The Insider Brief — Friday 8 May 2026
Airlines have cut 13,000 flights and two million seats from May schedules as jet fuel prices remain 80% above pre-war levels. Allegiant and Sun Country shareholders vote this morning on their $1.5bn merger.
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Pro Insider - Sunday 23 August 2026
Engine overhaul times have tripled since 2019. More than 22,000 technician positions remain unfilled. Southwest posted record Q2 revenue despite $889mn in additional fuel expense. airBaltic bondholders approved short-term relief on August 17.
Southwest has abandoned the model that built it
Southwest posted record Q2 revenue of $8.4bn, up 16.4%, in the first full quarter with all transformation initiatives in place. Managed business revenue up 30%, RASM up 16.2% on flat capacity. The data shows the transformation is working, at least for now.
The engine shop is aviation's new binding constraint
Engine overhaul turnaround times have tripled since 2019. More than 22,000 MRO technician positions are unfilled. Shop visit wait times stretch 2 to 6 months. A Pro analysis of how the MRO crisis became the binding constraint on global airline growth.
WestJet completes Swoop and Sunwing cabin overhaul
WestJet completed the cabin transformation of its remaining all-economy Boeing 737 aircraft on 18 August 2026, integrating former Swoop and Sunwing fleets into a three-class product. The airline also completed legroom restoration ahead of schedule.