Who Will Lead IATA Next?

Who Will Lead IATA Next?

Author: Skift April 2, 2026 Duration: 40:56
Gordon and Jay unpack major leadership moves shaping the industry, from Willie Walsh’s shift to IndiGo to Michael Rousseau’s departure from Air Canada. Later, they dive into fuel prices and what’s ahead for Alaska Airlines. Follow the Hosts:  Gordon Smith – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Jay Shabat – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Meghna Maharishi - ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SkiftNews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries. 02:26 JetBlue Seeks a Partner 04:42 Willie Walsh to IndiGo 08:25 IATA Succession Talk 11:11 Air India Leadership Rumors 12:00 Air Canada CEO Steps Down 18:50 What Are IDEA Awards 19:37 Who Can Enter 20:09 Airline Categories Explained 21:19 Quiz And Sample Forms 23:29 Back To Lounge News 23:53 Fuel Price Reality Check 24:49 Alaska Warns Bigger Loss 26:22 Mexico And Hawaii Demand Dip 28:41 Alaska Expands To Europe 30:33 Widebody Risk Debate 31:10 Why Buy Hawaiian 34:12 Seattle Long Haul Competition 37:35 Integration And Outlook 39:21 Wrap Up And Subscribe

Step inside the Airline Weekly Lounge, a podcast from Skift where the editors behind the industry publication gather for a deeper, more conversational look at the world of commercial flight. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a focused exploration of the complex forces shaping how airlines operate, compete, and ultimately survive. Each episode digs into the week's most intriguing developments, from fleet strategies and route networks to labor dynamics and the evolving culture of travel, always with a keen eye on the bottom line. The central, driving question remains: how do carriers actually turn a profit in this famously volatile business? You'll hear analysis that connects financial results to real-world operations, discussing everything from premium cabin innovations and loyalty program economics to airport politics and environmental pressures. The tone is informed and accessible, peeling back the layers on both major global network carriers and regional players. For anyone curious about the business realities behind their boarding pass, this podcast offers a regular dose of context and clarity, revealing the intricate balance of economics, service, and strategy that keeps the industry aloft. Join the editors in the lounge for a perspective that goes beyond the news cycle.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 422

Airline Weekly Lounge
Podcast Episodes
Airline Junk Fees Under Scrutiny [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:51
In this week’s episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat are joined by Skift airlines reporter Meghna Maharishi to discuss why ancillary fees are coming under pressure from lawmakers in Washington. In part two, Gordon and Jay…
AirAsia CEO on Trump, Tragedies and Transformation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:35
Recorded at the Skift Global Forum East held in Dubai earlier this month, AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes speaks to Skift Asia Editor Peden Bhutia. In a wide-ranging conversation, the pair discuss everything from a second Tru…
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom on Trump, Boeing, and New Routes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:42
In this special episode, Gordon Smith is in conversation with American Airlines CEO, Robert Isom. Recorded at the Skift Aviation Forum in Dallas, the pair discuss many of the thorniest topics impacting the industry. From…
Spirit Airlines Bankruptcy: What Comes Next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:36
Description In this reaction podcast, Airline Weekly's Jay Shabat discusses Spirit Airlines' Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing this morning, the factors leading to it, and its implications. Unlike traditional airline bankrupt…
LATAM Airlines: Past, Present, and Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:09
Presented by American Airlines In this special episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the key takeaways from LATAM's investor day event in New York. The pair explore how the company's turbulent history has influenc…
United Closes the Gap on Delta [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:50
Presented by American Airlines In this week's episode Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat provide an early status update on Q3 earnings season. With Delta on the back foot after the CrowdStrike chaos and Olympic disruption, Unit…
Setting the Scene for Earnings Season [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:04
Presented by American Airlines In this week's show, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat explain the key elements to watch as third-quarter earnings season begins. The pair discuss all-important factors including aircraft supply…