South African Airways has reported a loss for the 12 months to end-March 2024, after higher expenses for fuel and aircraft constrained its recovery. Revenue rose nearly a quarter, to R7 billion ($396 million), but this was more than offset by a series of "exogenous factors", says the carrier. These included a R415 million hit from currency volatility; fuel and leasing costs that rose by 46% and 30%, respectively; and late delivery of aircraft. As a result, the EBITDA result flipped from R436 million in 2022-23 (its first full year of flying since exiting business rescue, a form of bankruptcy protection, in April 2021) to negative R90 million in 2023-24. Through the period, SAA operated an average of 10 aircraft to 15 destinations, representing a rise of 42%. It highlights a "significant increase in flights" on international African routes as well as routes from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Sao Paulo starting in the second half of the financial year. Data shows that the airline currently operates 16 aircraft: 12 Airbus A320s, two A330s and two A340s. It also has six aircraft – four A340s and two A320s – in storage. It now serves 17 destinations, including a long-haul route to Perth as well as its Brazil link. "These results detail a past phase of intense uncertainty in the resuscitation of SAA, a period when the assumption of the company's control by the strategic equity partner was awaited," states group chief executive John Lamola. At the time, the carrier expected to be majority purchased by a consortium of two local investors, but the deal later collapsed. "Since then, we have entered a period of structured and strategic reconstruction of the business, focusing on institutionalising robust governance and management systems, whilst implementing plans on aircraft fleet modernisation and route network expansion aimed at the elevation of customer experience," adds Lamola. The airline has launched an "audit health plan" to standardise procedures and expand its internal audit capacity, as well as working with external auditors. "After six consecutive audits in three years, SAA is firmly back on track to meet all statutory reporting deadlines, and to devote its efforts towards improved audit outcomes," it says. Lamola asserts that the latest published results "reflect significant progress in SAA's financial health", and that the airline has "strengthened the channels of our revenue streams and cost-containment measures". He cites its "debt-free" status and an "asset-rich balance sheet that is supporting the steady growth of the airline and the recovery of SAA as a global aviation brand".

Breeze Airways is launching service to five new cities on the US West Coast. The carrier will fly from Burbank, California; Arcata, California; Redmond, Oregon; Eugene, Oregon; and Pasco/Tri-Cities, Washington from March 2026, bringing its total network to more than 300 routes in 76 cities and 34 states. It says the move is a "direct response to growing demand for the airline's successful hybrid business model and represents a significant expansion of Breeze's West Coast network". David Neeleman, Breeze's founder and chief executive, states: "With an expanded West Coast presence that connects travellers to our broader nationwide network, Breeze's service will bring even more options and convenience to these underserved communities. "Our continued growth is evidence that our unique form of air travel that combines affordability and ease with high-value options like premium seating and in-flight wi-fi is not only working, but highly desired by today's travellers." The move also comes as Avelo Airlines said earlier this week it was closing its base at Hollywood Burbank airport in California.

Aviation industry lobbyists have issued what they describe as an "urgent call" to the European Commission to take a series of actions aimed at scaling up the production and deployment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) across Europe. In a joint statement, ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe (A4E), the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) and aerospace association ASD have put forward a 10-point action plan for 2025-26, which they claim will unlock investment in European SAF production and ensure competitiveness in the European Union's aviation market. The joint call precedes the publication of the Commission's sustainable transport investment plan later this quarter, in which it is expected to outline how it will support the transition to SAF that is mandated under its ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation. The aviation trade bodies note that Europe's SAF market remains "nascent", with HEFA-based fuels (hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids) being the only commercially available option and coming with a much higher price tag than conventional kerosene. They want the Commission to extend, "in volume and time", the type of fuels that are eligible under the EU's Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), arguing that this would "bridge the price gap" between SAF and kerosene. The associations also want the Commission to establish new market-based mechanisms funded by revenues from the EU ETS, which they say would create "a dynamic and self-sustaining SAF market through the 2030s". Measures should be taken, they add, to increase the availability of feedstocks for SAF in Europe, and to accelerate the testing and certification of e-SAF technologies. "By setting SAF mandates, ReFuelEU Aviation provided the 'sticks' needed for legal certainty, but failed to provide the 'carrots' – namely, the financial incentives and flexibility mechanisms required to ensure SAF is produced at scale and at competitive prices," states ACI Europe president Stefan Schulte. "Today, the industry has come together to present a 10-point plan to address this imbalance."