Airport Security Gap and 6 Other Aviation Trends This Week

>>Security is all about tolerances. Yes, there’s probably a way to ensure that no airline employee ever steals an airplane again. But it’s probably not worth instituting such procedures. This was more likely a tragic fluke than anything: Don’t Expect Greater Airport Security After Alaska Air Crash

>>Last week’s stolen plane tragedy in Seattle made for great television. It also scared some travelers. But let’s call it what it was: a fluke: Let’s Not Get Carried Away With New Airport Security Procedures

>>Don’t look for airlines to impose weight limits on carry-on bags anytime soon, even though jet fuel prices are climbing and heavier loads eat up fuel: Customers Cram Carry-Ons as U.S. Airlines Look the Other Way

>>Accountants at Emirates, British Airways, and South African Airways must be breathing a sigh of relief. A combination of economic carrots and airline sticks — smoothed over by IATA diplomacy — has helped international carriers recoup more than $500 million in blocked funds from African governments since the start of 2018: Airlines Recoup $500 Million in Blocked Funds From African Countries

>>Someday Latin American economies will boom again, and the region’s airlines will be big investor favorites. But until then, investors may remain wary of companies like Panama’s Copa Airlines: Copa Airlines’ Rebound May Depend on a Latin American Turnaround

>>This analyst has a point. Perhaps Wall Street is undervaluing airlines because investors don’t know the full value of airline frequent flyer programs. But it’s not clear anything will change: U.S. Airlines Report Sky-High Profit From Frequent Flyer Programs

>>Southwest Airlines wants to keep its passengers happy, booking quickly, and coming back. In this video, Chief Revenue Officer Andrew Watterson explains some of the ways the airline achieves that goal: Video: Why Southwest Airlines Needs a Super-Fast Website