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.

What is the digital outlook for 2021 in business travel?
Opinion / Technology
What is the digital outlook for 2021 in business travel?
By Pascal Benn - Focus Travel Partnership | January 15, 2021
A travel management company operating in Jan 2021 will be faced with a whole new set of challenges compared to both 2020 and 2019. Read More
Scattershot COVID rules place travel on uncertain path in 2021
Opinion / Technology
Scattershot COVID rules place travel on uncertain path in 2021
By Jeri Clausing - Travel Weekly | January 14, 2021
2021 is supposed to be the year that a COVID-19 vaccine saves travel. But if the first week was any indication, it could be a long and unpredictable road. Read More
Kambr adds $3M in funding to accelerate airline revenue tech development
News / Startups
Kambr adds $3M in funding to accelerate airline revenue tech development
By Linda Fox | January 13, 2021
The investment comes from private equity investors and aviation industry veteran Michael Scheeringa. Read More
iata-travel-pass-evernym
News / Technology
IATA Travel Pass digital health solution to be rolled out to major airlines in March
By Mitra Sorrells | January 13, 2021
Travel Pass is a mobile app that helps travelers to store and manage their verified certifications for COVID-19 tests or COVID-19 vaccines. Read More
VIDEO: How COVID-19 accelerated digital transformation in travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: How COVID-19 accelerated digital transformation in travel
By PhocusWire | January 12, 2021
Rachel Barger, senior vice president of global enterprise sales at Cisco Systems, speaks about technology trends emerging from the periods of lockdown and what they mean for the travel industry. Read More
Uplift adds $68M credit line for travel payments service
News / Startups
Uplift adds $68M credit line for travel payments service
By Linda Fox | January 11, 2021
Uplift sees pent-up demand for travel later in 2021 and is also looking to expand to other sectors. Read More
VIDEO: Understanding the connected trip and what it means for travel brands
From Our Partners / Technology
VIDEO: Understanding the connected trip and what it means for travel brands
By PhocusWire | January 11, 2021
We speak to Ingenico's head of travel, Eric Liebman, about the definitions, use cases and how payments is a vital thread running through all parts of the process. Read More
jetblue-fareportal-lawsuit
News / Distribution
JetBlue calls Fareportal distribution antitrust lawsuit "frivolous"
By Arnie Weissmann - Travel Weekly | January 8, 2021
Fareportal, parent of OTAs CheapOAir and One Travel, filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that JetBlue Airways violated antitrust laws. Read More
Here's what happened in 2020, now be prepared for 2021
News / Online
Here's what happened in 2020, now be prepared for 2021
By PhocusWire | January 8, 2021
While many are eager to banish 2020 to a tightly sealed box, how the industry considers its options for the year ahead is based almost exclusively on what has come before. Read More
startup-stage-rebound-travel
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Rebound Travel has a cash-retention solution for travel suppliers
By Mitra Sorrells | January 8, 2021
The company, one of PhocusWire's Hot 25 Startups for 2021, is founded by Tobias Wessels, a former Google[x] CFO and senior vice president at Adara. Read More
big-chair-alex-zoghlin
Interview / Technology
In The Big Chair - Alex Zoghlin of ATPCO
By Mitra Sorrells | January 7, 2021
Industry veteran Alex Zoghlin returns to travel as CEO of ATPCO - with ambitious plans for the 56-year-old company. Read More
Airlines need new data sources to predict demand and gain flexibility
News / Technology
Airlines need new data sources to predict demand and gain flexibility
By Linda Fox | January 7, 2021
The airline industry has had 21 years of growth stripped from it in 2020. Managing cash burn and operational flexibility will be key to survival in 2021. Read More
WATCH: Visualization of digital travel revenues during initial recovery phase
News / Online
WATCH: Visualization of digital travel revenues during initial recovery phase
By PhocusWire | January 6, 2021
Some of the publicly listed players in the sector talked of early signs of a recovery in their revenues in the third quarter, as the latest version of the chart below indicates. Read More
andrea-kates-phocuswright-2020
News / Online
VIDEO: How travel companies can move toward “future-proofing”
By Mitra Sorrells | January 6, 2021
Andrea Kates, managing director of consultancy Futureproofing: Next, explains the "pyramid of possibilities" at The Phocuswright Conference 2020. Read More
VIDEO: How the pandemic might impact travel loyalty programs
News / Distribution
VIDEO: How the pandemic might impact travel loyalty programs
By Linda Fox | January 5, 2021
Travel loyalty programs will have to add flexible elements to their schemes to keep members with them. Read More
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