ARC NEWS
Gol reorganisation plan approved by US bankruptcy court
May 21, 2025
The US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has approved Gol's Chapter 11 plan of reorganisation. The Brazilian carrier says that with confirmation secured at a 20 May hearing at the US bankruptcy court, it "remains on track to emerge from its restructuring process in early June 2025". Gol on 25 January 2024 had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the USA. It disclosed on 16 May 2025 that it had secured the necessary binding commitments for its $1.9 billion in Chapter 11 exit financing. It said on 20 May that during its Chapter 11 restructuring process it has secured $1 billion in debtor-in-possession financing, negotiated concession packages totalling $1.1 billion from lessors covering all aircraft in its fleet, and reached an agreement with Boeing on modifications of purchase contracts, among other financing and cost-reduction moves. "Having secured confirmation of its plan, Gol is now focused on completing the final steps necessary to complete its exit from the Chapter 11 process, including its shareholders' meeting to approve the capital increase contemplated under the plan, which will take place on May 30 2025," Gol says. It adds that parent Abra Group will remain the carrier's largest indirect shareholder following implementation of the reorganisation plan. Abra and Brazil-based Azul on 15 January 2025 signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding that opened the door to a possible business combination of Gol and Azul. Abra told Cirium on 15 May that "the priority for the Abra Group has been Gol's financial restructuring and its exit from Chapter 11, as a well-capitalised, standalone company".


Strong demand pushes up Thai Airways profit
May 21, 2025
Thai Airways International and its subsidiaries reported an operating profit of Bt13.7 billion ($418 million) for the quarter ended 31 March, up 23% year on year amid “continued growth” in passenger demand. Its revenue was up 12% to Bt51.6 billion, as operating expenses rose almost 9% to Bt38 billion due to an increase in flights. Thai Airways recorded a first-quarter net profit of Bt9.8 billion, a fourfold increase from Bt2.4 billion a year before. As of 31 March, Thai’s cash and cash equivalents stood at Bt92.5 billion, up almost 10% from the end of last year. During the quarter, Thai carried 4.33 million passengers, up 11.6% year on year. ASKs were up 21%, with a similar increase in RPKs, while load factor was flat at 83.3%. Meanwhile, passenger yield fell 7.3% as it continues to moderate post-pandemic. The group ended the first quarter with a fleet of 78 aircraft – five more than at the same time last year. In its outlook, the carrier notes risks related to the uncertainty of US tariffs, even as the aviation industry continues to grapple with supply chain disruptions, rising costs in labour and maintenance and yield normalisation. Nevertheless, Thai remains confident in the long term growth of the industry, especially as the Asia Pacific region remains the largest market with a projected annual growth of 5.1% compared with the global average of 4%.


​Polish customs officers seize Russia-bound Boeing aircraft tyres
May 20, 2025
An alleged illegal shipment of Boeing aircraft tyres en route to Azerbaijan via Belarus and Russia has been intercepted by customs officers in Poland. The Lublin National Revenue Administration (KAS) says it has seized five tonnes of tyres for Boeing civil aircraft after a truck was inspected in Koroszczyn on the border between eastern Poland and Belarus. It alleges that the tyres being transported by the truck had been falsely declared as car and bus tyres and the shipment broke European Union sanctions against Belarus and Russia, which have been in place since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. "The transit of this type of goods through the territory of Belarus and Russia is subject to sanctions under Council Regulation (EU) No. 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, and Council Regulation (EC) No. 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and Belarus' participation in Russia's aggression against Ukraine," states KAS. The goods were sent by an unnamed company based in Spain and the recipient was from Azerbaijan. KAS says that criminal proceedings have been initiated in relation to customs fraud and the possible violation of sanctions is under investigation.


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