Data & Financials

Canadian LCC WestJet reported 2018 fourth-quarter net earnings of C$29.2 million, down 39% year-over-year (YOY).

With the sale of its ExpressJet Airlines subsidiary and a continuing fleet upgrade, SkyWest Inc. is looking toward more focused operations in 2019.

Russian airlines carried 116.2 million passengers in 2018, up 10.6% year-over-year (YOY).

Irish LCC Ryanair has posted a €20 million ($22.9 million) third-quarter net loss and announced plans to transition to a group structure, similar to that of International Airlines Group (IAG), with Michael O’Leary as group CEO.

TAP Air Portugal carried 15.8 million passengers in 2018, up 10.4% from the previous year, with European routes outside Portugal accounting for the bulk of the increase, the airline reported.

Central and Eastern European LCC Wizz Air’s net profit fell sharply to €1.7 million ($1.9 million) in the third quarter, down 87.6% from €14 million a year earlier, driven by higher costs.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., parent of LCC Allegiant Air, reported a net profit of $162 million for 2018, down 18.3% from $198 million in 2017—a reflection of higher fuel prices and completion of a fleet transition.

SkyWest Inc. has signed a firm order for nine Embraer E175 jets, with deliveries expected to begin this year.

Airbus said in a regulatory filing released Jan. 31 that it is in “commercial discussions with Emirates Airline in relation to its A380 contract” following two reports that the airline may ditch all or part of a follow-up order for the aircraft.

The undelivered aircraft from Iran Air’s order for 20 ATR 72-600 turboprops have all been placed, ATR CEO Stefano Bortoli said Jan. 31.

Japan Airlines (JAL) reported a lower net profit for the first nine months of fiscal 2018, but raised its full-year income outlook as a result of an anticipated easing of fuel prices.

Qatar Airways is converting part of its order for 50 Airbus A321neos to the long-range version of the aircraft.

Korean Air reported a net loss for 2018 as revenue gains were outweighed by the impacts of higher fuel prices and currency depreciation.

Russia’s Aeroflot Group carried 55.7 million passengers in 2018, up 11% year-over-year (YOY). International traffic grew 9.7% to 24.7 million, while domestic traffic increased 12.3% to 31 million.

Faced with competitive pressure in key markets, Hawaiian Airlines plans to introduce several products and services, including basic economy fares, in 2019.