Caroline Copley Lufthansa posted an operating loss of €336m for the first three months of the year, hurt by rising fuel costs and excess capacity in Europe.

Ryanair has been named as a possible significant beneficiary — though an unlikely outright buyer — from an expected sale of British regional airline Flybe.

Embraer — the world’s third largest aircraft manufacturer — is not concerned for its future following Airbus’s takeover of its nearest rival Bombardier, according to its Clare-born chief executive John Slattery.

The European Commission has given the all-clear for EasyJet to take over parts of collapsed Air Berlin.

Travel group Thomas Cook reported lower profit margins in its British business due to tough competition in Spain, sending its shares down more than 10% and leaving it reliant on a recovery in Egypt and Turkey to ease the pressure.

Easyjet's annual profits have dropped 17% after the budget airline was hit by the falling value of the pound.

Ryanair rival budget airline Wizz Air, which has withstood the pressures in the aviation sector better than many of its rivals, said it would offer new routes from London’s Luton airport to Cyprus, Slovakia, Estonia, Ukraine and Albania.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has denied he once described pilots as "overpaid underworked peacocks".

Aer Lingus has been named as one of the top airlines for a short-haul holiday.

Michael O’Leary has insisted his employees have the best job security in Europe, as well as a “sophisticated” collective bargaining process.

Lufthansa has said its likely purchase of the bulk of Air Berlin will make it “very well positioned” to compete better with Ryanair across Europe, even though it will still have an inferior share of the market.

Lufthansa has said its likely purchase of the bulk of Air Berlin will make it “very well positioned” to compete better with Ryanair across Europe, even though it will still have an inferior share of the market.

Low fares regional airline Flybe has warned that first-half profits will be lower than expected, sending shares tumbling as higher maintenance costs compounded a tough airline market.

Low fares regional airline Flybe has warned that first-half profits will be lower than expected, sending shares tumbling as higher maintenance costs compounded a tough airline market.

IAG — the owner of Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia — is interested in the London Gatwick slots of failed airline Monarch after it collapsed last week, IAG chief executive Willie Walsh said, adding that the reduction of capacity was good for the industry.

Talks between Air Berlin and bidders Lufthansa and EasyJet are reportedly at risk of falling apart.

Insolvent German airline Air Berlin hopes to conclude talks with Lufthansa and EasyJet on a carve-up of its assets by the middle of next month as it races to secure jobs and keep flying.

A German businessman has joined the field of potential bidders for insolvent Air Berlin, proposing to focus on only a few routes to holiday destinations.

The European Union competition watchdog has approved Germany's plan to provide troubled low-cost carrier Air Berlin with a €150m loan.

Ryanair will bid to operate 90 planes under the Alitalia brand and use existing staff as part of the Italian airline’s restructuring, chief executive Michael O’Leary said yesterday.

Ryanair remains interested in acquiring certain assets of broke carrier Air Berlin — including landing slots at major German airports — but has vowed to continue growing strongly in Germany whether or not it is successful.

Lufthansa has submitted a letter of interest in Air Berlin’s Austrian budget airline Niki and other parts of the insolvent carrier, according to sources.

Lufthansa has received more German government support in its bid to take over substantial assets of insolvent rival Air Berlin, with German Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries saying she would welcome such a move.

Lufthansa is considering buying a majority of insolvent Air Berlin’s aircraft, sources have said, as the German government and rivals race to carve it up.

Ryanair is unlikely to bid for any part of broke German carrier Air Berlin but Michael O’Leary has said the Irish airline will continue to expand in Germany.

Ryanair has lodged formal complaints with the European Commission and Germany’s competition authority over what it calls a brewing “conspiracy” surrounding the future ownership of broke carrier Air Berlin.

British airline Easyjet is set to win unconditional EU competition approval to buy parts of failed German peer Air Berlin, say sources.

TUI is considering resurrecting efforts to form a joint venture with Air Berlin and Etihad by taking a bigger role in the endeavour than originally planned, according to sources.

Despite the outrage British Airways faced when its yet to be explained computer meltdown ruined the plans of thousands of travellers stranded at airports for a UK bank holiday, the shares of its IAG owner have barely flickered.

Budget airline easyJet looks set to deepen half-year losses next week, as it grapples with Brexit-hit pound, costs linked to launching a new European base and drops in bookings to some cities following terrorist attacks.

Etihad accelerated its strategic reset by naming an interim chief executive to take the reins from James Hogan, the architect of the carrier’s costly bets on ailing Alitalia and Air Berlin.

Strikes by French air traffic control and by ground staff in Berlin have pushed up “multiple headwinds” against Ryanair achieving its earnings guidance, according to Merrion Capital analysts.

Ryanair has confirmed plans to move into Lufthansa’s home hub of Frankfurt, stepping up its push into bigger airports and ratcheting up pressure on the German carrier which is expanding its own budget flights.

Ryanair is expected today to announce plans to start flying from Frankfurt airport, stepping up competition with Lufthansa on its home turf.

Irish aviation is at the centre of powerful changes and it is having consequences for investments and the direction of companies in the sector.

Shares in Ryanair rose 5.5% as the airline’s pledge to win more passengers and to hit its earnings target reassured investors who have been spooked by the extraordinary turbulence facing the industry.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has said that the airline is on course to usurp Air Berlin as the second largest player in the German market behind national flag carrier Lufthansa.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Passengers on a flight from Cuba to Germany made two unexpected stops yesterday including one in Ireland where they landed for a crew change.

Aer Lingus has made it onto a list of the top 10 European carriers based on passenger reviews.

Alitalia has appointed Cramer Ball, head of Indian ally Jet Airways, as CEO.

Ryanair shares surged as much as 10% yesterday as the airline indicated it had one of its most profitable summers in years.

Ryanair has put longer-haul route ambitions to the likes of Russia on hold and will focus on closer destinations like Germany to fuel short-term growth.

Many airlines worldwide have begun to adopt rules similar to those put in place by the Irish Aviation Authority a decade ago to ensure there are always two crew members on the flight decks of passenger jets while airborne.

Ryanair has won a ruling at the European Union’s top court allowing it to block price comparison websites from scouring its online database.