Spirit approved to keep operating during second restructuring
September 04, 2025
Spirit Airlines has received US court approval to continue operations while it undergoes its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring in less than a year. The Florida-based carrier again filed for Chapter 11 in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on 29 August. It followed a November 2024 restructuring process from which the carrier emerged on 12 March. In a 3 September filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Spirit says the court has approved the first-day motions related to its most recent Chapter 11 filing, enabling it to continue operating as normal. "We are pleased to have reached this first milestone in our restructuring process, which will support normal operations as we take decisive action to ensure that Spirit continues delivering the best value in the sky for years to come," states Spirit president and chief executive Dave Davis. "With these approvals in place and access to many new tools now available to us, we can continue to implement our transformation to build a stronger foundation and future for Spirit." The airline notes that it is in "ongoing, productive discussions" with its secured bondholders and revolving lenders, adding that "while the company currently has sufficient liquidity to fund its operations, it continues working productively with its secured noteholders and other stakeholders, including with respect to potential financing that may become necessary". Spirit is in dispute with lessor AerCap, which has written to the carrier alleging that it is in default on 36 undelivered Airbus A320neo-family aircraft – an assertion with which Spirit disagrees. The airline has also disclosed that its shares are being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. They are set to trade instead on an over-the-counter market. The NYSE took similar action in November 2024 following Spirit's initial Chapter 11 filing.
Embraer gains South African E2 approval
September 04, 2025
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has certified Embraer 190-E2 and 195-E2 variants for operation in the country. The certification comes as South Africa's E-Jet launch operator Airlink prepares to take delivery of its first E2s later this year. In June, Airlink agreed to lease 10 new E195-E2s from Azorra. Embraer says the certification "opens new opportunities" for the E190-E2 and E195-E2, which promise to deliver 17.3% and 29% better fuel efficiency, respectively, than previous-generation E-Jets. The E2's Pratt & Whitney PW1900G engines were certificated in parallel with the aircraft by the SACAA. "South Africa's type acceptance of the latest generation Embraer 195-E2 and its Pratt & Whitney engines by the SACAA are important milestones as we prepare to receive and take them into service," states Airlink chief executive Villiers Engelbrecht. "The E2's additional capacity and range will let Airlink respond to increased demand on some of our most popular routes and extend our destination network so that we can provide convenient connections for customers in new markets," he adds.
French ATC strike threatens disruption across Europe
September 03, 2025
Strike action planned by one of France's largest ATC unions later this month is set to cause significant disruption across Europe. The SNCTA union has called a two-day walkout beginning on 18 September, escalating its demand for improved pay to reflect higher-than-expected inflation since 2023. The union argues that its members' services are being "devalued year after year" under inadequate wage agreements. In a strongly worded statement, SNCTA accuses France's civil aviation authority, the DGAC, of fostering an atmosphere of “mistrust, punitive practices, and degrading managerial methods". SNCTA's planned action follows strikes by other French ATC unions on 3-4 July. These caused widespread disruption across the continent. According to Eurocontrol, more than 1 million passengers were affected, including 200,000 unable to fly as a result of cancellations. Over the two days, 4.7% of total flights across the network were cancelled and 10.7% delayed, resulting in an estimated €120 million ($140 million) in costs to the European aviation industry. Ryanair, which cancelled over 400 flights amid the July strikes, has called on the European Commission to intervene and protect overflights from ATC-related disruption. The carrier described the July action as "recreational" strikes by French air traffic controllers. The September walkout could prove even more disruptive, given SNCTA's status as one of the largest union representing French ATC workers. It remains unclear whether other unions will join the action. Data shows that around 8,000 flights are scheduled to depart or arrive in France over the two-day strike period, representing around 1.4 million seats.