Althos – Magazine

Category: News

  • Lufthansa expanding to SJU?

    Lufthansa expanding to SJU?

    Lufthansa Group considering opening a direct route between Frankfurt (FRA) and San Juan (SJU) as part of its strategic expansion

    Lufthansa Group is studying the possibility of launching a new transatlantic connection between Frankfurt (FRA) and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This initiative is part of the German group’s expansion plan to strengthen its presence in secondary U.S. markets, seeking new opportunities beyond its traditional routes to North America.

    If confirmed, the FRA–SJU route would mark Lufthansa’s return to Puerto Rico after more than two decades and would position San Juan as a strategic hub for traffic between Europe and the Caribbean. The direct flight would link Lufthansa’s global hub in Frankfurt—one of the world’s most important airports—with one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic islands in terms of tourism, commerce, and logistics.

    The feasibility study takes into account factors such as the growing flow of European tourists to Puerto Rico, the destination’s economic recovery, and the strength of the U.S. domestic network from San Juan, which could feed the route through connection agreements with Star Alliance partner airlines, especially United Airlines.

    The operation could be carried out with long-range, fuel-efficient aircraft such as the Airbus A330-300 or Boeing 787-9, allowing Lufthansa to optimize operating costs while offering a premium travel experience.

    Lufthansa’s interest also aligns with the strategy of the Puerto Rico government and Aerostar Airport Holdings, operator of SJU, to attract new international airlines and increase the number of direct flights to Europe. Currently, the only European route from San Juan is Madrid, so a direct and permanent connection with Frankfurt would represent a historic milestone for the island’s air connectivity.

    In addition, Frankfurt offers seamless connections to more than 200 destinations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, positioning San Juan as a new entry point for European and Latin American travelers wishing to connect with the Caribbean and the U.S. East Coast.

    Although Lufthansa has not yet made an official announcement, industry sources indicate that the company may initially consider a seasonal operation during the winter, with the possibility of expanding to year-round service depending on demand.

    If materialized, the FRA–SJU flight would not only serve as a bridge between Germany and Puerto Rico but also as a strategic step in Lufthansa Group’s vision to expand its presence into secondary destinations with strong tourism and economic potential across the Americas.

  • Spirit Routes Axed List

    Spirit Routes Axed List

    Spirit Airlines has filed a large November pullback, trimming the 26OCT–30NOV window from 21,928 flights (4,285,124 seats) to 16,168 flights (3,154,149 seats), down 26.3% in flights and 26.4% in seats. AeroRoutes first published the change and the route-by-route details; we’ve placed the full suspended/canceled list in the comments below for easy reference.

    The areas hit hardest include Baltimore/Washington, Detroit, Nashville, New Orleans, and Las Vegas, with many routes shown as temporary suspensions that tentatively return in early December or in February–March 2026. If you’re booked, watch for rebooking options or refunds and recheck your itinerary as times continue to update.

    Context: the November cuts align with Spirit’s broader restructuring, leadership has signaled about a 25% year over year capacity reduction for November and a plan to shrink the fleet by nearly 100 aircraft under Chapter 11. Expect schedules to keep shifting as the reset progresses.

    Full of Spirit routes suspended/canceled for November 2025:

