Airplane News: Spirit & JetBlue DRAMA, New Bombardier Plane, ALPA Age Change, 1500 Hour Exemption

This week in airplane news: Spirit tells shareholders to reject JetBlue offer, New Bombardier Global 8000, ALPA rejects retirement age change, and Republic has requested an exemption to the 1500 hour rule. Spirit called for another shareholder rejection of Jetblue’s offer to purchase all shares This came in response to Jetblue launching a website and offering 60% higher for each share of Spirit. Spirit airlines is attempting to merge with Frontier. “JetBlue’s tender offer has not addressed the core issue of the significant completion risk and insufficient protections for Spirit stockholders,” said Mac Gardner, chairman of the board of directors for Spirit Airlines. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/spirit-calls-for-stockholders-to-reject-jetblue-offer Bombardier has released the Global 8000, with a range of 8000 NM and a top speed of Mach .94 The Global 8000 is the “fastest and longest-range purpose-built business jet” “Today, Bombardier solidifies once more its position as the leader in business aviation with the newest member of the industry-leading Global family,” said Bombardier President and Chief Executive Officer Éric Martel. “The Global 8000 aircraft leverages the outstanding attributes of the Global 7500 aircraft, providing our customers with a flagship aircraft of a new era. We remain unmatched, which for an innovation-focused team like us, is great.” https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/business-aviation-news/bombardier-introduces-global-8000 The Air Line Pilot Association says that raising the retirement age for pilots will not have an effect on the current pilot shortage ALPA released this statement after rumors of legislative action to increase the pilot retirement age from 65 to 67 or 68. ALPA says these rumors are an attempt “to divert attention away from their mismanagement of the pandemic relief while attempting to weaken aviation safety.” https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/alpa-rejects-boost-in-retirement-age Due to the ongoing pilot shortage, Republic wants to put captains into their airplanes at 750 hours. Currently, the only exemption to the 1500-hour rile allows military pilots to get their ATP at 750 hours. Republic is claiming that their company-owned Lift Flight Academy matches or exceeds the standards for military pilots and is tailored for the airline https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/republic-seeks-1500-hour-rule-exemption