Spirit Airlines has announced that it has received approval from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York for all of its requested “first day” relief in support of its prearranged chapter 11 process.

Among other benefits, this relief ensures that Spirit’s Team Members, vendors and other counterparties will continue to be paid in full in the ordinary course of business and that Guests can continue to book and fly without interruption and use all tickets, credits and loyalty points as normal.

Ted Christie, Spirit’s president and chief executive officer said: “We are pleased with the Court’s decision to grant all of this important relief, which affirms our ability to continue operating seamlessly during our streamlined restructuring process.

“I want to thank our Guests, Team Members and business partners for their continued support as we position Spirit for long-term success.

“We look forward to emerging as a stronger company and continuing to execute on our strategic initiatives to transform our Guest experience.”

As previously announced, Spirit entered into a restructuring support agreement (the “RSA”) supported by a supermajority of its loyalty and convertible bondholders on the terms of a comprehensive balance sheet restructuring that would equitize $795 million of funded debt and provide $350 million of fully committed equity capital upon emergence.

The restructuring will be effectuated through a plan of reorganization that is subject to confirmation by the Court.

The Company expects to emerge from its streamlined chapter 11 process in the first quarter of 2025.

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The Alaska Airlines board of directors has elected five new executives in key areas of the company as the airline continues to deepen its leadership team in support of continued growth and delivery on the value of its combination with Hawaiian Airlines.

These leaders are in roles that have expanded significantly with the breadth of the combined airline and in today’s dynamic and highly regulated environment.

Each will be responsible for delivering outcomes that enable the company to be the airline of choice for connecting guests from the West Coast to the world through an innovative travel experience rooted in care and exceptional operational performance.

Ben Minicucci, chief executive officer and president, Alaska Air Group said: “Our company is positioned for continued growth and success in the years ahead, and I am extremely grateful for the entire team that got us to this point and who will realize our vision for the future.

“Today, I am particularly excited to announce the promotion of five leaders who have had a tremendous impact on our company in the last few years – and who will help us delight our guests, power our growth and further enhance brand loyalty in the years ahead.

“These leaders reflect our values while delivering great outcomes for our guests, employees, owners and communities.”

Natalie Bowman, Vice President Digital Experience

Natalie Bowman, as vice president of digital experience, will drive Alaska Airlines’ digital transformation by enhancing the customer experience across all digital touchpoints. Bowman will lead teams in product management, design and software engineering to deliver seamless digital interactions for Alaska’s customers. Collaborating closely with marketing, guest experience, and product teams, Bowman will focus on developing seamless travel experiences that drive brand loyalty.

Bowman most recently served as managing director of digital product & design, overseeing guest-facing digital platforms such as the website, mobile app, and airport digital experience. Previously, she was managing director of marketing & advertising. Bowman has been with Alaska eight years, playing a key role in advancing the airline’s digital strategy, implementing machine-learning to enhance marketing effectiveness, enabling app personalization and pioneering GenAI travel innovations. In addition to her role at Alaska, Bowman serves on the Board of Trustees for the Washington State Historical Society and is a former president of the Junior League of Seattle. Originally from Texas, she holds a business degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Cameron Cloar-Zavaleta, Vice President Legal

As part of his new role as vice president of legal, Cameron Cloar-Zavaleta will continue to lead Alaska Air Group’s regulatory efforts related to the Hawaiian Airlines merger, while managing a diverse portfolio within the legal team, including regulatory affairs, litigation, compliance, and labour and employment. Cloar-Zavaleta served a pivotal role in Alaska Air Group’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines and the regulatory review and clearance process. As vice president, he will continue to liaise with regulatory agencies and oversee policies and procedures to ensure compliance and position Alaska Air Group for continued success.

