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Delta's Boeing 787 order is a bet on the premium travel market and its positive outlook.
Delta Air Lines, which has a long-haul fleet, forecast a 20% increase in earnings by 2026. It cited strong corporate and consumer demand, as well as rising sales. As lower-income customers are under pressure due to 'inflation' and a weaker purchasing power, the airline is benefiting from a resilient demand from higher-income travellers. This divergence was apparent in the December quarter when the overall passenger revenue increased by just 1%. However, this masked a growing gap within the cabin. The revenue for main-cabin tickets fell by 7% compared to a year ago, but revenue from premium products grew by 9%. Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated that the majority of Delta's seat expansion is planned for premium products. The main cabin will see little growth. The airline's strategy is reinforced by the fact that new aircraft are equipped with more premium seats. Bastian described the outlook for the airline as "upbeat" pointing out record booking trends at the beginning of the year. However, the airline maintains a range in its forecast because of ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and policy-related uncertainties. Atlanta-based Delta Airlines expects adjusted earnings per share for 2026 to be between $6.50 and $7.50, with free cash flow between $3 billion and $4 billion. Delta expects revenue growth between 5% and 7% for the quarter ending March, with adjusted earnings per share ranging from $0.50 to $0.90. LSEG surveyed analysts who expect earnings per share of $7.25 for the year, and $0.72 for each quarter. International Recovery Uneven Bastian stated that the international demand is still strong, even though some markets, such as Canada and China, have not recovered fully. Capacity to China remains well below levels before the pandemic. He said that the World Cup soccer tournament, which is coming up in a few months' time, could unlock international travel and ease a blockage. The airline ended 2025 having the highest premium and diverse revenue of its history. Nearly 60% of its total revenue came from premium cabins and loyalty programs, as well as other non-ticket revenue sources such as its long-standing relationship with American Express. Bastian, a Delta spokesperson, told reporters that Delta's customers prioritize quality travel experiences and continue to value them. The imbalance of consumer spending has also changed the shape of the U.S. aviation industry. Low-cost and Ultra-low-cost Carriers, who rely heavily upon price-sensitive travellers, have struggled to maintain profitability due to excess capacity and weak profits, leading them into consolidation and retrenchment. Allegiant announced plans to purchase Sun Country Airlines while Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy. Bastian stated that "the lower-end consumers are struggling." We are fortunate to not live in that area. BOEING ORDER DIFFERSIFIES LONG HAUL FLEET Delta's adjusted fourth-quarter earnings of $1.55 per share barely beat analyst's expectations. However, results were affected by the longest U.S. government shutdown in history, which caused tens and thousands of flight disruptions, and reduced quarterly profit by about $200 million. In?2025 airlines also suffered a drop in demand due to the sweeping U.S. Tariffs that eroded consumer confidence. Delta's outlook for 2026 assumes that these disruptions won't be repeated. Delta will purchase 30 Boeing 787-10 Widebody Aircraft as part of its fleet strategy. It has options to buy an additional 30 aircraft. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2031. Delta will be introducing a new aircraft with the 787-10. Bastian stated that the aircraft was chosen for its efficiency and flexibility in mid-range international routes. This includes across the Atlantic, to South America and other destinations where ultra-long range capability isn't required. He said that the 787-10 was cheaper to operate than larger widebodies like the Airbus A350 on many missions. Delta Airlines has been a strong Airbus supporter for the last 15 years. Its fleet is based on Airbus' A220, A320, and A350 narrowbody aircraft, as well as its flagship A330 widebody. Bastian explained that the Boeing order was a deliberate attempt to diversify the suppliers and reduce reliance on one manufacturer, as the airline expanded internationally. He said that it was difficult to run a business if the airline relied on a single supplier. (Reporting and editing by Jamie Freed; Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh)
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Air India faces UK lawsuits from the estates of those who died in a 2025 plane crash
Air India is facing a London suit from the 'estates' and relatives of some of the deceased in relation to the crash of the passenger jet that occurred on June 20, 2025, which resulted in the death of 260 people. According to court records, 11 plaintiffs filed a personal injury lawsuit at the High Court on December 18. Further details were not immediately available. A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers bound for London Gatwick Airport 'lost height seconds' after take-off from the western city of Ahmedabad, on June 12. It erupted into a fireball when it struck a medical school hostel. The crash killed 19 people at the ground and one person on the plane. Air India, and the lawyers who represent?the claimants? did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Families of the four victims are notified separately. suing Boeing In the United States, the claim was that the accident was caused by allegedly defective fuel switches. The lawsuit, filed in September blames Boeing, Honeywell and the switch manufacturers for the crash. (Reporting and editing by Sarah Young, Muvija M, Sam Tobin)
