Industry Intelligence – catch up on CAPA’s exclusive market analysis insights

4 January, 2021

Each week, CAPA - Centre for Aviation, produces informative, thought provoking and detailed market analysis of the aviation industry. With supporting data included in every analysis, CAPA provides unrivalled and unparalleled intelligence. Here's some of the reports published over the past week.


Philippine domestic aviation market lags in COVID-19 recovery

Airlines in the Philippines have not benefitted from the same rate of domestic demand recovery as airlines elsewhere in the region.

Although there are some encouraging signs emerging in Dec-2020, a dramatic rebound will be elusive while domestic travel restrictions remain in place.

The local airline industry was already entering a pivotal period before the pandemic, with Philippine Airlines (PAL) looking to reorganize itself to achieve long term financial stability, and multiple efforts under way to address long-standing airport capacity issues in Manila.

Now the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified aviation industry problems and prompted all parties to re-examine their strategies. But the key first step will be gaining more momentum in the restoration of domestic capacity.

TO READ ON, VISIT: Philippine domestic aviation market lags in COVID-19 recovery


airBaltic plans strong environmental focus post-COVID

Talking at the CAPALive on 9-Dec-2020, airBaltic's CEO Martin Gauss spoke with CAPA's chairman emeritus Peter Harbison. Some of the key verbatim highlights are provided below.

airBaltic's Mr Gauss believes the A220 is the right aircraft for their low cost hub operations, and that the focus will shift back to the environment, so they are positioning themselves in preparation for that time post COVID-19.

The airline has retired all Boeing and Q400s and is focusing entirely on the A220, which has 'exceeded all expectations'.

Beyond 2025 airBaltic will look to expand operations with point-to-point operations into the Nordics, but for now is focussing on its hub operations from Riga.

TO READ ON, VISIT: airBaltic plans strong environmental focus post-COVID


IndiGo to recover 100% of international capacity by end-2021

Talking at the CAPALive on 9-Dec-2020, IndiGo's CEO and Whole Time Director Ronojoy Dutta spoke with CAPA's chairman emeritus Peter Harbison. Some of the key verbatim highlights from the interview can be found below.

IndiGo's CEO Mr Dutta has learnt to use short term plans to navigate through the crisis and communicate at a hyper level.

There has been no financial support from the Indian Government, but IndiGo believes they should be focusing on healthcare, and also on reducing the taxes, as the airline is one of the most taxed airlines in the world.

IndiGo has a strong mission to be a catalyst for growth. Mr Dutta believes "connecting traffic is going to wither".

The airline had no cargo planes but as the demand grew the airline put 11 passenger planes into service with cargo in the cabin.

TO READ ON, VISIT: IndiGo to recover 100% of international capacity by end-2021


Qantas Frequent Flyer: the gold standard in airline loyalty programmes

Qantas Frequent Flyer, the loyalty programme of Qantas, has been heralded by many as the gold standard in airline loyalty programmes.

Talking about the drivers for those accolades, as well the resilience of the programme during the COVID-19 crisis, plus its revised outlook, Olivia Wirth, CEO of Qantas Frequent Flyer joined Peter Harbison, Chairman Emeritus of CAPA, and Evert de Boer, Managing Partner of On Point Loyalty at the most recent CAPA Live event (Dec-09-2020) in a dialogue on loyalty.

TO READ ON, VISIT: Qantas Frequent Flyer: the gold standard in airline loyalty programmes


California's Ontario Airport thrives, thanks to freight business

There are many cases of commercial airports which have found that building a cargo business is a better option than a passenger one.

At Ontario International Airport in southern California, flush with the eastern side of Los Angeles County, that realisation almost came about by accident as passenger traffic slumped alarmingly amid the pandemic - but freight volume has carried on growing.

The airport's position, at a nexus of highways and closer to major logistics businesses, has undoubtedly helped, proving once again that where freight and parcel-oriented airports are concerned it is all about location.

TO READ ON, VISIT: California's Ontario Airport thrives, thanks to freight business