Europe

Ahead of Routes Europe, we outline some of the most important facts and figures in the region's aviation market.

Despite tough times for Turkey's aviation sector in recent years, Pegasus Airlines has weathered the storm and is looking to new markets to further its expansion.

Italian carrier Meridiana has outlined its strategy following Qatar Airways’ investment, which includes a rebrand, new routes and fleet expansion.

Amid a recent flurry of activity in the low-cost, long-haul sector, one new operator stands out as relatively unknown on both sides of the Atlantic.

Michael Yohannes from Ethiopian Airlines explains more about the carrier's strategy from the UK to help achieve its long-term ambitions.

LEVEL could begin operating from regional airports in the UK but only if air passenger duty (APD) is reformed, its parent company International Airlines Group (IAG) has stressed.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport remains the world’s busiest airport, according to preliminary traffic figures, but Beijing Capital is closing the gap. The statistics - which reveal the top 20 airports by passenger numbers - also show there is no stopping China’s rapid growth, with 12 new airports beginning commercial air service during 2017.

This week: Primera Air adds Washington Dulles from London Stansted, while Hainan Airlines will become the first Chinese airline to operate non-stop flights between China and Mexico.

Some of the biggest names in European aviation are set to debate the industry’s future this April at Bilbao conference

Hainan Airlines looks set to increase the number of services it operates to the UK and Ireland following a series of new route applications.

With Lufthansa set to deploy five of its A380s at Munich this summer, Routesonline spoke to the airport’s vice president of traffic development Oliver Dersch to find out more about its success in 2017 and its future growth ambitions.

WestJet has confirmed its first transatlantic operations to be served by Boeing 737-8 MAX, with the low-cost carrier set to make its debut on the European mainland.

As SAS Scandinavian Airlines prepares to open a new international base at Aarhus Airport, Routesonline finds out more about the investment and why the Danish city is ready to capitalise on its time as European Capital of Culture.

Route rundown: GOL adds routes to Miami and Orlando, Hainan Airlines launches its first direct service between China and Spain, and Thai Air Asia X resumes Bangkok to Sapporo.

Low-cost carrier Ryanair is to further expand its capacity from Manchester Airport this summer with the launch of ten new routes. It comes as new research reveals the UK airports which have enjoyed the largest passenger growth over the past year, with Manchester among the front-runners.

British Airways owner IAG has lost out on an acquisition of Austrian leisure airline Niki to its founder Niki Lauda, the former Formula One champion.

This week: VLM Airlines, Icelandair and Emirates are each set to resume routes previously operated.

Four of the top six fastest-growing major airlines in the world over the past year were low-cost carriers, new research by Routesonline has found, highlighting their ongoing disruptive force on the industry. The analysis reveals the ten carriers which have grown their capacity the quickest.

Airbus has admitted that it will stop making its A380 superjumbo unless it secures more orders.

European aircraft maker Airbus enjoyed record deliveries in 2017 while a spree of orders in the final few weeks of the year helped it to beat Boeing in the annual commercial jet sales race.

Wizz Air, the Hungarian low-cost carrier focussed on the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) market, is continuing its advance west with the launch of its second base in Western Europe as it targets former Niki leisure passengers.

Turkish Airlines has set an ambitious passenger target this year at the same time as placing a provisional order for up to 25 long-range Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

British Airways will add more than 150 additional weekly flights from London Gatwick this summer, turning up the heat on its rivals.

Irish carrier fears domestic UK routes could be under threat as Brexit process rumbles on.

Spanish low-cost airline Vueling is set to increase its presence in Austria, Germany and Switzerland after its parent company International Airlines Group agreed to buy the assets of Niki, the insolvent former Air Berlin subsidiary.