Cloar-Zavaleta has more than 15 years of legal experience, previously serving at the major law firm Nixon Peabody and two airlines before joining Alaska Airlines in 2018. While at Alaska, Cloar-Zavaleta has held progressive leadership roles as director of litigation, managing director of litigation and regulatory law, and deputy general counsel. Prior to beginning his legal career, Cloar-Zavaleta was a pilot and first officer at Mesa Air Group, elected ALPA representative, and held the roles of flight instructor and check instructor, supporting pilot development initiatives. His unique passion for the law and the airline industry led him to transition out of the flight deck to specialize in aviation law. Cloar-Zavaleta is a graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in aviation flight science and earned a juris doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Megan Ouellette, Vice President Public and Government Affairs

As vice president of public and government affairs, Megan Ouellette will lead Alaska Airlines’ global government affairs strategy, public affairs, community engagement and corporate philanthropy. A 20-year industry veteran, Ouellette will lead an integrated team driving engagement in public policy and with government officials, advocating for policies that support Alaska Airlines’ vision and growth, and ensuring a positive impact in the communities the airlines serve while strengthening the airline’s engagement in local markets.

Prior to her promotion, Ouellette served as managing director of government and community affairs at Alaska Airlines. She joined Alaska in 2005 as its director of government affairs in the airlines’ Washington, D.C., office where she spearheaded advocacy efforts across various regulatory and policy issues impacting the industry. Before joining Alaska, Ouellette worked in the U.S. Congress, managing air transportation and homeland security issues. An attorney with a deep commitment to public service, she previously practiced law at Winterbauer & Diamond PLLC in Seattle. Ouellette holds a juris doctor degree from Seattle University School of Law and is a member of the Washington State Bar Association. She also studied international and comparative law at Trinity College in Dublin and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington.

Alexa Rudin, Vice President Communications

In her new role as vice president of communications, Alexa Rudin will set and execute Alaska Airlines’ comprehensive communications strategy, guiding internal and external communication, executive communications, issues management and crisis communications. Rudin will oversee a team dedicated to promoting and protecting Alaska and Hawaiian’s brands and reputations across domestic and international markets. Using an integrated communications approach, Rudin will cultivate engagement in Alaska Airlines’ vision, culture of care, operational and financial performance and other key objectives for its combined workgroups and stakeholders.

Rudin brings more than 20 years of strategic communications experience to her new role. As managing director of communications at Alaska, she led internal and external communications for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. She has extensive experience in crisis and issues management, orchestrating global product launches, employee communications, media relations, and overseeing partnerships, consolidations, and leadership transitions. Prior to joining Alaska in 2020, Rudin held communications leadership positions at Nordstrom, Vulcan and Levi Strauss & Co. She currently serves on the boards of King County Sexual Assault Resource Center and Seattle Theater Group. Rudin earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California at Davis and is a University of Washington Foster School of Business Executive MBA candidate (June 2025).

Todd Traynor-Corey, Vice President Guest Products & Experience

As vice president of guest products & experience, Todd Traynor-Corey will oversee the strategic vision and operational execution of both Alaska’s and Hawaiian Airlines’ guest products and overall travel experience. His responsibilities include airport lounges, inflight food and beverage, inflight experience, inflight connectivity, contact centers and the broader premium guest experience. Traynor-Corey’s leadership will ensure Alaska continues to deliver best-in-class service that distinguishes it as a preferred airline for domestic and international travelers alike.

Traynor-Corey brings more than 20 years of airline industry experience focused on enhancing guest services. As managing director of guest products, Traynor-Corey led Alaska’s inflight dining transformation, integrating partnerships with Stumptown Coffee and local craft brands, while expanding sustainable menu offerings. He also oversaw the expansion of Alaska Lounges, launching a two-tier membership model, and led major cabin upgrades to improve the customer experience. Traynor-Corey’s prior experience includes leadership roles at airlines including United, Northwest and Delta, specializing in premium inflight and airport services. He holds an MBA from Roosevelt University and a bachelor’s in aviation administration from Farmingdale State University.

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Unite has delivered a pay deal for Loganair workers across the UK confirmed today (Tuesday 12 November).

Over 120 Loganair cabin crew will now benefit from the 18 month deal which was negotiated by Unite.

