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CAPA News Briefs

CAPA publishes more than 1,000 global News Briefs every week, covering all aspects of the aviation and travel industry. It’s the most comprehensive source of market intelligence in the world, with around 50 per cent of content translated from non-English sources. The breadth of our coverage means you won’t need any other news sources to monitor competitors and stay informed about the latest developments in the wider aviation sector.

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Below is a sample of the latest news headlines. 231 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.

Delta Air Lines achieved (16-Apr-2025) a 1% reduction in fuel burn through operational improvements as of 1Q2025, compared to 2019 and "relative to what we would have used if Delta had not undertaken any fuel efficiency efforts, not including fleet renewal". The airline saved 45 million gallons of jet fuel, valued at more than USD110 million p/a in cost savings. The reduction was achieved through reducing aircraft weight, introducing technology to track APU use between flights, optimising aircraft speed and routing, certifying new landing procedures and adding drag reduction technology such as winglets. Delta stated it is the first US airline to achieve its near term (2025) fuel savings goal from operational improvements. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Delta Air Lines has been working on various strategies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. In the short term, it addressed emissions through operational efficiencies and carbon offset investments, committing over USD30 million for verified offsets to manage emissions from Mar-2020 to Dec-20201. The airline retired more than 200 older aircraft in 2020, resulting in a nearly 6% improvement in fuel efficiency per available seat mile compared to 20192.

Spirit Airlines announced (17-Apr-2025) its board of directors appointed Dave Davis as president and CEO and a member of the board, effective 21-Apr-2025. Mr Davis was previously Sun Country Airlines president and CFO, and a board member. [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand announced (17-Apr-2025) its first retrofitted Boeing 787-9 aircraft (ZK-NZH) landed in Auckland on 16-Apr-2025. The aircraft spent 184 days in Singapore as it was retrofitted with new cabin interiors, including the Business Premier Luxe seat and redesigned Business Premier, premium economy and economy cabins. The second 787-9 to be retrofitted with the new interiors is undergoing work in Singapore. Seven aircraft are expected to be completed by the end of 2025. All 14 of the airline's 787-9s will be updated to the new cabin layout by the end of 2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Air New Zealand launched a major refresh of its Boeing 787-9 fleet, beginning with the first of 14 aircraft retrofitted by ST Engineering in Singapore, with work to continue over the next two years1. The airline expected to have over half of its Boeing 787 fleet modernised by this time in 2026, incorporating Business Premier Luxe seats2. The refurbishment is part of a broader NZD3.5 billion investment in new and retrofitted aircraft3.

TAV Airports announced (17-Apr-2025) the new international terminal T2 at Antalya Airport welcomed its first passengers. As previously reported by CAPA, Antalya Airport inaugurated the new terminal on 12-Apr-2025, increasing the airport's handling capacity to 65 million passengers p/a. The project is part of the first phase of Antalya Airport's expansion project, requiring an investment of EUR850 million. Details of the project include:

  • Expansion of international Terminal 2 to 225,000sqm;
  • Expansion of the domestic terminal to 75,000sqm;
  • Expansion of the apron, increasing the number of aircraft parking spaces to 202;
  • Construction of multi-storey car park;
  • Construction of new taxiways, connecting roads and aircraft maintenance hangars;
  • Expansion of the commercial area to 33,000sqm. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Fraport and TAV Airports completed the first phase of Antalya Airport's expansion, with an investment of EUR850 million, which included expanding Terminal 2 and planning a new air traffic control tower for completion by end of 20261. The expansion increased the number of lounges in the terminal to three, with the addition of Comfort, Elite, and Premium lounges, each with access to a separate duty free store2.

Malaysia Airlines Group reported (17-Apr-2025) its third consecutive year of positive operating profit at MYR113million for 2024, and net profit after interest and tax of MYR54 million. The carrier reported EBITDA of MYR788 million, despite "operational headwinds", including proactive network cuts in 4Q2024, which reduced capacity by 18% year-on-year. The capacity cuts, driven by supply chain disruptions which extended maintenance times and delays in new aircraft delivery, were implemented during a "traditionally strong quarter", impacting the group's full year revenue, which stood at MYR13,679 million, a "marginal" 1% decrease on the back of a 6% increase in available seat kilometres. Passenger traffic remained "robust" in the premium segment, with stronger passenger load factors for both passenger and cargo segments. The group also expanded its international network through new routes and partnerships. [more - original PR]

IATA reported (17-Apr-2025) imports to the US "surged" more than 20% year-on-year in Jan/Feb-2025, "in anticipation of the Trump administration's new tariff regime". The association stated: "This exceptional increase in imports to the US reflects one-off front loading rather than a sustained rise in demand", adding: "The associated revenue boost for air cargo carriers might not be able to offset longer term headwinds". Details include:

  • US exports increased approximately 5% for Jan/Feb-2025, expanding the country's trade deficit to new highs of USD131 billion in Jan-2025 and USD123 billion in Feb-2025. IATA stated: "The sharp deterioration in the trade balance will subtract from GDP growth" for 1Q2025;
  • The increase in imports resulted in greater congestion at some US ports, driving some companies to move to air cargo "as more firms have rushed to beat tariff deadlines";
  • The US will remove the de minimis tariff exemption, which allows low value parcels to enter the US duty free, on 02-May-2025. De minimis shipments make up 5% to 10% of the China-US trade lane and are "expected to decline significantly once the exemption expires". IATA stated that the impending removal of the exemption "contributed to a 37% increase in air cargo yields on shipments from China to the US" between early Mar-2025 and early Apr-2025. The association said yields may remain elevated during Apr-2025.

