Azim Barodawala

Azul files for Chapter 11 Brazil’s Azul has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US, after securing support from stakeholders, including major bondholders, lessor AerCap and partners United and American Airlines.  The airline said that this restructuring will aim to reduce debt by over $2bn and includes a $1.6bn debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing package, with $670 million in new liquidity. Upon emerging from the proceedings, the airline plans an equity rights offering of up to $650 million, backstopped by financial partners, and may receive an additional $300 million equity investment from both United and American, pending conditions.  “Azul continues to fly – today, tomorrow, and into the future,” commented John Rodgerson, chief executive officer of Azul. “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.”  Rodgerson noted that the company made the decision to pursue a voluntary financial restructuring as a “proactive move”, in order to optimise its capital structure, which has been burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic, macroeconomic headwinds and aviation supply chain issues.  Azul said that this comprehensive financing package means that its path to emergence is clear, which streamlines the process and accelerates the timeline.  AerCap, which represents the majority of Azul’s lease liability, confirmed that it has signed a support agreement with Azul. “As the airline moves through its restructuring process, we are very confident Azul will emerge stronger than ever,” said Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap. “Together with Azul, we are the largest owners of Embraer E2 commercial aircraft, supporting the Brazilian aviation industry like no one else.” 

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✈️ Another airline bankruptcy. A bigger conversation about trust, timing, and risk. Azul’s Chapter 11 filing—joining other Brazilian carriers in recent years—is a stark reminder of the fragile equilibrium in the travel ecosystem. Yes, the macro pressures are real: FX volatility, COVID aftershocks, rising rates. However, beneath the headlines lies a critical tension: 🧭 How do we manage deferred delivery risk—where payments are made upfront, but services (like flights) are fulfilled later—without compromising cashflow for the very merchants we want to support? This is not just a payment issue. It's a business model issue. Airlines, acquirers, and providers are navigating an environment where risk must be balanced with growth. And where cash must keep flowing to fund operations and resilience. Here’s what we believe: 🔹 One-size-fits-all risk policies won’t work. 🔹Ongoing, contextual data is essential. 🔹Not all travel merchants are equal, even within the same vertical. 🔹Over-collateralising out of caution can strangle businesses that are otherwise healthy. 🔹Risk and commercial teams must work from a shared playbook—not in silos. ❗ Collaboration and visibility between partners is key to ensuring sustainable outcomes for all parties involved. Azul’s case isn’t just a story of restructuring. It’s a moment to re-evaluate how we partner, how we price risk, and how we design financial structures that enable - not hinder - long-term sustainability. 💬 How do we protect customers, enable merchant liquidity, and ensure the payment ecosystem remains resilient? I'd love to hear your thoughts. https://lnkd.in/gnunCAfT #Airlines #TravelAgents #RiskManagement #DeferredDelivery #PaymentDataIntelligence #PaymentEcosystem #TravelPayments

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GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A., one of Brazil's leading airlines and part of the Abra Group, has chosen Amadeus SkyCAST technology solution to improve and accelerate network decision-making through accurate prediction of proposed schedules’ profitability. Use cases for the airline include evaluating new hubs or schedule structures, new markets or routes, airline partnership opportunities (e.g., mergers, partnerships, codeshares), changes to the fleet mix, and responding to competitors’ actions. Amadeus SkyCAST uses advanced mathematical models and machine learning that simulate passenger choice behavior and revenue management effects to calculate market shares, passenger traffic, revenue, and detailed flight costs.

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Proud to share another important milestone for Speedbird Aero 🚀 The support of leading venture capital firms who understand the power of combining hardware + software is key to scaling real-world innovation... This investment reinforces our vision of building autonomous logistics solutions with global impact - faster, more efficient, and sustainable. Huge thanks to our investors and partners for the trust. Onward. ✈️ #venturecapital #deeptech #drones #logistics #innovation #growth

