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.

Lufthansa, EasyJet Lean Into European Recovery as U.S. Flounders

Lufthansa and EasyJet are looking keenly to the fall and winter as the European travel recovery seems to have found firm footing. This is a turning of the tables compared…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

A Crisis Like No Other

Crises have wracked the airline industry almost since its inception. Wars, diseases, economic recessions and depressions, jet fuel price spikes — the list is almost endless and illustrates an industry…

Edward Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan | 3 years ago

Biden Administration Takes Unusual Step to Promote Newark Airport Competition

A 2019 lawsuit by discounter Spirit Airlines has brought Newark Liberty International Airport to center stage — and now made the long-time United Airlines stronghold a part of the Biden…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Eurowings to Lead the Lufthansa Group's Long-Sought Expansion Into Scandinavia

The Lufthansa Group's budget arm Eurowings is making a play for the Swedish market as the competitive landscape continues to shift in Europe. The move realizes the German group's long-held…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Why American Airlines Pact With Gol Is Essential for Its South American Recovery

The new strategic partnership between American Airlines and Gol checks some important boxes for the two carriers. American gets much deeper access to South America's largest domestic market — Brazil…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Icelandic Startup Fly Play CEO Welcomes Comparison to Defunct Wow Air

Ask Icelandic startup Fly Play CEO Birgir Jónsson about comparisons between his carrier and defunct Wow Air and he’ll tell you he welcomes them. Wow, which shut down in March…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Hope for the Holidays

It was a good summer for airlines in many parts of the world, all things being relative. Leisure demand came back as people who had been locked down for months…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Japan Airlines to Deploy $2.7 Billion to Expand Budget Carrier Operations

Japan Airlines' plan to return to profit by 2023 is getting a boost with a deal to raise up to ¥300 billion ($2.7 billion) in new capital to fund a…

Edward Russell | 4 years ago

EasyJet Responds to Spurned Wizz Air Offer With a 3-Pronged Growth Plan

There's nothing like an unsolicited takeover bid to get airline management moving. Fresh off one such rejected offer, reportedly from Wizz Air, EasyJet has unveiled plans to capture more share…

Edward Russell | 4 years ago

Philippine Airlines Aims for Pre-Packaged 6-Month Bankruptcy Restructuring

Philippine Airlines' (PAL) Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the U.S. reads as a tale as old as as airlines. Faced with a precipitous drop in business from the Covid-19 pandemic,…

Edward Russell | 4 years ago