Seizing the right moment: the rise of Low Cost Carrier Wizz

Wizz CEO Jozsef Varadi with John Strickland

When airline ‘Wizz” kid Jozsef Varadi woke his wife to tell her he’d been sounded out to take the hot seat as CEO for the struggling Hungarian national carrier Malev , she told him “You’d be really stupid to take it”.

With good reason: He’d left […]

Summer madness in the airline industry as the Farnborough season takes off?

The atmosphere at the Farnborough Air Show is always electric – with the excitement of new aircraft types and the buzz of new orders. Plane manufacturers set out their stalls and airlines cluster round like bees at the aviation industry’s honey pot. But this year is there a danger of a shopping frenzy? Ahead of […]

Low Cost Airlines: Tales of Arabian Flights

 

Just back from Dubai, where I was impressed by how the arid desert landscape is nurturing some stunning success stories for low cost airlines in the region.

Take Air Arabia, now 10 years old. It’s Chief Executive Officer, Adel Ali, has been there from start. His inspiration for the airline came from understanding the […]

The UK Airport Capacity Crunch: The Airports Commission Interim Report

Earlier this year I met CEO of Heathrow Airport, Colin Matthews. I subsequently interviewed him at this year’s World Travel Market.

He has plenty on his agenda. The government established the independent Airports Commission chaired by Sir Howard Davies to look at the tricky question of what should […]

Autumn 2013 - a mellow season for British Airways

When I met British Airways CEO Keith Williams earlier this year at the airline’s Waterside Headquarters near Heathrow, he was in buoyant mood. British Airways is certainly the resilient half of IAG. It has been through the pain of restructuring and come out the other side. Whilst the UK economy […]

The Emirates Qantas partnership: A New World Order?

Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, Alan Joyce CEO Qantas and John Strickland

I recently had the opportunity to interview President of Emirates Airline, Tim Clark and CEO of Qantas, Alan Joyce in Dubai at WTM’s sister event, the Arabian Travel Market. Their new far reaching partnership embracing extensive collaboration on […]

Dreaming of a bright future: Boeing's 787 Dreamliner problems in context

As the first quarter of 2013 approaches its conclusion, activity in the airline world is already off to a “flying” start-or not-as the case may be…

One of the biggest pieces of news has been the grounding of Boeing’s long awaited 787 Dreamliner.

Problems with the aircraft’s batteries are proving tricky to diagnose and rectify. […]

UK Aviation-room to grow? A conversation with Lord Adonis

 

One of the most challenging issues for the UK aviation sector currently is a lack of clear Government policy on the importance of the industry to support Britain’s economic recovery and growth. Wrapped up in this is the question of how best to use existing airport capacity and the contentious topic of additional […]

From zero to hero: Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker

 

In 1997 Akbar Al Baker became CEO of Qatar Airways, then a little known local Gulf carrier. Today he heads a renowned global player powering ahead with new fleet and routes

At the recent Arabian Travel Market, I explored with him Qatar’s growth strategy and elicited his forthright views on the industry at large. […]

IAG- A marriage made in heaven?

With IAG’s first annual results just out and showing promising financial progress it’s an opportune moment to reflect on whether the marriage between British Airways and Iberia is indeed a partnership made in heaven?

Profits have been delivered-a better result than some peers are likely to report in the coming weeks. However rising fuel prices, […]