As Spirit Airlines shareholders put together to resolve on the airline’s destiny, the low cost airline could have one other complication to navigate: 20 new slots at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Although Spirit Airlines shareholders are as soon as once more days away from voting on the merger proposal with Frontier Airlines, leaders for the provider may have yet one more subject to settle.
The U.S. Department of Transportation introduced the Miramar, Fla.-based airline earned 16 slots at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), beating each Alaska Airlines and JetBlue for the takeoff and touchdown rights.
Although Spirit Wins Slots, Future on Their Use is Unclear
The determination was introduced on July 5, 2022, after months of hypothesis on who would earn the previous slots held by Southwest Airlines. After the U.S. DOT mentioned the slots can be prioritized for low-cost carriers, JetBlue utilized to win all 16, whereas Alaska Airlines wished 4.
“After reviewing the applications against the decisional criteria announced by the Department, the Department found that Spirit will best be able to provide competition with all 16 timings,” the DOT wrote in a press launch. “Consistent with the Department of Justice’s original competition remedy, and is most likely to provide the lowest fares to the most consumers.”
While the slots shall be a lift to Spirit and future operations within the nation’s largest aviation market, it’s going to include further phrases. First, the airline might want to report further information to the DOT relating to “disruptions facing their airline customers and its ability to provide them with accommodations.” The further info will permit the federal government to make sure the low cost provider is working in the direction of their buyer commitments, whereas quantifying the precise value of disruptions on clients.
Spirit Airlines has not commented on the DOT’s determination to award all of them 16 slots, or how they’d use them. It is unknown how the slots can be used to develop Spirit’s presence or routes at Newark.
Slot Awards Comes Prior to Merger Decision
The newly awarded slots comes as Spirit considers proposal gives from each Frontier Airlines and JetBlue. While it’s unclear how the brand new slots would have an effect on a merger with Frontier, JetBlue beforehand introduced they’d divest slots in each Boston and New York – which may complicate the awarding of the brand new slots if Spirit decides to maneuver ahead with the New York-based airline.
Source: www.flyertalk.com”