On March 4, 2025, Turkish Airlines announced its 2024 full year financial results, which show a US$2.4b net profit. Part of these funds will go straight to shareholders, since the airline, which has been buying back its own stock, will pay $260m in dividends. The Turkish flag carrier achieved this positive result on a total revenue of US$22.7b, up 8.2% over the previous year, for a 10.5% net profit margin. Taking into account Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortization (EBITDA) and rent, Turkish Airlines’ profit margin climbs to a whopping 25.3%. Although passenger revenue increased by a mere 4%, the airline’s cargo business saw revenue surge by 35% year on year. Turkish Cargo, the airline’s freight division, operates a fleet of 24 dedicated freighters and has seen its business increase by 20% in 2024, already making it one of the world’s three top air cargo operators. In 2024, Turkish Airlines also consolidated its absolute global lead when it comes to the number of international destinations, 352, and countries served, 131. 2024 saw the addition of several iconic far-flung destinations, such as Santiago de Chile (SCL) and Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL), in Australia. <br/>
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Korean Air has unveiled a new corporate identity in preparation for a united airline following its merger with its rival Asiana Airlines. The airline hosted an event at its headquarters in Seoul, where more than 200 employees and executives, including parent company Hanjin Group’s chairman Cho Won-tae (also known as Walter Cho) gathered to celebrate its 56th anniversary and introduce the new corporate vision. At the Boarding Day event, Korean Air announced KE Way, a value system that defines the company’s identity, mission, and vision for the future. “Before we begin full-scale preparations for our new combined airline, we want to present a new corporate value system. KE Way will serve as the foundation of our journey toward a unified goal and will be at the heart of Korean Air’s identity,” Cho said in his speech. As part of KE Way, Korean Air has redefined its purpose as “Connecting for a Better World,” a philosophy rooted in Hanjin Group’s founding principle of transportation that benefits the country. The purpose reflects the airline’s commitment to linking people and places to contribute to a better global future. The airline’s new vision, “To be the world‘s most loved airline,” demonstrates its ambition to establish itself as a globally admired and trusted carrier. Cho also provided insights into a new brand logo, which will be unveiled on March 11.<br/>
Air China has been ordered to pay nearly $50,000 for the wrongful dismissal of an Auckland-based staff member who claimed she was sacked for refusing to take part in a cigarette smuggling ring. Miao ‘Aimee’ Wang’s employment was terminated without notice in July 2020 for alleged serious misconduct. However, she claimed she was bullied, harassed and even assaulted by a colleague when she refused to join the smuggling ring, which was later busted by a Customs investigation called Operation Waxeye. The investigation resulted in three senior Air China staff pleading guilty to defrauding Customs of revenue before they were discharged without conviction. Wang was never a suspect or even interviewed by Operation Waxeye investigators - but Air China’s head office announced on messaging app WeChat that she was suspected of smuggling. She won a defamation action in Beijing as a result. During her turbulent time working for the airline, Wang was subjected to two disciplinary meetings - one which ended after midnight and the other which lasted almost four hours and concluded with a senior manager confiscating a recording device she’d used. The Employment Relations Authority heard the case over six days in 2023 and 2024 and, in a decision released on February 28, was highly critical of Air China’s actions. Wang told Stuff the much-delayed hearing process and a seven-month wait for a decision was worth it. “I don’t care about the money: I just wanted the truth, I wanted justice,” she said this week. “I am quite happy: $47,000 or four dollars, it doesn’t matter, it’s about the outcome, because I’ve suffered. It’s taken a very long time - I’ve been through hell, I would say. It feels like a big rock has been removed from my chest.”<br/>
Brussels airport is in talks with Air India and IndiGo for restoration of air connectivity between India and Belgium. Representatives of Brussels airport are meeting executives of the two airlines in Delhi pitching for direct flights. The airport is participating in a Belgian economic mission that is visiting India this week. The mission is led by Princess Astrid and comprises federal ministers and business houses. Brussels airport handled 23.6m passengers and over 700,000 tonnes of cargo last year. India is largest unserved Asian market for Belgium which has air links with China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and hubs in West Asia. Around 150,000 passengers flew between India and Belgium in 2024. “A new direct flight would result in significant stimulation of traffic between both the countries and further boost business, holiday and visiting friends and relatives traffic from and to Belgium,” a Brussels airport spokesperson said. Jet Airways flew to Brussels before shifting its base to Amsterdam in 2016. Brussels Airlines restored connectivity with India in 2017 but the airline suspended it’s Mumbai service in January 2019. Brussels has limited flight connections to North America compared to other larger hubs in Europe but is well connected with Africa. Infact, limited onward connections was one of the reasons that prompted Jet Airways to move to Amsterdam in 2016. The Belgian airport however believes Air India could benefit from its ties with Lufthansa (which owns Brussels Airlines) and its Star Alliance membership. “Air India would complement the strong Star Alliance network at Brussels already represented from Asia through Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, All Nippon Airways and Juneyao Airlines. IndiGo would open up our large market with its new product offering and traffic stimulation,” the spokesperson said.<br/>
Airways New Zealand says price increases are needed even though it admits times are tough for the aviation sector, sparking immediate concern from key industry players. National carrier Air New Zealand said the price hike could have detrimental impacts on air fares, and the Aviation Industry Association said it struggled to see how the hike could be justified. Airways, the air traffic management service provider, today proposed an average annual price increase of 7.7% for airline customers from July 1. “This translates to a per seat increase of between 79 cents and $2.80 for commercial flights, depending on the aircraft capacity.” Airways said it was starting discussions with customers and the wider industry on pricing for the next three-yearly pricing cycle. Airways said it had more than 4000 air traffic service customers including airlines, airports, the Defence Force, commercial and private aircraft operators, recreational flyers, and drone operators. For general aviation, Airways proposed a 6.8% price increase for the 2026 financial year and a cumulative 10.5% price over the three years to July 1, 2028.<br/>