Loading

CAPA News Briefs

CAPA publishes more than 1,000 global News Briefs every week, covering all aspects of the aviation and travel industry. It’s the most comprehensive source of market intelligence in the world, with around 50 per cent of content translated from non-English sources. The breadth of our coverage means you won’t need any other news sources to monitor competitors and stay informed about the latest developments in the wider aviation sector.

Request More Information

Complete the following to request more information.

Our daily News Briefs are only available to CAPA Members

Membership provides access to more than 1,000 News Briefs every week, with quick links to our Analysis Reports, Research Publications, Data Centre and more.

It’s easy to keep your News Briefs relevant by customising your email alerts based on topic, region, sector, frequency and more. Once you’ve saved your settings, you can stay up-to-date wherever you are, by quickly scanning our News Briefs online or via the CAPA mobile app.

Membership also provides full access to our Analysis Reports, in-depth Research Publications and comprehensive Data Centre. Premium CAPA Members can also access add-ons such as our exclusive Fleet Database, Airline Cask Data tools and more, to enjoy the full capabilities of our global platform.

Below is a sample of the latest news headlines. 369 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.

Qantas Group announced (22-Jan-2025) the following new benefits and changes to its frequent flyer programme:

  • From Aug-2025, the number of points required to book a Classic Reward seat will increase for the first time since 2019 and the second time since 2004;
  • From Jul-2025, frequent flyers will earn up to 25% more points on Qantas Airways' domestic flights;
  • Qantas Frequent Flyer will remove the existing Status Bonus cap for tiered members flying in premium cabins;
  • From Aug-2025, Classic Reward seats on nearly half of Jetstar Airways' flights will start from 5700 points plus taxes, fees and carrier charges. The points fare will be available on all Jetstar short haul routes;
  • From 2026, members will be able to use their Qantas Points to upgrade to business class on Jetstar flights;
  • From later in 2025, members will have access to up to one million additional international Classic Reward seats in expanded and new airline partnerships. Premium Economy reward seats will be available to book on Finnair, Air France, KLM and Iberia for the first time;
  • Members will also gain access to Classic Reward seats on Hawaiian Airlines;
  • From Aug-2025, the number of points required to book a Classic Reward seat or make a Classic Upgrade request will increase across the domestic and international network and with partner airlines. [more - original PR]

All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced (21-Jan-2025) plans to convert seasonal Tokyo Narita-Perth service to year-round operations in 2025. According to OAG, the carrier currently operates the service three times weekly and is the sole scheduled operator on the route. [more - original PR]

Japan Airlines announced (21-Jan-2025) plans to gradually introduce A350-1000 equipment on Tokyo Haneda-Los Angeles and Tokyo Haneda-Paris CDG services. The aircraft type will begin operating on the Toyko Haneda-Paris service from 01-May-2025, expanding to Los Angeles service during summer 2025. [more - original PR]

Turkish Airlines, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (Jan-2025) the opening of a pet lounge at Istanbul Airport to ease travel with pets. The carrier stated: "Our brand-new Pet Lounge at Istanbul Airport is here to set a new standard in aviation, offering a soundproof, modern space designed for the ultimate comfort of your furry friends".

Background ✨

iGA Istanbul Airport recently inaugurated a new pet relief room near Gate G1B, enhancing facilities for passengers travelling with pets1. Additionally, iGA Istanbul Airport launched a 'Therapy Dogs' pilot project featuring five specially trained dogs in the international departures area, and the airport is equipped with four pet rooms to cater to the needs of travelling pets2.

SkyTeam announced (20-Jan-2025) the following changes to its lounge access policy for Elite Plus, first class and business class customers, effective 01-Apr-2025:

  • Elite Plus customers travelling on domestic flights will gain lounge access for the first time. Domestic lounge access will initially be available at selected lounges of Air France, China Eastern Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, SAS, Saudia and Vietnam Airlines. SkyTeam and its members plan to gradually expand access to more domestic lounges;
  • Elite Plus customers will be entitled to bring one guest into the lounge. The guest must be travelling on the same SkyTeam operated flight as the Elite Plus customer;
  • Three hour access will be introduced at more departure lounges. Elite Plus customers transferring between two SkyTeam operated flights will continue to have same day/24 hour access at the point of connection. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

SAS joined the SkyTeam alliance on 01-Sep-2024, enabling its EuroBonus Gold and Diamond members to gain SkyTeam Elite Plus status, which includes enhanced lounge access benefits1 2. SkyTeam has been expanding its lounge network, with recent openings at São Paulo Guarulhos and Santiago International Airports, offering exclusive amenities to Elite Plus members3 4. SkyTeam CEO Patrick Roux mentioned plans for additional lounges at key airports5.