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#travelindustry news worth reading on LinkedIn during week 6 of 2026 ✈️ - KAYAK CEO Steve Hafner exits his role after 22 years. https://lnkd.in/dMpTkDKB - Amadeus announce the closure of their self-service API portal. https://lnkd.in/dZAa_kzY - Sabre Corporation was quick to react: https://lnkd.in/dFuXa5bJ - Due to the supply chain crisis in Pratt & Whitney engines, it has become more profitable to dismantle modern aircraft for parts than to operate them: https://lnkd.in/d8y-RFWR - Wizz Air was in the news with two big developments: 📌 They launched Wizz Link, using Dohop technology to empower customers to book more self-transfer journeys within a single booking flow. https://lnkd.in/dzKiuBvj 📌 After a very successful trial, they will roll out Wizz Class to their entire fleet. https://lnkd.in/d5KZF3pc - The US Federal Aviation Administration shuts down airspace over El Paso at very short notice, initially for 10 days, but re-opened it hours later after it was discovered what they suspected to be a Mexican drug cartel drone, was in fact only a stray party balloon. https://lnkd.in/dE6mmetK - The unions for American Airlines flight attendants and pilots say they’ve lost faith in management’s ability to steady the airline after another year of weak profits and poor on-time performance, and they want CEO Robert Isom out. https://lnkd.in/dWerkjMb - AirAsia is on track to launch their Kuala Lumpur - London route via Bahrain later this year. https://lnkd.in/dfuJKvqn - Sabre, PayPal and Mindtrip, Inc. team up to work on an agentic AI travel shopping workflow solution. https://lnkd.in/dYZxyR7W - Strikes by Lufthansa staff on 12 February affect around 100,000 passengers and resulted in more than 800 cancelled flights. https://lnkd.in/djUPs4nN We discuss these and other stories during Monday's 30 min #LTTI podcast. Join us here: https://lnkd.in/dxfECZ8n Have a great weekend, Riaan

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INDI-GO WENT GONE?? ✈️ Cold, Hard Truth: IndiGo’s Crisis Is Not About “Rules.” It’s About Reckless Business Management and Hubris. We like to think airlines hit rough weather because “the rules changed.” We like to blame regulations, pilot fatigue policies, winter fog, airport congestion. We even blame “bad luck” or “unforeseen operational constraints.” But here’s what really happened: the chaos at IndiGo is the result of over-expansion, poor planning, and a cost-obsessed culture — not just stricter rest-time rules. • IndiGo had almost two years’ notice before stricter crew-rest regulations under DGCA came fully into effect. Yet the airline stuck with a “lean staffing + maximum flights” model. The result? Pilots overworked, rosters stretched thin, cancellations skyrocketed. • In November alone, over 1,200 flights were cancelled — even before the worst of the December mess. That kind of backlog doesn’t come from external factors; it comes from internal negligence. • IndiGo built its business on scale, low cost, lean operations. That works… until regulation changes. They didn’t build enough buffer — no extra crew, no contingency, no fallback — despite having a huge market share (60-65% domestic). That’s either overconfidence or poor leadership. • Now, thousands of customers are stranded; terminals are overflowing; baggage is lost; flights cancelled last minute. For a carrier once proud of punctuality and reliability, this is a reputation-crushing failure. “What a pathetically helpless and shameful retraction … passengers and the government held hostage,” — one public voice after regulators rolled back key parts of the FDTL rules under pressure. Here’s the uncomfortable question for corporate India — and for every business leader whose growth model hinges on “doing more with less”: When regulations changed, did IndiGo adapt? Or did they gamble on the hope that scale alone would carry them through? Because what we’re seeing now is not a regulatory hiccup — it’s a full-blown collapse triggered by strategic negligence. If you lead a business: think about this. Over-expansion is only sustainable when you build resilience. If you chase growth without foundational robustness — skilled people, systems, buffers — the crash is coming. And for the chaos at IndiGo: this crash is flying. What do you think? Is the crisis at IndiGo really about “sudden rules”? Or is it a glaring warning for all hyper-growth, ultra-lean companies — especially in sectors where reliability and safety matter? I just Hope they survive - which they shall, but airline industry will never be the same .. Just for your info - I’m Waiting at Mumbai Airport for my flight .. let’s catch-up if you are around .. - Rahul Sharma

