Skift Research Global Travel Outlook 2025
If 2023 was the year of revenge travel, and 2024 of normalization, what will 2025 bring? Likely a slow and steady baseline of growth amid divergence, challenges, and change.
Ashab is a Research Analyst based in India who focuses on the global aviation market. He conducts detailed market research studies on existing and emerging markets worldwide, with expertise ranging from statistical analysis to building complex financial models for forecasting.
Before joining Skift in 2023, Ashab spent five years in management consulting at Deloitte and CAPA India. He worked on projects spanning the public sector, financial services, and transport and aviation, with a focus on strategy and implementation.
Areas of Research
Ashab is an aviation strategy researcher focused on airline economics, business models, and technology-led value creation. His work spans low-cost, hybrid, and premium airline strategies, with emphasis on profitability drivers, revenue pools, network discipline, and capital allocation. He also advises on the role of commercial and digital capabilities—revenue management, distribution, loyalty, and data platforms—in reshaping airline performance, consolidation dynamics, and long-term competitive positioning.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Fact From Fiction
The push for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption is an unparalleled challenge for the aviation industry. While some interventions can help to overcome these hurdles, many uncertainties remain. The industry and regulators must be realistic and not rely on SAF as a panacea for decarbonization.
Are Premium Cabins the Future for Airlines?
Full-service airlines have invested heavily in premium cabins, which has paid dividends, especially in the post-pandemic era. But how sustainable are they? Can low-cost carriers that are pivoting towards premium disrupt this stream?
The Curious Case of Azul Airlines
Azul is now the second-largest carrier in Brazil. The pandemic has done little to deter its growth, but the airline must find a solution for its increasing debt levels. Can a merger fix this?
State of Travel 2024: Travel in 350 Charts
Our biggest report of the year with 350+ insights. Understand the consumer, business, and investment trends defining the state of travel in 2024. Our goal was to create a chart for any major travel question you may have.
The Future of Ultra-Low Cost Carriers in the U.S.
High unit costs, reduced operational efficiencies, and increased competition from network carriers have combined to create a significant challenge for ultra-low-cost carriers in the U.S. However, Allegiant and Sun Country's resilience indicates that they are unlikely to go out of business anytime soon.
The Curious Case of Indigo Airlines, India’s Largest Airline
Indigo’s dominance in the domestic Indian market is a testament to its cost leadership and superior operational capabilities but venturing into international long haul market with widebody aircrafts will need a shift of mindset, strategy and planning from its low cost operation. The international market is highly competitive and demands premium products, operational flexibility, a loyalty program, and more experienced crew - all of which IndiGo currently lacks. Even if IndiGo were to introduce these services and products in the next few years, it would likely face strong competition from Air India, which has more experience in these areas, leading to intensified competition as both airlines expand their international networks. The question arises whether the market is large enough to accommodate both Air India and IndiGo.
How Technology and AI are Transforming Airline Revenue Management
The airline industry is on the brink of a technology revolution that will bring both challenges and opportunities. Despite the obstacles, executives are preparing themselves for a future where technology will play a pivotal role in enhancing profitability through process efficiencies, particularly within the revenue management function.
The Opportunity for Long-Haul, Low-Cost Airlines
Despite the setbacks faced by many low-cost carriers (LCCs) around the world in their long-haul operations, LCCs in the United States and Asia have been steadily increasing their capacity on long-haul routes. So far, the results have been positive. With the availability of better aircrafts, a growing middle class and the evolving travel preferences of young travellers, there could be a billion-dollar opportunity waiting for LCCs.
The Challenge With Long-Haul, Low-Cost Airlines
The Long Haul Low-Cost business model has proved to be a challenge for airline executives, with very little success and numerous airline fatalities. However, with the evolution of the low-cost airline business model, changes in travel preferences post-pandemic, and advancements in aircraft technology, could we finally see a breakthrough in the last remaining frontier of commercial aviation?
Skift Research Global Travel Outlook 2024
2024 will be the year that the travel industry fully transitions from catch-up to true growth above pre-pandemic levels. Without revenge travel as a tailwind we expect a more normal growth trajectory for the travel industry this year.
Modern Airline Retailing and the Evolution of Airline Distribution
The noticeable acceleration in the implementation of distribution changes in recent years has placed airlines in a favorable position, granting them greater autonomy over their inventory and reducing their reliance on Travel Management Companies (TMCs) compared to the past. This change in dynamics will prove consequential as more airlines move towards direct distribution.