SpiceJet blames geopolitics for first quarter profit collapse
September 08, 2025
Indian budget carrier SpiceJet has blamed geopolitical tensions and airspace restrictions for an 87% fall in operating earnings during the quarter ended June. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and rent collapsed to Rs840 million ($9.53 million) from Rs6.5 billion in the previous corresponding quarter. Revenue for the quarter ended June dropped 42.5% to Rs11.9 billion, while expenses fell 25.5% to Rs19.2 billion. Load factor fell 5.1 percentage points to 85.9% as total RASK fell 19.6% and ASKs plummeted 28.4%. As a result, the airline swung to a net loss of Rs2.38 billion for the quarter, compared with a Rs1.5 billion net profit in the same period a year earlier. "This quarter’s results reflect the extraordinary challenges faced by the aviation industry, including geopolitical turbulence, restricted air routes and supply chain disruptions," states SpiceJet managing director Ajay Singh. "We are taking decisive steps to enhance fleet reliability, reduce costs and expand our network." SpiceJet adds that it was hit by costs associated with grounding aircraft and returning them to service. Tensions between India and neighboring Pakistan led to airspace closures for carriers on each side in April and May that remain ongoing. Looking ahead, SpiceJet says it finalized terms with Carlyle Aviation Management to restructure all lease obligations, worth $121 million, during the quarter. Fleets data shows that Carlyle leases two Boeing 737-700s, eight -800s and three -900ERs to the carrier, with the latter jets listed as stored. Overall, it has 21 aircraft in service – comprised of 15 737s and six De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s – and 30 more in storage. SpiceJet adds that it secured agreements to wet-lease 10 Boeing 737s from October and notes that “discussions are underway for additional inductions of narrowbody and widebody aircraft during winter”.
WestJet 737 damaged in hard landing at Sint Maarten
September 08, 2025
A WestJet Boeing 737-800 suffered a hard landing at Princess Juliana International airport in Sint Maarten on 7 September that damaged its right wing. The Canadian carrier says in a statement that the aircraft was operating flight WS2276 from Toronto when it experienced the hard landing at 13:31 local time. "Emergency services responded immediately, deploying foam as a precaution. The aircraft’s slides were activated, and all guests and crew safely evacuated and were transported to the terminal. All guests are accounted for and there are no reported injuries," it states. WestJet adds that it is "awaiting confirmation on the exact nature of the incident", however livestreamed footage of the incident appears to show the right landing gear collapsing soon after the aircraft touched down, causing the right engine pod to drag along the runway as it completed its rollout. The aircraft was immobilised on the runway and attended to by firefighters who sprayed the right wing with foam. "There was no fire; however, contact with the runway caused damage to the aircraft's right wing," Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company says in a separate statement. The airport will remain closed until midday on 8 September, it says in a statement issued later on the day. Flight tracking data shows that the aircraft involved bears registration C-GWSR, and fleets data shows this corresponds to MSN 35288 which is a 2009-build aircraft owned by BBAM. Originally ordered by ILFC, it has been operated since new by WestJet and was acquired by BBAM in January 2024.
Jet2 cuts winter capacity amid ‘difficult’ market
September 05, 2025
UK carrier Jet2 has cut the number of seats on sale this winter and warned that full-year profits will be “towards the lower end” of analysts’ forecasts, citing a “difficult” market and a growing trend for later bookings. Despite a strong summer, in which capacity was up 8% year on year, Jet2 says the trend to book tickets closer to departure has since become “more pronounced”. Given this “less certain consumer environment”, the carrier has reduced the number of seats on sale in winter 2025/26 to 5.6 million from the originally planned 5.8 million. This is still 9% higher than in winter 2024/25, it notes, and the airline will “maintain attractive pricing” to stimulate demand. Jet2 expects earnings before interest and tax for the year ending 31 March 2026 to be "towards the lower end of the consensus range", which goes from £449 million to £496 million. EBIT for the financial year ended 31 March 2025 was £446.5 million. “Although we are currently operating in a difficult market, we have a proven business model, a loyal customer base, a flexible approach to capacity management and our multi award-winning customer services,” states Jet2 chief executive Steve Heapy. “We believe that these factors provide the foundation for a solid financial result this year and for further profitable growth in the years to come.” At midday BST trading in London, Jet2’s share price was down by nearly 14%. The carrier says it will provide a further update at its interim results on 19 November.