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LATAM group announces plan to boost connectivity in South America with the Embraer E195-E2 - The Embraer E195-E2 will join LATAM group’s fleet through an order of up to 74 aircraft – including 24 firm deliveries and 50 additional purchase options - With this investment, LATAM group aims tostrengthen its South American network, with the opportunity to add up to 35 new destinations to its current 160 - Deliveries of the 24 firm aircraft will begin in the second half of 2026 #aerospaceinnovations #commercialaviation #aviationindustry #E195E2 LATAM Airlines Embraer https://lnkd.in/ecb4UQxh

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LATAM Airlines announced a major advance in the passenger experience: the implementation of Apple's “share item location” feature for AirTags and accessories compatible with the “Find My” network. This initiative reinforces LATAM's commitment to innovation and peace of mind for travelers. LATAM passengers using an AirTag or a Find My-compatible accessory in their personal belongings will be able to privately and securely share its location with the Group via the Find My app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This integration will allow LATAM to significantly improve the efficiency of locating and recovering lost luggage, providing an additional layer of security and confidence during their travels. LATAM Airlines Paulo Miranda https://lnkd.in/e-HYvugT #aviation #AviationNews #50skyshades #DailyNews #airline #activation #Apple #FindMy #feature #optimization #tracking #recovery #LostLuggage #AirTravel #passengers #crucial #issue #customers #reinforces #technological #innovation

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BCD systems currently connect to NDC from 54 airlines, and with BA's content launched, the TMC said that content from 22 of those airlines will be available for customers to book by the end of the year. BCD and BA "worked together to make sure the British Airways NDC content met our certification criteria and the needs of our corporate customers," BCD SVP of global distribution strategy and supplier management and delivery Thane Jackson said in a statement.

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Copa Airlines: Strategic Discipline Meets Financial Performance In a region where airline profitability is often volatile, Copa Airlines has managed to deliver something rare in the Americas: consistent strategy paired with outstanding financial results. Over the past three years, Copa’s operating margins have remained among the highest in the global industry: • 2022: approximately 16% • 2023: 23.4% • 2024 (estimated): around 22% These results reflect a long-term strategic approach rather than opportunistic growth. At its core is a clear model: connecting North and South America through a single, highly efficient hub in Panama City. Instead of diluting resources across multiple hubs, Copa has concentrated on optimizing Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen Panamá, building tight connection banks, and focusing on operational reliability. An often overlooked strength is their network development strategy. Copa Airlines continues to expand beyond major capitals, adding secondary and tertiary cities such as Tulum, Florianópolis, Raleigh-Durham, Rosario, Salta or San Diego. These additions create new one-stop markets and deepen the network’s resilience without major capital expenditure. Fleet strategy has also played a decisive role. By maintaining a standardized narrowbody fleet and deploying the Boeing 737 MAX 9 with a lie-flat product on longer routes of seven hours or more, Copa Airlines has managed to elevate its offer selectively on key markets while keeping costs contained. Perhaps the most important element is their clarity of customer focus. By tailoring their product and network to the South American middle class traveling to the United States and beyond, Copa Airlines has built a loyal and growing passenger base. Copa Airlines approach shows that disciplined execution and strategic coherence can outperform complexity. Which other carriers do you think have managed to achieve this balance in recent years? Would love to discuss business cases along the globe. and always welcome for lectures or conferences... #aviation #airlines #aviationnews #airports #aerospace #aviationbusiness #copaairlines Star Alliance oneworld Alliance SkyTeam ALTA - Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association International Air Transport Association (IATA) CAPA - Centre for Aviation Mitchell Institute Aviation Festival Americas Normanas Aerospace Ethiopian Aviation Forum Ethiopian Airlines LATAM Airlines avianca Avianca Group JetSMART Airlines GOL Linhas Aéreas Abra Group Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras Corporación América Aeromexico United Airlines Delta Air Lines American Airlines Southwest Airlines Air Canada AirPro News Airways Magazine Riyadh Air | طيران الرياض John Strickland Pedro Heilbron Dennis Cary Robert Carey Gabriel Varela

