. They also discuss airport charges following more developments at Heathrow, and consider Virgin Atlantic's growth plans. They then focus ot the A380's fortunes following Etihad's decision to bring some back into service, before discussing United Airlines...

Graham and Lewis discuss a strong third-quarter results season for airlines in Europe and North America, as constrained capacity met surging demand. They also consider whether that momentum can continue into 2023 and look at developments in the air cargo sector. Then, following the recent ICAO agreement on a long-term aspirational goal for aviation, they examine the next steps for the airline indu...

Graham and Lewis discuss the transition from a positive summer period in terms of demand and - in some cases - profits to an uncertain winter, with a long list of challenges clouding the 2023 outlook. Jon Hemmerdinger then joins Graham to discuss the recent tie-up between United Airlines and Emirates, and Frontier Airlines' strategy after losing out on Spirit. Finally, Graham and Lewis consider so...

Graham and Lewis discuss the resumption of Boeing 787 deliveries and the impact of supply-chain issues on fleet planning. They also look back to July’s Farnborough air show, which saw Boeing dominate the order announcements as Airbus unveiled a string of commitments before and after the event. Music credit: Tea K Pea “highabove”/Creative Commons Boeing resumes 787 deliveries, handing aircraft to A...

Graham and Lewis consider the main talking points from the recent IATA AGM in Doha, at which the association outlined an improved economic outlook for the industry. At the same time as better news on Covid restrictions being dropped, however, executives also acknowledged a new set of headwinds. They also discuss the return of the Airbus A380 at some carriers, after questions were asked about its f...

Graham and Lewis consider the blame game that is emerging as airlines and the wider air travel sector grapple with operational challenges. They also discuss the next sustainability steps for airlines – including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and offsetting – as the industry prepares to meet in Doha for this year's IATA AGM. Music credit: Tea K Pea "highabove"/Creative Commons IATA chief hits bac...