Latest news with #OpenSkies
Irish Independent
07-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
US airlines consider calling on Trump to weigh into Dublin Airport cap row
Keith Glatz, the senior vice president, international affairs, for Airlines for America, insisted the cap is in direct violation of the Open Skies agreement between the United States and the EU that permits extensive access rights to each jurisdiction for carriers from either region. Dublin Airport's passenger cap limits passenger numbers to 32 million a year. It's a planning condition attached in 2007 to the construction of Terminal 2. The government pledged in its election manifesto to remove the cap as soon as possible. However, it remains in place. Airlines for America represents major US carriers, such as Delta, United, American Airlines and JetBlue, which also serve Dublin. Mr Glatz said Airlines for America has so far not raised the cap issue directly with the US government. He added that Donald Trump has been clear that he wants to 'right-size' the US relationship with global governments where US businesses are being treated unfairly or governments are not complying with international obligations. 'It would be a shame for this issue to get co-opted into this larger dispute,' he said. 'It's eminently solvable. I just don't see any rationale for a cap on flights between the US and Dublin.' 'We've been trying over the last year to make sure this issue never got onto the agenda on the White House,' said Mr Glatz, adding that the lobby group has been trying to take every step short of asking the US government to intervene. 'Once I make that request, then it's out of our hands. The Irish government can solve this before it becomes a larger trade dispute,' he added. 'We're still optimistic that that's what's going to happen and that's our goal.' 'Any time the Irish government fails to comply with its international obligations under any treaty, aviation or otherwise, it endangers Irish business interests abroad.' Mr Glatz declined to speculate as to what specific measures the US government could take if the issue is not satisfactorily addressed. However, it's possible that the US government could take reciprocal measures that might impact Aer Lingus, for example. Any such measures could hamper its route network from Dublin to the United States, where it now serves almost 20 cities. 'The time to act is now,' said Mr Glatz. 'This doesn't need to turn into a dispute that would rise to the level of some of the others that you've seen between the US and EU that are currently ongoing.' The Irish government has touted potential legislation to deal with the cap. However, that could take months – even until next year, before it's law. 'I think it's in the very interest of this [Irish] government to act as soon as possible to get this legislation sorted,' said Mr Glatz. 'I am extremely optimistic that when the Irish government puts its mind to doing what is right for the Irish citizenry, we're not talking about a year, we're probably taking about a couple of months.' Mr Glatz said Airlines for America is also raising the cap issue with US media this week.
Business Insider
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Southwest CEO says he's open to adding lounges — and flights to Europe
Southwest Airlines ' transformation could become even more radical, as its CEO eyes plenty of potential changes. "Whatever customers need in 2025, 2030, we won't take any of that off the table," Bob Jordan told CNBC on Wednesday. "We'll do it the Southwest way, but we're not going to say 'We would never do that.'" He added that some people decide not to fly with Southwest because it doesn't offer "things like lounges, like true premium, like flying long-haul international." The Dallas-based budget airline has started overhauling its business model in recent months. Since the pandemic, passengers' spending habits have changed as more are now willing to pay for premium options. Coupled with increased fuel and labor costs, plus overcapacity in the domestic market, that spelled bad news for budget airlines' bottom lines. Southwest has also faced pressure from the activist investor Elliott Investment Management. The stock is up more than 10% over the past 12 months, but flat over the past five years. Last July, the airline announced that it would end its signature open-seating policy — instead encouraging customers to pay to choose where they sit and for upgrades like extra legroom. Ryanair, the European budget airline modeled on Southwest, introduced allocated seating more than a decade ago. And last month, Southwest ended its trademark policy of " two bags fly free." It now costs $35 for a first checked bag and $45 for a second one — although all loyalty members and credit card holders can get one for free. It's clear that Southwest is angling itself to encourage more loyalty and promote upgrades, but Jordan's comments suggest it isn't done just yet. The airline serves a number of destinations in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Last month, Southwest asked the Department of Transportation for permission to fly to any of the 100-plus countries with which the US has an Open Skies agreement. In the filing, the airline said that being granted such permission would "promote competition and increase the traveling public's ability to access Southwest's high-quality, low-fare service." A Southwest spokesperson told Business Insider that the filing was "not necessarily indicative of anything forthcoming." On Wednesday, Jordan told CNBC: "No commitment, but you can certainly see a day when we are as Southwest Airlines serving long-haul destinations like Europe." "Obviously you would need a different aircraft to serve that mission, and we're open to looking at what it would take to serve that mission."