The deal covers cabin crew servicing flights from airports across the UK and Ireland.

This includes London City and Heathrow, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Isle of Man, Liverpool, Manchester and Shetland.

The pay deal amounts to an average basic pay increase of 23 per cent, which then rises to 26.7 per cent when other pay benefits and allowances are included.

The highest pay rise will be for Loganair cabin crew trainers who are set for a substantial increase of around £8,300 or 29.3 per cent on basic hourly rates.

The deal runs from September 2024 to April 2026.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary said: “Unite has delivered a substantial pay win for Loganair cabin crew workers across the UK and Ireland.

“It’s further evidence that we are securing better pay packages for workers throughout the aviation industry.”

“The message to all airport workers is clear, if you want better jobs, pay and conditions – join Unite.”

Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite has successfully negotiated another pay deal which will make a real difference to the lives of our cabin crew members at Loganair.

“We believe this deal will set a benchmark for the rest of the aviation industry and it demonstrates the clear value of being a member of Unite.”

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In October, Finnair carried 1,020,000 passengers, which was 10.8% more than in October 2023.

The overall capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), increased in October by 6.6% year-on-year, as additional narrow-body capacity was deployed by Finnair after the wet lease outs to British Airways ended in March 2024.

In addition, the strong capacity growth in Asian traffic continued.

If wet lease outs are included, capacity increased by 8.7% due to the co-operation with Qantas. Finnair’s traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs), increased by 7.3%.

The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) increased by 0.5% points to 77.8%.

The distance-based reported traffic figures do not take into account longer routings caused by the airspace closure as they are based on Great-Circle distance in accordance with the industry practice.

The ASKs in Asian traffic were up by 7.9% year-on-year due to added frequencies to Tokyo and Osaka as well as Nagoya route operated during the summer season 2024.

In North Atlantic traffic, ASKs decreased by 16.3% due to cut frequencies to Chicago.

In European traffic, the ASKs were up by 10.1% as majority of the increase in narrow-body capacity was allocated to routes in northern Europe.

The Middle Eastern capacity increased by 1.2%. The ASKs in domestic traffic increased by 36.7% due to the additional capacity allocated to northern routes slightly earlier than in the comparison period.

RPKs increased by 11.5% in Asian traffic year-on-year. They decreased by 5.0% in North Atlantic traffic.

RPKs were up by 7.9% in European traffic and by 26.8% in domestic traffic whereas they decreased by 5.0% in Middle Eastern traffic.

In October, the PLF was 82.2% in Asian traffic, 85.3% in North Atlantic traffic, 75.7% in European traffic, 67.2% in Middle Eastern traffic and 68.7% in domestic traffic.

Passenger numbers increased by 11.0% in Asian traffic, by 10.5% in European traffic and by 22.9% in domestic traffic.

They decreased by 6.1% in North Atlantic traffic and by 5.3% in Middle Eastern traffic.

The total cargo tonnes increased by 1.4% year-on-year. Revenue cargo tonne kilometres increased by 2.4%.

In October, 83.9% of all Finnair flights arrived on schedule (81.3%).

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On November 5, 2024, the Latvian national airline airBaltic welcomed its 49th Airbus A220-300 jet, registered as YL-ABW, in Riga.

This is the third Airbus A220-300 delivery for airBaltic in 2024. It is a part of the 50 Airbus A220-300 which airBaltic has ordered.

In November 2023, the company announced a firm purchase agreement for 30 more Airbus A220-300 aircraft with purchase rights for an additional 20 aircraft of the same type.

Thus far, airBaltic has carried more than 17 880 000 passengers on the Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Airbus A220-300s of the airline have completed nearly 192 000 flights and flown 422 000 block hours.

Since May 2020, airBaltic operates all its flights with a single aircraft type – Airbus A220-300, thus minimizing the complexity and benefiting from the additional efficiency provided by the aircraft.

