Lufthansa Group recently announced that they will be implementing an “environmental cost surcharge” for flights, ranging up to 72 euros per flight. This decision comes as a response to the increasing costs associated with meeting new green regulatory rules for airlines. The surcharge will be applicable to all tickets issued from June 26 onwards, with
Airlines
The recent industrial action taken by Aer Lingus pilots has led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and has caused chaos for tens of thousands of travelers. The pilots imposed a “work to rule” action, which includes refusing to work overtime, accept changes in set rosters, or take out-of-hours management requests. This has significantly
Qatar Airways has once again claimed the title of the world’s best airline at the prestigious Skytrax’s 2024 World Airline Awards. This marks the eighth time that Qatar Airways has been honored with this title in the 25-year history of the awards. Not only did Qatar Airways take home the title of the world’s best
American Airlines’ recent shift in their New Distribution Capability (NDC) strategy mirrors that of their competitor, United Airlines. The adjustment in approach towards travel agencies is now more lenient, hoping to regain market share lost during previous efforts. The decision to revert back to traditional systems and only withholding basic economy fares aligns American with
Air France has unveiled its latest addition to its collection of luxurious airport lounges in the United States, this time at the Los Angeles International Airport. Spanning an impressive 12,000 square feet, this new facility will provide travelers with a tranquil haven before their flights. Located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, the Air France
Recently, American Airlines faced a controversy involving the removal of several Black passengers from a flight in Phoenix allegedly due to a complaint about body odor. This incident led to the airline putting an unspecified number of employees on leave. American CEO Robert Isom expressed his disappointment in a note to staff, stating that the
The FAA is set to enforce new safety regulations that will require public air charters to adhere to the same safety standards as large commercial airlines. Additionally, a new regulatory framework will be explored for operators of scheduled flights using aircraft with 10 to 30 seats. Impact on Air Charter Operators The proposed changes will
In 2023, airlines worldwide saw an improvement in their baggage handling performance according to a report by aviation technology company SITA. The report, titled Baggage IT Insights Report, revealed that airlines mishandled 6.9 bags per 1,000 passengers, which was a 9.2% decrease from the previous year. This improvement is notable considering that passenger traffic increased
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently imposed a hefty fine of $1.8 million on Emirates Airline for breaching airspace regulations during flights that were codeshared with JetBlue. The undisclosed number of flights in question occurred between December 2021 and August 2022. According to the department, these flights were conducted in prohibited airspace over Baghdad, contravening
When Elliott Management acquired an 11% position in Southwest earlier this week, the activist investor placed the airline’s management in the crosshairs. With a history of forcing management changes at companies it targets, Elliott acquired $1.9 billion in Southwest stock as of June 10. The call for the dismissal of CEO Bob Jordan and chairman
Turkish Airlines has set its sights on future expansion in the United States, with Minneapolis, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Orlando identified as potential new destinations. The chairman of the carrier, Ahmet Bolat, expressed confidence in the airline’s growth, with plans to increase the number of U.S. destinations from the current 14 to 20. While specific timelines
American Airlines recently announced its plans to implement dynamically priced fares in New Distribution Capability (NDC) channels. This shift in strategy includes the introduction of NDC-exclusive bundled fares and ancillaries. The decision was communicated to travel agencies in an email on June 11, as the airline aims to enhance its distribution capabilities. Previously, American Airlines
For Alex Sharpe, a recent trip to Israel was more than just a vacation. As the CEO of Signature Travel Network, his goal was to show support for Israel as a tourist destination and to dispel misconceptions surrounding travel to the region. Sharpe believes that educating customers is key, as social media and various media
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration recently made a significant announcement regarding a waiver of slot usage at the major New York City area airports, which includes LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy Airport, and Newark Liberty Airport. This waiver has now been extended through October 25, 2025, to provide flexibility for carriers operating between these airports.
Southwest Airlines, a well-known player in the airline industry, has recently come under scrutiny from investment firm Elliott Management. Elliot Management has taken a $1.9 billion stake in Southwest Airlines, indicating a significant interest in the company’s future. The investment firm is calling for the removal of CEO Bob Jordan and chairman Gary Kelly, who
Delta Airlines has made the strategic decision to introduce premium economy seats on flights between New York JFK and Los Angeles, starting in September. This move marks a significant shift in the airline’s offerings, as Delta Premium Select will be exclusively available on this domestic route. The premium economy cabin will be featured on four
As the United Nations set a goal to reduce aviation emissions by 5% globally by 2030, industry leaders expressed doubts at the recent IATA Annual General Meeting in Dubai. IATA director general Willie Walsh highlighted the challenges, pointing out that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production is limited in various parts of the world, such as
Cathay Pacific, a major airline based in Hong Kong, has faced challenges in expanding its U.S. service due to Boeing’s delivery delays. The airline has nearly doubled its service to the U.S. since Hong Kong lifted Covid-19 travel restrictions in April 2023. However, the lack of timely delivery of Boeing 777-9 aircraft has hindered Cathay’s