Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary believes it will be difficult to increase his airline’s load factor above 93%, which it achieved in its 2015-16 financial year.
The next wave of airline IT changes may include new jargon: Speech recognition to turn voice into text, natural language processing and artificial intelligence.
Richard Anderson, who resigned as Delta Air Lines’ CEO May 2, had some direct, if tongue-in-cheek words of advice for his successor, Ed Bastian: “Don’t screw it up.”
The future of passenger engagement is all about making technology invisible. “It’s about removing the friction from technology interactions, keeping it simple. As soon as technology gets in the way, it’s failed,” Google partner development manager Max Coppin told delegates at the Future Travel Experience (FTE) Europe conference in Amsterdam.
On the Cover 16 In with the new Ed Bastian takes the captain’s seat at Delta Air Lines as the company continues its ascent. By Aaron Karp Features 21 Attitude Adjustment With tremendous growth in traffic expected over the next 20 years, the passenger experience needs to be vastly improved. Airlines are looking to create a smarter, smoother experience for travelers. By Victoria Moores
Safran Aircraft Engines and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a joint venture (JV) dedicated to the repair of aircraft engine compressor blades.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has removed TSA head of security Kelly Hoggan from his post following extremely long airport security lines and a Congressional inquiry into bonus payments.
Lithuania-based AviaAM Leasing and China’s HNCA will create a Henan-based aircraft leasing joint venture (JV), which ultimately aims to manage a $900 million narrowbody fleet.
The Egyptian military has deployed an autonomous submarine to assist a multi-national contingent of aircraft and ships in the search for the main wreckage of EgyptAir flight MS804 in the Mediterranean Sea.
With more than 100 liberalized air services agreements in place, the US State Department touts Open Skies policy on its website fact sheet as “promoting increased travel and trade and spurring high-quality job opportunity and economic growth.” In reality, some in the US are questioning whether Open Skies policy should be “revisited.”
International Airlines Group (IAG) acquired Aer Lingus in September, bringing it under the Group umbrella that includes British Airways and Spanish carriers Iberia and Vueling. Stephen Kavanagh joined Aer Lingus in 1988 and was appointed CEO in March 2015.
Asia-Pacific airlines saw a move to an overall $6.9 billion in net earnings in calendar year 2015 compared to a collective loss of $1.2 billion during 2014, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
