aviation   Aircraft Demand: Airline Distress & Consolidation   Airlines   Spirit Airlines  
Skift • Jay Shabat, Meghna Maharishi, Seth Borko

Spirit Airlines liquidation marks the end of the ultra-low-cost model—and a broader airline-distress reckoning

Skift’s live analysis frames Spirit Airlines’ winding down as more than the closure of a legacy carrier: it signals a stress test failure for the ultra-low-cost business model under today’s cost and volatility environment. The outcome culminates ongoing Chapter 11 instability and liquidation risk.

2026-05-02T04:08:26.847971-07:00
defense   UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Aviation Week • Robert Wall

Ukraine Claims Strike On Russian Su-57s

By Aviation Week: Ukraine says it has struck a facility housing Russian Su-57 fighters and Su-34 fighter bombers.

2026-05-01T11:33:00.452122-07:00
aviation   ATC   PaxEx   Airports   Aircraft Demand: Airline Distress & Consolidation   Spirit Airlines  
Paddle Your Own Kanoo • Mateusz Maszczynski

"It Was a Pleasure Working With You Guys": Air Traffic Control Issues Tribute to Pilots Of Last Ever Spirit Airlines Flight

By Paddle Your Own Kanoo: An air traffic controller at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport made a moving tribute to the pilots of Spirit Airlines flight NK-1833 from Detroit, after realizing that the flight was to be the last ever flight of the ultra-low-cost carrier to land after it went into liquidation in the early hours of Saturday.

2026-05-02T03:26:58.361326-07:00
defense   Middle East   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Policy   Boeing   Boeing 747  
FL360aero • Could Replace T

Former Qatari VIP-configured Boeing 747-8i completes flight testing as part of the VC-25B Bridge Program.

By FL360aero: The VC-25B Bridge program is an interim initiative by the U.S. Air Force to field a temporary presidential aircraft—the "Bridge Aircraft". The "Bridge Aircraft" is aimed at addressing critical capability gaps caused by significant delays in the primary VC-25B (Air Force One) replacement program.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, The Aviationist, DVIDS / U.S. DoD, The Independent, CBC and 4 more
2026-05-01T15:57:23.293694-07:00