Allegiant Travel Company's waiting period to receive US antitrust clearance for its proposed acquisition of Sun Country Airlines has been terminated early. The parent of Allegiant Air says the early termination of the waiting period under the US Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 is "an important step toward completing the combination of the two airlines". The Hart-Scott-Rodino act establishes waiting periods that must elapse before the consummation of company acquisitions, says the US Federal Trade Commission. It requires companies to file pre-merger notifications with the FTC and the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department for certain acquisitions. "We are pleased to receive US antitrust clearance from the Department of Justice," Allegiant chief executive Greg Anderson states. "Together, Allegiant and Sun Country will create a stronger leisure-focused airline, offering a broader network, more travel options and increased long-term value creation for our shareholders." Allegiant notes that the acquisition of Sun Country remains subject to other customary closing conditions, including approval from the Department of Transportation and from Allegiant and Sun Country shareholders. The US carriers now expect the transaction to close in the second or third quarter of 2026, a revision of their previous expectation of closing it during the second half of 2026. Allegiant and Sun Country in January agreed to combine in a cash and stock deal valued at $1.5 billion. Each will operate separately until they obtain a single operating certificate. The combined company will be headquartered in Las Vegas, where Allegiant is based, and maintain a presence in Minneapolis-St Paul, home to Sun Country.

Spirit Airlines intends to reduce the size of its fleet to between 76 and 80 aircraft by the third quarter of 2026. At 16 March, the Florida-based carrier operates a fleet of 175 Airbus jets comprising 62 A320ceos, 63 A320neos, 29 A321ceos and 21 A321neos, Fleets data shows. Seven months ago, on 13 August, Spirit operated a fleet of 214 Airbus aircraft. In late August 2025, Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in 10 months Spirit's reduced fleet will "primarily" consist of A320ceos and A321ceos, it says, adding: "In addition to previously announced fleet adjustments, the planned adjustment will further reduce Spirit's debt, lease obligations and aircraft costs." Sean Lane, a judge at the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, on 12 March approved Spirit's proposed bidding procedures to govern the sale of 20 used A320s and A321s. The carrier – which on 13 March filed with the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York a restructuring support agreement and reorganisation plan – intends to emerge from Chapter 11 in the late spring or early summer.

Spirit Airlines has received bankruptcy-court approval for its proposed bidding procedures to govern the sale of 20 used Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. Sean Lane, a judge at the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, states in a 12 March filing that "Spirit is authorised to take any and all actions necessary or appropriate to implement the bidding procedures". The bidding deadline has been set as 1 April. Spirit – which in late August 2025 filed for Chapter 11 for the second time in 10 months – must by 21 April file with the court a notice identifying the successful bidder and the key terms of the applicable agreements. At 13 March, the Florida-based carrier operates a fleet of 175 Airbus jets comprising 62 A320s, 63 A320neos, 29 A321ceos and 21 A321neos, Cirium fleets data shows. Seven months ago, on 13 August, Spirit operated a fleet of 214 Airbus aircraft. It intends to emerge from Chapter 11 in the late spring or early summer.