Stock markets in 'the Gulf' fell on Tuesday morning, after fresh attacks from Iran and the United States deepened the battle for the Strait of Hormuz. This was a key global energy chokepoint. Washington wants to reopen Strait of Hormuz in order to relieve the strain on the global energy supply after Iran closed the passage after the U.S.-Israel war began on February 28, 2008. The UAE has confirmed that there have been Iranian missile and drone attacks in the UAE. One of these strikes allegedly caused a fire to break out at the main oil port, Fujairah. Fujairah was...

Air Astana announced a?first-quarter 'loss? on Tuesday that widened by nearly threefold. Costs increased after the Kazakhstani carrier moved capacity away from Gulf routes due to the Iran War. The carrier reduced Middle East capacity by 51% compared to the planned levels for the quarter. Flights were stopped from Dubai, Doha and Madinah. The reallocation of capacity was also done to Southeast Asian leisure routes as well as East-West transit connections. Air Astana reported a loss after taxes of $21.1 million for the three-month period ending March 31. This is a significant increase from the $7.3 million loss the year...

The head of American Airlines pilots' union, Scott Kirby, told his?members the merger idea of United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby was the "bold vision" that the airline needed. However, the?union did not endorse a tie-up of the two airlines. Nick Silva, President of the Allied Pilots Association, said in an email sent to pilots on 'Monday that Kirby’s vision was "transformative". This could have a positive impact for American Airlines, its pilots, and passengers. Silva's message demonstrates how Kirby’s rejected proposal is now a major pressure point within American. APA does not support a merger but its president uses the...

The head of American Airlines pilots' union told members that United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby's merger proposal showed "the bold vision" that the carrier needed, but the union did not endorse a tie-up. Nick Silva, President of the Allied Pilots Association, said in an email sent to pilots Monday that Kirby's vision was "transformative" and could benefit passengers, communities, and American Airlines pilots. Silva, who did not support the merger of United-American, used Kirby's email as an occasion to criticize American's leadership. The unions are putting pressure on them because they have been underperforming financially. American didn't immediately respond to...

The head of American Airlines’?pilots' union,?Scott?Kirby, told his members that the "bold vision'' of United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby's merger 'idea was exactly what the carrier needed. However the union did not endorse a tie-up of the two airlines. Nick Silva, president of the Allied Pilots Association, said in an email sent to pilots on 'Monday that Kirby’s vision can be "transformative" both for passengers and communities, as well as American Airlines pilots. Silva, who was criticized by American's unions for the carrier's poor financial performance, used Kirby’s proposal to criticize the leadership of the company. American didn't immediately respond...

Southwest Airlines is interested in hiring aircraft mechanics from the now-defunct Spirit Airlines. A union official announced this on Monday, as Southwest Airlines prepares to receive Boeing's 737 MAX 7 jets early next year. The U.S. airline is hiring mechanics to support its red-eye flights, and in anticipation of the arrival of the MAX 7 jet early in 2027. This will be pending certification by the Federal Aviation Administration this year. Bret Oestreich is the president of Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. He has talked to executives at Texas based Southwest about hiring mechanics who were employed by Spirit when it...

Middle Eastern carriers increased capacity following the disruption caused by the Iran War, while airlines outside of the Gulf have rerouted flights between Europe and Asia away from major hubs within the region. The latest flight information is listed below alphabetically: AEGEAN AIRLINES On May 21, Greece's biggest carrier will resume flights from Heraklion to Tel Aviv, as well as Rhodes and Larnaca. Thessaloniki-Tel Aviv flights are cancelled up until June 26. Flights will resume to Beirut, Riyadh, and Amman on May 12. Flights from Dubai to Erbil and Baghdad will be cancelled until July 2, while flights to Dubai...

Spirit Airlines, the bankrupt discount airline that ceased operations last Saturday, has asked for approval to pay retention bonuses to its remaining employees. It also said it had no other choice than to cease operations. Spirit seeks court approval for $10.7 million to be paid in retention bonuses, which is $76,000 per employee. The top three executives will also receive more money but the amount hasn't been revealed yet. "After fighting valiantly to reorganize for months, and having almost succeeded, (Spirit) is left with no alternative but to orderly wind down of operations," Chief Financial officer Fred Comer stated on...

Frontier Airlines shares and JetBlue Airways' rose after rival Spirit Airlines closed shop on Monday. The rise in the share price of these carriers is a sign that they are gaining market share and controlling prices. They also hope to absorb displaced passengers. JetBlue's shares rose 3% in early trading, while Frontier's gained 6%. Spirit, a bankrupt airline, ceased its operations on Saturday after failing to secure creditor support for the U.S. Government bailout plan. Spirit cancelled all flights and started a planned wind-down. This ended a 34-year-old run based on a model with no frills that had lost its...

Frontier Airlines shares and JetBlue Airways shares rose in premarket trade on Monday after rival Spirit Airlines closed shop. This fueled hopes that the carriers could capture a?marketshare, control prices and absorb displaced customers. JetBlue's shares rose by about 5% while Frontier's gained 4%. After failing to secure creditor support for the U.S. Government bailout plan, bankrupt 'carrier Spirit' ceased its operations on Saturday, becoming the industry's?first casualty linked to Iran war. Spirit cancelled all flights and started a planned wind-down. This ended a 34-year-old run based on a model with no frills that had lost its appeal as more...

CEO Paul Griffiths announced on Monday that 'Dubai Airports operations and flights will be stepped up as the United Arab Emirates airspace has been cleared. Capacity is increasing in accordance with the available routes. The UAE's Aviation Authority said that on Saturday, the air traffic was back to normal following the lifting of precautionary measures taken on February 28, when the Iran War began. Griffiths stated in a LinkedIn posting that despite disruptions from the conflict, Dubai International Airport and Al 'Maktoum International Airports handled over six million passengers and 32,000 aircraft movements, as well as more than 213,000 tons...

The U.S. and Israel war on Iran is causing financial stress for companies in Australia and New Zealand. Higher fuel prices are a major factor, as they increase inflation, erode consumer and business confidence, and reduce corporate earnings. Below are some companies in Australia and New Zealand who have reported an impact of the Middle East conflict. Air New Zealand, New Zealand's national carrier, suspended its full-year earning outlook in early March and announced that it had increased fares because of volatility on the jet fuel market. It was one of the first carriers who announced price increases. On April...