The Airbus A220-300 has performed beyond the company’s expectations, delivering better overall performance, fuel efficiency and convenience for both passengers and the staff.

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American Airlines Group Inc. has announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2024, highlighting a record revenue of $13.6 billion, despite reporting a net loss of $149 million, or $0.23 per share. The results indicate ongoing efforts to strengthen the airline’s financial position and enhance its sales and distribution strategies.

Record Revenue: The airline achieved third-quarter revenue of $13.6 billion, marking a 1.2% increase compared to the same period last year.

Net Loss and Adjusted Income: American Airlines reported a net loss of $149 million, or ($0.23) per share. However, excluding special items, the company posted a net income of $205 million, or $0.30 per diluted share.

Operating Margins: On a GAAP basis, the operating margin stood at 0.7% for the quarter. Adjusted for special items, the operating margin was 4.7%.

Available Liquidity: The airline ended the quarter with $11.8 billion in total available liquidity, including cash, short-term investments, and undrawn credit facilities.

Debt Reduction: The company has made significant progress in reducing its debt, lowering total debt by approximately $360 million during the quarter.

American Airlines is on track to achieve its target of reducing total debt by $15 billion from peak levels by the end of 2025, having already reduced it by more than $13 billion.

Strategic Initiatives and Future Outlook

American Airlines has been actively working to regain market share and strengthen its sales and distribution network. In the third quarter, the airline:

Renegotiated Contracts: Finalised new competitive agreements with a majority of its top travel agencies and corporate clients, reflecting efforts to respond to industry feedback.

Corporate Travel Benefits: Reintroduced Corporate Experience benefits, aimed at enhancing the experience for business travellers.

Increased Sales Support: Expanded its sales team by adding more account managers and support staff to improve engagement with corporate and agency customers.

American Airlines expects its full-year adjusted earnings per diluted share to range between $1.35 and $1.60, reflecting optimism about future performance.

The airline’s continued focus on debt reduction and operational efficiency aligns with its strategic goals of achieving long-term financial stability.

The airline also led U.S. network carriers in terms of completion factor during the third quarter, underscoring its operational reliability.

As it continues to strengthen its balance sheet, American Airlines is committed to maintaining liquidity, managing costs, and expanding its service offerings to meet customer needs.

Robert Isom, American’s CEO, noted, “Our third-quarter results demonstrate the strength of our core business and the progress we are making on our strategic priorities.

“We will continue to focus on enhancing our customer experience, reducing costs, and creating value for our shareholders.”

As the airline looks ahead, it remains committed to evolving its operations and sales strategies to navigate the challenges of a competitive market and to achieve its long-term goals.

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Ethiopian Airlines has announced the resumption of its passenger services to Monrovia, Liberia, strengthening its connections across the African continent.

Starting on November 30, 2024, the airline will offer three weekly flights to Liberia’s capital, restoring a critical air link that will enhance connectivity in West Africa and contribute to the region’s economic development.

Flight ET933 is scheduled to depart from Addis Ababa every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:30 AM, arriving in Monrovia at 01:50 PM.

Conversely, flight ET932 will leave Monrovia every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 10:20 AM, with an arrival time in Addis Ababa at 08:40 PM.

Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines said: “Our resumption of flights to Monrovia underscores our dedication to bridging communities and fostering economic growth in West Africa.

“With our modern fleet, we are committed to providing exceptional service, promoting tourism, and boosting trade throughout the region.

“We are dedicated to exceeding customer expectations by offering unparalleled services and exploring the rich tapestry of landscapes and cultures across continents.”

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EVA Air, Taiwan’s independent airline, and Airbus have embarked on a collaborative effort aimed at increasing SAF development and adoption in the airline’s operations.

The announcement was made during a ceremony in Taipei to celebrate EVA Air’s order of 18 long-range A350-1000 and 15 single-aisle A321neo aircraft, in the presence of EVA Air President Clay Sun, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft Christian Scherer, Taiwan Civil Aviation Administration Director-General Ho Shu-Ping, European trade office representatives, and guests from the Taiwanese travel and cargo industries.