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Aena Spain records record 332,6 million passengers by 2025
Aena's Spanish Airports tallied 321.6 million passengers? in 2025. This marks a third consecutive annual record. The company has exceeded its February forecast by?320 millions. This represents a 3.9% rise from 2024. These gains highlight Spain's appeal as a European tourism center, even though the global airline industry is struggling with delays in aircraft deliveries, labor shortages and rising operating costs which have?limited capacity growth elsewhere. The operator reported that the airports in Spain with the most passengers are Madrid's Adolfo Suarez Barajas, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona El Prat, and Palma de Mallorca. Aena stated that it is developing its investment plan to accommodate the increasing demand for 2027-2031. In a statement, the company stated that "Traffic records for recent years are a clear indicator of this need as well as of a situation which will 'arise in future years regarding infrastructure." The company has not provided an updated outlook beyond 2026. (Reporting and editing by Matt Scuffham in Gdansk)
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South Korea's NOFI buys estimated 130,000 tons corn, traders say
European traders reported that the leading South Korean animal feed manufacturer Nonghyup Feed Inc., (NOFI), bought an estimated 130,000 metric tonnes of animal 'feed -corn? in a Tuesday international tender. The bid was for up to 207,000 tons. Two 65,000-ton corn consignments were purchased. They could have come from either the United States, South America or South Africa. They said that a third consignment, which was also requested in the tender and due to arrive on May 20, did not get purchased. The first consignment of corn was purchased at an estimated price of $241.50 per ton, including freight (c&f), plus an additional $1.50 surcharge for port unloading. The seller is believed to be Zen-Noh trading house, with corn arriving in South Korea on April 30. The second consignment, valued at $240.50 per ton c&f was purchased with an additional $1.50 surcharge per?ton for port unloading. Trading house Agrex was thought to be the seller, with?corn arriving in South Korea on or around May 10th. The reports reflect the assessments of traders and it is still possible to estimate prices and volumes later. The Traders say that Asian import demand has been sparked by the U.S. corn futures falling to near 12-week-lows on Monday due to estimates of "large U.S. stocks". Cargill Agri Purina, a South Korean importer, has launched an international tender for the purchase of up to 140.000 tons corn. The deadline is Wednesday. Michael Hogan is reporting from Hamburg. Mark Potter (Editing)
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Wall Street futures fall ahead of JPMorgan earnings and inflation data
?U.S. Stock index futures fell on Tuesday as investors awaited important inflation data for hints on interest rate trends, and the fourth-quarter earnings from JPMorgan Chase, which would mark the beginning of the earnings season. The shares of the largest U.S. bank rose 0.6% in premarket trade ahead of its quarterly results. Rivals are expected to release their results later this week. Major lenders will likely report higher quarterly profits due to a revival of M&A. Delta Air Lines and the Custodian Bank?BNY were also scheduled to release results before the opening of trading. "Stable U.S. growth and Federal Reserve rate cuts have increased corporate earnings and profit margins. This has lifted U.S. stock prices and supported our overweight. This will continue to play out in the Q4 results, starting this week," BlackRock Investment Institute strategists said in a report. The Federal Reserve will be keeping an eye on the inflation figures. They are expected to show that U.S. consumer price growth accelerated in December. This would support the decision of the Federal Reserve at their policy meeting later this month to keep?its interest rate steady. Wall Street's major indexes started the week in a soft manner on Monday, after U.S. prosecutors launched a criminal probe into Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. The investigation raised questions about the central bank’s independence and attracted criticism from Republicans. Markets bounced back in the afternoon session as tech giants and Walmart gained, sending the S&P 500 to new record closings. At 5:09 am ET, U.S. S&P E-minis had fallen 10 points or 0.14%. Dow E-minis had dropped 66 points or 0.13%. Nasdaq E-minis fell 61.25 or 0.24%. Investors have shrugged off geopolitical worries, such as the U.S. military actions and the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro ten days ago. Instead, the focus on artificial-intelligence and expectations of high earnings has propelled the indexes up to new heights. Investors are attracted to small-cap stocks by their high valuations. They have performed better than the broader markets since the beginning of the year. However, it is not yet clear if this trend will continue. BlackRock Investment Institute's strategists predict that the gap between "Magnificent 7" tech giants, and the rest, will continue to narrow. This is due to a rise in sensitive economic sectors. Meanwhile, productivity gains from AI may help offset earnings downgrades. Russell 2000 gained 6.2% during the first seven days of trading in 2026, while the S&P 500 only rose by 1.9%. KeyBanc upgraded both chipmakers to "overweight" and Intel shares gained 3.6%, while AMD shares gained 1.5%. (Reporting and editing by Maju Samuel in Bengaluru, with Medha Singh reporting from Bengaluru)
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Cuban oil is cut off by Trump as the clock ticks.
