Love may be in the air – but for airlines, marriage is not for life

CAPA ANALYST PERSPECTIVE - a series where CAPA - Centre for Aviation's analyst team provide their personal views on a hot topic facing aviation around the world.

Every 14th February, across many places around the world, flowers, chocolates and other gifts are exchanged between loved ones; all in the name of St Valentine, a patron saint who is still shrouded in mystery.

Now the 14th February is a day for romantics, after poet Chaucer linked it to love in the Middle Ages, and it seemingly has its roots in a number of different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, who were martyred on this February date.

It may not sound quite so romantic now, and it has certainly turned into a commercial calendar date, but it remains a day that brings people together, and the aviation industry plays an important role in delivering that - through the carriage of both cargo and passengers.

Richard Maslen, Head of Analysis at CAPA - Centre for Aviation looks at airline business relationships.