Groningen Eelde Airport unveiled (01-Jun-2023) a hydrogen powered ground power unit (GPU) to power aircraft. The equipment was developed in collaboration with New Energy Coalition, the Province of Drenthe, KLM Equipment Services, HyTrEc2, the University of Groningen and Holthausen Clean Technologies. As previously reported by CAPA, the GPU will be powered by green hydrogen, generated by solar panels installed at the airport. The airport stated the equipment is the first of its type worldwide. [more - original PR - Dutch]
Loading
International airline capacity in the Asia-Pacific market is continuing its upward momentum as it gradually closes the gap with the other major global regions that recovered sooner.
Asia-Pacific international seat capacity is still well below pre-pandemic levels, but is nevertheless rising during its rebound year. While the increase is significant, it would no doubt have been steeper without some of the growth constraints confronting the airline industry.
Demand has roared back, and many airlines have struggled to keep pace in terms of seat supply as they seek to return the remainder of their parked aircraft to service and obtain additional aircraft. Supply chain bottlenecks have not helped the situation either.
But overall the trend is encouraging, and the data points from CAPA and OAG in this analysis provide a snapshot of the recovery dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.
Premium Analysis
Nigeria aviation: Abuja and Kano Airport concessions approved to Corporación América-led consortium01-Jun-2023
Nigeria aviation: Abuja and Kano Airport concessions approved to Corporación América-led consortium
Corporación América, based in Argentina, has previously been reported to have bid for the concession contracts for two Nigerian airports, as part of a consortium. At the same time as, separately, bids have been lodged for the Lagos airport by another two of the main actors in the sector. Now the bids have been accepted.
Matters are progressing rapidly, after many years of delays caused by opposition from political parties and unions.
Just as the greenfield airport Bugesera, at Kigali in Rwanda, will be watched carefully as its operators seek to establish a new benchmark for the continent, the first dipping of a toe into Africa by one of the world’s largest operators will also inevitably come under scrutiny.
The future of foreign company investment into African airports could hang on these two projects.
American Airlines and JetBlue are still likely recovering from the shock from the decision by a US judge ordering the airlines to dissolve their alliance.
When American and JetBlue launched their Northeast Alliance (NEA) in early 2021 it was an unprecedented tie-up in the US domestic market. Indeed, in his lengthy ruling that sided with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), District Judge Leo Sorokin concluded that airlines in the US “have not historically attempted arrangements that intertwine their operations so broadly with other domestic airlines".
But American has vowed to file an appeal, sticking to its belief that the alliance produces meaningful benefits.
There is no easy outcome or resolution for the Northeast Alliance (NEA) now that the judge in the antitrust trial has rendered a decision. And neither airline has an alternative for the partnership as the promise to bolster their positions in a key US market is fading fast.
Premium Analysis
Icelandair’s Detroit route crosses the eight-mile line; what it means for Icelandair and DTW30-May-2023
Icelandair’s Detroit route crosses the eight-mile line; what it means for Icelandair and DTW
Detroit and tourism are two words that don’t easily go hand in hand.
The blighted US Midwest city, once home to the nation’s car builders and the most iconic of all record labels fell on hard times long ago, lost well over half its population, and has found it hard to make a comeback – even if its fortunes have improved a little in the last few years.
What it does have is its award winning (Best 25-40mppa airport in the US - ACI) Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), home to Delta Air Lines, for which it is one of nine US hubs.
Delta has just launched a four times weekly flight from Detroit to Keflavik in Iceland, which was almost immediately matched by the same level of service from Icelandair, at a time when the real level of demand is barely comprehended.
As this report sets out, how this route will be marketed speaks widely at least of Icelandair’s established M.O., and implies how connectivity is more critical than ever to the success or failure of a new service.
Aegean Airlines Group is operating 16 new routes in summer 2023, taking its total network to 161 destinations and 264 routes.
For the full year 2023, the group plans its highest ever capacity levels, which should allow record traffic and take its passenger numbers above 2019's level of 15.0 million.
In 2022 Aegean was still below 2019 levels of capacity and traffic, but it reported its highest ever revenue and profits. Its 1Q2023 results recorded improvements versus 1Q2019 on all of capacity, traffic, revenue and profits.
Aegean's capacity recovery has not kept pace with the wider Greece market, where LCCs have returned capacity much more quickly. As a result, it has lost market share since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, with Aegean sitting in a market segment between LCCs and traditional legacy airlines, the priority for Greece's biggest airline group would seem to be profitability, and not market share.
