The AirlineGeeks Podcast Episode 32: An Industry Reeling

Thank you for reading the AirlineGeeks Podcast Recap. This article gives a brief look at last week’s episode of our news podcast. For our full analysis of each of these stories, you can listen to The AirlineGeeks Podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Overcast or through our distributor, Anchor.

Our first story this week takes a look at Ryanair’s 2020 financial results. The Irish low-cost airline reported a $1 billion loss for 2020. We take a look at all the different aspects of this loss and how the airline is positioning itself to recover post-pandemic. We also look to Ryanair’s biggest competitors and how they have weathered the pandemic in addition to what the Irish carrier’s best options for handling future crises may be.

Next, we turn to flight operations. At the end of 2020, Flightglobal surveyed pilots around the world and found that about half of all pilots have been furloughed or laid off since the pandemic began. We take a look at the human side of these statistics, including how layoffs might impact flight crews.

We then turn to how furloughs impact airline operations. It is often especially difficult to bring back pilots who need to fulfill recency and training requirements as well as to bring stored aircraft back into service. We consider how airlines do so and how airlines have been trying to manage crew costs, scheduling and staffing during the uncertain pandemic.

Overlooking the ramp at the now-closed Berlin-Tegel Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

Last, we discussed an announcement that Air Canada Rogue has suspended operations after the Canadian government put in new international travel restrictions to many holiday destinations. This is the second time Rouge has suspended operations since the pandemic began. We look at the implications of this decision, the future of the Air Canada Rouge brand and the comparisons between Rouge and American leisure-focused and low-cost airlines.

We hope you’ll listen to the podcast episode, linked above, for more in-depth analysis of each of these stories. Monitor our page on your favorite streaming service each Friday to hear the latest episode just as it’s published at 12 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time. Feel free to leave a comment sharing your thoughts on this week’s episode.

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John McDermott

John McDermott is a commercial pilot pursuing a career in professional flight. His passion for aviation began in an Ann Arbor bookstore with a tale of enemy pilots during World War 2, and he hasn't looked back. Besides flying and writing for AirlineGeeks, John volunteers with Professional Pilots of Tomorrow and travels whenever he gets the chance.

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