Four decades of widebody low-cost carriers have produced one consistent outcome: failure. An analysis of why the model cannot work, what the A321XLR changes, and what Norse's impending collapse actually means.
Ryanair posted record profit on an 80 per cent hedge book. EasyJet reported a £552mn half-year loss. Qatar Airways made $1.94bn despite a war adjacent to its hub. The jury in Seattle cleared Boeing of fraud in the LOT case. The hedge book decides who survives. This week proved it.
From Spirit's $2.24/gallon assumption to Ryanair's 80% hedge at $67/barrel: a Pro analysis of where the low-cost model breaks under fuel stress, and which carriers are closest.
A Seattle jury cleared Boeing of MAX fraud on 22 May, rejecting LOT's $153mn damages claim. Ten days earlier, a Chicago jury awarded $49.5mn to the Stumo family. Two verdicts, opposite outcomes, same week.
EasyJet posted a first-half pre-tax loss of £552mn as the Iran conflict pushed fuel costs up and dampened summer bookings. Qatar Airways reported a $1.94bn full-year profit despite a near-total hub shutdown in February. Airbus warned A350 customers of fresh delivery delays.
