Airline News

Canada's Swoop will fly more than 300 percent more capacity this summer compared with last summer, now that the country has rolled back most of its pandemic travel restrictions. The airline is adding five new destinations and 11 new routes aimed at Canadian vacationers.

The U.S. pilot shortage may push airfares higher as travelers stream back into the skies this summer, warns Sun Country CEO Jude Bricker. But that's good news for airlines that are still reeling financially from the coronavirus pandemic.

Loyalty is big business for airlines, from retaining lucrative business travelers to earning big bucks from credit card partnerships. Aeromexico is the latest airline to take full control of its loyalty program with plans to buy out investor Aimia.

Good morning from Skift. It's Tuesday, February 8, in New York City. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today.

When Allegiant President John Redmond adds the CEO title in June, he'll have to deal with some of the same issues, such as the pandemic, that he's trying to handle now. Add one more thing to the list: Frontier could become a more formidable flight competitor if it gets the OK to merge with Spirit.

The rumors have come true with Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines unveiling plans to merge Monday. The deal would create a U.S. budget juggernaut and the country's fifth largest airline but likely faces a tough approvals process from the pro-competition Biden administration.

These indeed are remarkable times. In the span of a few months, the world has two new freighter variants, the Airbus A350F, launched late last year, and now the Boeing…

Philippine Airlines has finally exited from Chapter 11, with debts erased and new capital infused. But will these be enough to keep it flying with clearly too many pilots in its cockpit?

IndiGo isn't too worried about the changing competitive airline landscape in India. It can afford to be smug — for now — thanks to its commanding position in the country's domestic market and expanding international network, but rivals are nipping at its heels.

Why would anyone start an airline now, as the airline industry recovers from its worst crisis in a century, to fly to Asia, a region where travel is expected to remain depressed until 2024? Northern Pacific Airways, a startup based in Anchorage, believes now is the best time, so it can get established before competition heats back up.