IATA has cautioned that passenger markets in North America are showing signs of a sudden downturn in consumer sentiment which is filtering through to airlines. As part of an update on data for April, director general Willie Walsh highlights "some signs of fragility" from consumers and businesses in the US domestic market, plus a "sharp fall" in North American premium-class bookings. Amid a global expansion in air passenger demand by RPKs of 8% in the year to April, North America grew by just 1.6%, easily the weakest of any region. Meanwhile, growth in international demand to and from North America lagged at just 5.4%, far behind the next-weakest, Europe, on 9.4%. Likewise, domestic US traffic declined 0.5% in April, making it the only region to register a decline – and this was its third consecutive month of decline. Load factor for flights within the USA came in at 80.6%, down 3.1 percentage points year on year. The only other major nation to show a fall in load factors was India, down 0.9 percentage points at 85.7%. Signs of a faltering US market contrast with data showing generally buoyant air passenger markets across the rest of the world. Growth in demand was led by Africa at 14.2%, followed by the Middle East at 11.3%, Latin America at 10.9%, Asia-Pacific at 10.6% and Europe by 8.3%. Globally, international demand was up by 10.8% and domestic demand by 3.3%. Capacity, as measured by ASKs, was lifted 6.5% year on year, and load factor reached 83.6%, up 1.1 percentage points versus April 2024. "April was a positive month for travel," states Walsh. "Growth strengthened, especially for international demand which saw record load factors for the month. The return of the transatlantic market to growth is particularly encouraging." Ahead of IATA's AGM, which will take place in Delhi on 1-3 June, Walsh declares that the growth of India's air connectivity in recent years "has been nothing short of phenomenal, making this year's gathering a timely and powerful reminder for all on how aviation connectivity drives growth and development".

US carriers United Airlines and JetBlue Airways have launched what they term a "collaboration" which will encompass an interline agreement and additional slots for United at New York JFK if it receives regulatory approval. The newly disclosed "Blue Sky" scheme would establish an interline arrangement for JetBlue flights departing New York and Boston, and for United's international flights, and would link the airlines' loyalty programmes. United and JetBlue would also offer each other's flights on their respective websites and booking apps. Under terms of the deal, New York-based JetBlue will provide to United access to JFK slots for up to seven daily round-trip flights beginning in 2027. Additionally, JetBlue and United will exchange eight flight timings at the Chicago-based carrier's Newark Liberty International hub. United stopped JFK operations after October 2015, reviving them temporarily amid the Covid crisis. The US major last operated JFK flights in October 2022. "Our employees are really excited about United's return to JFK for the longer term, and we're all looking forward to starting up flights very soon," United chief executive Scott Kirby states. JetBlue counterpart Joanna Geraghty adds: "United's global reach perfectly complements JetBlue's East Coast leisure network and significantly expands the options and benefits for TrueBlue [loyalty programme] members, no matter where in the world they are travelling." The two carriers will continue to manage and price their networks independently, including the launch of new routes, frequencies and promotions, they say, adding that some aspects of Blue Sky may start this autumn, depending on the timing of regulatory approval. During a 29 April earnings call, JetBlue president Marty St George said the carrier had been talking to multiple airlines about domestic partnerships. "We're getting very close to making an announcement," St George said at the time. He noted that the partnership under consideration would be with "a domestic airline with a larger network" than JetBlue's. A US district court judge in May 2023 had ordered JetBlue and American Airlines to terminate their "Northeast Alliance" (NEA), ruling in favour of the US Department of Justice in its lawsuit alleging a loss of competition in the northeast of the USA. Sales of NEA codeshare flights by American and JetBlue ceased in July 2023. United in May eliminated 35 round-trip flights per day from its Newark Liberty schedule in response to what Kirby labelled "failed" air traffic control technology and a "chronically understaffed" ATC workforce at that airport.

Brazilian carrier Azul has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the USA after securing agreements with stakeholders for $1.6 billion of debtor-in-possession financing and up to $950 million in exit funds. The carrier says it has initiated a "pre-arranged restructuring process" in the USA after reaching "restructuring support agreements" with stakeholders including its largest aircraft lessor – AerCap – as well as strategic partners United Airlines and American Airlines. The agreements, which Azul says are designed to transform its capital structure "through significant deleveraging and positive cash-flow generation", include a commitment for $1.6 billion in DIP financing, the elimination of more than $2 billion of debt and the possibility of up to $950 million in equity financing on emergence from Chapter 11. The DIP financing will be used to repay existing debts and provide the carrier with about $670 million of new capital to bolster liquidity during the restructuring process. Upon emergence from Chapter 11, the DIP financing will be repaid with the proceeds of an equity rights offering of up to $650 million, supported by a "contemplated additional equity investment" of up to $300 million from United and American. "These agreements mark a significant step forward in the transformation of our business, one that enables us to emerge as an industry leader in the main aspects of our business," states Azul chief executive John Rodgerson. "With a collaborative approach and the support of our stakeholders, we have made a strategic decision to pursue a voluntary financial restructuring as a proactive move to optimise our capital structure, which was burdened by the Covid-19 pandemic, macroeconomic headwinds and aviation supply chain issues. "Our strategy is not just about financial reorganisation. By using this process, we believe that we are creating a robust, resilient, industry-leading airline – one that customers will continue to love flying, at which crewmembers will continue to love working, and that will create value for our stakeholders." AerCap chief executive Aengus Kelly says the lessor has signed a support agreement with Azul and is "very confident" the airline will "emerge stronger than ever". United chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella says: "Azul is more than just a commercial partner for United – their customer-first approach and unique route network connecting small and large communities have improved the passenger experience in Brazil. That's why we support Azul's restructuring process and have entered into an agreement to build an even stronger relationship in the future." Azul intends to use the Chapter 11 process to reduce lease obligations and optimise its fleet, "allowing the company to emerge with greater flexibility and a more sustainable business and capital structure". It has ditched its previous guidance for 2025. The airline has been seeking ways of improving its liquidity position for some time and has been in talks with fellow Brazilian operator Gol – which itself is restructuring under Chapter 11 – over a possible merger. On 20 May, S&P Global Ratings downgraded Azul's issuer credit rating, citing the carrier's "very tight liquidity" and risk of default.