Cubans brace for impact, after U.S. president Donald Trump pledged to cut off the lifeline of Venezuelan crude oil reaching Cuba. This will create a siege situation for an island that is already suffering from crippling blackouts. Venezuela, the island's former top supplier, has not sent crude oil or fuel to Cuba in about a week, according to data from the state-owned company PDVSA and documents internal to the company. Cargoes were falling off because of a U.S. Blockade, even before the U.S. captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro early in January. The last cargo to be refined on the island arrived from PDVSA’s Jose port mid-December, on a tanker with its transponder turned off and carrying 600,000 barrels Venezuelan crude. The data and documents revealed that in 2025, Venezuela would be Cuba's biggest oil supplier, with 26 500 barrels of oil per day (bpd), which is roughly one-third of the island's needs. Mexico was second with 5,000 bpd. Jorge Pinon is an energy researcher at the University of Texas at Austin. He said, "I don't think there's any way for Cuba to survive in the coming months without receiving oil from Venezuela." The situation is about to become catastrophic. Trump has not hidden his belief that the recent U.S. military intervention in Venezuela will push Cuba to the edge. But in recent days, he has stepped up the pressure on the communist island. He urged the neighboring country on Sunday to reach a deal before it's too late. Cuban residents are now asking themselves how long the communist government and President Miguel Diaz-Canel can survive a drastic reduction in oil imports. They already struggle to get food, medicine, and fuel. Victor Romero of Havana, 75 years old and a former state employee, said: "It is very stressful. We don't know the decision that the Cuban Government will make or the actions taken by the United States Government." Diaz-Canel has made it clear that his government will not back down from U.S. threats. He said, "Nobody tells me what to do," after Trump promised to cut off Venezuelan oil. "Cuba...is prepared to defend its homeland until the very last drop of blood." In far-flung provinces that have little economic output, rural Cuba already looks like a caricature. In many villages, and even urban areas, bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are used for transportation. Internet is often unreliable, if at all. And electricity is very fleeting. There are more hours with no power than there are with it. Deyanira Gonzalez is a 57 year old housewife living in the countryside of Havana. She says she prepares her breakfast coffee and lunch for her children over charcoal because electricity is spotty, and liquefied natural gas, while available, can be expensive or unavailable. What will happen next? "If Donald Trump does not allow fuel into Cuba, we will be in darkness with our children suffering," she said. Cuba's capital Havana is yet to feel the impact of Venezuela's falling fuel cargoes. This observation is backed up by Cuba's daily generation gap statistics. Some?city residents have reported that the blackouts in January are less frequent, due to a decrease in power demand from a peak reached in December. The rationing of gasoline and diesel at the pumps, in 'the peso currency is still in place. FEW OPTIONS No public information is available about the amount of oil Cuba might have in reserve. Cuba's allies may not be willing to risk Trump retribution to bail out Cuba. Pinon, an energy expert, said: "We have not seen any support whatsoever, from Cuba's political partners, who are also oil exporters, such as Angola Algeria Brazil." "Nobody is coming to Cuba’s aid except for maybe Mexico in a limited amount and also Russia in a limited amount." A tanker bound from Mexico, the Ocean Mariner, arrived in Havana on Friday, carrying some 85,000 barrels ?of fuel from the state company Pemex's terminal of Pajaritos/Coatzacoalcos, according to a witness and ship tracking data. Mexico's contribution is not enough to maintain the electricity on the island with its 10 million residents, even though it's a fraction the Venezuelan exports. This concern is shared by many Cubans. Ivet Rodriguez is a 39-year old entrepreneur from Havana. She said, "It's that uncertainty of not being able to predict what will happen." "I try to not even think about this." Reporting by Dave Sherwood from Havana, and Marianna Pararaga from Houston; additional reporting by Mario Fuentes, Anett Rios and Christian Plumb. Editing by Christian Plumb & Alistair Bell.