    •Atlantic City – Miami: 05 Nov – 04 Dec
    •Atlantic City – Myrtle Beach: 06-17 Nov (tentative 11 Feb – 03 Mar 2026 resume)
    •Baltimore/Washington – Charlotte: 05 Nov – 03 Dec
    •Baltimore/Washington – Chicago O’Hare: 06 Nov – 03 Dec
    •Baltimore/Washington – Detroit: 01 Nov – 03 Dec
    •Baltimore/Washington – Los Angeles: 26 Oct – 03 Dec
    •Baltimore/Washington – Miami: 01 Nov – 04 Dec
    •Baltimore/Washington – Montego Bay: 01 Nov – 04 Dec
    •Baltimore/Washington – Punta Cana: 01 Nov – 02 Dec
    •Baltimore/Washington – Tampa: 27 Oct – 03 Dec
    •Charlotte – Indianapolis: 02 Nov – 04 Dec
    •Columbus – Los Angeles: 01 Nov – 03 Dec
    •Columbus – Newark: 07 Nov – 04 Dec (now only 05-15 Dec scheduled)
    •Dallas/Fort Worth – Indianapolis: 01 Nov – 03 Dec
    •Dallas/Fort Worth – Raleigh/Durham: 01 Nov – 04 Dec
    •Dallas/Fort Worth – Tampa: 01 Nov – 03 Dec
    •Detroit – Charleston (SC): 21 Nov – 03 Dec (tentative from 04 Dec)
    •Detroit – Memphis: 20 Nov – 04 Dec (tentative from 05 Dec)
    •Detroit – Milwaukee: 21 Nov – 04 Dec (tentative from 05 Dec)
    •Detroit – Minneapolis/St. Paul: planned 19 Nov resumption removed
    •Detroit – Myrtle Beach: 01-16 Nov (tentative 11 Feb – 03 Mar 2026 resume)
    •Detroit – Norfolk: 21 Nov – 03 Dec (tentative from 04 Dec)
    •Detroit – Orange County: 19 Nov – 03 Dec (tentative from 04 Dec)
    •Detroit – Richmond: 20 Nov – 03 Dec (tentative from 04 Dec)
    •Detroit – San Antonio: 20 Nov – 03 Dec (tentative from 04 Dec)
    •Detroit – San Juan: 07 Nov – 04 Dec (tentative from 05 Dec)
    •Fort Lauderdale – Hartford: canceled from 01 Nov
    •Fort Lauderdale – Latrobe: 01 Nov – 03 Dec
    •Fort Lauderdale – Memphis: 06 Nov – 03 Dec
    •Fort Lauderdale – Rochester (NY): 27 Oct – 03 Dec
    •Fort Lauderdale – San Salvador: 06 Nov – 03 Dec (tentative from 04 Dec)
    •Las Vegas – Louisville: 01 Nov – 03 Dec
    •Las Vegas – Miami: 01 Nov – 01 Dec (future schedules not filed)
    •Las Vegas – Milwaukee: 01 Nov – 01 Dec (tentative from 09 Jan 2026)
    •Los Angeles – Indianapolis: 01 Nov – 04 Dec (now only 05-15 Dec scheduled)
    •Los Angeles – Louisville: 01 Nov – 03 Dec
    •Nashville – Baltimore/Washington: 01 Nov – 03 Dec
    •Nashville – Boston: 01 Nov – 03 Dec
    •Nashville – Charlotte: 07 Nov – 04 Dec (tentative from 05 Dec)
    •Nashville – Chicago O’Hare: 01 Nov – 01 Dec (future schedules not filed)
    •Nashville – Hartford: planned 07 Nov resumption removed
    •Nashville – Los Angeles: 31 Oct – 04 Dec (now only 05-15 Dec scheduled)
    •Nashville – Tampa: 06 Nov – 03 Dec (tentative from 04 Dec)
    •New Orleans – Boston: 31 Oct – 02 Nov (now only 12 Feb – 01 Mar 2026 scheduled)
    •New Orleans – Newark: 31 Oct – 17 Nov (now only 12 Feb – 02 Mar 2026 scheduled)
    •New Orleans – Raleigh/Durham: 31 Oct – 03 Dec
    •New Orleans – Tegucigalpa (Palmerola): 06 Nov – 03 Dec (tentative from 04 Dec)
    •Orlando – Louisville: 31 Oct – 03 Dec
    •Philadelphia – Cancún: 06 Nov – 05 Dec (tentative from 06 Dec)
    •Pittsburgh – Tampa: 31 Oct – 03 Dec

  • Spirit To Shrink Fleet By Nearly 100 Planes In Effort To Become Smaller, Stronger Airline

    Spirit To Shrink Fleet By Nearly 100 Planes In Effort To Become Smaller, Stronger Airline

    Spirit Airlines is looking to cut its fleet by nearly 100 aircraft as it exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy for the second time this year. As reported by CNBC, the comments are coming from the company’s CFO as the airline faces mounting pressure from rising operational costs, weak yields, and debt burdens. The decision is being framed as an essential move to survive. 

    The reductions are expected to occur through lease returns, retirements, and accelerated phase-out of older or less efficient aircraft. Spirit says that the move will help balance capacity, reduce maintenance and lease costs, and better align its cost base with demand in a turbulent market. The company intends to redeploy resources to its core profitable routes while shedding marginal or underperforming assets.

    More Cuts Happening At Spirit Airlines

    Two Spirit Airlines Airbus A320neo Aircraft On The Ground

    Spirit CFO Fred Cromer stated that the carrier will exit underutilized markets, retire older planes early, renegotiate lease terms, and prioritize return of capacity to strong routes. The cuts will likely affect smaller regional and leisure routes that struggle with load factors or face stiff competition. Some planes may be returned ahead of lease expiry to cut costs.

    Spirit plans to execute much of the shrinkage over the coming 12 to 24 months as part of its restructuring process. The aim is to minimize disruption while making meaningful cost savings across leasing, maintenance, and crew. During this transition, Spirit expects its schedule to contract, especially in off-peak markets.

    Operationally, the cutback will cascade across staffing, maintenance planning, spare parts, and crew assignment. Spirit must balance shutting down aircraft with preserving network connectivity, especially in its core leisure markets. The airline has promised to protect frequent flyer commitments and minimize customer disruptions as much as possible.

    Spirit Airlines’ Precarious Financial Situation

    A Spirit Airlines Airbus A321-231 tail number N662NK airplane starts takeoff at LaGuardia Airport.

    Spirit Airlines, currently one of the nation’s largest budget airlines, is flying a fleet of 214  Airbus A320 family aircraft, meaning that the airline will shrink by nearly half. n recent quarters, it reported heavy losses driven by high fuel, maintenance, engine reliability issues, lease burdens, and debt service. The airline’s margins have been under constant strain, and shrinking the fleet is one of the few levers left for meaningful cost reductions. 

