Spirit Airlines will not involuntarily furlough any pilots in October when the CARES Act Payroll Support Program funding expires. The news comes just days after the company and the Air Line Pilots Association representing its pilots indicated that 117 positions were at risk.
Delta Air Lines
Gogo confirms "extensive" discussions to sell commercial airline inflight connectivity business
For more than two years Gogo teased the idea of splitting the company between its Commercial (airline) and Business (private) Aviation segments. The rumblings ebb and flow, but by mid-July the tone of the conversation was undeniable. Now the company confirmed the news. Gogo has retained outside advisors to assist with the formal process to “evaluate our strategic options” for the business.
LATAM’s unlikely recovery funding: Qatar Airways could boost Delta’s position
LATAM’s bankruptcy proceedings are getting interesting, with competing DIP funding proposals in play. And one reportedly contains a spectacularly unexpected arrangement between vicious competitors: Qatar Airways and Delta Air Lines.
Seeking a strategic use for Viasat’s $175 million raise
Was Viasat’s recent deal to secure $175mm in new capital just a matter of convenient timing? Or is there a specific plan for the cash? CEO Mark Dankberg got into some of the possibilities today, including potential inflight connectivity opportunities, while clearly leaving the door open for many more options to come.
Virgin Atlantic flied for bankruptcy protection today, and it mostly doesn’t matter
Virgin Atlantic filed for bankruptcy protection in the US courts on Tuesday, a move that initially sparked concerns among travelers about the future of the company. Fortunately the filing, made under Chapter 15 of the US Bankruptcy Code, is more of a procedural play than anything to be concerned about.
Cargo passenger hybrids coming to US airlines
Airlines around the world removed the seats from their passenger planes to make more room for cargo. But not in the US. That could change very soon, as the FAA now allows for exemptions to cargo restrictions, engineering companies are securint certifications for the new configurations and airlines are getting the paperwork in order to make the shift.
Cutting connections: Reviewing the connected aircraft retirements
Hundreds of aircraft rapidly retired from service. Hundreds more shifted into limbo, unclear of when they might fly again. The news no longer surprises, though some of the retirements bring about a sense of loss. For inflight connectivity vendors the impact is more than a sense of loss, however, as it maps to real revenue shortfalls with the aircraft removed from service.
Pilots furloughs put squeeze on US regional fleets
With US airlines now filing WARN notices for potential furloughs the potential to see that impact their regional partners is becoming more clear. Scope clauses in the pilot union contracts could have a significant impact come 1 October.
This Delta A321 won’t be domesticated
Generally speaking airlines don’t dedicate an aircraft to a single route. But this is certainly a time for strange things in the world of aviation. So Delta Air Lines choosing to fly one of its A321s on what appears to be a dedicated route for the past four months almost seems normal now.
July’s magic: The Weekly Wrap–3 July 2020
As the calendar rolled over to July the global aviation community saw significant wins. Borders reopened, airlines resumed or increased flight levels. And, perhaps most exciting, lounges are reopening, too. Get details on that and lots more in this edition of The Weekly Wrap