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Do flight subscriptions actually work? It’s the question the industry has been debating for several weeks, especially after Ryanair shut down its Prime subscription. We figured it was time to bring data into the conversation. At Caravelo, we analyzed 600,000+ subscription flights across 200,000+ subscribed travelers and six airline programs to understand: * who uses flight subscriptions, * why they use them, and * how subscriptions reshape travel behavior in practice. The findings tell a far more nuanced story than the recent headlines. 👉 Read the full analysis: https://lnkd.in/ek-B7t3H The four key insights (in case you have not much time): 1. Subscriptions attract the travelers traditional loyalty programs no longer reach. Travelers under 45 make up the clear majority of subscribers (the same demographic now driving most global airline spend). 2. Subscriptions are not chosen primarily for price. Across airlines, fewer than half of subscribers cite price as their main reason; predictability, control, and convenience are the real drivers. 3. Subscriptions do not cannibalize existing demand. In our analysis, up to 83% of subscription flights were either incremental or shifted from competitors (not substitutions of flights travelers would have taken anyway). 4. Subscription travel is purpose-driven. Usage data shows two strong patterns: purposeful exploration across multiple routes, and essential relational travel (especially visiting family and friends).

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In 2024, IAG uplifted more SAF than all North American (or EU) airlines combined. Find out how they got here in our new book: https://lnkd.in/dmHvCw99 Let's first acknowledge the International Airlines Group (IAG) group is made of several large airlines including British Airways, Iberia and Vueling. Yet, it is commendable that they flew with more sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) last year than most of their American or European counterparts, put together. IAG has made a tremendous leap in its SAF usage over the last year - growing from 54,000 tons to 162,000 tons. This represents 36% of the total #aviation industry growth in SAF use. For the record, using SAF today costs more than jet fuel. So why would an airline CEO (or CFO) approve such an uplift, where there's (almost) zero business case? When I was last with Sean Doyle, I asked him this very question. He told me about the importance of being first. Of the pioneering spirit and why it's so important in aviation. "And as we scale it, the price premium drops and it becomes more affordable." This pioneering spirit is epitomised by the very talented team that has led to the dramatic uptick in SAF usage at IAG, led by the industry legends Jonathon Counsell, Jim Davies and Leigh Hudson. If you've seen Aaron Robinson's charts on SAF usage or heard Carrie Harris at a conference, you know that this team is one of the best in the business. And boy, are they delivering! That is why Dirk Singer and I dedicated a full chapter in our new book Sustainability In The Air Vol 2, to distill what goes on behind the scenes at IAG. You can grab a copy on Amazon or any major bookstore. IAG delivers when the rubber hits the road. Or the runway, in their case. h/t to Aaron for this latest chart in his series. #sustainability #travel

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Interesting article, especially for Latin America, where there are no secondary airports in most of the countries and some airlines are shifting towards this LCC model as their DNA. Latina America is a region with high exposure to US-denominated costs, with a big challenge of high dependency of local-denominated revenue. https://lnkd.in/ezddeZrR

