Madhu Unnikrishnan, Skift
A long-simmering fight over Open Skies is boiling over again and is dividing the U.S. airline industry. The U.S. major carriers say Air Italy is a Trojan horse for Qatar Airways to expand in the U.S. JetBlue and the cargo carriers argue changing the rules of the game now would invite retaliation.
3 days ago
Benjamin Katz, Bloomberg
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and other carriers will benefit from the deal, which maintains the right of UK-based carriers to fly between the U.S. and UK. Let’s hope the UK is able to have a smooth departure from the European Union because the lack of one would mean negotiating dozens of air rights deals.
5 months ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
Remember when the Trump administration suggested in May it had solved the ongoing dispute between U.S. and Gulf carriers? Hah. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker is already complaining one competitor is ignoring the spirit of the agreement.
7 months ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
Folks in Pittsburgh would probably love a nonstop flight to Dubai. But will they get it? It seems unlikely, even if Emirates CEO Tim Clark said the airline would consider flights from smaller U.S. cities.
8 months ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
It's funny. Fifth Freedom flights — those are routes where an airline flies from a place other than its home country — account for roughly 1 percent of Emirates' capacity, according to the airline's president. And Emirates has only two such routes to the United States. But it's a hot topic among airline insiders, and it doesn't sound like that will change.
11 months ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
Journalists grilled American Airlines CEO Doug Parker on Sunday about world affairs. It was unusual, considering he usually answers questions about capacity, or the passenger experience. But airlines are global businesses that rely on free trade agreements and deals negotiated by diplomats. Recent protectionist moves by some governments may not bode well for airlines.
11 months ago
Mary Schlangenstein, Bloomberg
By most accounts, there's not much heft in the new agreements the U.S. government reached with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates over airline subsidies. Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways will still carry a significant number of travelers between the United States and India. Perhaps the updated diplomatic agreement isn't the reason Delta is returning to India. Maybe it's just a good market.
11 months ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
The big three Gulf carriers are still very important, but because of a variety of reasons, they're no longer as scary as they were a few years ago. Still, this is good news for U.S. airlines.
11 months ago
Dan Peltier, Skift
Do travelers care more about cheaper airfares or not having to schlep to a consulate, pay for a visa, and wait weeks or months for it to arrive? Many travel brands would say visa waivers are more important, and many travelers would agree. The U.S. doesn't seem to be in the business lately of making it easier for travelers to visit, visa waiver program aside.
1 year ago
Christopher Jasper, Bloomberg
Virgin Atlantic CEO Craig Kreeger was reassured that Open Skies will be preserved after his meetings with key political stakeholders in the United States. Here's hoping.
1 year ago
Tim Ross, Nick Wadhams and Alan Levin, Bloomberg
This is a no-brainer. No matter what happens with Brexit, U.S. and UK airlines need open skies between the two countries. It would be unthinkable if big airlines lost their rights to fly between London and major U.S. cities.
1 year ago
Nick Wadhams and Michael Sasso, Bloomberg
It looks like the conflict between the U.S. — mostly Delta, American and United — and Qatar Airways is finally over, with Qatar agreeing to make concessions probably because a Saudi-led boycott against Qatar is putting it under duress. Will Emirates and Etihad be next to cut a deal?
1 year ago