Our top five stories on Routes Weekly this week - subscribe here:

Budget airline specialist to back Wow after Icelandair abandons deal
Just hours after Icelandair called off its takeover of fellow Icelandic airline Wow air, the parent of US carrier Frontier Airlines has agreed in principle to invest in the low-cost carrier. Read more.

American Airlines and China Southern strengthen ties
China Southern is deepening its ties with American Airlines just weeks after revealing plans to leave the SkyTeam airline alliance in order to pursue new partnerships. Read more.

UK and US agree open skies deal for post-Brexit flights
Routes between the UK and US - currently operating under the US-EU open skies agreement - will continue to enjoy the same access following the conclusion of a new deal between the two countries. Read more.

Norwegian to enter Brazil market with Rio de Janeiro service
Scandinavian low-cost carrier Norwegian has unveiled plans to “break the monopoly” on flights from the UK to Brazil, with its first service from London Gatwick to Rio de Janeiro set to begin in March 2019. The airline is also making a series of changes to its US network. Read more.

Routes Europe 2020 to be held in Bergen
Route development decision-makers from across Europe will meet in Bergen, Norway, for the 15th European route development forum. Read more.

PLUS:
Vienna on track for record year
Route rundown: TPE-NGO, YHZ-DUB, LGW-GIG
Bulletin board: aviation industry news round-up
Resilient Heathrow is ready to deliver - Macmillan
Airports must keep pace with evolving airline models
Air France-KLM and China Eastern extend JV agreement
Vueling, Finnair and Jet2.com confirmed to attend Routes Europe 2019