Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Gulfstream designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and services business jet aircraft.

Gulfstream G200 and G280, also IAI Galaxy

Matt Thurber

As fractional-share provider Volato faces financial challenges and the termination of a fleet purchase agreement with Honda Aircraft, a group of former employees has filed a class-action lawsuit alleging violations of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.
According to law firm Kwall Barack Nadeau, “The complaint&nbsp;seeks justice for Volato’s failure to provide the legally required 60 days’ notice before mass layoffs.”
The lawsuit was filed on September 12 and “asserts that on or about August 30, 2024, Volato&nbsp;terminated the employment of over 233 employees without providing any advanced notice. This action, as outlined in the lawsuit, constitutes a clear violation of the WARN Act, which mandates that employers with over 100 employees provide 60 days' notice in advance of plant closings or mass layoffs.”
“This case is about holding Volato accountable for the harm it has caused its employees,” said lead counsel Ryan Barack. “Employers are required by law to provide notice before significant layoffs, and Volato’s failure to comply with the WARN Act has had a devastating impact on its workforce.”
Three days before the lawsuit was filed, as first reported by Private Jet Card Comparisons, Volato revealed that Honda Aircraft notified that it had terminated Volato’s fleet purchase agreement (FPA) “effective immediately.” The May 5, 2023 agreement included the purchase of 23 HondaJets for a total of $161.6 million. According to Volato’s Securities and Exchange Commission Form 8-K filing, “Pursuant to the terms of the FPA, Honda Aircraft will retain the deposits that have been previously paid by the Company and the Company has to enter into individual purchase agreements for each aircraft for which a deposit had previously been paid.”
Volato Group’s stock price on the New York Stock Exchange dropped below $1 in June and on June 17 was $0.43 per share. The company suffered&nbsp;a net loss of $34.3 million in the first six months of this year.
In early September, FlyExclusive took over <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-09-04/flyexcusive-take-over-volato-management-services">management of Volato’s fleet</a> of HondaJets and Gulfstream G280s, including flight operations, sales, and expenses.
AIN contacted Volato CEO Matt Liotta but did not receive a response by press time.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Volato Facing Class-action WARN Act Lawsuit

Move follows reported layoffs of 233 employees in late August

Three days before the WARN lawsuit was filed, Volato revealed that Honda Aircraft notified that it had terminated Volato’s fleet purchase agreement. 

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News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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