Gordon Smith

Gordon Smith is Airlines Editor at Skift and Editor at Airline Weekly. He’s been writing about the sector for more than a decade and enjoyed a front-row seat for some of the aviation industry’s biggest stories. Since joining Skift in January 2024, he has interviewed more than a dozen global airline CEOs, often helping make headlines along the way (special thanks to Michael O’Leary!). His informed insights have led to contributions for international media, including the London Evening Standard and Canada’s CBC Radio.

Europe’s Happy Demand Story

Despite a global backdrop filled with geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, European airlines delivered a strong and highly profitable summer. Ryanair at 36% margins, long-haul premium demand booming, consolidation reshaping the map, and tourism still powering the continent like a force of nature. This week’s feature story tries to make sense of it all.

Emirates Faces New Headwinds

The Dubai Airshow returns this week, and once again Emirates steps into the spotlight – but the landscape has shifted dramatically since its 2013 shopping spree. The carrier faces tighter airport constraints, delayed next-generation aircraft, and intensifying competition. Yes, Emirates remains financially strong and is buoyed by Dubai’s global appeal, but complacency isn’t an option. In this week’s feature story, we explore how the airline may choose to adapt as challenges mount.

Is Frontier on the Verge of a Turnaround?

As rivals retreat and Spirit sheds capacity, Frontier is reinventing itself with first-class seats, loyalty perks, and a bold push into new markets. But can it really fly high alone, or is consolidation still the only cure? In this week’s feature story, we weigh up the key question: Is Frontier’s independence its greatest strength or biggest risk?

Better Days for Mexico's Volaris

They say when the U.S. sneezes, Mexico catches a cold. That’s certainly true for Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris. Its earnings were in poor health throughout the first half of 2025, largely due to U.S. policies on tariffs and immigration. Those symptoms now appear to be fading. Volaris reports that demand recovered in recent months, with continued momentum into the final months of the year. In this week's feature story, we take a deep-dive look at one of the region's most dynamic operators and ask what could come next.