Spirit Airlines, whose approach to selling cheap tickets without amenities earned it fans and detractors, filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday after a string of setbacks, most recently a failure to renegotiate its looming debt. The airline, which last reported an annual profit in 2019, has had trouble finding its footing after a federal judge blocked a planned merger with JetBlue Airways in January. Spirit has also struggled to capitalize on the recovery from the pandemic because of intense competition, engine problems and other factors. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York. It also announced an agreement with bondholders to restructure its debts and raise money to help it operate during the bankruptcy process, which it expected to exit in the first quarter of next year. Spirit, which has lost more than $2.2b since the start of 2020, published an open letter to customers saying that fliers could “use all tickets, credits and loyalty points as normal.” Ted Christie, the airline’s CE, said in a statement that the arrangements announced on Monday represented a “a strong vote of confidence in Spirit and our long-term plan.” The airline said in a court filing that it had 25,000 to 50,000 creditors, with total debt of about $9b and only slightly more in assets at end of September. It said its shares would be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. Spirit’s stock had fallen more than 90% since the start of the year. The airline began operations as a trucking company operating under a different name in 1964. It later became a tour operator and started offering flights in 1990. Two years later, it became Spirit Airlines. But the company’s modern incarnation traces its roots to 2006, when Indigo Partners, a private equity fund, acquired a majority stake. Under Indigo and the leadership of Ben Baldanza — who spent a decade as Spirit’s CE and died this month — the airline focused on lowering costs and selling cheap, bare-bones tickets.<br/>
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Spirit Airlines told customers Monday that they should continue feeling comfortable booking flights “now and in the future,” despite the airline filing for bankruptcy. The US carrier sought Chapter 11 protection in New York on Monday to restructure $1.6b of debt after struggling to overcome mounting losses and failed merger attempts, according to court filings. The company said it plans to relinquish control to its bondholders. Its shares will be delisted. In the message to customers, Spirit said the agreement “is expected to reduce our total debt, provide increased financial flexibility, position Spirit for long-term success and accelerate investments providing Guests with enhanced travel experiences and greater value.” The company has said it will continue to operate normally throughout the bankruptcy process, which it expects to complete early next year. The carrier said during that time customers can continue to use their tickets and loyalty points and benefit from rewards programs. A representative for Spirit declined to comment further. The proceedings come ahead of the busy Thanksgiving travel season, which Airlines for America, a trade group for the largest carriers, predicts will set an all-time record with more than 31m passengers flying on US airlines.<br/>
Canada-based airline WestJet is expanding in 2025, bringing its international services to Salt Lake City. Starting in May, WestJet will offer a seasonal non-stop flight between Salt Lake City and Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. WestJet will fly out of Salt Lake City five times weekly until the summer service ends in late October. Salt Lake City Department of Airports Executive Director Bill Wyatt said the city is thrilled to welcome WestJet, adding it would be the 15th airline serving the international airport. “Creating more connectivity between Salt Lake and Canada — one of Utah’s largest markets — will create a more seamless experience for passengers traveling to Alberta,” said Wyatt. Unfortunately, the seasonal flights mean Utah hockey fans won’t be able to take advantage of the nonstop flight when the Utah Hockey Club travels to take on the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 31 and again on March 18. However, there is still plenty to see and do in Canada’s “Festival City.”<br/>
Congo Airways is to lease a pair of Boeing 737s from Avia Solutions Group as part of an effort to restore capacity. Both aircraft are being taken on a six-month wet-lease from Avia’s KlasJet division. KlasJet says Congo Airways’ pair of Airbus A320s have been grounded for engine maintenance, and the airline needs the narrowbody capacity to reinstate services. One 737-800 – registered LY-BBN – has been leased from November to the end of April next year. The aircraft has been based at Kinshasa and assigned to domestic routes including Lubumbashi. KlasJet says it has newly agreed with Congo Airways the wet-lease of a second 737-800 (LY-MGM), which will conduct similar operations to the first. This second aircraft is being leased from mid-November. “Six-month deployment of the aircraft is the ideal length for a [wet-lease] contract and serves as a perfect tool for the airline’s recovery,” says KlasJet deputy CCO Augustinas Riskus.<br/>
Britain on Monday imposed sanctions against Iran's national airline and shipping carrier, measures it said were taken in response to Iran's transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia. The state-owned Iran Air and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) will face an asset freeze for their role in supplying weapons to Russia for use on the battlefield against Ukraine, Britain said. "Iran’s attempts to undermine global security are dangerous and unacceptable," British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. "We reiterate our call on Iran to cease its support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine." The sanctions will further restrict Iran Air's direct commercial air services to and from the UK. Britain also sanctioned the Russian cargo ship PORT OLYA-3 for its role in transporting military supplies to Russia, it said. <br/>