Europe’s Small Airlines: Why the Economics No Longer Add Up – A Just Great People Conversation with Stratos 12
Description
In this Just Great People deep-dive, Barry Eustance and aviation specialist Remco Althuis explore the real state of Europe’s small airline sector.
This is the first in a new series of conversations between The Sixsess Consultancy and Stratos 12, offering straight-talking analysis on the operational realities facing the aviation industry today.
Remco and Barry take a frank look at the structural disadvantages small carriers operate under: thin networks, fragile balance sheets, high exposure to shocks and limited access to capital.
They walk through the performance of Air Baltic, Air Serbia, Brussels Airlines and Tarom before examining niche but essential players like Loganair, Binter Canarias, Emerald Airlines, Air Corsica and Widerøe.
The discussion also covers the recent collapses of Play, BRA, CityJet and Eastern Airways – and the recurring reasons why small carriers fail.
Across every example, one theme comes through clearly: standalone regional airlines are running out of room.
Cost pressures, labour shortages, fuel volatility and fleet renewal demands are making consolidation the only realistic path for survival.
Widereøe’s acquisition by Norwegian is one example of what the future now looks like.
This episode is a clear, grounded and accessible explanation of the pressures shaping European aviation – and why the economics of small airlines no longer add up.
What we cover in this episode
- Why small airlines operate with structural disadvantages
- Performance trends across key European regional carriers
- Niches that work – and the ones under growing pressure
- The truth behind recent airline collapses and restructurings
- Why ACMI is unstable unless the customer is stable
- Consolidation, group protection and long-term survivability
- Why the market needs small airlines, yet struggles to sustain them
Useful Links
Just Great People Podcast – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mLL4YkJ9LEUPsjaZwBLAjoR-h8YEXpu
The Sixsess Consultancy – https://sixsess.org
PEOPLE Change Leadership and Management Framework – https://sixsess.org/training/people-change-management-leadership-framework-course/
Stratos 12 Aviation Consultancy – https://stratos12.com/
Keyword List
European small airline sector
regional airlines Europe
airline consolidation Europe
small airline financial pressure
aviation operational risk
European airline performance analysis
airline restructuring Europe
ACMI carrier risks
Air Baltic performance
Air Serbia aviation strategy
Brussels Airlines financial results
Tarom restructuring challenges
Loganair operations Scotland
Binter Canarias inter-island network
Emerald Airlines ATR operations
Air Corsica connectivity
Widerøe Norwegian acquisition
airline failures Europe
Play collapse
BRA restructuring
CityJet ACMI operations
Eastern Airways administration
aviation consulting services
airline operational insight
aviation industry analysis
regional airline strategy
airline cost structure support

I hope you really enjoyed our podcast and found it to be inspiring and insightful.
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Many thanks
Kindest regards
Barry