Clay Sun, President, EVA Air said: “Fuel efficiency, carbon reduction and cabin comfort have become major considerations for airline fleet modernisation, and EVA Air’s announcement late last year to introduce the 33 latest-generation Airbus aircraft underlines our plans to meet future demand.

“Both companies are working closely in a strategic partnership to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuel and explore more innovative technologies and operational optimisation solutions. These efforts will ensure that we can steadily move towards a Net Zero future.”

Christian Scherer, CEO, Airbus Commercial Aircraft said: “The aircraft orders we celebrate today elevate the partnership we have with EVA Air to a whole new level.

“The A350-1000 is the undisputed choice in the large capacity intercontinental segment, with unmatched passenger comfort and an environmental signature superior to any aircraft in its class, present or planned.

“This allows EVA Air to set new standards for its long-haul operations. In alignment with Airbus’ ambition to decarbonise aviation, we are also deepening our collaboration to explore ways for EVA Air to reduce carbon emissions across its operations and prepare for the future adoption of SAF.”

Working closely with EVA Air, Airbus will analyse potential contributions of various measures based on current and future routes, as well as operational practices.

The two parties will also study the required measures to prepare for the uptake of SAF on commercial flights, establish procurement processes, manage SAF certification, as well as promote awareness on regular SAF usage.

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Dutch national carrier KLM, member of the Air France-KLM Group, has taken delivery of its first A321neo as part of their fleet modernisation with latest generation, fuel-efficient aircraft.

With the aircraft KLM joins the community of successful A321neo operators.

By selecting the A321neo, KLM brings on-board the latest technology to lower decibels and to reduce the noise footprint during take-off, approach and landing.

Together with its advanced fuel efficiency, the A321neo will play a key role in KLM’s environmental ambition.

The newly delivered A321neo for KLM seats 227 passengers in a two-class layout. The cabin features Airbus’ Airspace cabin with XL bins.

The larger bins provide 60% more luggage capacity for a more relaxed boarding experience for passengers and cabin crew.

In addition, USB-C ports are available for passengers at every seat, and the latest lighting system enhances the overall passenger experience.

The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ best-selling A320neo Family, offering unparalleled range and performance.

Equipped with sharklets and powered by new generation CFM International LEAP-1A engines, the A321neo brings a 50% noise footprint reduction and at least 20% fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximising passenger comfort in the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky.

To date, more than 6,400 A321neo aircraft have been ordered by more than 90 customers across the globe.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A321neo aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

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IndiGo, India’s largest low-cost airline, has announced a new feature allowing female passengers to choose the gender of the person seated next to them.

This initiative aims to enhance the safety and comfort of female travellers by giving them the option to book seats next to other women if they prefer not to sit next to a man.

The new measure, effective from August 2024, will permit female passengers to check the gender of their seatmates before flying.

In contrast, male passengers will only be able to see available seats without gender details.

In a statement, IndiGo said: “IndiGo is proud to announce the introduction of a new feature that aims to make the travel experience more comfortable for our female passengers.

“This has been introduced based on market research and is currently in pilot mode aligning with our #GirlPower ethos.

“We are committed to providing an unparalleled travel experience for all our passengers and this new feature is just one of the many steps we are taking towards achieving that goal.”

According to the Daily Mail, the initiative was developed following a survey in which female passengers shared their views on what would make their travel experience more comfortable.

While this is a pioneering move in the global aviation industry, similar gender-preference seating schemes already exist on local trains and buses in India.

The announcement received mixed reactions on social media. One Reddit user praised the initiative, stating, “Smart move that is sure to build customer loyalty, especially given the increase in news stories of creeps being caught on flights.”

However, another user expressed disappointment, saying, “Feel really sad that it has come to this. Women should be and feel safe regardless of the people sitting next to them.”

IndiGo’s new feature reflects its commitment to enhancing passenger experience and safety, particularly for women, amidst growing concerns about in-flight harassment.

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