IATA concluded: "The blanket 10% tariff on all imports, along with a series of steeper, targeted duties on specific countries and product categories, will slow the imports in the coming months, dampening global trade flows, disrupting supply chains, and weighing on economic growth". [more - original PR]

iGA Istanbul Airport launched (17-Apr-2025) its triple runway operations system, becoming the first airport in Europe to implement a system that allows three aircraft to take off and land simultaneously. The system is expected to increase the airport's handling capacity from 120 to 148 air traffic movements per hour. The increase in air traffic capacity is projected to boost Istanbul Airport's passenger capacity to approximately 200 million p/a. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]

All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) expanded (17-Apr-2025) their commercial partnership to commence operating revenue sharing flights between Singapore and Japan from Sep-2025. The airlines are also working to offer enhanced reciprocal benefits for ANA Mileage Club and KrisFlyer members, including the ability to earn miles on an expanded number of booking classes. Subject to regulatory approvals, the carriers intend to expand the scope of their JV to include other markets beyond Japan and Singapore, including Australia, India, Indonesia and Malaysia. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore granted conditional approval for the commercial cooperation between Singapore Airlines and All Nippon Airways, with specific stipulations to maintain competition on the Singapore-Tokyo route1. The Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism also granted conditional antitrust law exemption for the JV, which includes plans to extend services to Australia, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia2.

Ryanair unveiled (16-Apr-2025) plans to invest USD3 billion in new aircraft, create 1000 jobs and open new routes in Germany, if the German Government "completely abolishes the air traffic tax" and "at least halves air traffic control and security fees". Ryanair stated its plan would double its passenger traffic in Germany to 34 million p/a. CEO Eddie Wilson added: "The new German government has a unique opportunity to address the structural problems in air transport and revitalise air traffic in Germany, which has fallen to just 80% of pre-crisis levels as a result of extremely high access costs. Even though the government is taking initial steps in the right direction by reversing the increase in the air traffic tax and committing to reducing further access costs, these measures do not go nearly far enough". [more - original PR - German]

Background ✨

Ryanair consistently criticised Germany's high access costs, including air traffic taxes and fees, as barriers to air traffic recovery, with traffic levels in Germany lagging at 82% of pre-pandemic levels in Mar-20251. The airline urged Germany to fully abolish its air traffic tax and reduce fees by 50% to address these issues2. Moreover, Ryanair reduced its capacity by 12% for summer 2025, closing bases in Dortmund, Dresden, and Leipzig3.

Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) conducted (16-Apr-2025) a poll finding global business travel volume is expected to "decrease significantly" in 2025 due to "recent US government actions including tariffs, cross-border policies and entry restrictions". Details include:

  • A "significant" portion of over 900 global industry respondents are anticipating declines ahead and overall optimism has "taken a hit" in recent weeks;
  • 44% of global buyers anticipate their organisation's business travel spending and volume in 2025 will not be impacted. 25% of travel suppliers reported their business travel revenue will not be impacted;
  • 29% of global travel buyers expect a decline in business travel volume at their companies in 2025, averaging a 21% year-on-year decrease. 19% of travel buyers are uncertain about what the impact will be;
  • 27% of buyers predict a 20% average decrease in their business travel spending in 2025. With global business travel spending forecast to reach USD1.63 trillion in 2025, that could represent a potential decline of up to USD88 billion;
  • 37% of travel suppliers and travel management company professionals anticipate an average decline of 18% in related revenue;
  • 31% of global industry professionals remain optimistic about the overall industry outlook for 2025, while 40% are neutral. This marks a "significant" decline from GBTA's Nov-2024 poll, where 67% reported an optimistic outlook and 26% were neutral;
  • 7% of buyer organisations have revised their corporate travel policies for travel to or from the US since Jan-2025. Another 25% said they are planning to or will consider doing so in the future. 64% are staying the course;
  • Up to 20% have or are considering cancelling, moving or pulling attendance from meetings and events located in the US;
  • 10% are planning or considering cancelling employee attendance at US events;
  • Respondents' top concerns for long term impacts of US government actions are related to economics, namely business travel costs (54%), potential budget cuts (40%) and additional travel processing and administration needs such as visas or documentation (46%). This was followed by traveller focused concerns, such as employee willingness to travel to the US (37%) and increased safety and duty of care (37%). [more - original PR]

ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East reported (16-Apr-2025) airports in Asia Pacific and the Middle East are expected to undergo "extensive development". Combined investments of USD240 billion will be dedicated to upgrading existing facilities (brownfield projects) and building new airports (greenfield projects) between 2025 and 2035. ACI conducted a survey of more than 30 key airports from the regions to assess airport development needs. Details include:

  • Brownfield development: USD136 billion would be invested to upgrade existing airports, creating an additional 680 million passenger capacity and 14 million tonnes of cargo capacity;
  • Greenfield development: USD104 billion will be allocated to build new airports, adding 562 million passenger capacity and 57 million tonnes of cargo capacity.

ACI noted that by 2053, Asia Pacific and the Middle East are expected to serve nearly 11 billion passengers, close to a three-fold increase from 3.9 billion passengers in 2024. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

By 2043, Asia Pacific was projected to handle over seven billion passengers, surpassing Europe and North America combined, and reaching nine billion by 20531. To support this growth, ACI emphasised the need for economic sustainability and financial resilience, estimating a requirement of USD1.3 trillion in capital expenditure, including USD579 billion for new airport development in Asia Pacific2. Despite challenges such as geopolitical issues and economic uncertainties, the region was expected to drive global air travel growth3 4.

Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, via its official LinkedIn account, announced (15-Apr-2025) the commencement of full operations from Terminal 1. All operations from Terminal 2 will be shifted to T1 until further notice, due to maintenance works at T2. As previously reported by CAPA, the renovated T1 commenced partial operations in Aug-2024.