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CAPA News Briefs

CAPA publishes more than 1,000 global News Briefs every week, covering all aspects of the aviation and travel industry. It’s the most comprehensive source of market intelligence in the world, with around 50 per cent of content translated from non-English sources. The breadth of our coverage means you won’t need any other news sources to monitor competitors and stay informed about the latest developments in the wider aviation sector.

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Below is a sample of the latest news headlines. 228 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.

Breeze Airways CEO David Neeleman stated (05-Dec-2025) he believes Spirit Airlines' restructuring is now "meaningful", adding: "They've been able to cut their pilot salaries; they've been able to get rid of a bunch of airplanes". Mr Neeleman also said: "I think Spirit and [Frontier Airlines] need each other". He noted: "They need the synergies, and they need to stop competing. There's room for a ULCC in the US, but probably not two. If they get together, [through] cost synergies, revenue synergies, I think they'll probably be okay". [more - Aviation Week]

Background ✨

Spirit Airlines undertook significant restructuring measures, including pilot and flight attendant pay reductions, layoffs, and the return of 27 aircraft, as part of its Chapter 11 process to achieve substantial cost savings and secure financing from bondholders. These steps followed Spirit's rejection of a merger proposal from Frontier Airlines in favour of its own restructuring plan, and ongoing discussions regarding further fleet and cost rationalisation with key stakeholders1 2 3 4.

African Airlines Association (AFRAA) announced (08-Dec-2025) the full operational deployment of Free Route Airspace (FRA) in the Western and Central Africa (WACAF) region, effective 30-Oct-2025. AFRAA stated any airline can now plan and operate User Preferred Routes (UPR) in WACAF airspace, and the region's air navigation service providers "have committed to approving newly requested UPR within 48 hours". Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, EgyptAir, Royal Air Maroc, RwandAir and ASKY Airlines received approval for UPRs, connecting 30 city pairs. AFRAA secretary general Abderahmane Berthe stated: "The implementation of Free Route Airspace in the WACAF region is a game-changer for African aviation", adding: "By cutting flight times and fuel consumption, we are not only boosting the competitiveness and profitability of our airlines but also making a significant commitment to environmental sustainability". AFRAA and associated partners, including Afreximbank, IATA, ICAO, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, aim to implement FRA in the Eastern and Southern Africa airspace in 2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

AFRAA previously trialled free route airspace with airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc and RwandAir, demonstrating reductions in flight times, CO2 emissions and maintenance costs, and highlighted plans for continent-wide FRA implementation by the end of 20251. Earlier trials showed significant fuel and emissions savings, with further trials scheduled for 1Q2024 and support from regional air navigation authorities2.

EUROCONTROL and ACI EUROPE released (08-Dec-2025) a framework entitled 'Adapting European aviation to a changing climate: guidance on risk assessment and adaptation', designed to help airports, airlines and air navigation service providers (ANSP) prepare for the escalating impacts of climate change. The framework was developed by the European Climate Change Adaptation Working Group, which was launched by EUROCONTROL and ACI EUROPE in 2022 with 37 partner organisations. The guide includes the following steps and priorities for aviation stakeholders:

  • Infrastructure adaptation: Upgrading drainage and cooling systems, reinforcing runways and taxiways, and deploying nature based solutions to manage flooding, heat stress and soil instability;
  • Operational resilience: Enhancing flight planning and scheduling to account for temperature extremes, wind shifts and storm disruptions;
  • Resource management: Addressing water scarcity and fluctuating energy demand through efficient technologies and sustainable practices;
  • Biodiversity integration: Managing wildlife risks while leveraging ecosystems for natural climate regulation and resilience;
  • Collaborative planning: Strengthening coordination among airports, airlines, ANSPs and external partners to ensure continuity of critical services and to address climate risks. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

EUROCONTROL and ACI EUROPE previously developed climate adaptation resources, including a briefing and guides focused on risk assessment and preparing for adverse weather, in collaboration with numerous industry stakeholders and the European Climate Change Adaptation Working Group1 2 3. EUROCONTROL also enhanced its FlyingGreen sustainability platform to provide stakeholders with advanced tools for decarbonisation and climate resilience, supported by over 100 partners4 5.

Pegasus Airlines signed (08-Dec-2025) an agreement to acquire Czech Airlines and its subsidiary Smartwings for EUR154 million. The investment aims to strengthen Pegasus' European presence and support its continued global expansion. The transaction's completion is conditional upon obtaining mandatory regulatory approvals and meeting other transfer conditions. [more - original PR]

CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled 'Malaysia Aviation Group advances fleet improvement programme with new arrivals and upcoming order', stated (08-Dec-2025) Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is making good progress on its fleet modernisation efforts, as it prepares to decide on further widebody orders and continues to take delivery of new aircraft. MAG will soon launch a campaign to select the widebody aircraft type that will replace its current long haul fleet of leased A350s. This represents the last major piece in the airline's long term fleet strategy - at least, on the passenger side. [more - CAPA Analysis]

Background ✨

MAG planned to issue a request for proposals for new widebody aircraft to replace its leased A350s before Dec-2025, targeting selection in 1Q2026, as its current A350s are set to come off lease in 2031 and 20321 2. Recent fleet renewal included acquisitions of Boeing 737 MAXs and A330neos, with the latter now totalling a commitment for 40 aircraft3 4.

CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled: 'Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030: An Evolving Market for Air Travel', stated (09-Dec-2025) Saudi Arabia's shift toward openness will significantly transform accessibility. The introduction of streamlined e-visas and visas-on-arrival for dozens of nationalities is a major departure from past restrictions. As the country scales up infrastructure, including airports, hotels, public transport and digital services, international travellers will encounter a more intuitive, navigable and welcoming environment. New airports and expanded terminals will support higher passenger flows, allowing Saudi Arabia to function as a destination and as a hub linking Europe, Asia and Africa. The combined effect is a dramatic reorientation from controlled entry to proactive global engagement. [more - CAPA Report]

Background ✨

Saudi Arabia aimed to attract 150 million tourists by 2030, supported by ambitious aviation and tourism strategies, with the Saudi Air Connectivity Program recently adding 1.5 million new seats and onboarding 12 new international carriers to broaden the network and facilitate access to diverse destinations1 2 3. The country recorded 128 million airport passengers in 2024, a 15% year-on-year increase, and major airport expansions are underway4.

Boeing completed (08-Dec-2025) its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems. The acquisition covers all of Spirit's Boeing related commercial operations, including fuselages for the 737 programme, major structures for the 767, 777 and 787, and commercially procured fuselages for the P-8 and KC-46. As Boeing's largest supplier of spare parts, Spirit expands Boeing's global MRO services footprint and adds to Boeing's rotable, lease and exchange portfolio. Spirit's commercial and aftermarket operations in Wichita, Dallas and Tulsa, and its Aerospace Innovation Centre in Prestwick, Scotland, will begin to integrate into Boeing. Boeing also acquired portions of Spirit's operations in Belfast, which will operate as an independent subsidiary branded as Short Brothers, a Boeing Company. [more - original PR] [more - Aviation Week]

Background ✨

Regulatory approval for Boeing's acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems was conditional on Boeing divesting all Spirit businesses supplying aerostructures to Airbus, as well as Spirit's Subang, Malaysia facility, which was sold to Composites Technology Research Malaysia. These measures addressed antitrust concerns and ensured continued supply to Airbus programmes. The acquisition was expected to close by the end of 2025, following these divestitures1 2 3 4.

Airbus completed (08-Dec-2025) its acquisition of the following assets from Spirit AeroSystems:

Airbus received compensation of USD439 million and certain amounts to settle liabilities under the provision of the purchase agreements. [more - original PR] [more - Aviation Week]

Air France announced (05-Dec-2025) plans to commence the deployment of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with the new La Premiere cabin on the following services from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport:

La Premiere cabin will be available on services from Paris to Abidjan, Atlanta, Boston, Dubai, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Tel Aviv, Tokyo Haneda and Washington DC in summer 2026. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Air France had previously introduced its new La Première cabin on Paris CDG-Los Angeles from 27-Sep-2025, and offered the product on routes to New York JFK, Washington, San Francisco and Miami, with further rollouts scheduled for Miami from 10-Nov-2025 and Tokyo Haneda in Mar-20261 2 3. The new suites had already debuted on the Paris CDG-New York JFK and Singapore routes in 20254 5.

Air Transat received (07-Dec-2025) a 72 hour strike notice from Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the union representing the carrier's 700 pilots. Air Transat stated: "While a negotiated agreement remains possible, this notice requires the company to proactively implement an action plan and proceed with the gradual and orderly suspension of its operations over the next three days to prevent the consequences of a sudden, unplanned interruption". Air Transat's flights will be gradually suspended between 08-Dec-2025 and 09-Dec-2025. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Air Transat pilots have sought a "modern collective agreement that reflects the economic reality of today's aviation industry" since their previous contract expired, claiming their terms lagged behind Canadian and North American industry standards1. Contract negotiations began in Jan-2025, with a strike vote authorised if an agreement was not reached by 10-Dec-20252 3. The pilots' current contract dated back to 20154.

Airbus reported (05-Dec-2025) the following commercial aircraft orders and deliveries for Nov-2025:

Qatar Airways appointed (07-Dec-2025) Hamad Ali Al-Khater as Group CEO, effective 07-Dec-2025. Mr Al-Khater previously served as Doha Hamad International Airport chief operating officer. He replaces Badr Mohammed Al-Meer as Group CEO. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Hamad Ali Al-Khater previously served as chief operating officer at Doha Hamad International Airport, where he outlined plans to add more gates before mid-2025 to improve passenger convenience and support Qatar's economic growth1. He replaced Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, who succeeded Akbar Al Baker as Group CEO after serving as COO of Hamad International Airport2.