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.

Destination X - Five coronavirus recovery strategies for the tourism industry
News / Technology
Destination X - Five coronavirus recovery strategies for the tourism industry
By PhocusWire | April 7, 2020
The industry has the chance to reset and rethink as it looks to a future beyond COVID-19 - Destination X is a way to understand that opportunity. Read More
Airline and agency groups repeat pleas for urgent financial aid
News / Distribution
Airline and agency groups repeat pleas for urgent financial aid
By Linda Fox | April 6, 2020
Airline and travel agent organizations across Europe repeat calls to regulators and member states for aid. Read More
Tracking declines in online travel web traffic as restrictions hit across the globe
News / Online
Tracking declines in online travel web traffic as restrictions hit across the globe
By Linda Fox | April 6, 2020
SimilarWeb has marked a "pivot point" in website traffic to online travel companies when consumer and business behavior changed and traffic declined sharply. Read More
Sounding Off: In a post-coronavirus world, it's trains before planes
Interview / Distribution
Sounding Off: In a post-coronavirus world, it's trains before planes
By PhocusWire | April 3, 2020
Air travel will come back, for sure. But travelers shifting to rail might be a lasting outcome from the current climate (no pun intended). Read More
InPhocus, episode 4 - A jolt to make us all think
News / Online
InPhocus, episode 4 - A jolt to make us all think
By PhocusWire | April 3, 2020
WebInTravel's Yeoh Siew Hoon discusses the impact of COVID-19 and how its arrival is giving brands and workers the opportunity to consider how they might emerge in better shape. Read More
How will travel loyalty programs respond to coronavirus?
Opinion / Online
How will travel loyalty programs respond to coronavirus?
By Ashwin Kamlani - Kognitiv Corporation | April 3, 2020
There's a tremendous opportunity right now for loyalty programs to step up and show why being a member makes a difference. Read More
investors-coronavirus-impact
News / Distribution
Investors on travel survivors, pent-up demand and bailouts
By Linda Fox | April 2, 2020
Seeking Alpha asked some of its marketplace authors to comment on the outlook for travel stocks, the likelihood of travel returning to pre-coronavirus levels and the segments that might come... Read More
You will travel after COVID-19 - but it won’t be the same
Opinion / Online
You will travel after COVID-19 - but it won’t be the same
By Avi Meir - TravelPerk | April 2, 2020
From crossing borders to selecting insurance to considering air quality, travel will look very different once "normality" resumes. Read More
Loyalty in travel during a time of fear starts with the refund
Opinion / Online
Loyalty in travel during a time of fear starts with the refund
By Matt Walker - LikeWhere | April 1, 2020
The refund process for travel brands, at a moment when the operational parts of a business are in overdrive, is going to expose the culture of many brands, in the coming days. Read More
Q&A: Jeff Katz on managing and leading during a crisis
News / Online
Q&A: Jeff Katz on managing and leading during a crisis
By Kevin May | April 1, 2020
Katz, who was boss of Orbitz during 9/11, talks about leadership styles and tactics to deploy during moments of crisis. Read More
sojern-trends-coronavirus
News / Online
Search data reveals some positive trends but industry should remain cautious
By Linda Fox | March 30, 2020
Sojern looks at search trends to analyze whether there are any signs of recovery for the travel industry. Read More
agents-EU-airlines
News / Distribution
Travel intermediaries look to regulators for help with airline refunds
By Linda Fox | March 27, 2020
ECTAA, a body representing European agents and operators, is urging the European Commission to take action on airlines not refunding tickets. Read More
Sounding Off: Travel bailouts are not simple tasks to manage
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: Travel bailouts are not simple tasks to manage
By PhocusWire | March 27, 2020
 It seems more likely that any form of state aid will go only to propping up the travel-facing operations that inspire people to travel or are functional elements of a trip. Not the ecosystem... Read More
InPhocus, episode 3 - Living with the virus, thinking about a reset for tourism
News / Technology
InPhocus, episode 3 - Living with the virus, thinking about a reset for tourism
By PhocusWire | March 27, 2020
Destination specialist Doug Lansky to gives his account of contracting coronavirus and shares his perspective on the current climate for destinations and what could (or should) happen next. Read More
Travel value chain under scrutiny as airlines get bailouts and intermediaries plead for help
News / Distribution
Travel value chain under scrutiny as airlines get bailouts and intermediaries plead for help
By Linda Fox | March 26, 2020
IATA's mention of the value chain has faced significant criticism in the past week from some areas of the intermediary community, seemingly for acting in isolation. They believe the industry is in this... Read More
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