    By reducing its fleet, Spirit can free up capital otherwise bound in leasing and depreciation expenses. It also lowers maintenance, insurance, and spares inventory overhead. By becoming leaner, Spirit is hoping to stem its bleeding and concentrate further on what works best. As Spirit’s losses mount, the company is moving more and more into survival mode.

    Spirit Airlines Asks Bankruptcy Court To Shorten Notice On Sale-Leaseback Of Up To 4 Airbus A321neos

    This is a classic case of “shrinking to profitability.” On the surface, the tactic has merit, except, shrinking to profitability has often failed in the aviation industry. Airlines still have enormous overhead costs that are difficult to shed, and removing so many assets leaves the company far more vulnerable to competitive pressures. While it certainly could work for the airline to lower costs and refocus, the signs are not positive for the struggling carrier.

    Why is Spirit Airlines Struggling So Much

    Spirit Plane at Dayton International Airport 2025

    Spirit Airlines is not the only budget airline struggling in the US, but Spirit is the carrier that is closest to a possible liquidation. The airline has filed for bankruptcy twice this year, and is cutting nearly 100 aircraft out of its fleet, moves that no other US airline has made. It’s undeniable that the budget airline is facing pressure from changing market dynamics in the US, but Spirit is uniquely on the ropes.

    Part of this is network design. Spirit Airlines’ network is focused on the East Coast, connecting large and medium-sized cities to popular vacation destinations such as Florida and the Caribbean. The challenge is that it’s often directly competing against legacy carriers, such as Delta Air Lines and  United Airlines. The budget airlines making the most money in the US tend to avoid directly competing against the full-service carriers. 

    US Full-Service CarriersUS Hybrid CarriersUS Low-Cost Carriers
    American AirlinesAlaska AirlinesAllegiant Air
    Delta Air LinesSouthwest AirlinesAvelo Airlines
    Hawaiian AirlinesBreeze Airways
    United AirlinesFrontier Airlines
    JetBlue Airways
    Spirit Airlines
    Sun Country Airlines

    The other issue unique to Spirit is its brand image. Currently, customers are favoring full-service carriers with large premium cabins, a premium brand image, and comprehensive frequent flyer programs. Spirit’s reputation among the traveling public is one focused on price more than anything else, and it’s an issue that is unquestionably being analyzed by executives.

    Source: https://simpleflying.com/spirit-shrinks-fleet-by-nearly-100-planes/

  • Frontier Airlines Celebrates Grand Opening of New Project Management Office in Puerto Rico

    Frontier Airlines Celebrates Grand Opening of New Project Management Office in Puerto Rico

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – September 24, 2025 – Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: ULCC) celebrated the grand opening of its new Project Management Office in Guaynabo today, marking the airline’s latest investment on the island and deepening of its partnership with Puerto Rico. The facility will house employees who provide project oversight for a variety of major company initiatives. Currently, eight employees work at the facility, with further growth expected.  

    Combined with Frontier’s operations and crew base at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan (SJU), in addition to operations at Rafael Hernández International Airport in Aguadilla (BQN) and Mercedita International Airport in Ponce (PSE), the airline and its business partners now employ more than 730 people in Puerto Rico resulting in an annual economic wage impact of more than $101 million.

    “Puerto Rico plays a pivotal role in our operations, and we are pleased to further grow our presence on the island with the opening of our new Project Management Office,” said James Dempsey, president, Frontier Airlines. “We wish to extend our deep appreciation to the government and other partners in Puerto Rico for their continued support as we bring additional job opportunities and tourism to Puerto Rico.”

    “The opening of this new Frontier Airlines office in Puerto Rico reaffirms the airline’s confidence in our talent and strengthens its long-term relationship with the island,” said Secretary of the Economic and Commercial Development Department, Mr. Sebastian Negron-Reichard. “Frontier is an invaluable partner for our market, where strong family and business ties to the United States drive a constant flow of local travelers and visitors. This investment brings quality jobs and deepens the connection between the brand and Puerto Rico as a strategic hub for aviation, tourism, and connectivity with our communities abroad. Our commitment is to continue creating the conditions for global companies like Frontier to find in Puerto Rico the ideal place to grow and expand their operations.”

    To celebrate the Project Management Office grand opening, Frontier Airlines executives met with local employees and government officials at the facility today for a ribbon cutting and tour.

    Frontier Airlines has introduced sweeping changes to its product and customer service offerings, ushering in ‘The New Frontier.’ Among the enhancements is UpFront Plus seating, an upgraded seating option with extra leg and elbow room in the first two rows of the aircraft. Customers in UpFront Plus enjoy a window or aisle seat with extra legroom and a guaranteed empty middle seat. The airline also now offers unlimited companion travel for its most loyal customers, with the flexibility to choose a different companion on every Frontier flight. Debuting in late 2025, Frontier will begin offering First Class seating, combining unmatched comfort and space at Frontier’s trademark affordable prices.