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Source: Kazakhstan's oil production down 35% between January 1-12.
A source familiar with the data said that oil and gas condensate production in Kazakhstan fell by 35% between January 1-12 compared to December's average. This was mainly due export restrictions via a Black Sea terminal. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s Black Sea terminal in Russia was attacked by a Ukrainian drone on November 29, resulting in a halt to Kazakhstan’s oil exports. Around 80% of Kazakhstan's oil is exported through the terminal. According to CPC, one of three moorings was severely damaged as a result of the attack. This is where U.S. majors Chevron & ExxonMobil are heavily invested. The source said that Kazakhstan's production had?declined? to 1,21 million barrels per day from 1.87 millions bpd during December. She spoke under condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation. Sources also said that the output of the Chevron-led Tengiz, Kazakhstan's biggest oilfield, had more than halved in the past period. The offshore Kashagan oilfield saw a 60% drop in production, while Karachaganak's output dropped by 40%. The Kazakhstan energy ministry did not immediately respond to comments. After the drone strike, Kazakhstan diverted some of its oil flow to other routes, including China and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.
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Dubai's DP World claims operations at Somaliland’s Berbera Port are not affected by the UAE-Somalia disputes
DP World, a Dubai-based port and logistics company, said Tuesday that its operations 'at Berbera Port in Somalia’s breakaway region Somaliland are 'continuing as per existing agreements despite regional tensions following an escalation of violence in Yemen. Somalia's Government announced on Monday that it is cancelling all agreements, including those relating to port deals, defence and security, and cooperation with the UAE. It accused the Gulf nation of undermining national sovereignty. Mogadishu's move was a result of an investigation launched by Mogadishu last week, after tensions were high between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, two global oil giants. The UAE claimed to have spirited away a Yemeni separatist leader via Somalia. Crisis Last month, there was a riot in Yemen after separatists advanced through the southern part of the country, including Aden. They were able to reach the Saudi border, which prompted Riyadh's declaration that the action posed a threat to the national security of Saudi Arabia. In a press release, DP World said that it was focused on ensuring the safety and efficiency of the port, and delivering economic benefits to Somaliland and to the Horn of Africa. It also added that any questions regarding "political positions, intergovernmental talks, or diplomatic decisions" should be directed to the appropriate authorities. The UAE has developed deep economic and safety ties with Somaliland. The DP World, a Dubai-based logistics firm, invested $442 million to develop and run the Port of Berbera. Israel was the first nation to adopt a new currency last month. Recognise Somaliland as an independent nation According to an Axios article citing Israeli officials, Abu Dhabi facilitated a diplomatic breakthrough.
UNICEF: More than 100 children have been killed in Gaza following the ceasefire
U.N. Children's Agency said on Tuesday that over 100 children have been killed in Gaza since the October ceasefire. These include victims of quadcopter and drone attacks.
James Elder, UNICEF's spokesperson told journalists at a U.N. press briefing via video link that more than 100 children had been killed in Gaza since the early October ceasefire.
"Survival is conditional. Although the bombings and shootings have slowed down, they haven't stopped."
He stated that the majority of deaths among 'the 60 boys and forty girls' were caused by military attacks, including air strikes and drones, as well as gunfire, quadcopters, and tank shelling. A few others were due to exploding?war relics.
He said that the tally was likely to be an underestimation, as it only included deaths for which there were sufficient details. Reporting by Emma Farge Editing Madeline Chambers
(source: Reuters)