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BRAZIL’S GOL ENTERS LONG-HAUL AVIATION. A STRATEGIC TURNING POINT FOR THE AIRLINE. Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas is preparing a major strategic shift. After more than two decades focused on domestic and regional low-cost operations, the airline is now moving into the long-haul market with the introduction of the Airbus A330-900. According to Reuters , the expansion will be structured around a new long-haul hub at Rio de Janeiro Galeão. The first route is expected to connect Rio to New York starting in July. Additional destinations under consideration include Paris and Lisbon, while Porto and London have also been evaluated. A fundamental shift in the business model Until now, GOL Linhas Aéreas has operated an almost entirely narrow-body fleet made up of Boeing 737 aircraft. The airline currently operates more than 140 aircraft, primarily 737-800 NG and 737 MAX 8. The introduction of the Airbus A330-900 therefore represents a major evolution. Each aircraft is expected to seat around 300 passengers and operate flights of up to 14 to 15 hours, opening the door to direct transatlantic routes. A major Latin American airline GOL Linhas Aéreas was founded in 2000 by Brazilian entrepreneur constantino de oliveira junior heir to the transport group Grupo Áurea . Inspired by the low-cost model pioneered by Southwest Airlines , the airline launched operations in 2001 and rapidly reshaped Brazil’s domestic aviation market. Two decades later, GOL Linhas Aéreas has become one of the country’s leading airlines. The company transports more than 30 million passengers per year and operates approximately 700 to 800 daily flights, depending on the season. Its network covers more than 70 destinations, primarily across Brazil and Latin America, including markets such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and parts of the Caribbean. Its main hubs are located in São Paulo Guarulhos, Brasília, and Rio de Janeiro Galeão. A new industry structure Since 2022, GOL Linhas Aéreas has been part of the aviation group Abra Group , which also includes @Avianca and several other Latin American carriers. The current strategy is led by CEO Celso Ferrer , who is overseeing the airline’s financial restructuring and international expansion. Financial scale Before the pandemic, GOL Linhas Aéreas generated more than 13 billion Brazilian reais in annual revenue, equivalent to roughly 2.6 billion US dollars, positioning the airline among the largest carriers in Latin America. A new strategic phase With the arrival of wide-body aircraft and the creation of a long-haul hub in Rio, @Gol Linhas Aéreas is entering a new phase of development. After building its leadership in Brazil’s domestic market, the airline is now aiming to capture part of the growing traffic flows between South America, North America and Europe. A move that could reshape the competitive landscape of transatlantic aviation from Brazil. #Aviation #AirTransport #Airbus #GolAirlines

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Update to Domestic Flight Delay Compensation: The US Government last evening has ended the 3+ hour Domestic travel delay compensation rule that all US Airlines had to abide by. Under the rule, passengers would have gotten $200 to $300 compensation for domestic flight delays over three hours, and up to $775 for longer delays, due to due carrier caused delays. This has now ended. Other passenger rights that are still in place: Airlines must refund passengers for canceled flights if they don't choose to rebook the flight. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard still shows travelers how each airline compensates passengers for different issues, such as which ones offer meals, hotel stays, and flight vouchers. https://lnkd.in/eyG__5Mt

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Reinventing the Air Charter Experience: A New Era for Brokers & Operators In an industry where timing, precision, and access define success, Mach2 is here to change the game for brokers and air charter operators. Let’s face it—old systems are clunky, slow, and expensive. There are too many missed leads, too much back-and-forth, and too little visibility. At Mach2, we asked: "What if everything could be smarter, faster, and just work?" And we built exactly that. Why Mach2 Feels Like the Future We didn’t just improve an outdated process. We reimagined it: Smart Matchmaking Engine No more scattershot quotes. Brokers submit one request, and operators closest to the departure point receive it—instantly.  Direct Leads – Straight to Your Inbox Operators receive real charter requests by email and can respond directly—no complex systems, no wasted time.  In-Platform Messaging & Alerts Talk directly, share documents, and get notified of requests from your preferred airports or countries. Empty Leg Marketplace Maximise aircraft utilisation by offering cost-effective options to brokers and end users. 3,000+ Aircraft. 330+ Operators. Thousands of Enquiries. This isn’t a concept. It’s live, growing, and delivering results. Built for the Industry. Powered by Feedback. We didn’t build Mach2 in a vacuum. We listened—to brokers who wanted fast, high-quality quotes, and to operators who needed visibility and valuable leads without huge marketing costs. Now both sides are winning. Ready to Elevate Your Charter Game? Brokers: Save time, get better quotes, and wow your clients. Operators: Keep your fleet flying, gain exposure, and grow your bookings. Mach2 is not just another platform—it’s your competitive edge. Join today → www.mach2.aero #Mach2 #AirCharterBrokers #PrivateAviation #AviationTechnology #JetCharters #BizAv #PrivateJetCharters #BusinessAviation #AirCharterOperator #JetCharters #AviationNetwork #AviationTechnology #VIPTravel #LuxuryTravel #PrivateAviation #privatecharter #privatetravel #PrivateJets #travelagents #aviation #superyacht #cjilondon #abudhabi #riyadh #entrepreneur #innovation #technology #aviation #airlines #vision2030 #Dubai

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