Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 42: Ryanair's Runaway Success

Ryanair is like a runaway train, in that nothing seems to be able to stop it. Despite unfavorable hedges, terrorism, air traffic control strikes and plenty of economic weakness, the airline still managed to turn a profit during the historically weak first quarter. A 6% operating margin never looked so good. How did Ryanair’s performance compare to that of Wizz Air and easyJet—two airlines that also had solid off-peak quarters? Also, with all three of those airlines growing, when will they start stepping on each other’s toes? Outside Europe, China’s HNA Aviation is purchasing a piece of the struggling Virgin Australia. Is it a smart move? Plus we have an optimistic take on the important, even if not-so-interesting, TSA situation in the U.S.