Business
Spirit CEO says struggling airline will slash flights, braces employees for more job cuts
A Spirit Airlines Airbus A320 taxis at Los Angeles International Airport after arriving from Boston on September 1, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevin Carter | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Spirit Airlines CEO Dave Davis on Wednesday braced staff for more job cuts and said the carrier plans to slash its schedule in November to reduce costs weeks after declaring its second bankruptcy in less than a year.
The airline is planning its November schedule and Davis told employees in a memo, which was reviewed by CNBC, that they will see a 25% cut in capacity over 2024 “as we optimize our network to focus on our strongest markets.”
The carrier’s capacity was down a similar degree from when it came out of bankruptcy in March through the end of June, and the new cuts point to how the airline is thinking about its near-term schedule as it seeks to reduce costs. The struggling discount carrier is in negotiations with vendors and aircraft lessors, and is evaluating its fleet size, as it tries to shrink itself to find more stable footing, Davis said.
“These evaluations will inevitably affect the size of our teams as we become a more efficient airline,” Davis wrote in his note to employees. “Unfortunately, these are the tough calls we must make to emerge stronger. We know this adds uncertainty, and we are committed to keeping you as these decisions are made.”
When asked how many of its employees would be affected, Spirit told CNBC in an email: “We have engaged our labor unions to discuss the impacts of the network and fleet adjustments on our Team Members, and we will share more as these discussions progress.”
The airline has already announced furloughs and demotions of hundreds of pilots. Some flights attendants have already taken voluntary unpaid leaves of absence.
“Although management has not yet indicated they will seek to make changes to our [collective bargaining agreement], our bankruptcy attorneys working alongside our AFA legal department are prepared for any next steps management may take,” Spirit flight attendants’ union, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, told staff in on Wednesday. “Again, this bankruptcy will be much more difficult than the last one and we must be prepared to act to protect our interests as Flight Attendants.”
Spirit, known for its bright yellow planes, low fares and myriad fees, had been successful but high costs, shifting travel preferences and increased competition from larger rivals threw the airline off course. A failed acquisition by JetBlue Airways left the carrier on its own.
When Spirit emerged from bankruptcy in March, its leaders were hoping to find more stable financial footing. But the carrier avoided big changes in the process and instead focused on a deal with its bondholders, which exchanged almost $800 million in debt for equity, and it was greeted after bankruptcy with persistently higher costs and weaker-than-expected domestic travel demand.
It reported that it lost nearly $257 million since March 13, after it exited Chapter 11, through the end of June.
Earlier this month, Spirit announced flight cuts to 11 destinations and said it wouldn’t start a 12th as planned, while competitors like United Airlines, Frontier Airlines and JetBlue Airways have unveiled plans for new flights to try to win over Spirit customers.
Business
Ministers asked to take G Ram G to rural India – The Times of India
NDA functionaries, including ministers, would soon hit the ground to explain and create more awareness about benefits of the new rural employment guarantee scheme VB G-RAM-G, which has replaced the UPA-era MNREGA, to negate the opposition’s narrative. This was discussed at Friday’s Cabinet meeting, which PM Modi chaired soon after his foreign trip, sources said.TOI has learnt rural development and agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan briefed the key provisions of the new scheme to all ministers while urging them to take the message to people. Sources said the PM was also of the similar view for creating more awareness about the new law. Opposition parties may soon carry out protests against the new scheme, particularly for dropping the name of Mahatma Gandhi and increasing burden on the state govts.
Business
Mitsubishi announces $4.4bn Shriram deal – The Times of India
New Delhi: Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) will acquire a 20 per cent in non-bank finance company Shriram Finance (SFL) for $4.4 billion (Rs 39,618 crore), in what is the largest foreign direct investment in the country’s financial services space. MUFG will pick up the minority stake through preferential equity shares, Shriram Finance said in a statement.The Indian financial services outfit will issue 47.1 crore shares at Rs 840.9 each to MUFG Bank through a preferential allotment, it said in a stock exchange filing. MUFG will be able to nominate two directors on the board of Shriram Finance (SFL). The investor will also have a pre-emptive right to subscribe to pro rata shareholding. “These rights shall fall away if the shareholding of the investor in the company falls below 10 per cent on a fully diluted basis,” a press release said. In its edition on Wednesday, TOI had reported about the proposed transaction. “This collaboration combines SFL’s established domestic franchise and extensive distribution network with MUFG Banks’ global expertise and financial strength. The fund infusion will significantly enhance SFL’s capital adequacy, strengthen its balance sheet, and provide long-term growth capital. It will improve access to low-cost liabilities and potentially strengthen SFL’s credit ratings while aligning governance and operational practices with global best standards,” the NBFC said in a statement.
Business
ADB reviews progress on ML-I rail upgradation | The Express Tribune
Ground-breaking of Karachi-Rohri section set for July 2026; upgradation of ML-I urged
The Railways Division submitted the ML-I project summary to ECNEC without arranging finances from the Public Sector Development Programme, China, or any other international financial institution. Photo: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
A delegation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), led by Director General Leah Gutierrez, on Friday called on Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi to review progress on the upgradation of Main Line-I (ML-I), Pakistan Railways’ most critical infrastructure project.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the scope, financing and implementation strategy of the ML-I upgradation, according to a news release.
Officials briefed the meeting that ML-I serves as the backbone of Pakistan Railways, facilitating nearly 80% of passenger traffic and around 90% of freight movement across the country.
In view of the current condition of railway infrastructure, participants underscored the urgent need to upgrade ML-I to ensure safe, efficient and reliable rail operations.
The project is expected to significantly enhance connectivity, reduce travel time and strengthen Pakistan’s logistics and trade capacity.
Hanif Abbasi described ML-I as a key project for the national economy, saying its modernisation would play a vital role in promoting economic growth, improving regional connectivity and ensuring sustainable transport.
The ADB delegation reaffirmed its continued cooperation and confidence in the progress of the ML-I project and expressed its commitment to supporting Pakistan Railways in its reform and modernisation efforts.
Both sides also agreed that the ground-breaking ceremony of the ML-I Karachi-to-Rohri section would be held in July 2026, marking a major milestone in the execution of the project.
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