Building the future of air supply: Kelvin Fu’s global vision for AeroHub
When Kelvin Fu speaks about building, he doesn’t just mean companies. The AeroHub co-founder talks like an engineer, weaving systems, networks, and connections into every answer. “I cannot stop building,” he says. “Whether it’s companies, partnerships, or even transportation systems, I’m [...]
China’s Umetrip: A revival or a reboot?
When the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and 37 Chinese carriers – pretty much all of them – announced the launch of a unified direct ticket sales platform — embedded in the popular Civil Aviation Information app “Umetrip” — it immediately drew parallels to past airline-le [...]
Air travel growth slows as global conflicts hit traffic, but load factors stay sky-high
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for June 2025 global passenger demand with the following highlights:
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 2.6% compared to June 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), wa [...]
How travel hurts itself: The blessings and the curse of multi-source content
Once upon a time, in the golden age of air travel distribution (let’s say 30 years ago), we the consumers and intermediaries had this magical thing called full content. Airlines — for better or worse — filed all their fares, schedules, and inventory into a GDS. If you were an agent, an OTA, or [...]
Global air travel climbs 5%, Asia-Pacific leads the way
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for May 2025 global passenger demand with the following highlights:
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 5.0% compared to May 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was [...]
Not first but fast followers: Michael Cawley on Ryanair’s tech playbook, OTA rapprochement & regulatory realities
Michael Cawley may be best known for his long tenure as Deputy CEO and COO of Ryanair, but his thinking continues to influence not just aviation, but also how we see technology, regulation, and the distribution battleground in Europe.
In a wide-ranging interview at Phocuswright Europe, Cawley lai [...]
Experts weigh-in on Jetstar Asia’s closure: Strategic misstep or inevitable fallout?
On June 11, news broke that Jetstar Asia, the Singapore-based low-cost carrier under the Qantas Group, will cease operations on July 31, affecting more than 500 employees in Singapore. The closure is part of a broader “strategic restructure” by parent company Qantas, which aims to reallocate res [...]
Aviation’s dual reality: Dreaming of the future, grounded in the now
At WiT Phocuswright Middle East, aviation leaders debated the next 10 years of travel distribution, payments, and digital transformation, and the balance between ambition and realism.
At a time when every industry panel seems to default to AI, it was refreshing to hear leaders in aviation and tech [...]
Flying into the future: Willie Walsh calls for tech-first thinking at IATA AGM
In an address that oscillated between optimism and urgency, Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, took the stage at the 81st Annual General Meeting in Delhi to rally the aviation industry behind a future that is digital, data-driven and sustainably delivered or risk falling dangerously behind.
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Airline profitability to strengthen in 2025 despite headwinds
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced updates to its 2025 airline industry financial outlook, showing improved profitability over 2024 and resilience in the face of global economic and political shifts.
Highlights from the expected 2025 financial performance include:
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