The temporary spike in passenger numbers recorded between 2020 and 2021 provided plenty of hope that the industry could ride the wave of recovery and even go beyond levels seen in 2019. However, fortunes changed and unprecedented events occurred, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leading to a shift in global interests.
At the same time, some airlines were posting record revenues. American Airlines, the largest airline by fleet size in the world, finished Q3 2022 with 'revenues of $13.5 billion in the third quarter, a 13% increase versus 2019 and a record for any quarter in company history.' Delta Air Lines, another United States (US)-based carrier, ended the same quarter with 'adjusted revenue three percent higher and unit revenues up 23 percent compared to 2019, marking the highest revenue and unit revenue quarter in Delta's history,' according to the airline's President, Glen Hauenstein. Other regions experienced their share of record-breaking results, such as Ryanair's recovery from 39.1 million passengers in H1 FY2022 to 95.1 million in H1 FY2023, or a strong showing by Japan-based All Nippon Airways (ANA), as the airline reversed a six-month loss in 2021 to a six-month profit by the end of September 2022, from ¥115.5 billion ($823.9 million) to ¥30.2 billion ($214.4 million).
While reviewing the airline sector for Seeking Alpha in the United States, Daniel Martins, one of the founders of a California-based hedge fund firm, noted that it remains tricky to invest in the aviation industry. “At a high level, betting on such a procyclical sector is most appropriate during the early stage of recovery in economic activity. Instead, what I see happening today is a long overdue rebound in travel demand that could still be severely dented, should inflation and rapidly rising interest rates lead to something that resembles a recession next year," Martins concluded his analysis.
Mixed fortunes and signals
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Esta historia es de la edición January 2023 de African Pilot.
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An aviation photographer's experience at the Presidential inauguration
Witnessing the helicopter formation for the Presidential Inauguration in Pretoria on 18 June 2024 was an incredibly unique and exhilarating experience, an opportunity that does not come around very often.
Jabiru South Africa
Ask the aviation industry about Jabiru aircraft and you will find that they have an excellent reputation.
EAA Chapter 322 Young Eagles 2024
The Experimental Aviation association (EAA) has a long history of engendering the passion for flying amongst its members as well as the youth of the world. EAA is a worldwide organisation with its most well-known event being the annual gathering in Oshkosh for a week of aviation as the largest aviation event in the world at the end of July each year.
Bat Hawk Aircraft
Based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, Micro Aviation SA (SACAA M-628) is the manufacturer of the most affordable Rotax 912 ULS powered light sport aircraft in the world.
FK 9 Mk vi - RAPTOR
The FK9 Mk VI has just landed in South Africa.
Sun City plans for sustainable solar energy
Sun City is going to great heights in its bid to one day take the resort completely off the grid. With all available space on the roof of Sun Central now covered by solar panels, the resort lifted its sights to the roof at The Palace and the Sun City hotel.
Belgium chposes Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police
The Kingdom of Belgium will procure 15 multi-role H145M helicopters for the army and two helicopters plus three options for the Federal Police. The contract was signed between the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), on behalf of Belgium and Airbus Helicopters.
Maputo airshow 2024 What a treat!
On Sunday 16 June Christine and I returned from attending the Maputo airshow and what a fantastic experience this was not only for estimated 15 000 spectators, but also the members of the media present. As always Brian Emmenis and his team were on top form with a great selection of music. The grand finale with the Puma Energy Flying Lions T6 Harvards was simply beautiful and I saw several spectators with tears in their eyes as they expressed their happiness for the airshow.
Single-pilot operations and lemon juice
Psychology researchers have found that some of the dumbest criminals and the cockiest pilots may have something in common: a hazardous cognitive bias, the Dunning–Kruger effect that hinders self-perception, clouds judgment and leads individuals to overestimate their ability. However, new psychological discoveries may provide a cure.
ExecuJet MRO Services! South Africa Set to Achieve New Record for Airframe Heavy Checks
JOHANNESBURG - ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, is poised to set a new record this year for airframe heavy maintenance checks. The company's previous annual record was seven, but this year it will complete at least 11 thanks to additional work on Dassault Falcon aircraft.
