Airline Business Podcast

Graham and Lewis discuss big airline expectations from the recent results season, alongside the operational challenges that threaten to limit the recovery and the uncertainty regarding what might follow. And as more of the Asia-Pacific region brings down border restrictions, they consider the impact of China’s continued ‘zero-Covid’ policy on airlines within that country and on overseas carriers that relied on its citizens’ seemingly endless appetite for international travel. Willie Walsh on...

Graham and Lewis return to discuss the challenges facing airlines as they ramp-up operations heading into the northern hemisphere summer, notably amid staffing shortages and rising fuel prices. They also take a look at the competition to purchase Spirit Airlines, after JetBlue Airways threw its hat into the ring for the US ultra-low-cost carrier, weeks after Frontier Airlines had agreed to purchase its rival. They further consider whether the move reflects growing interest in consolidation...

Graham and Lewis discuss a bleak financial results season, as airlines count the costs of a ruinous April-June period while grappling with a bumpier-than-expected comeback in the current quarter. The dynamics playing out in global markets are also examined, including the recovery mismatches in domestic and international sectors, the challenges presented by the ending of government support schemes, and the retrenchment of the traditional network carriers. They also discuss the European...

As airlines begin to ramp up operations, Graham and Lewis discuss the demand situation and the likely pitfalls ahead. They consider whether low passenger confidence in the safety of travel is likely to dampen demand, and how the progress of the virus is a critical factor in the shape of the recovery. They also discuss the safety of airports and aircraft, and the particular challenges facing the major regions. European carriers put emphasis on reach in short-haul return...

Airlines begin cutting their fleets in earnest, Latin America's biggest carrier heads into restructuring and Asia-Pacific operators grapple with how to kick-start services.

With talk in some markets turning to how airline markets might open up again as coronavirus cases peak, Graham and Lewis examine the current state of the industry and where it might be heading. Among the topics considered, they look at Virgin Australia’s demise and the moral hazard faced by governments around helping airlines. Could we see more state-owned carriers in future? They also discuss how airlines might deal with the demand for social distancing on flights – or, indeed, whether it...

Graham and Lewis talk through the latest developments in the airline industry as the majority of the world’s fleet is grounded amid the coronavirus crisis. They discuss the prospects for carriers facing a cash crunch as revenues dry up – including whether the unprecedented circumstances might prompt consolidation as operators either collapse or merge with rivals. Having recently spoken to serving airline chief executives, Graham and Lewis also highlight the approaches being taken by Etihad...

Graham and Lewis talk through the latest figures and thoughts from IATA as airlines across the world ground their fleets in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Graham is then joined by Asia-Pacific bureau chief Greg Waldron to talk through the specific impact on markets in that region – including some potentially positive developments in China. Read more of our coverage on flightglobal.com: Airline coronavirus story could go from ‘Apocalypse Now’ to ‘The Big Short’...

Join executive editor Graham Dunn and managing editor Lewis Harper as they discuss the impact of the coronavirus, which has been described by IATA as a “crisis” for the airline industry. Graham and Lewis consider markets across the world, including Italy’s, which has joined those in Asia and elsewhere in feeling a strong impact from the outbreak. They also look at IATA’s latest estimates for the virus’s economic impact They then consider the recent collapses of Air Italy and Flybe –...

The new edition of the Airline Business podcast is now available. Join executive editor Graham Dunn and managing editor Lewis Harper as they discuss a tough – and, at times, perplexing – start to the year for airlines. If the industry thought it was getting some respite from a challenging first couple of weeks in 2020, fortunes quickly dipped again as the impact of the coronavirus began to be felt by airlines in China and beyond. At the same time, however, fuel prices are helpfully low, and...

Join Graham Dunn, Lewis Harper and Max Kingsley-Jones as they look back on 2019 and the past decade, and forward to what 2020 might have in store for airlines. Why IATA is sounding a more optimistic note for airlines in 2020 https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/why-iata-is-sounding-a-more-optimistic-note-for-airlines-in-2020/135745.article Do high-profile failures tell the airline story of 2019?...

