Air Transport World
Air Transport World is an online and print trade publication covering the global air transportation industry.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Air Transport World, commonly abbreviated as ATW, is a specialist aviation trade-media brand focused on the worldwide airline and air-transportation business. Founded in 1964 by Joseph S. Murphy, who served as its first editor-in-chief, the publication developed as a professional source for airline executives, aviation regulators, manufacturers, airports, investors, consultants, academics and other participants in the commercial aviation sector. It combines journalism, analysis, recurring research products, opinion, industry recognition programs and digital publishing. The publication covers the operating and commercial environment in which airlines function. Its subject areas include airline strategy and management, financial performance, route networks, airports, aircraft and engines, airline alliances, ticket distribution, government affairs, regulation, environmental policy, market conditions, labor relations, safety and the aviation supply chain. Its reporting also addresses the interaction between airlines and public authorities, including government fees, taxes, competition policy and the liberalization of international air services. ATW's publishing portfolio has included a news website, the ATW Daily News e-newsletter, a print magazine, editor blogs and editorials, the annual World Airline Report, industry reports and surveys, and the annual ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards. The awards are selected by the publication's editors and assess nominees across areas such as operational and financial performance, customer service, safety, innovation, labor relations and executive leadership. This combination of daily reporting, specialist analysis and industry benchmarking has positioned the brand as a professional information service rather than a consumer travel magazine. The publication is based in Washington, D.C., and operates within Informa's Aviation Week Network. It is a sister publication to Aviation Week, Aviation Daily and MRO Digest. Its material has been cited by news organizations and academic books for reporting and analysis concerning aviation-industry developments. The brand's editorial identity has included stated positions on commercial-aviation policy questions, including market liberalization, the safe integration of unmanned aerial vehicles into commercial airspace, consumer regulation, fair-trade practices, and the structure of government charges imposed on airlines. Karen Walker joined ATW in 2011 and is identified in the reference material as its current editor-in-chief. Earlier chief editors included Perry Flint and J. A. Donoghue. No independently verified financial, circulation or audience figures are supplied here. ATW remains an active specialist publication brand serving an international professional readership through digital and print channels.
History
Air Transport World was established in 1964 by Joseph S. Murphy, who became its first editor-in-chief. From its beginning, the publication was oriented toward the professional air-transportation sector rather than the general travel market. Its editorial scope developed around the business, operational, regulatory and technological issues affecting airlines and their commercial partners. Over time, ATW expanded beyond a conventional print trade magazine. Its publishing activities came to include an online news operation, a daily e-mail newsletter known as ATW Daily News, editor blogs, editorials, recurring industry reports and surveys, and the annual World Airline Report. This broader portfolio allowed the brand to serve readers seeking both immediate aviation news and longer-term market analysis. The publication also created the ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards, an annual recognition program in which editors assess airlines and other industry figures according to operational and financial performance, customer service, safety, innovation, labor relations and executive leadership. ATW's coverage has tracked the major structures and pressures of commercial aviation. These include airline operations and financials, network and route development, airport policy, aircraft and engine programs, airline alliances, ticket distribution, supply-chain conditions, government affairs, regulation, environmental developments, labor issues and market competition. Its editorials have expressed views on policy matters such as international liberalization, the safe use of unmanned aerial vehicles in commercial airspace, consumer-protection rules, fair trade for airlines, and the level and design of government fees and taxes. The publication became part of the Aviation Week Network, alongside Aviation Week, Aviation Daily and MRO Digest. The network is owned by Informa, which also serves as ATW's parent organization. ATW is based in Washington, D.C., a location that supports its engagement with United States aviation policy while its reporting remains international in scope. Karen Walker joined the publication in 2011 and is identified as its current editor-in-chief in the available reference material. Earlier chief editors named in reference sources include Perry Flint and J. A. Donoghue. ATW has been cited by news organizations and academic books as a source for aviation-industry reporting. Its continuing mix of digital journalism, print publishing, research-oriented reports and awards gives it a role as both a news outlet and a professional information brand for global commercial aviation.
- 2011Karen Walker joins the publication
Karen Walker joined Air Transport World and is identified in the available reference material as its current editor-in-chief.
- 1964Air Transport World is founded
Joseph S. Murphy founded Air Transport World and became its first editor-in-chief.
Products and positioning
A specialist global business-information and trade-publication brand for the airline and wider commercial air-transportation industry.
ATW online newsDigital trade journalism
The publication's digital news operation reports and analyzes global airline and air-transportation developments. Coverage spans airline management, operations, financial performance, routes, airports, aircraft and engines, regulation, government affairs, alliances, distribution, labor and supply-chain issues.
ATW Daily NewsE-newsletter
A daily electronic news product delivering selected Air Transport World reporting and industry information to professional readers who follow airline and commercial-aviation developments.
Air Transport World print magazinePrint trade magazine1964
The print edition presents specialist reporting, analysis and editorial content for the global air-transportation community. It complements the brand's online publishing and recurring research products.
World Airline ReportAnnual industry report
An annual report focused on the worldwide airline sector, forming part of ATW's research and benchmarking-oriented publishing portfolio.
ATW Airline Industry Achievement AwardsIndustry awards
An annual awards program in which ATW editors evaluate nominees using criteria that include operational and financial performance, customer service, safety, innovation, labor relations and executive leadership.
Flagship businesses
- ATW Daily News
- World Airline Report
- ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards
- ATW online news and analysis
- Air Transport World print magazine
Leadership
| Name | Title | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Walker | Editor-in-chief | 2011– |
| Joseph S. Murphy | Founder and first editor-in-chiefformer | 1964– |
| J. A. Donoghue | Former chief editorformer | — |
| Perry Flint | Former chief editorformer | — |
Sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/air-transport-world · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled