Airline Industry News

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the airline sector, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on network carriers, low-cost airlines and package charters.

The airline sector continues to evolve rapidly, driven by technological innovation, shifting traveler expectations, and a dynamic global marketplace. PhocusWire delivers up-to-the-minute airline industry news with a focus on distribution strategies, operational advancements, customer experience, and sustainability in aviation.

Latest airline updates, trends, and aviation insights

Get a comprehensive view of what’s shaping the global airline landscape—from new fleet technologies and route expansions to loyalty program shifts and retailing transformations. Our coverage highlights how carriers are adapting to economic pressures, regulatory changes, and emerging consumer trends through digital tools, automation, and enhanced service models.

azul-lilium-partnership
News / Technology
Brazil’s Azul makes move into electric air taxis
By Mitra Sorrells | August 6, 2021
Azul and German startup Lilium will build an eVTOL network in Brazil, with Azul operating 220 of the electric aircraft.  Read More
VIDEO: The Big Picture for travel payments
News / Technology
VIDEO: The Big Picture for travel payments
By PhocusWire | August 6, 2021
In some respects the payments element of the travel, tourism and hospitality sector operates regardless of the number of travelers. Think again. Read More
Lastminute.com Group points to strong travel rebound as financials improve
News / Online
Lastminute.com Group points to strong travel rebound as financials improve
By Kevin May | August 5, 2021
The jump of 213% year-over-year points to a strong rebound for the business, especially in June when income was in line with pre-COVID levels despite lower booking volumes. Read More
booking-holdings-q2-2021
News / Distribution
Booking Holdings hits $22B in bookings as latest quarter rides recovery
By Mitra Sorrells | August 5, 2021
Room nights booked in the second quarter were 157 million, up from 99 million in the Q1 of this year and a 458% increase from Q2 2020.   Read More
Ixigo acquires Abhibus, boosts presence beyond India's major cities
News / Online
Ixigo acquires Abhibus, boosts presence beyond India's major cities
By Linda Fox | August 5, 2021
The purchase price for the Hyderabad-based company has not been disclosed, except to say that it’s being sold for a mixture of cash and Ixigo stock. Read More
russia-travel-recovery
News / Online
Russia's online travel primed as investment arrives
By Linda Fox | August 4, 2021
The country's travel industry had been experiencing strong growth in the years running up to 2020 and online travel sales were steadily growing. Read More
VIDEO: Easing the burden of paying for travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: Easing the burden of paying for travel
By PhocusWire | August 4, 2021
What is the appeal of buy-now-pay-later for brands? What segments of the industry is it more popular than others? And what effect does it have on the business models of exissting brands? Read More
STARTUP STAGE: TravelRank guides travelers to new destinations via AI
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: TravelRank guides travelers to new destinations via AI
By Linda Fox | August 4, 2021
TravelRank's AI analyzes the user's travel history and compares it to data of similar travelers and similar unvisited destinations. Read More
Sabre revenues less than half of 2019 levels despite some travel resuming
News / Distribution
Sabre revenues less than half of 2019 levels despite some travel resuming
By Kevin May | August 3, 2021
Revenues in the second quarter of 2019 were $1 billion, compared to $400 million this quarter, an indication of how far the distribtion and tech supplier still has to go before it reachs pre-pandemic... Read More
What destinations can do about Apple's location data overhaul
Opinion / Technology
What destinations can do about Apple's location data overhaul
By Nikolai Scholz - Adara | August 3, 2021
Building a strategy that isn’t solely reliant on IP address is a smart investment in the future, especially for travel organizations that use location data for targeting and information-gathering. Read More
VIDEO: Navigating the travel payments ecosystem in Asia
News / Technology
VIDEO: Navigating the travel payments ecosystem in Asia
By PhocusWire | August 2, 2021
Multi-currency payments; fraud; how many payment methods should you offer – key headaches that need addressing. Read More
How airports must adapt to ensure a seamless intermodal journey
Opinion / Distribution
How airports must adapt to ensure a seamless intermodal journey
By David Gunnarsson - Dohop | August 2, 2021
Seamless intermodal connectivity in Europe, as well as the rest of the world, comes with many challenges, barriers and problems to overcome. Read More
Amadeus scores some financial improvements as traveler restrictions ease
News / Distribution
Amadeus scores some financial improvements as traveler restrictions ease
By Linda Fox | July 30, 2021
The distribution company reported improvements in revenue and EBITDA compared to Q1, while air bookings are recovering in all regions. Read More
Airlines must embrace tech to improve passenger experience
Opinion / Technology
Airlines must embrace tech to improve passenger experience
By Juan Hoyos - Cinq | July 30, 2021
How can airlines use technology to improve the overall customer journey as travelers take off in growing numbers? Here are three areas that airlines can focus on to improve the passenger... Read More
Sounding Off: Do the right thing on sustainability - from big moves to small
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: Do the right thing on sustainability - from big moves to small
By PhocusWire | July 30, 2021
If a brand can inspire just one customer (or thousands) to do the right thing when they return home, by the way it behaves on the smaller things, then it's a strategy worth implementing. Read More
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