Airlines News

The Air Current

Singapore Airlines faces cabin-design backlash as premium passengers become more important

Global airlines are relying more heavily on well-heeled passengers to offset high fuel costs, but winning their business is becoming harder—even for Singapore Airlines, long seen as a pacesetter. The backlash over its cabin design highlights the challenge of meeting premium travelers’ expectations.

FlightGlobal

Turkish Airlines plans premium economy’s return but sees no need for first class

Turkish Airlines, a Star Alliance carrier, says it sees no need to offer first class as it brings back premium economy. The airline introduced an upgraded economy product more than a decade ago, ahead of competitors, before removing it altogether.

FlightGlobal

AAPA urges practical government support as fuel costs rise, adopts resolutions on passenger rights and cabin safety

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines called for timely government support as carriers face sharply higher fuel prices and operational problems. At its 70th Assembly of Presidents, the group adopted four resolutions, including passenger-rights regulation—a subject absent from its resolutions since 2018—and cabin safety.

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High activity

Plus Ultra begins creditor negotiations as restructuring targets its 679 employees, fleet and routes

The Spanish airline has told a court it has begun talks with creditors and has up to three months, extendable by another three, to agree a restructuring plan. The plan would shrink its fleet and destination network and permanently eliminate jobs; a collective redundancy process covers all 679 employees, though the number of affected roles has not been specified.

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ERA Partners takes majority stake in Grant Aviation, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan operator

ERA Partners has acquired a majority stake in Grant Aviation, whose fleet includes the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. The reported ownership change puts a regional aviation operator under new majority ownership; the available reports do not specify the transaction’s value or its implications for Grant’s fleet or operations.

FlightGlobal

Airline leaders call supply-chain disruption structural and warn it will persist amid cost pressures

Airline executives at the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines’ Assembly of Presidents on Nov. 13 described supply-chain problems as a structural disruption, with one CEO saying they would remain for some time. Leaders also cited ongoing cost challenges, calling the situation unacceptable.

FlightGlobal

Icelandair pilots plan indefinite strike from Nov. 20, affecting international charter operations

Icelandair pilots are set to begin an indefinite strike on Nov. 20, the airline says, disrupting its international charter operations. The action is the latest bout of industrial unrest at the carrier; the available reports do not specify how many flights or passengers could be affected.

Skift

Airlines weigh proactive AI against reliability in customer service

Proactive AI is changing how airlines approach customer experience, but its role in routine service depends on whether it can perform reliably. The central question is how much responsibility airlines should delegate to these features before they have demonstrated consistent results.