CTC Singapore Corporate Travel SummitMore
Upcoming Event
27
Jun
Singapore: CTC Singapore Corporate Travel Summit
CTC Singapore will introduce our “Corporate Branches” format, designed to ensure all aspects of the corporate travel ecosystem are explored and featured in our signature exhibition space.
CAPA Latin America Aviation & LCCs SummitMore
Upcoming Event
31-Aug - 1-Sep
Querétaro: CAPA Latin America Aviation & LCCs Summit
The CAPA Latin America Summit is part of CAPA's regional summit series and is highly regarded as a benchmark event for the regional air travel industry.
Recorded at CAPA Americas Aviation & LCCs Summit, 26-27 Apr 2023
Start-ups: How are they fairing and what lessons have been learned?
More than 25 new airlines have started operations since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Americas proving particularly fertile ground for new airlines looking to take advantage of a disrupted market. In the US Breeze and Avelo – both launched in 2021 - have their own distinct business models that avoid direct competition with larger US operators. Meanwhile, Northern Pacific plans to launch later this year and believes Alaska is an attractive destination for travelers from North Asia, as well as a viable transit point. In Canada, Flair and Lynx Air are pursuing ultra low cost models and competing more directly with Air Canada and WestJet. How are these upstarts fairing in their respective markets, and what lessons have been learnt in their startup phases?
×
2-Jun-2023 12:27 PM
JetBlue to divest Spirit Airlines holdings at New York LaGuardia Airport to Frontier Airlines
JetBlue Airways and Frontier Group Holdings entered (01-Jun-2023) a definitive agreement, under which JetBlue will divest all of Spirit Airlines' slot pairs and leasehold interests at New York LaGuardia Airport to Frontier Airlines in connection with JetBlue's planned merger with Spirit. JetBlue agreed to transfer six Sprit gates at the airport's Marine Air Terminal and 22 takeoff/landing slots. The divestiture falls under JetBlue's upfront commitments in the merger agreement and is conditional on the closing of the JetBlue/Spirit transaction, subject to additional closing conditions. JetBlue Airways CEO Robin Hayes stated the agreement "will maintain the same level of ULCC service at LaGuardia Airport". Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle said the holdings will enable Frontier to "significantly" expand its operations at the airport. [more - original PR]
SAS announced (31-May-2023) reservations for 30 seats on each of its first commercial electric flights in Sweden, Norway and Denmark will open on 02-Jun-2023. The inaugural flights are expected to take place in 2028 and the ticket price will be SEK1946/NOK1946/DKK1946 (EUR167.90/EUR164.36/EUR261.31), a tribute to the launch of SAS operations in 1946. There is a maximum of two seats per reservation and per person. The departure day and place of departure to be communicated to travellers by email. [more - original PR - SAS] [more - original PR - Visit Sweden]
Milan Malpensa Airport reopened (31-May-2023) Terminal 2, following its closure since Jun-2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. As previously reported by CAPA, new features of the terminal include 21 self baggage drop machines and a new duty free area. [more - original PR - Italian]
Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes stated (31-May-2023) the company's aviation business has achieved "promising" improvement in 1Q2023, driven by the stabilisation of operational costs due to lower fuel prices and maintenance expenses. Mr Fernandes said: "Our average fare and RASK have surpassed 2019 levels, while our passenger statistics are fast recovering pre-pandemic levels". He added: "These metrics show AirAsia is still the preferred choice for its great value", noting: "We are also highly optimistic about the future of our aviation services business". [more - original PR]
×
1-Jun-2023 11:40 AM
Air France CEO: SAF production is a major strategic issue for France's sovereignty
Air France CEO Anne Rigail, speaking at the Air France-KLM 'SAF Masterclass', stated (30-May-2023) sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production "is a major strategic issue for France's sovereignty" and the country is fortunate to already possess a highly developed carbon-free energy sector. Ms Rigail added: "Air France-KLM wants to continue playing its part".
Want More News Like This?
CAPA Membership provides access to all news and analysis on the site, along with access to many areas of our comprehensive databases and toolsets.
Find Out MoreCAPA Aircraft Interiors - State of the Industry 2023
This report utilises the the CAPA Aircraft Interiors Database to analyse recent industry trends with data, visualising areas that have shown tremendous growth while providing clarity on how leading suppliers in each sector have shrunk and grown.