Air France-KLM returned to profitability in 2022 on the back of soaring post-pandemic demand that led to the carrier's highest fourth-quarter revenues in history. Full year revenue passenger kilometres more than doubled, while passenger numbers were up by 86% and load factor rose by 24.8 percentage points to 84%. The airline group now expects capacity by available seat kilometres to be above 95% of pre-Covid levels for the second half of the year, potentially returning to 2019 levels across the full year. This will be spearheaded by growth at low-cost subsidiary Transavia which are forecasted to reach 135% of 2019 levels across the year, leaving corresponding capacity at its mainline operations at 91-96%. Full year group revenues came in at €26.4 billion ($28.1 billion) leading to a net result of €700 million – comfortably ahead of market expectations. “In spite of the Omicron strain, the war in Ukraine, the inflationary situation and the operational disruptions at major international airports last summer, our group and its airlines were able to successfully capture a strong demand for travel,” comments chief executive Ben Smith. He highlights the company’s efforts to restore its equity and consolidate its balance sheet, including a deal with CMA that saw the shipping company become Air France-KLM's largest shareholder, as well as progress with a transformation plan to hold down costs. “We close out the year with a positive net income, having turned the page on Covid, and look to the future with confidence in our ability to address the challenges ahead,” adds Smith. The company plans to eliminate all limitations associated with financial assistance from the Dutch and French governments by April. This will be achieved by refinancing methods that surpass the 75% repayment threshold on €1.2 billion of French state aid, as well as discontinuing corresponding aid from the Dutch state. By doing so, the company will be able to pursue activities that are presently restricted, including acquisitions. “Looking forward, the statement reads reasonably well, with the group remaining confident that the recovery will continue to build through the year,” comments Goodbody analyst Mark Simpson. He notes the company’s positive momentum tallies with wider industry trends seen this earnings season, while growth at Transavia over Air France and KLM speaks to the strength of short-haul intra-European travel.

Embraer delivered 30 E-Jets during the fourth quarter ended 31 December, following 27 commercial aircraft deliveries during the previous nine months. The Brazilian airframer handed to customers 14 E175s, three first-generation E190s, one E190-E2 and 12 E195-E2s between October and December, it says. During the January-September period, Embraer had delivered 21 E175s and six E195-E2s. Some 48 E-Jets were delivered by the company in 2021. In addition to the 57 commercial aircraft, Embraer delivered 102 executive jets last year. During the fourth quarter, an undisclosed customer confirmed an order for 15 E195-E2s with a total value of $1.7 billion, Embraer says. Spanish carrier Binter, meanwhile, ordered five E195-E2s at a list price value of $389 million. At the end of 2022, Embraer’s commercial aircraft backlog stood at 291 units, comprising orders for 90 E175s, seven E190-E2s and 194 E190-E2s. Some 18 E190-E2s and 51 E195-E2s have been delivered since the two models entered service in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Embraer's total E-Jet delivery tally stood at 1,728 aircraft at end of 2022.

UK regional carrier Flybe will start to wind down the business after its administrators could not reach a deal to sell the airline as a going concern. Joint administrators David Pike and Mike Pink of Interpath Advisory say in a 15 February media statement that although there was “significant interest from a number of credible parties”, they will now look to sell specific rights, interests and assets. Although the airline ceased operations on 28 January after administrators were appointed, some staff were maintained and efforts to gain a temporary operating licence were made, in hope that a rescue buyer might be found. “Unfortunately, there was a challenging set of circumstances at play, including the ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ rules related to slots, complexities with European recognition of a potential Temporary Operating Licence and the high costs associated with preserving the Company’s operating platform, which meant there was a limited window in which a clear path forward could be set,” says Pike. As a result of the failure to sell the company, a further 25 employees have been made redundant, on top of the 277 who lost their jobs when the carrier was placed into administration. Pike adds that administrators will work with lessors to return the remaining aircraft and their records over coming days. Fleets data shows that Flybe has eight De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s in storage, all of which were leased from Nordic Aviation Capital. The Birmingham-headquartered carrier re-launched in April 2022 under the ownership of US-based private equity firm Cyrus Capital Partners but had struggled with delays in aircraft deliveries from lessors. Just prior to ceasing operations, it was operating on 21 routes to 17 destinations across the UK and Europe, with a strong focus on Belfast.