Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 29: IAG Has all the Right Moves

IAG, the airline group that includes British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus, is continuing its run of success—a run that probably has peers such as Air France/KLM and Lufthansa feeling a bit envious. In fact, while those two companies struggle with labor pains and more, IAG just posted its most profitable fourth quarter since BA and Iberia merged in 2011. Speaking of combining airlines, the Aer Lingus acquisition is looking more and more like a smart move. Mexican flag carrier Aeroméxico has a peso problem, but it’s managing it fairly well. And like every other airline in the world (okay, not quite) it’s planning a joint venture with Delta, and history has shown that’s usually a good thing. Meanwhile, Aeroméxico’s competitor Volaris continues flexing its ultra-low-cost muscle. And, of course, we talk about Republic Airways’ unconventional bankruptcy.