Fitch Ratings has downgraded US carrier JetBlue Airways' long-term issuer default rating to "B+" from "BB-". The downgrade reflects the agency's expectation that JetBlue's profits in 2023 and 2024 will be lower than forecast as the airline "faces several near-term challenges that have driven weaker than expected results through the first nine months of the year." Though Fitch expects some improvement in 2024, margins will likely "remain under pressure, leading to additional borrowing and elevated leverage". It also notes that other near-term headwinds including outsized impacts from air traffic control delays due to its concentration in the northeast and pressures from industry capacity that is outpacing demand, particularly in off-peak periods. Its outlook remains negative, due to pressures around JetBlue's pending acquisition of Spirit Airlines, and uncertainties around the timing and recovery of JetBlue's standalone credit profile. The "B+" rating is supported by the company's favourable fleet mix, and network and routes that should lead to improving operating margins. It also considers JetBlue's liquidity and capacity to raise additional funds if necessary as it manages through a period of weak profitability. Fitch has affirmed the ratings on JetBlue pass through trust certificates, series 2019-1 "A+" and 2020-1 at "A" and has also affirmed JetBlue's secured revolving credit facility at "BB+"/"RR1". Fitch's actions come days after Moody's downgraded JetBlue's corporate family rating to "B1 RUR-Down" from "Ba2" and its probability of default rating to "B1-PD RUR-Down" from "Ba2-PD".

IAG has issued a request for proposals for the financing of five widebodies set to be deployed by Spanish subsidiary Iberia. The airline group is seeking financing bids for two Airbus A350s and three A330-900neos being delivered to Iberia, a source who has seen the RFP says. IAG has declined to comment. IAG had an RFP out earlier this year for the financing of 10 aircraft, including two A350-100s and two Boeing 787-10s to be delivered to British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia.

Alaska Airlines has launched year-round daily services to the Hawaiian city of Honolulu from Seattle/Everett along with flights between Portland and Miami.

The carrier says that it flies eight West Coast gateways to Hawaii from Anchorage, Seattle/Everett, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego serving Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Island of Hawaii with an average of 30 daily flights. With the new service to Miami, it currently serves 52 nonstop destinations from Portland, Oregon, it adds. Miami is the fourth Florida city the carrier will serve from Portland, joining Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa. Alaska Airlines also operates flights between Miami and Seattle. Vice-president of revenue management and network planning, Kirsten Amrine, states: "Our new nonstop between Seattle/Everett and Honolulu is our first regularly scheduled service connecting Paine Field to Hawaii. And our new coast-to-coast route between Portland and Miami links two destinations that were the largest underserved cities for each airport."