Ryanair on 28 March makes its most eye-catching move yet into more mainstream markets, starting to operate at Lufthansa's Frankfurt fortress, but its interest in bigger hubs does not necessarily signal that it is turning its back on secondary airports.

Despite a sometimes rocky path, Japan s low-cost carriers are taking their place in the market, with strong growth prospects ahead.

Cebu Pacific president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei is not one for long anecdotes or colourful quotes, but gets straight to the point, the epitome of a sharp businessman.

In James Clavell s novels about Hong Kong, the Tai-Pans of Noble House are obligated to honour any wish, however unreasonable, of he who produces one of four special broken coins.

Expansion by the big Gulf carriers has been a dominant theme in the airline industry over the past decade.