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines hints at a significant international expansion
is hinting at an upcoming international expansion. The carrier has asked the Department of Transportation for permission to fly to any country the U.S. has an Open Skies aviation agreement with. Southwest currently offers flights to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Southwest Airlines might have plans to stretch its wings further. In a filing with the Department of Transportation, the carrier has sought permission to fly to any country the U.S. has an Open Skies aviation agreement with. If approved, that could clear the way for Southwest to fly to Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia and Africa. Southwest already offers a handful of international flights, servicing Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, but this would mark a potential overhaul of the airline's current service structure. It wouldn't be the first. Two months ago, Southwest announced it would be making changes to its 'bags fly free' policy as part of a wider shakeup. Any bookings made on or after May 28 will bring baggage charges for all but two kinds of passenger—those in the highest loyalty status or those who pay the most expensive tickets. The airline is also adding a fare on the same level as basic economy at other carriers, which has a number of restrictions and does not allow the passenger to make a seat assignment in advance. Flight credits, which saw expiration dates vanish during the pandemic, will also get a shelf life once again, disappearing if they're not used. These moves follow last year's, which included getting rid of open seating and expanding legroom in some seats. In the Tuesday filing to the Transportation Department, Southwest said it 'has repeatedly been found fit, willing and able to provide interstate and foreign air transportation.' This story was originally featured on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest wants permission to launch more international flights
Southwest asked the Department of Transportation for permission to fly to more than 100 countries. It comes as the budget airline works to overhaul its business model amid falling profits. For now, it's only possible to fly to Europe with Southwest thanks to an agreement with Icelandair. You might soon be able to take a Southwest Airlines flight to Europe. On Tuesday, the budget airline asked the Department of Transportation for permission to fly to any country with which the US has an Open Skies agreement. The State Department lists 123 such countries, representing most of the world. Meanwhile, Southwest currently serves 10 countries outside the US. Other than Mexico, they are all in Central America or the Caribbean. Open Skies agreements allow airlines to operate between two countries without restrictions on frequency or capacity. Southwest also wants permission to transport "persons, property, and mail" to any country that enters an aviation agreement with the US in the future. In the filing, the airline said that being granted such permission "will promote competition and increase the traveling public's ability to access Southwest's high-quality, low-fare service." A Southwest spokesperson told Reuters that the filing was "not necessarily indicative of anything forthcoming," and that it was taking advantage of streamlined regulatory procedures. The airline did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Southwest only operates Boeing 737 jets, which have a maximum range of around 4,370 miles, meaning the airline could not immediately operate true long-haul flights, but could fly some shorter routes across the Atlantic. The filing is the latest sign of Southwest shaking things up as falling profits force the airline to rethink its business model. It pioneered the no-frills theme taken up by other budget airlines around the world, which rely on add-on fees and keeping planes in the sky as much as possible. However, budget airlines have struggled post-pandemic, contending with changing consumer habits, increased fuel and labor costs, and domestic overcapacity that has made it harder to fill planes. Last July, Southwest announced that it would end its signature unassigned-seating policy and start charging for premium options with more legroom. In March, it said it would start charging passengers to check bags. That came six months after saying it wouldn't end this other signature policy, with "two bags fly free" listed as a registered trademark. Tuesday's filing isn't the first sign of Southwest's plans to expand operations. In February, it began interline operations with Icelandair, which lets passengers travel with both airlines on one ticket. That means you could start on a Southwest plane, then go on to many cities in Europe via Reykjavík. Read the original article on Business Insider Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Insider
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Southwest wants permission to launch more international flights
You might soon be able to take a Southwest Airlines flight to Europe. On Tuesday, the budget airline asked the Department of Transportation for permission to fly to any country with which the US has an Open Skies agreement. The State Department lists 123 such countries, representing most of the world. Meanwhile, Southwest currently serves 10 countries outside the US. Other than Mexico, they are all in Central America or the Caribbean. Open Skies agreements allow airlines to operate between two countries without restrictions on frequency or capacity. Southwest also wants permission to transport "persons, property, and mail" to any country that enters an aviation agreement with the US in the future. In the filing, the airline said that being granted such permission "will promote competition and increase the traveling public's ability to access Southwest's high-quality, low-fare service." A Southwest spokesperson told Reuters that the filing was "not necessarily indicative of anything forthcoming," and that it was taking advantage of streamlined regulatory procedures. The airline did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Southwest only operates Boeing 737 jets, which have a maximum range of around 4,370 miles, meaning the airline could not immediately operate true long-haul flights, but could fly some shorter routes across the Atlantic. The filing is the latest sign of Southwest shaking things up as falling profits force the airline to rethink its business model. It pioneered the no-frills theme taken up by other budget airlines around the world, which rely on add-on fees and keeping planes in the sky as much as possible. However, budget airlines have struggled post-pandemic, contending with changing consumer habits, increased fuel and labor costs, and domestic overcapacity that has made it harder to fill planes. Last July, Southwest announced that it would end its signature unassigned-seating policy and start charging for premium options with more legroom. In March, it said it would start charging passengers to check bags. That came six months after saying it wouldn't end this other signature policy, with "two bags fly free" listed as a registered trademark. Tuesday's filing isn't the first sign of Southwest's plans to expand operations. In February, it began interline operations with Icelandair, which lets passengers travel with both airlines on one ticket. That means you could start on a Southwest plane, then go on to many cities in Europe via Reykjavík.
