Latest news with #Spirit
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Spirit Airlines Is Not Happy With Two Rival U.S. Airlines
Spirit Airlines filed a regulatory complaint this week against two rival airlines, according to media reports. On Tuesday, Spirit formally filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation about the new Blue Sky partnership between JetBlue Airways and United Airlines, alleging that it "raises serious competition and public interest questions" and is a "coordinated oligopoly masquerading as competition." In the 12-page filing, Spirit argues that the agreement between JetBlue and United has the same competitive concerns as the now-defunct Northeast Alliance between American Airlines' and JetBlue, which was discontinued in 2023. Spirit also says it is worried that the partnership will turn JetBlue into 'a de facto vassal of United." "This anti-competitive tie-up involving a dominant legacy carrier will neutralize the competitive benefit of an existing low-fare competitor (JetBlue), will raise fares, and will tend to weaken other value airlines, such as Spirit and others, by siphoning off customers attracted by access to the United loyalty program," Spirit said. Spirit has asked the DOT to extend the review period and to make the details of the BlueSky agreement public and open to scrutiny. Announced back in May, Blue Sky was described by the two airlines as the time as "a new and unique collaboration that gives customers of both airlines even more options to find flights that fit their plans as well as new opportunities to earn and use MileagePlus miles and TrueBlue points across both airlines." The arrangement enables United's MileagePlus customers and JetBlue's TrueBlue members to use and earn points on the other carrier's flights, and also allows for the sales of both airlines' flights on either company's website. Additionally, JetBlue will provide United access to slots at JFK for up to seven daily round-trip flights out of Terminal 6, starting as early as 2027. Spirit Airlines Is Not Happy With Two Rival U.S. Airlines first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 26, 2025
USA Today
3 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Spirit Airlines urges DOT to block JetBlue, United deal citing antitrust threat
Spirit Airlines on Tuesday urged the Transportation Department to reject a proposed JetBlue Airways JBLU.O and United Airlines UAL.O partnership, saying it was anticompetitive and will prompt large carriers to pursue similar deals. United and JetBlue said in May their "Blue Sky" tie-up would allow travelers to book flights on both carriers' websites, while interchangeably earning and using points in their frequent flyer programs. Budget carrier Spirit said the deal would mean the smaller JetBlue "will become a de facto vassal of United." "This anti-competitive tie-up involving a dominant legacy carrier will neutralize the competitive benefit of an existing low-fare competitor," Spirit said. JetBlue said the filing "misrepresents Blue Sky and twists the facts about how JetBlue and United plan to deliver for customers." JetBlue said the deal "does not include schedule coordination or revenue sharing. JetBlue and United will remain competitors as they each will continue to publish, price, and market flights independently under their own brand and flight numbers." Airline news updates: JetBlue to end 'unprofitable' service to Miami United declined to comment. In March 2024, JetBlue and Spirit scrapped a $3.8 billion merger agreement after a U.S. judge blocked the deal on anti-competition concerns. Spirit also said that if the partnership is approved, American Airlines AAL.O and Delta Air Lines DAL.N "will almost certainly seek similar arrangements and smaller carriers may feel compelled to go along, creating an even more highly concentrated industry." American and Delta did not immediately comment. Under the deal, JetBlue will provide United access to slots at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport for up to seven daily round-trip flights, beginning in 2027. JetBlue, the sixth largest U.S. carrier, and United will also exchange eight flight timings at Newark, New Jersey, and United will move some holiday and travel services to JetBlue's Paisley platform. JetBlue has been seeking partnerships after a federal judge blocked its Northeast Alliance with American Airlines in 2023. JetBlue has been struggling to return to sustained profitability after the COVID-19 pandemic. It has managed to post a profit in just two of the past nine quarters. Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Franklin Paul and Leslie Adler
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Bambry, Henry staying on with Otago to ensure ‘continuity'
