Edward Russell

Many are optimistic that travelers will flood back into airports and onto planes this summer taking long-delayed vacations. But that flood could hit some bumps as a national labor shortage threatens to hit many aspects of the flying experience.

IAG, one of Europe's largest airline groups, has an eye on the leisure travel recovery beginning in July if European governments cooperate. But with many restrictions still in place, the group is weighing taking further steps to restructure its operations, notably at Irish subsidiary Aer Lingus.

People jokingly throw around the phrase "have vaccine, will travel" as Covid-19 inoculations roll out. But the phrase appears poised to take on some gravity with the CEO of United Airlines saying vaccines are a likely to a prerequisite as long-haul travel comes back.

JetBlue echoed the industry refrain that business flyers could return to the skies after a bumper summer leisure travel season. But the optimism hid a lack of details on its long-awaited London launch and a return to profitability without government relief.

Airlines have come a long way from the dark days of the pandemic when idled jets lined runways around the world. On the ground in Tulsa, we check out the meticulous way American is taking its last few aircraft out of mothballs with an opportunistic eye towards summer.

American is cautiously optimistic about the summer ahead with plans to fly more and boost fares on its way back to profitability. But when the airline can hit that is still anyone's guess with business and long-haul international travel still largely absent in the recovery.

The years of infrastructure week memes are finally over with President Biden's $2 trillion proposal to upgrade and green America's infrastructure. But with battle lines already forming, can he get the package over the line in Congress?

The airline industry was increasingly writing off global alliances before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Now, the tables appear to be turning with Alaska Airlines accelerating its membership into Oneworld despite the crisis and carriers increasingly depending on their partners for global reach.

JetBlue is pushing ahead with becoming a travel tech company by launching Paisly. But the question remains whether an airline can become a more diverse travel company in the crowded OTA field.

Covid has spiked interest in biometric technology to reduce touchpoints and speed travelers through airports. Travel tech firm Pangiam is betting this is only the beginning with the acquisition of the facial recognition system VeriScan from the Washington, D.C., airports operator.