Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 86: An Easy Bet on Low-Cost Carriers

11/29/17 • 36 min

European low-cost carrier easyJet isn’t doing as well as competing LCCs Ryanair and Wizz Air. But make no mistake: easyJet is doing well. The airline’s 20% operating profit margin for the April-through-September period puts it among the most profitable carriers in the world at the moment.

In the U.S., Delta and Alaska Airlines have been waging a battle for Seattle for years. And more recently, Delta and JetBlue are brawling in Boston. Is it possible all three airlines are making money at these highly contested airports? LATAM continues to rebound from the Brazilian recession. Avianca had a good summer despite labor strife and ending service to Venezuela. Finally, we close this episode looking at some growing and slowing airports.

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Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 85: High-Flyin’ Ryan

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Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 87: Jet Airways Troubled No More?

Jet Airways had a pretty mediocre third quarter. Still, there are plenty of signs of hope for the often troubled airline. In fact, Jet has posted 10 consecutive profitable quarters. India’s low-cost carrier IndiGo, meanwhile, is raking in double digit profit margins. And SpiceJet—an airline that fairly recently had buzzards circling above it—had its best third quarter ever.

Both major airlines in South Korea have seen their profits tamped down by a diplomatic spat between their country and China. Fortunately both Asiana and Korean Air enjoyed robust growth in cargo revenue, which kept things from getting too ugly. Meanwhile, Kenya Airways is quietly regaining its footing. And lastly, we take a quick look ahead to 2018.