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.

North America

Breeze Sees Softer Bookings as Airline Growth Outpaces Fall Travel Demand

U.S. airlines have scheduled too many flights this fall for the number of travelers, Breeze Airways founder and CEO David Neeleman said. This is pushing down airfares just as fuel…

Edward Russell | 1 year ago

A Hawaiian Plane at Tokyo Haneda airport

Asia-Pacific

Hawaiian Airlines Defends Tokyo Haneda Flight Rights as United Seeks to Expand

Hawaiian Airlines plans to resume all of its flights to Tokyo Haneda this winter that were suspended during the pandemic, CEO Peter Ingram said. The move comes as United Airlines…

Edward Russell | 1 year ago

Air China plane at Beijing Capital Airport

Asia-Pacific

U.S. Airlines Expect Further Easing of China Flight Limits this Winter

U.S. and Chinese airlines are eager to resume nonstop flights between the two countries following a diplomatic accord in August doubling the number allowed. They have proposed 63 weekly flights…

Edward Russell | 1 year ago

The Good and the Bad of Mexico's Airline Market

Time to try again. Selling TAP Air Portugal is hardly new and novel for the Portuguese government. It once sold a stake to the old Swissair. It more recently sold…

Edward Russell and Jay Shabat | 1 year ago

Europe

KLM CEO Rebukes Dutch Proposal to Tax Transit Passengers at Schiphol

KLM CEO Marjan Rintel offered a firm rebuke of a proposal in the Netherlands' legislature to tax transfer passengers at the airline's hub, Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.

Edward Russell | 1 year ago

Latin America

What Are Mexican Airlines to Do?

Mexico's airlines face two countervailing trends: the reopening of the U.S. to new growth countered by new restrictions at the country's busiest airport, Mexico City International. Edward Russell and Jay…

Edward Russell | 1 year ago

North America

U.S. Government Shutdown Could Worsen Air Traffic Controller Shortage

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had bleak words for House members Wednesday on the impact of a potential federal government shutdown to the country's air transportation system.

Edward Russell | 1 year ago

Europe

Why Are Airlines so Eager for a Piece of TAP Air Portugal?

TAP Air Portugal is seemingly the apple of every European airline group's eye these days. That's because the state-owned airline in the southwestern corner of Europe is about to come…

Edward Russell | 1 year ago

Latin America

Mexico’s Airlines Lifted by U.S. Upgrade but Face Quagmire in Mexico City

It's a tale of two outlooks in Mexico. On the one hand, the U.S. recently upgraded the country's safety rating, which means Mexico's airlines can resume growth to markets north…

Edward Russell | 1 year ago

Air Arabia Crowned as World's Most Profitable Airline

Can you hear the alarm bells ringing? Spirit and Frontier, two ultra-low cost carriers, delivered shockingly bad news to investors last week. The third quarter has developed far worse than…

Edward Russell and Jay Shabat | 1 year ago