The airline business remains a roller-coaster ride unsuited for the faint of heart. First the good news: global airline financial performance improved in the second and third quarters of 2012 following a sharp deterioration in the first quarter.
Despite a dismal start, a painful set of first-quarter financials, high fuel prices and a slowing world economy, the world’s airlines managed to end 2012 on a relative uptick.
LCCs are under-represented in the GDS channel for historic, commercial and cultural reasons. Travelport’s aim is to move beyond standards to deliver, aggregate and merchandise content in a business-friendly way for agents. It believes that this approach heralds a paradigm shift in the relationship between airlines and their technology partners.
Fastjet has secured another £15.7 million ($23.4 million) in funding and lined up some potential partners, which it hopes will help firm up its planned acquisition of South African budget carrier 1time.
Includes: Selected Airport Traffic, Top 20 Reporting Airlines, World Airline Traffic, Jet Fuel Price Monitor, US Fuel Cost and Consumption, Aircraft Values, Aircraft Data, Aircraft Deliveries, Airline Traffic by Region, US Ontime Performance, US Mishandled Baggage, US Consumer Complaints
Given that US airlines have historically struggled financially, even during relatively strong economic periods, it would not seem to have been an ideal time for the famously volatile industry to finally turn the corner toward sustained profitability. But that’s exactly what happened.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines prides itself on its reliability and a healthy dose of Dutch pragmatism. Its 33,000 employees work to create innovative products for its customers and a safe, efficient, service-oriented operation with a proactive focus on sustainability. KLM strives to achieve profitable growth that contributes to both its own corporate aims and to economic and social development.
Climate research; aircraft retrofitting to reduce fuel consumption; a fleet renewal and modernization program that encompasses new, fuel-efficient and quieter aircraft; a pioneering test of biofuels on routine, scheduled flights; as well as many ground-based and ATM programs that save money and protect the environment are all part of everyday operations for Lufthansa.
Fortune, we are told, favors the bold. For Silver Airways this adage holds true. A vibrant, dynamic newcomer on the US regional carrier scene, Silver Airways is passionate about its brand and service.
Spanish carrier Vueling, named after the word “vuelo,” which is Spanish for “flight,” is not a traditional low-fares airline. It offers a near-legacy product with full GDS participation, codeshare and interline agreements, a frequent-flyer program, lounge access, business class and complimentary newspapers on morning flights, but still claims the second lowest cost base in Europe.
When Jürgen Weber became chairman and CEO of Lufthansa in 1991, the German airline was in a troubled state emblematic of many airlines around the world at the time. It was a government-owned, loss-making enterprise with a relatively limited, German-centric network. Over the course of his 12 years at the helm of the company, Weber—who started his career at Lufthansa in 1967 in the carrier’s engineering/maintenance division—undertook a series of changes that not only turned around Lufthansa, but in many ways helped transform the airline industry as a whole.
To merit ATW’s top award, an airline must demonstrate excellence and outstanding performance across the board. The ATW editors look for superb innovation and leadership by executive management; strong financial discipline; a consistent and excellent safety record; proven leadership in community, eco and technology endeavors; and consistent high standards of customer service. When the airline achieves all this in a tough and highly competitive market, as our winner has done, then it surely exhibits the hallmark qualities that set it apart.
Includes: Top 20 World Airports, Top 20 Reporting Airlines, World Airline Traffic, Jet Fuel Price Monitor, US Fuel Cost and Consumption, Aircraft Values, US Denied Boarding, US Ontime Performance, US Consumer Complaints, Transport Aircraft Deliveries, Airline Traffic by Region, IATA Traffic Growth by Region, US Mishandled Baggage
Includes: Top 20 World Airports, Top 20 Reporting Airlines, World Airline Traffic, Jet Fuel Price Monitor, US Fuel Cost and Consumption, Aircraft Values, Aircraft Data, US Ontime Performance, US Consumer Complaints, Aircraft Deliveries, Airline Traffic by Region, IATA Traffic Growth by Region, US Mishandled Baggage
In the last decade the Mexican commercial airline market has seen nearly a dozen airlines cease operations, including its oldest carrier, Mexicana, in 2010. In 2008 alone, five Mexican airlines closed their doors—Aero California, Aladia Airlines, ALMA de Mexico, Avolar Aerolineas and Nova Air. Through this turmoil, Mexico City-based Interjet (4O) has not only weathered the economic storm, but has taken advantage of the gaps left by those airline departures. Today, 4O is one of Mexico’s fastest-growing carriers.
Tunisair (TU) is working intensely to finalize a five-year restructuring plan by the close of 2012 that will see it shed 2,000 jobs, pace new aircraft deliveries and expand the reach of its network in the wake of Tunisia’s recent revolution.
There’s much at Lufthansa (LH) for its rivals to envy. An industry innovator, LH is founder of the Star alliance, a move that sparked the shift to global alliances. LH’s leadership in the advancement of training, safety, environment and aircraft technologies is second to none. It’s the largest European operator of the Airbus A380 and the launch customer of the Boeing 747-8.
UK budget carrier EasyJet has been promoted to the FTSE 100 index in the rebalance following the latest quarterly review to ensure the indices continue to portray an accurate reflection of the market they represent.
