Dubai-based carrier flydubai reported EBITDA profit of Dh4 billion ($1.1 billion), driven by higher revenues, record passenger numbers and the continued expansion of its network. Full-year revenue rose 6% to Dh13.6 billion, reflecting "sustained passenger demand" across its short- and medium-haul network. Passenger numbers hit a record 15.7 million, supported by growth in both business and leisure travel. Flydubai says business class uptake rose by 19%, reflecting strong premium demand across its markets. The carrier continued to scale up operations, increasing overall capacity by 6% and expanding its network to 140 destinations across 58 countries, including through the addition of nine new routes and resuming services to several suspended markets. Growth was particularly strong in the Middle East, where passenger traffic rose 17%, while Africa and Europe both saw increases of 12%. "As we look ahead to 2026, demand for travel remains healthy despite ongoing challenges," says chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith. "The fundamentals of our business are strong, and we are well-positioned to meet this sustained appetite for both leisure and business travel across our network," he adds. This year flydubai plans to continue expanding capacity supported by the delivery of 12 new aircraft, subject to manufacturer schedules. Seven will be Boeing 737 Max 9s and five Max 8s. At the Dubai air show in November, the carrier placed orders for 150 Airbus A321neos and 75 Boeing 737 Max jets.

Virgin Australia reported an 11.7% rise in earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) for the half-year ended December to A$490 million ($349 million) and will move towards purchasing more of its Boeing 737 Max jets going forward. Group revenue for the six months rose 9.3% to A$3.32 billion, driven by what it describes as "better than expected leisure demand combined with commercial transformation", particularly in December. RASK was up 6.5% while ASKs only grew 2.3% as domestic capacity growth was offset by its withdrawal of some international services. Operating expenditure, meanwhile, rose 8.4% to A$2.6 billion as maintenance, airport and reservations charges all increased, while fuel expenses were down 2.3% driven by the increase in its 737 Max fleet. Fleets data shows that it has 15 737 Max 8s in service plus 13 more on order, and an order for 10 Max 10s. In comparison, it has 84 737NGs in service. Statutory net profit after tax fell 27.9% to A$341 million, although the decrease was largely due to the prior period, benefitting from deferred tax assets that did not apply during the latest half. Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December amounted to A$1.34 billion, up from A$1.12 billion at the end of June. “The Group’s continued strong performance clearly demonstrates that our constant focus on transformation and innovation is not only delivering strong financial outcomes but strengthens our ability to remain a robust competitor for years to come," commented chief executive Dave Emerson. Virgin took delivery of six 737 Max 8s during the six months to December and expects to take a further 12 over the next year. "Nine of these aircraft (four in 2HFY26 and five in 1HFY27), will be purchased rather than leased, a decision which is supported by the strong balance sheet and provides financial and operational benefits to the Group," the airline states. Virgin says that 75 out of its 107 aircraft in the fleet at 31 December were leased, and that the purchases are "expected to deliver favourable earnings outcome and creates potential source of additional liquidity". Its charter unit, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, also took delivery of two Embraer 190-E2s, with two more scheduled for delivery in the second half of the fiscal year. That has allowed it to retire its remaining Fokker 100s, while the last Airbus A320 operations will cease during the second half. Virgin says that it has not made a buy or lease decision for the four remaining E190s that will be delivered in the 2027 and 2028 fiscal years. In its outlook, the carrier states that it expects demand to remain strong and will "remain disciplined with its capacity growth adding between 2% and 3% domestic capacity in the second half of FY26 and 3% in the first quarter of FY27".

Spirit Airlines intends to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the late spring or early summer of 2026, the US carrier has disclosed. The Dania Beach, Florida-based airline in late August 2025 filed for Chapter 11 for the second time in 10 months. Spirit disclosed the target range for its Chapter 11 exit in tandem with an announcement that it had reached an agreement in principle on the key terms of a restructuring support agreement with its existing debtor-in-possession lenders and secured noteholders. "This agreement in principle is the result of months of hard work and allows Spirit to move toward completing its transformation," states Spirit chief executive Dave Davis. "Spirit will emerge as a strong, leaner competitor that is positioned to profitably deliver the value American consumers expect at a price they want to pay."