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.

InPhocus, episode 11 - An opportunity for NDC post-coronavirus
News / Distribution
InPhocus, episode 11 - An opportunity for NDC post-coronavirus
By PhocusWire | May 21, 2020
Norm Rose, a Phocuswright analyst and veteran travel technology consultant, thinks the reset phase that airlines currently find themselves in will accelerate NDC as a standard (and more) in aviation. Read More
Expedia Group sees "great things ahead" and vows less reliance on Google
News / Online
Expedia Group sees "great things ahead" and vows less reliance on Google
By Jill Menze | May 20, 2020
Despite the coronavirus' impact on business, Expedia Group believes it's well-positioned to bounce back and steer away from Google. Read More
EasyJet admits security hack of 9 million passenger records
News / Technology
EasyJet admits security hack of 9 million passenger records
By Kevin May | May 20, 2020
The Europe-based airline says the attack captured names, email addresses and travel details, including 2,200 customers that had their credit card details stolen. Read More
Fly Now Pay Later raises £35 million to bring travelers flexible payment options
News / Technology
Fly Now Pay Later raises £35 million to bring travelers flexible payment options
By Jill Menze | May 20, 2020
The British travel payment startup believes the need for its services will increase once travel restrictions ease. Read More
cartrawler-investment-100M
News / Distribution
CarTrawler gets €100M investment to boost finances and drive growth
By Linda Fox | May 19, 2020
The company says it is well-placed for when travel recovers from the coronavirus outbreak with its “market position, international footprint and sophisticated data capabilities." Read More
Possible futures for a post-pandemic travel industry, part 1
Opinion / Online
Possible futures for a post-pandemic travel industry, part 1
By Mario Gavira | May 19, 2020
Nobody has a playbook, but there are four possible scenarios for how the travel industry will emerge once this pivotal crisis is over. Read More
immunity-passport-privacy
Opinion
Immunity passport debate shows we need a trusted guardian for digital identities
By Andersen Cheng - Nomidio | May 18, 2020
The global response to COVID-19 has sparked intense debate about the balance between protection and privacy. Should privacy be sacrificed in order to slow transmission of the virus? Read More
middle-east-coronavirus-recovery-WIT-2
News / Online
Middle East will be first region to recover after China, provided “we don’t make it miserable to fly”
By Melissa Trew - WebInTravel | May 18, 2020
A panel discussion moderated by Travelstart's Stephan Ekbergh considered the opportunities and challenges regarding recovery in the Middle East. Read More
travel-startups-beyond-2020
News / Startups
Travel startups on pent-up demand and opportunities in the "new normal"
By Linda Fox | May 15, 2020
Travel startups provide views on the shape of the recovery from the coronavirus outbreak and what's to come. Read More
Sounding Off: The unspoken reality is that demand may collapse
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: The unspoken reality is that demand may collapse
By PhocusWire | May 15, 2020
What the industry should be bracing itself for is to be hugely disappointed that demand isn't there because, simply, consumers are too fearful to travel or have lost their discretionary spend. Read More
Travelers may need to prepare for a contactless, surveillance-led experience
Opinion / Technology
Travelers may need to prepare for a contactless, surveillance-led experience
By Simon Nowroz - Disruptive X Emergent | May 15, 2020
While we can’t conclude exactly what the future may hold, we can establish an overall trajectory and an overarching narrative that we refer to as a theme. Travel's future is a very different one. Read More
Lufthansa Group airlines to be removed from Sabre as pair fail to reach distribution agreement
News / Distribution
Lufthansa Group airlines to be removed from Sabre as pair fail to reach distribution agreement
By Linda Fox | May 14, 2020
Lufthansa and Sabre have been wrangling over distribution costs since 2015 - now the group's airlines are to be removed from the latter's global distribution system. Read More
fairmont-mayatoba-zoom-background
Opinion / Technology
Virtual travel's time has finally come
By Tedd Evers - TripTuner | May 14, 2020
Virtual tours are no longer a nice to have - traffic and interest are on the rise now as a way of providing location interactivity. Read More
InPhocus, episode 10 - Farelogix tells all on the failed Sabre deal
News / Distribution
InPhocus, episode 10 - Farelogix tells all on the failed Sabre deal
By PhocusWire | May 14, 2020
PhocusWire's Kevin May talks to Jim Davidson, CEO of Farelogix, to get his take on the entire story, including the background to the deal, the court case, the decision to nix the acquisition two weeks... Read More
TUI targeting 30% reduction in costs and staff post-coronavirus, aims to accelerate digitalization
News / Distribution
TUI targeting 30% reduction in costs and staff post-coronavirus, aims to accelerate digitalization
By Linda Fox | May 13, 2020
TUI has slashed costs by 70% but is in talks with destinations such as Greece and Portugal for resumption of summer 2020 trips. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026