Updates on the Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines merger, will Central European airports manage the incoming big freeze and will Wizz Air's latest promotion pay off?

The Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines merger continues to move forward, although it seems to be a “so what” type of development. The combined capacity share of the two airlines in the hashtagUS domestic market adds up to just over 2.6%, so is unlikely to attract the attention of any regulator, which will save both airlines a fortune and disappoint a few lawyers.

It’s likely to be a chilly week for airlines in the Northern Hemisphere, with New York hit by blizzards and Central Europe seeing freezing temperatures. Let’s hope all the hashtagairports have enough de-icing fluid or have at least placed an order with Halfords for some cans of the stuff 🥶

Wizz Air’s latest wheeze is to introduce a premium class on selected services, offering a free drink and an option to book or block off the middle seat. It smells of scrambling for something that probably the majority of travellers will have no interest in, similar to their yearly ticket then!

Finally, a big shout-out to Helsinki…week three of the new year and confirmed new services from China Southern (Beijing) and Emirates…what can they deliver next week?