LAX’s Stand Against Rideshare Congestion and 10 Other Top Aviation Stories This Week

LAX Leads Airport Stand Against Uber and Lyft Congestion: This is a bad development for frequent flyers. Many Uber and Lyft riders value their time, and they don’t want to have to hop on a shuttle bus to get to a rideshare pickup area. Here’s a better idea: Let people arrange for rideshare pickups at the terminals — but only if they pay extra money for the privilege.

Why Do Europe’s Airlines Keep Dying Off?  Each airline failure, of course, includes a number of problems related to the specific business. In Europe, at least at the moment, many of the smaller players that found they could once eke out a living on the edge of the market are no longer able to do so.

Europe’s Airline Woes Hit Slovenia — and Its Promising Tourism Growth: European aviation’s wretched month will also have major effects on up-and-coming tourist destinations. Slovenia is one such example.

United President Quashes Rumors He Might Jump Back to American Airlines: United’s Scott Kirby has pledged to remain as president of the airline despite rumors to the contrary. But that won’t quell talk about whether American Airlines’ CEO Doug Parker will last through the year.

Private Jet Services Face Identity Crisis: The need for hands-on, personalized customer service cannot be overlooked in private aviation, even as technology is disrupting the legacy business model.

Allegiant Air Is Counting On New NFL Stadium in Vegas to Boost Recognition: Allegiant Air wants more customers to know what it is, so it’s putting its name on a new NFL stadium. It’s an out-of-character move for America’s most frugal airline.

Argentina’s State-Run Airline Tries Evolving for a Fragile South American Market:
Aerolíneas Argentinas has focused heavily on improving its efficiency and customer service in a more competitive aviation industry, but its strategy could change depending on the outcome of Argentina’s upcoming national elections.

United Upgrades Its Upgrade System for Frequent Flyers:United’s new points-based system for upgrading MileagePlus members should be more flexible and straightforward for elite travelers. Emphasis on “should be.”

Who Is Next on the Flight-Shaming Agenda? Greta Thunberg’s climate activism is a thing of beauty. The fact that a teenager from the small country of Sweden can have such a powerful impact on world opinion is inspiring. But another Swedish environmental sensation, known as flygskam (flight shaming), might need a bit of tinkering.

American and Alaska Airlines Cut Back Loyalty Ties: Frequent flyers on both American and Alaska next March are losing a valuable channel through which they can book miles come.

Aero Raises $16 Million for Air Service for Millennials: Travel Startup Funding This Week: This week, the startups Aero, TravelBank, Impala, Quicko, and Fyle together announced more than $45 million in funding.