Latest analysis
Frontier chief follows familiar path back to profits
New Frontier Airlines chief executive James Dempsey is going back to basics after putting improved aircraft utilisation at the heart of a plan to restore profitability at the airline.
Branding the third space: How airlines are redefining the middle market
Airlines might have a lot to gain by offering elevated but attainable products to a willing customer base, argues Conran Design Group’s Ludwig Duran
Finnair upbeat on earnings and confident refreshed strategy is right one
Finnair is the latest European carrier to explicitly or implicitly say it has reached a turning point, joining Icelandair Group and Wizz Air in announcing a change in fortunes underpinned by a refreshed strategy.
Airline news digest: 31 January - 6 February 2026
Our regular rundown of the biggest airline stories from the past seven days.
Icelandair takes heart from trends in early 2026 after another tough year
After a tricky emergence from the Covid-19 crisis, Icelandair has reasons to believe that 2026 could be the year when it makes it back into the black.
Allegiant expects full-year capacity decline partially due to 737 Max delivery delays
US leisure carrier Allegiant Air issued a conservative outlook for the first quarter and full year, pointing to a ”modest delay” of 737 Max 8 deliveries from Boeing and a shaky demand outlook.
LATAM reinforces dominant position with strong revenue, capacity growth
LATAM Airlines Group reported a 50% surge in net profit to $1.5 billion for 2025 as the Chilean company consolidated its position as Latin America’s dominant airline operator.
Manufacturers’ broken promises and airline consolidation hot topics in Dublin
As ever, this January’s Airline Economics Growth Frontiers was the aviation finance community’s Davos – albeit with a snow-crisp Swiss ski resort swapped for a grey, damp, and gusty Dublin.
Interviews
Why Emirates is adding an A350 service to Gatwick as it eyes further UK growth
Emirates will begin operating a fourth daily flight to Gatwick airport, bringing its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered Airbus A350-900 jets to the West Sussex facility for the first time.
How Saudia is transforming its business while growing to meet tourism demand
Commercial chief Arved von zur Muehlen outlines moves to transform the legacy carrier in tandem with the opening up of the kingdom to tourists
Neves focuses on network and frequency as Etihad gets back on growth path
Etihad Airways chief executive Antonoaldo Neves is steering the Abu Dhabi carrier into a growth phase with a strategy focused on boosting frequencies rather than dots on the route map
EgyptAir chief readies carrier for growth amid airport investment and tourism ambitions
Capt Ahmed Adel is positioning the North African carrier to play a crucial role as Egypt’s government invests in aviation infrastructure and seeks to double tourist traffic
LATAM chief Roberto Alvo focuses on fleet renewal as SAF remains elusive
LATAM’s chief executive believes that fleet renewal – and shoring up current-generation engine technologies – is the most viable path to boosting the efficiency of airline operations anytime soon.
Opinion
Branding the third space: How airlines are redefining the middle market
Airlines might have a lot to gain by offering elevated but attainable products to a willing customer base, argues Conran Design Group’s Ludwig Duran
Is the airline industry’s new-found ‘resilience’ actually just peak premium demand?
It might be the case that strong demand for the expensive seats among travel-hungry leisure passengers is a structural change in the post-Covid era. But there are clear risks in going all-in on that assumption
Is the airline industry at a point of inflection?
Some regions face a changed revenue environment amid slow GDP growth and stubborn inflation, writes CTAIRA analyst Chris Tarry
How Trump administration’s actions are weighing on airline traffic from Canada and Mexico
Demand for air travel to the USA from neighbouring countries has slumped amid trade tensions, divisive rhetoric from the US president and concerns over economies, exposing the industry’s vulnerability to forces outside its control
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