European Commission released (14-Jan-2025) its European Aviation Environmental 2025 report, setting out measures on how to reduce aviation's impact on climate change, noise and air quality, and to ensure Europe meets its goal of climate neutrality by 2050. The report states that by implementing measures such as increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), making the most of air traffic management optimisations and adopting more fuel efficient technologies, emissions could be reduced by at least two thirds by 2050. Key findings include:

  • The average number of passengers (135) and distance (1730km) per flight continues to grow, as does the average fleet age (11.8 years);
  • The number of flights arriving at and departing from EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) airports reached 8.35 million in 2023, 10% below the 2019 level;
  • Flights departing from EU and EFTA airports emitted 133 million tonnes CO2 in 2023, 10% less than in 2019;
  • The average mass of CO2 emitted per passenger kilometre further reduced to 83 grams in 2023, equivalent to 3.3 litres of fuel per 100 passenger kilometres;
  • In 2022, flights departing from EU and EFTA airports represented 12% of total transport greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 4% of total GHG emissions in the EU and EFTA.

The report also stated net CO2 emissions could be cut by at least 65 million tonnes (47%) in 2050 if the ReFuelEU Aviation supply mandate for SAF is met. However, with projected growth in air traffic demand to reach 11.8 million flights p/a by 2050, further action in more fuel efficient technology, optimisation of operations and use of SAF is required to prevent such growth in traffic generating increased emissions. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

The European aviation sector faced challenges in achieving climate goals due to rapid traffic growth and increasing fuel consumption despite efficiency improvements1 2. The ReFuelEU Aviation initiative mandated a gradual increase in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use starting in 2025, aiming for a 70% share by 2050, to align with emissions targets3 4. The EU's 'Fit for 55' package aimed to reduce aviation emissions by enforcing SAF usage and other measures5 6.

Condor Flugdienst announced (19-Jan-2025) a further expansion of its summer 2025 schedule, following previously announced new routes to destinations including Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Prague, Vienna, Zurich, Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. Highlights include:

Qantas Airways joined (20-Jan-2025) the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), effective immediately. AAPA director general Subhas Menon said Qantas "would not only strengthen the Association's voice in international aviation policy discussions, but also reinforce effective regional collaboration on key aviation tenets, namely safety, sustainability, and seamless air travel". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Lion Air recently became the first low-cost carrier to join the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA)1. Vietnam Airlines also joined the AAPA, participating in its meetings and joint activities2. The AAPA has expressed a focus on expanding its membership to include carriers from India and potentially extending its geographic coverage3 4.

Southwest Airlines received (17-Jan-2025) IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, effective for two years. The certification recognises the adherence of the carrier's operational management and control systems to international standards. Southwest COO Andrew Watterson stated: "Successfully completing IOSA reinforces our commitment to safety and makes us accountable to the high standards upheld by airlines around the globe". [more - original PR]

Lufthansa Group finalised (17-Jan-2025) its acquisition of a 41% stake in Italia Trasporto Aereo (ITA Airways), completing the approved transaction of a EUR325 million capital increase. As previously reported by CAPA, the remaining 59% will initially remain held by Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), with options for Lufthansa Group to acquire the remaining shares able to be exercised from 2025. ITA becomes Lufthansa Group's fifth network airline and Rome Fiumicino Airport becomes the group's sixth and southernmost hub. ITA's Volare loyalty programme will be integrated with Lufthansa Group's Miles & More programme "in a few weeks", with further collaborations such as joint codeshare connections, mutual use of lounges and ITA's planned admission to Star Alliance "to follow successively". As part of the integration, Lorenza Maggio will take over as ITA chief strategy and integration officer and Michael Trestl will transfer from his position as Austrian Airlines CCO to ITA implementation officer, becoming responsible for the holistic integration of ITA into the group. As previously reported by CAPA, Joerg Eberhart was appointed as ITA CEO, taking over tasks previously performed on an interim basis by Antonino Turicchi and Andrea Benassi. Both Mr Eberhart and Ms Maggio were appointed to the ITA board of directors. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Lufthansa Group's acquisition of a 41% stake in Italia Trasporto Aereo (ITA) followed a comprehensive approval process involving the European Commission, due to competition concerns1 2. The transaction, completed in January 2025, aimed to enhance Lufthansa's presence in Italy, which it considered a crucial market outside its core regions and the US3 4. ITA's integration into the Lufthansa Group included governance changes and a strategic focus on utilising Rome Fiumicino Airport as a hub5 6.

×
20-Jan-2025 11:09 AM

EU tourism nights up 2% in 2024

Eurostat recorded (17-Jan-2025) 2.99 billion nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments in the EU in 2024, up 2% year-on-year. Nights spent by international guests increased by 58.7 million, while those by domestic guests decreased by 5.3 million. EU tourism nights were fairly balanced between international (48%) and domestic guests (52%). The number of nights spent in tourist accommodation rose in nearly all EU countries, with the largest increases recorded in Luxembourg (+22%), Malta (+13%) and Latvia (+7%). Slight decreases were recorded in France and Belgium (-1%), while the figures remained stable in Sweden, Finland and Italy. [more - original PR]

Avolon completed (17-Jan-2025) the acquisition of Castlelake Aviation Limited from Castlelake LP's aviation platform. The acquisition includes a portfolio of 106 aircraft on lease and commitments for 10 new technology aircraft. Avolon's fleet will increase to 1129 aircraft, including 664 owned and managed aircraft and commitments for 465 new technology aircraft. Avolon was advised on the transaction by Clifford Chance and KPMG. [more - original PR]