Airline Weekly

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby warned that fares would have to increase 20% to offset surging fuel costs, but said United is in a stronger position than rivals and stands ready to scoop up assets from distressed competitors if the crisis deepens. “If oil prices stay where they are today, that’s $11 billion of expense for us, and that would require prices to be up 20% to break even — to cover that cost,” Kirby said Tuesday. hubs.li/Q048v_X_0

United Airlines announced Tuesday it plans to add more than 250 aircraft to its fleet by April 2028 in a move that signals confidence that the high travel demand in the airline industry is sustainable. “This is another step in a decade-long journey that we’ve been on at United to de-commoditize the industry to de-commoditize United in particular,” said CEO Scott Kirby during a call with reporters. hubs.li/Q04832Vx0

New York City's LaGuardia Airport was shut down Monday after an Air Canada Express aircraft collided with a service vehicle on the ground, killing two pilots — a disruption that rippled through one of the U.S.’s most congested aviation regions. Newark also briefly suspended flights following a tower evacuation, underscoring how quickly operations can be disrupted when multiple issues hit at once. The disruption comes at a time of mounting strain in U.S. aviation. hubs.ly/Q047Y4qM0

The price gap between sustainable aviation fuel and conventional jet fuel is narrowing, as oil market shocks from the Iran war push fuel prices higher across the board. “A significant share of both fossil fuels and HEFA feedstocks move through the Middle East, so when those routes are disrupted, prices rise across both conventional jet fuel and SAF,” Santos said. hubs.li/Q047NzPM0

In this week’s podcast 🎧, Gordon and Jay unpack how U.S. airlines are navigating a fuel price crisis — with jet fuel nearly doubling since February — while demand remains surprisingly strong. They dig into key takeaways from the JP Morgan Industrials Conference, where top airline CEOs sounded off on fare hikes, the O'Hare turf war between American and United, and whether an oil-driven recession could be the industry's next big threat. Watch or listen to the pod on your favorite platform or right here: hubs.li/Q047ymMD0

The operational and commercial impact of the Iran conflict on Gulf airlines is now showing up in frequent flyer programs. With flights still heavily disrupted, two of the region’s “Big Three” have moved to adjust their loyalty schemes. Etihad and Qatar Airways have each outlined arrangements to make it easier for customers to retain or upgrade their status during the disruption. hubs.li/Q047lqXR0

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said Tuesday that demand has been healthy, with the carrier seeing some of its highest sales days in its history over the past month. Sales have increased 25% year-over-year. “Healthy demand — it’s across all segments.” he said today hubs.li/Q047gjgY0

British Airways has halted flights to several Middle East destinations, with services not expected to resume before June as disruption from the Iran war continues. The pause is one of the longest announced by a major carrier since the conflict began. hubs.li/Q0475h8q0

When a crisis hits, people crave comfort and stability. But for those caught in the Middle East conflict, with over 55% of flights canceled, a fare home came with a hefty price tag. hubs.li/Q046MqN-0

The big three Gulf carriers — Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways — have become the connective tissue linking Europe, Asia, and Africa. When geopolitics disrupts one hub, the shock can quickly ripple worldwide. hubs.li/Q046qBSG0

Pieter Elbers stepped down as CEO of IndiGo Tuesday. The departure closes a consequential but turbulent chapter for IndiGo — one marked by sweeping global ambition and the operational fragility that rapid growth can expose. hubs.li/Q046k8Xm0

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has stepped down with immediate effect, the airline announced on Tuesday, ending a three-and-a-half year tenure with the Indian carrier. hubs.li/Q046cyfk0

The war on Iran could cost U.S. airlines $24 billion in jet fuel expenses, according to a Skift Research analysis, which estimates that ticket prices would need to rise by 11% to offset the increase. Globally, the impact could reach $100 billion or more. hubs.ly/Q0466_Yx0

War in the Middle East has crippled the well-tuned networks of Gulf carriers – but the impact will extend far beyond the region. In this week’s feature story we explore four new risks airlines have to consider. Watch the highlights, then read the issue: hubs.li/Q045_DgP0

Delta Air Lines announced Thursday a major shake-up of its C-suite as many executives are set to retire this year. The changes come as its CEO enters his second decade leading the airline — he could be working to ensure the company’s business model thrives beyond the current generation of executives. hubs.li/Q045VWLy0

The war spreading across the Middle East has exposed a structural vulnerability in global aviation – and according to Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr, Europe should take notice. hubs.li/Q045TfP70

Turkish Airlines is dialing back the pace of expansion – shifting toward profitability and network quality while still pursuing its global ambitions ahead of the carrier’s 2033 centenary. hubs.li/Q045NRrH0

Rising temperatures, flooding, and biodiversity loss are not just environmental issues, but could reshape where tourists travel, and when, proving a direct threat to destinations. hubs.li/Q045GqDW0

Simultaneous airspace closures have severely disrupted operations for the Gulf’s major airlines—Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad—highlighting their reliance on stable regional geopolitics. The same geography that allowed them to dominate long-haul travel is also their greatest vulnerability. hubs.li/Q045c7St0

Southwest Airlines has banned employees from wearing smart glasses and other wearable technology with recording capabilities at work. The policy was implemented due to increasing concerns over privacy, safety, and legal responsibilities as wearable tech becomes more prevalent. hubs.li/Q0454h-_0