Join executive editor Graham Dunn and managing editor Lewis Harper as they discuss signs of slowing in the performance of carriers in Europe and elsewhere. They also examine IAG’s potential purchase of Spanish carrier Air Europa and the latest developments in Brazil as the country’s government attempts to kick-start growth of commercial aviation. FlightGlobal's executive director of content Max Kingsley-Jones then joins Lewis to talk through developments from this year’s Dubai air show,...

Join executive editor Graham Dunn and managing editor Lewis Harper as they discuss another round of winter failures in the European market – including Thomas Cook's collapse. They also examine Virgin Atlantic's plans for a third runway at Heathrow after a rebranding of Flybe, the surprise LATAM-Delta tie-up and growth at China's airports as Beijing Daxing opens. FlightGlobal's executive director of content Max Kingsley-Jones then joins Graham to talk through this month's Airline Business...

Join executive editor Graham Dunn and managing editor Lewis Harper as they discuss Michael O'Leary's new group role at Ryanair, troubles at French leisure carrier Aigle Azur, and the latest on the Boeing 737 Max's return to service, including Southwest's take on the type's branding. They also examine turmoil in the air cargo markets and the latest passenger capacity trends. FlightGlobal's Asia-Pacific bureau chief Greg Waldron then joins Graham to talk through this month's Airline Business...

Join executive editor Graham Dunn and managing editor Lewis Harper as they discuss a summer of strike action in Europe, Rupert Hogg's departure from Cathay Pacific amid turmoil in Hong Kong, the impact of the Boeing 737 Max grounding on second-quarter financials, Trump's intervention in the Gulf carrier spat, and FlightGlobal's latest survey of women in the C-suite. They also talk through this month's Airline Business cover interview with Indigo Partners founder Bill Franke. Cathay chairman...

Join executive editor Graham Dunn and managing editor Lewis Harper as they discuss the departure of Bjorn Kjos from Norwegian, a surprise resignation from Ryanair's senior team, opportunities in India, the winners from this year's Airline Strategy Awards and the latest World Airline Rankings. Ellis Taylor from the Asia bureau then talks through his cover interview with Korean Air chief executive Walter Cho. Kjos steps down as Norwegian chief...

Join Airline Business managing editor Lewis Harper and executive editor Graham Dunn as they take you through all the key airline-related developments at this year’s Paris air show. They discuss the orders from Wednesday and Thursday – including Airbus A321XLR commitments from Indigo Partners and American Airlines – and the biggest stories from the past few days in Le Bourget, including IAG's surprise letter of intent for 200 Boeing 737 Max jets. Indigo Partners signs for 50 A321XLRs...

Join Airline Business managing editor Lewis Harper as he takes you through all the key airline-related developments at this year’s Paris air show. Tuesday's news was dominated by a surprise Boeing 737 Max order from IAG. We also here from the under-fire acting chief executive of South African Airlines. Lewis is joined by executive editor Graham Dunn to talk through the day's orders, and Max Kingsley-Jones to discuss NMA-related developments. IAG signs for 200 Max jets...

Join Airline Business managing editor Lewis Harper as he takes you through all the key airline-related developments at this year’s Paris air show. Monday’s big news included Airbus launching the A321XLR, a surprise Virgin Atlantic order and Boeing’s latest thoughts on the 737 Max. Airbus unveils 101t A321XLR with 4,700nm range https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-airbus-unveils-101t-a321xlr-with-4700nm-rang-458994/ Virgin Atlantic signs for up to 20 A330-900s...

Join executive editor Graham Dunn and managing editor Lewis Harper as they discuss all the talking points from the recent IATA AGM in Seoul, including a downward adjustment for industry profits, existential threats from climate change and progress on gender diversity in senior airline roles. Max Kingsley-Jones then joins the discussion to talk through the latest thinking on the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max fleet. IATA downgrades 2019 profits outlook by a fifth...