Spirit Airlines experienced a difficult second quarter, with a net loss of around $193 million, a significant increase from the previous year’s loss of $2.3 million. The company’s CEO, Ted Christie, is pledging to make significant changes to its operations in order to achieve $100 million in annual savings. Spirit has implemented measures such as freezing pilot and flight attendant recruitment and furloughing approximately 240 pilots. Additionally, the company has deferred incoming orders with Airbus for deliveries scheduled between the second quarter of 2025 and the end of 2026.
In a move to benefit families booking flights, the Biden administration is proposing a rule that would prevent airlines from charging additional fees to seat families together on flights. Airlines would be prohibited from charging fees to assign seats to children 13 years old and younger next to their parents or accompanying adults. The Department of Transportation believes that this proposed rule could result in significant savings for families, with the potential to save a family of four up to $200 if seat selection fees are $25 each. Airlines would also be required to offer families a refund if adjacent seats are not available at the time of booking.
Saudi Arabia has unveiled its plans for hotels, stadiums, and airports as part of its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The bid includes ambitious proposals such as the construction of thousands of additional hotel rooms, the development of 11 new stadiums, and the establishment of modern airports in all five proposed host cities. These airports are expected to connect to over 250 international destinations. However, the bid book does not mention alcohol, as it is prohibited in Saudi Arabia.
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In summary, Spirit Airlines is facing financial challenges and is implementing measures to achieve significant cost savings. The Biden administration is working to protect families from additional fees when booking flights by proposing a rule that would prevent airlines from charging fees to seat families together. Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans for hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, including the development of hotels, stadiums, and airports in preparation for the event. Skift.com offers a range of travel stories and trends for those interested in the business of travel and provides a daily newsletter for subscribers to stay informed about the latest industry news.
