WOW’s  rapid demise after seven years of flying trapped up to 4,000 passengers and crew were abandoned in destination cities around the globe. The impact of the collapse will be keenly felt in Iceland.

There are currently six other airlines which should be concerning passengers:

Adria – Slovenia’s national air carrier;  Star Alliance member

Code: JP.   18 planes 1.2 million passengers, 18 destinations

If you want to get to your destination on time, do not fly Adria. They reportedly cancel an average  of at least two flights per day due to ” crew shortages and technical problems“. These problems are about to get worse, as Adria are leasing 15 Sukhois, one of the most unreliable planes available today.

Last year, the  Civil Aviation Agency of Slovenia demanded the airline prove it could guarantee it can financially afford to fly amid fears it was about to  collapse after it posted massive losses. This year, they have shut down operations  in Austria, Germany  and Switzerland,and ended all services t to Brač, Bucharest, Dubrovnik, Düsseldorf, Geneva, Hamburg, Kiev, Moscow and Warsaw.

Assessment: Tread Carefully

Air India-India’s national air carrier & Star Alliance member

Code: AI. 125 planes 20 million passengers, 94 destinations

In May 2018, the Indian government tried to sell Air India. No one bought it. Now the government are working on other ways to revive an airline that has lost money for years and cost the country billions.  The debt needs to be covered somehow.

Assessment: I do not think we will lose Air India but something is going to give eventually. Monitor.

Hong Kong Airlines

Code HX. 43 planes one million passengers, 38 destinations (down from 47)

I have written about HK airlines twice this year. I have found them to offer a solid product They have been shaken by the loss of key senior managers, close calls with bank loans, the severe financial state of their owners HNA and an investigation by the HK government about the airline’s financial future.

The airline was bailed out in January, at almost the last minute, with a loan from a Chinese Development Bank

Assessment: Tread carefully

Jet Airways- India’s second-largest carrier

Code: 9W.   119 planes but 78 are grounded due to repossessions, 27 million passengers, 52 destinations

Jet was getting increasingly desperate until its founder and CEO Naresh Goyal stepped away from control. That move may convince airlines including Etihad and banks to invest further funds into the airline. If they do not invest, then Jet is probably finished.

Assessment: Do not book

Malaysia Airlines

Code: MH.   81 planes 27 million passengers, 64 destinations

Malaysia Airlines has had an incredibly turbulent decade with the tragic shooting down of a plane, the mysterious loss of another, multiple financial losses, four CEOs, and a major downsizing of staff and destinations. The one thing it has always had is the government support to keep it flying. This may be changing:

“We need to rethink about the airline. If there are any suggestions, including a takeover by the private sector, we will need to consider them,” Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. A review of the “airline will consider whether to shut, sell or refinance.

Assessment: If the option came to close Malaysia Airlines, then this will not be a sudden shutdown. There will be some warning! In the meantime, the airline have been engaging in severe fare discounts across all classes:

Norwegian Air- Europe’s third largest low-cost carrier

Code: DY.  66 planes, 37 million passengers, 152 destinations

Founded 1993, Norwegian went international in 2003. Their growth has been phenomenal but this has now come unstuck “the Nordic low-cost carrier’s time and effort in expanding its long-haul network have served to weaken its balance sheet with an unsustainable level of debt.”

They have launched a cost savings program called #Focus2019 which will  shift “its strategic focus from growth to profitability,” Norwegian is postponing aircraft deliveries, cutting back its bases and scaling back routes. Norwegian CEO Bjorn Kjos has suggested that Norwegian is open to potential takeover. Lufthansa and even Ryanair have been mentioned as potential suitors. IAG (British Airways owner) looked and the  walked away. Lets hope Norwegian does not walk away from its passengers.

Assessment: Monitor

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