United Airlines, following its merger with Continental, has ended 2012 as the world’s biggest airline measured by available seat kilometres for the current week, ahead of second placed Delta, whose capacity fell 0.3% year on year, according to Innovata. Fast growing Dubai-based carrier Emirates is the world’s third biggest airline by this measure, and could be in second place by the end of 2013 if the past year’s growth rates are maintained.
Turbulence and uncertainty can best describe the year 2012 for the Indian aviation sector. In 2012 major airline companies’ profits plunged into red, staff unrest crippled two airlines and the year also saw one the major players grinding to a halt.
Employees at Spanish national airline Iberia have staged a rally in Madrid to protest the company’s plan to lay off thousands of workers.