Ryan Bambry. Photo: supplied New Otago coach Mark Brown will have a mix of the old and the new when he tackles his first NPC season. The Otago Rugby Football Union announced yesterday two assistant coaches from last season, Ryan Bambry and Will Henry, would return to form part of Brown's staff. "Having Ryan and Will on board again will ensure that the foundations and continuity from last year's campaign are maintained," Brown said in a statement. "Feedback from the playing group was extremely positive regarding the impact they both had, and I have personally observed their expertise and readiness for the season ahead." Former Otago loose forward Lee Allan will rejoin the coaching team after a spell away. Allan, who retired early with concussion issues, will be a defensive specialist after previously being involved in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. "I was thrilled when Mark discussed his plans for the 2025 season, and I am itching to get started," Allan said. "I visited a few times last season and was very impressed with the mindset and application the team showed in their defence. I am excited to build on that this season." Will Henry. Photo: Johnny Hendrikus/NZ Rugby An interesting addition to the coaching staff is Mitchell Scott, who will be a voluntary part-time "skills enhancement" role. Scott played 33 games on the wing for Otago and has since worked in coaching with the Taieri Eels and the Otago Boys' High School First XV. Meanwhile, another new Otago coach has also had his coaching team confirmed. Matt Direen is stepping up from assistant coach to replace Craig Sneddon as Spirit head coach for the Farah Palmer Cup. Direen, unveiled in the top job at the end of last year, will be backed by new attack coach Marty Hurring, the vastly experienced South Otago man who works for the Otago union in coaching development. 'I'm thoroughly looking forward to the challenge of coaching the Otago Spirit alongside Matt,' Hurring said. "This team has such a great positive vibe — on and off the field — which makes them easy to coach." Ryan Griffith will return for a third season as set piece coach for the Spirit.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Spirit Airlines Opposes JetBlue and United Airlines Partnership Amid Antitrust Concerns, ET Infra
Advt Budget airline Spirit Airlines on Tuesday urged the Transportation Department to reject a proposed JetBlue Airways and United Airlines partnership, saying it was anticompetitive and will prompt large carriers to pursue similar and JetBlue said in May the "Blue Sky" tie-up would allow travelers to book flights on both carriers' websites, while interchangeably earning and using points in their frequent flyer programs. Spirit said the deal would mean the smaller JetBlue "will become a de facto vassal of United." Spirit added "this anti-competitive tie-up involving a dominant legacy carrier will neutralize the competitive benefit of an existing low-fare competitor ."
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
‘Game is not over': Says Iran as US, Israel hunt for near-weapons grade uranium
Tehran: Iran still has stocks of enriched uranium - which is used to make nuclear weapons - and 'the game is not over', sources close to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday. The location of a stockpile of 400kg of the material - enough to make up to 10 nuclear weapons - is unknown after the United States' weekend bombing of three Iranian facilities. The 'missing' uranium is 60 per cent enriched. At 90, it can be used in nuclear weapons. Satellite photos and sources indicate that Iran most likely moved the uranium, and possibly some equipment to continue enrichment, to a secret location days before American B-2 'Spirit' bombers dropped 'bunker busters' on Fordrow, Natanz, and Isfahan, causing significant damage and destruction. Shortly after the attack, red flags were raised about the location of the uranium, with US Vice President JD Vance and senior officials privately admitting they do not know, at this time, where it is. After the US strike, Iran said it had taken "necessary measures" to ensure the programme continues. "We have taken necessary measures and are taking stock of the damage caused by the strikes," Mohd Eslami, chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said in a statement aired on state television. "Plans for restarting (the facilities) have been prepared in advance," he said, underlining Tehran's determination to continue despite US threats, "... our strategy is to ensure production is not disrupted." Israeli and US intel believes the material - packed in special crates, each small enough to fit in the boot of a car- was loaded on to trucks and taken to another underground site, possibly near Isfahan. Two Israeli officials, who asked not to be named, admitted this was likely what happened.
