Qantas sees strong conditions but domestic revenues mixed
November 10, 2025
Qantas continues to benefit from strong demand, but has guided that unit revenues on its domestic network will come in at the lower end of its previous guidance as some segments of corporate demand are not growing as fast as expected. The airline group says in a 7 November market update that it "continues to see strong trading conditions" but adds that geopolitical events are creating fuel price volatility "with jet refining margins remaining elevated". It adds that group unit revenue on its domestic network "is now expected to increase by approximately 3 per cent in 1H26", compared to its previous guidance of 3-5% growth in unit revenue, which was given when it released its 2025 financial results in August. "Leisure, [small and medium enterprise] and resource market demand remain strong. Non-resource corporate demand continues to grow but at a slower rate than previously forecast. Jetstar domestic demand has remained strong," the carrier states. It has also guided that underlying earnings before interest and tax for its Jetstar group segment is expected to be A$30 million loss in the first half of fiscal 2026 due to Jetstar Asia ceasing operations on 31 July and an expected A$20 million noncash impact on earnings from lease liabilities at Jetstar Japan linked to the weaker Japanese yen against the US dollar. On the international front, it has not changed its previous guidance of 2-3% unit revenue growth but has trimmed its first half capacity outlook from a 7% increase to a 6% increase due to delays in returning its A380 fleet to service. At the same time, it released the update, it launched a new 'Economy Plus' offering that will offer economy customers access to extra legroom seats, priority boarding and priority access to overhead baggage space on flights operated by its narrowbody Airbus A220s and A321XLRs. It will also be rolled out on its Boeing 737 fleet as it undergoes a reconfiguration from December. Qantas also announced that its first A350-1000ULR has completed major assembly at Airbus's Toulouse facility and will move to a new hangar to have engines and flight test instrumentation fitted for a flight test programme that commences in 2026. The ULRs will be used to launch nonstop flights from Australia's east coast in the first half of 2027 to destinations in Europe and the US east coast under the 'Project Sunrise' moniker.
Air Europa finalises stake sale talks with Turkish
November 07, 2025
Air Europa has concluded acquisition talks with Turkish Airlines, paving the way for the Istanbul-based carrier to acquire a 26% stake in the Spanish airline through an investment of €300 million ($345 million). The transaction, structured as an "exchangeable" loan, will convert into equity once regulatory and competition approvals are secured, a process expected to take six to 12 months. Negotiations began before the summer under the leadership of Javier Hidalgo, chief executive of Air Europa parent Globalia. Turkish Airlines’ binding offer was accepted in August, and the deal now moves forward pending regulatory approval. The agreement values Air Europa at approximately €1.175 billion, according to the airline. The new shareholding structure will see Globalia retain majority control of the Spanish carrier, Turkish control 26% and IAG hold 20%. For Air Europa, the capital injection enables early repayment of nearly €500 million in loans from Spain’s state-owned SEPI and accrued interest, completing a key phase in its financial deleveraging strategy. The airline also settled a €141 million ICO-backed loan earlier this year, marking a significant turnaround since the pandemic. "The transaction documentation process has been completed and the partnership agreement signed," says Turkish Airlines. "The investment will primarily take the form of a capital increase, with the stake expected to range between 25% and 27% after closing."
FAA orders US airlines to reduce flights from 7 November
November 07, 2025
The US Federal Aviation Administration will initiate a 10% reduction in capacity at 40 locations across the country from 7 November to deal with air traffic control staffing pressures as the government shutdown continues. Speaking in a press conference on 5 November, US transportation secretary Sean Duffy says that the month-long shutdown is impacting air traffic controller numbers, particularly as some are "taking side jobs" as they are not being paid, which is leading to "additional pressure that is building in the system". In the same press conference, FAA administrator Bryan Bedford explains that the agency has identified "issues of fatigue that our flight controllers are experiencing". He goes on to say: "We have identified 40 high traffic environments [where a] 10% reduction in scheduled capacity would be appropriate to continue to take the pressure off our controllers, and as we continue to see staffing triggers there will be specific measures that we will take in those specific markets." Other measures that will be implemented from 7 November include restrictions on space launches and restrictions on VFR traffic in some areas. Specific details on the cuts are expected to be announced in the coming days as airlines work proactively to reduce their schedules. Cirium schedules data shows that on 7 November there are 23,542 flights scheduled to operate within the United States, generating over 3.05 million seats. Soon after the press conference, United Airlines issued a statement from chief executive Scott Kirby saying that its hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted by the schedule reduction, which will focus on regional and domestic mainline flights that do not travel between its key hubs. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines both state that they expect most customers will be unaffected by the cuts. "We continue to urge Congress to immediately resolve its impasse and restore the National Airspace System to its full capacity," Southwest adds.