Edward Russell

Edward was Skift’s Washington, D.C.-based airlines reporter from 2020-2023. He’s covered the industry from the American-US Airways combo to the depths of the coronavirus pandemic. He enjoys bikes, trains and runs with his dog, Heathrow.

Airlines Bring Back Airbus A380s as International Travelers Return

Singapore Airlines is the latest global carrier to return its Airbus A380s to regular service amid the pick up in long-haul international travel. With the superjumbo scheduled to return in…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

United Airlines Begins P&W 777 Engine Modifications Ahead of FAA Action

United Airlines has begun modifications to its fleet of Boeing 777s with Pratt & Whitney 4000-family engines that have been grounded since an engine failure over Denver in February.

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

A Patchwork Recovery

Last week's IATA Annual General Meeting was a celebratory ball, of sorts, as airline leaders gathered together en masse for the first time since they did so in 2019, in…

Edward Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan | 3 years ago

Los Angeles Airport Approves New Terminal, Concourse for 2028 Olympics

Los Angeles International Airport's board has approved a $6 billion expansion plan that would allow the U.S.'s second-busiest airport to catch up with passenger growth and prepare it for 2028…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Avianca CEO Rebuilding the Airline for a Future With Half the Business Travelers

Avianca's new CEO Adrian Neuhauser in April took over a carrier that was a year into its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring in the U.S., and which all but shut down…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

RwandAir to Focus on African Routes With Qatar Airways' Backing

RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo, like many airline executives before her, sees a continent of opportunities for her airline across Africa. But RwandAir has a leg up: A multi-million dollar…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Qantas Launches Narrowbody Campaign for 100-Plus Aircraft

Qantas Airways has launched a campaign for more than 100 new narrowbody aircraft in the latest sign of airline industry confidence in the coronavirus pandemic recovery.

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Emirates President Expects Full Business Travel Recovery Next Year

Emirates President Tim Clark and other global airline CEOs expect a full business travel recovery, a bullish outlook that has replaced the bearish views many held just months ago.

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Delta and Lufthansa Seek Partnership With Alitalia Successor ITA

Delta Air Lines and the Lufthansa Group are jockeying to become the new state-owned Italian carrier Italia Trasporto Aereo's (ITA) strategic partner after it begins flying in October.

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Regionals' Labor Issues Return

The U.S. regional sector has long faced hiring issues. Cape Air began actively working to address the impending pilot shortage in 2009, even before the so-called "1,500 hour rule" —…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago