Jay Shabat

Jay Shabat is an airline industry analyst with 30 years of experience. He spent the early part of his career at US Airways and Air France before starting the Airline Weekly newsletter in 2004, which Skift purchased in 2018. Jay is also the co-author of “Glory Lost and Found,” a history of Delta Air Lines.

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SkyTeam’s New Star: The Rise of Copenhagen

Copenhagen is one of Europe’s fastest growing airports this summer. Scheduled seat capacity in the Danish capital is up 7% y/y, according to Cirium Diio. Surprisingly, Copenhagen is growing without much help from Europe’s low-cost airlines. It's legacy player SAS that’s responsible for most of the rise, as we explain in this week’s feature story.
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Has Delta Dodged the Storm?

Tariff uncertainty. A slowing job market. Negative Q1 GDP. Does a fragile American economy spell trouble for U.S. airlines? There’s seemingly no need to panic. All is well, at least for Delta.
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​​First-Half Review: 2025’s Top 10 Developments, So Far

If a week is a long time in politics, then six months in the airline industry can feel like a lifetime. It's been a tumultuous start to 2025, even by the standards of this least predictable of sectors, and don't expect things to slow down much as we enter Q3. In this week's feature story, we briefly hit pause to reflect on the first-half of the year. Don't miss the Airline Weekly team's top 10 developments of 2025, so far.
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The Rise of Flynas

We’re just about to start the second half of 2025, which means Q2 earnings season begins next week. As usual, Delta will get the party started, with an earnings call scheduled for July 10. Make no mistake: The first half of the year provided uncomfortable levels of uncertainty for many airlines. But amid the adversity, there are plenty of plucky carriers who aren't letting global headwinds hold them back. Among these is Saudi LCC Flynas, as we discuss in this week's feature story.
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Air India: Tragedy Amid Transformation

Just two weeks ago at the IATA AGM in Delhi, the aviation world was celebrating a new golden age for Indian aviation. Last week, the mood abruptly shifted as the industry confronted its worst nightmare. For all the marvels of air travel – its economic influence, its cultural influence, all the jobs it provides, all the joy it provides – there’s nothing more distressing than a fatal accident. Our sympathies go to all affected by the Air India tragedy. In this week's issue, we explore Air India's turnaround plan as it grapples with last week's crash.
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Les Wizzerables

Europe’s third largest low-cost carrier (after Ryanair and easyJet) just reported another dismal quarter. In this week's feature story, we explore the key factors causing problems for the LCC and examine plans to get Wizz Air onto a stronger, more strategic, flight path.
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Summer in America: A Q3 U.S. Preview

Welcome to the new U.S. airline industry. United is now friends with JetBlue. Southwest will now charge you for bags. United and American are both investing in Brazil. Delta is investing in Canada. But is this a new and improved U.S. airline industry?
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The IndiGo Show

Only about 20 airlines generate more than $10 billion in revenue annually. India's largest airline is also the club’s youngest member — it’s still a teenager at just 19. But much more important than either its size or its age is its consistently strong profitability.