UAE-based Flydubai increased EBITDA by 15% last year, to Dh4.1 billion ($1.1 billion), as it ramped up flying and expanded its network. Reporting its results, the budget airline notes that it increased capacity by a tenth as it sought to connect with short and medium-haul destinations that lacked links via widebody operator Emirates. Last year, Flydubai expanded its network to 131 destinations (spread across 55 countries), of which 97 were in its description "underserved". Ten were new to the carrier. It says it expanded despite having been forced to "re-evaluate its route development plans" and cut frequencies on some routes "due to ongoing challenges with aircraft delivery schedules". Flydubai received four Boeing 737 Max 8s last year, but all were from the backlog of prior years. None of the aircraft that were meant to be delivered last year arrived, because of delays at Boeing. As a result, the Middle Eastern extend the leases on four 737-800s it had planned to return to lessors. Chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith acknowledges that, going forward, Flydubai’s strategic plans are "highly influenced" by Boeing's ability to get its delivery schedules back on track "and clear the backlog". Flydubai hopes to receive 12 Max jets this year to grow its fleet, replace existing aircraft, and allow it to expand. At year-end, the carrier operated 88 737s with an average age of 5.3 years. It had an orderbook of 127 737s, plus 30 Boeing 787s. Setting the outlook for 2025, Al Ghaith notes that Flydubai is anticipating "another positive performance this year where we have laid strong foundations for further growth". He adds: "We are well-versed in managing external challenges such as rising inflation [and] supply-chain disruptions, as well as geopolitical tensions. Our focus will be on transformation and innovation through further investment in technologies that will support our sustainability efforts, improve operational efficiencies, and strengthen our inhouse capabilities." The airline lifted passenger numbers 11% last year, to 15.4 million, powered by rising demand for both business and leisure travel. Capacity, as measured by available seat-kilometres, was raised a tenth and revenue rose 15% to Dh12.8 billion.

Air India Express (AIX) has grown its Boeing 737 Max fleet to 40 units following the delivery of two further Max 8s from a US lessor, fleets data shows. Aviation Capital Group said on 21 February it had delivered two Max 8s to the Air India subsidiary, the third and fourth units of what the lessor describes as a "multiple-aircraft sale-leaseback". It did not disclose how many aircraft are in the transaction in total. The pair join two ACG-managed 737 Max 8s already in AIX's fleet (MSNs 61652 and 63289), fleets data shows. Those units were purchased by ACG for leaseback in February and January 2025, respectively. Prior to the latest two deliveries by ACG, the airline had 38 737 Maxes, thus taking its total fleet to 40 of the type. Avilease manages six Max 8s, Griffin Global Asset Management manages 10, Jackson Square Aviation manages seven, SKY Leasing manages six, and SMBC Aviation Capital manages seven. AIX has three Max 8s on order that are managed by parent Air India, which has a further 149 on order. Two are scheduled to deliver in February 2025 and one in March 2025. The carrier also operates 26 737-800s, 22 Airbus A320ceos and 12 A320neos.

Spirit Airlines has won approval for its plan of reorganisation under Chapter 11 bankruptcy from the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. "With this approval in place, the company expects to emerge from Chapter 11 in the coming weeks," Spirit says in a 20 February press release. Under the approved plan, Spirit says it will "equitise" $795 million of funded debt, receive $350 million of new equity investment, and issue $840 million of new senior secured debt to existing bondholders "upon emergence". In addition, the airline will enter into a new revolving credit facility of up to $300 million. "Spirit vendors, aircraft lessors and holders of secured aircraft indebtedness will not be impaired," it adds. Ted Christie, Spirit's president and chief executive, states that the approval will see it "emerge as a stronger airline with the financial flexibility to continue providing guests with enhanced travel experiences and greater value". He adds: "Throughout this process, we've had virtually unanimous support from our bondholders, who recognise Spirit's value and potential. As we move forward, our leadership team remains focused on reducing costs while also advancing our strategic initiatives to transform our guest experience and position Spirit for success." Spirit filed for Chapter 11 in November 2024.