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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Bryan Batista appointed CEO at Skyscanner
Skyscanner, a global leader in travel, announces that Bryan Batista has been appointed CEO, taking over the role from John Mangelaars. Batista is currently the Chief Operating Officer and will become CEO on the 1st June 2025.
Skyscanner connects over 160m users in 180 countries and 37 languages [...]
Survival of the fittest: How OTAs are competing in the Middle East
In an increasingly competitive Middle East online travel landscape, staying ahead demands more than just speed – it requires sharp differentiation, relentless innovation, and smart use of AI. That was the dominant mood as top OTA leaders from Booking.com, Wego, Almosafer, and Travelwings gath [...]
Asia-Pacific airlines continue to lead passenger demand growth at 9.9%
Meanwhile, load factors fell in every region, for a -1.7 ppt overall decline.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for March 2025 global passenger demand for air travel with the following highlights:
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), w [...]
Jazeera Airways partners with HTS to introduce Cancel for Any Reason and Disruption for Any Reason
These first-time fintech products in the Middle East aim to enhance booking flexibility and passenger experience
Jazeera Airways and HTS, the B2B division of Hopper, have joined hands to introduce Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Disruption Assistance For Any Reason (DAFAR) on the airline’s dir [...]
flyadeal gets A330s. AirAsia MOVE’s double deal. Spotlight on IDeaS. EGL adopts Amadeus. More.
flyadeal announces order for A330 widebody aircraft
flyadeal, the low-cost carrier under the Saudia Group, has announced an order for 10 Airbus A330neo wide-body aircraft, marking a shift towards long-haul operations. The aircraft, scheduled for delivery from 2027 over a three-year period, will sup [...]
