Amsterdam's Schiphol airport announced that there is room for 483,000 flights at the airport in 2024, instead of 460,000 flights previously determined in the experimental scheme, provided that peak times are relieved. The airport says it is planning to provide capacity for 293,000 flights in the summer season, from 31 March to 26 October, instead of the previously announced 280,000 flights. It adds that a limited reduction is needed at peak times to allow for safe and stable operations and the airlines have agreed to help with it. The announcement follows suspension of the experimental scheme by the Minister of I&W on 14 November and his request to take Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL), the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and Customs into account during the process to determine the capacity. The independent slot coordinator will discuss with airlines how the number of flights during peak times can be reduced. The consultation for the winter season, from 27 October to 30 March, will follow later in 2024. KLM says it is pleased to hear Schiphol's announcement as it will enable it to continue its recovery post pandemic. It adds that although it now has only three months to make the necessary arrangements instead of the usual six, it will do everything possible to operate the number of allocated flights.

SpiceJet has expressed interest in buying grounded Indian carrier Go First, after its board recently approved fresh capital raising of Rs22.5 billion ($270 million). In a 19 December filing to the Indian Stock Exchange, SpiceJet says it has “expressed interest with the Resolution Professional of Go First and wish to submit an offer post diligence, with a view to creating a strong and viable airline in a possible combination with SpiceJet." The deadline for the submission of expressions of interest was 28 September. Go First has been grounded since May this year, and is embroiled in a legal tussle with lessors that are trying to repossess their aircraft. The troubled carrier has 54 Airbus A320s in its fleet, all of which are leased, data shows. Meanwhile, SpiceJet has also had its fair share of legal troubles, with creditors going to court over missed payments. The carrier has 46 aircraft in service and 21 stored in its fleet, mainly comprising Boeing narrowbodies, 737 NGs and 737 Max 8s, regional turboprops De Havilland Canada DHC-8s and a single A340 widebody jet.

South African Airways has signed a memorandum of understanding with SunExpress which will see the Turkish carrier support the operations of SAA with its four aircraft in the 2024/2025 financial year. The MoU expands on a six-month agreement covering damp lease of two Boeing 737-800s, maintenance and cockpit crew, which started in October, the carrier says. Along with the plans to increase the number of damp lease aircraft, SAA and SunExpress are also exploring possibilities of a multi-year reciprocal capacity support and further cooperation related to maintenance, training and commercial support. "Over the next decade, SunExpress will more than double its fleet, reaching a 150-aircraft fleet by 2033," states SunExpress chief Max Kownatzki, adding: "This kind of partnerships enable us to efficiently utilise our fleet, mitigating the impact of our seasonality."