Spirit Airlines Halts Service in 11 Cities Amid Bankruptcy

Spirit Airlines is ceasing flight service in 11 cities effective October 2, 2025, as the airline files for bankruptcy for the second time this year. The affected cities include:

• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Birmingham, Alabama
• Boise, Idaho
• Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Columbia, South Carolina
• Oakland, California
• Portland, Oregon
• Sacramento, California
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• San Diego, California
• San Jose, California

In addition, Spirit has canceled plans to begin service in Macon, Georgia, originally scheduled to start on October 16, 2025.

This announcement comes less than a week after Spirit disclosed its intention to file for bankruptcy again. The airline’s initial bankruptcy filing occurred in November 2024, prompted by rising operational costs and increasing debt. After emerging from Chapter 11 reorganization earlier in 2025, Spirit’s financial difficulties persisted, leading to the latest filing in August 2025.

Operational Challenges

In its August quarterly earnings report, Spirit Airlines reported “substantial doubt” about its long-term viability, attributing challenges to weak demand for domestic leisure travel and adverse market conditions. The airline has experienced losses exceeding $2.5 billion since early 2020, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing financial struggles.

Customer Impact and Reactions

Spirit stated that it would contact customers with reservations affected by these changes to inform them of available options, including refunds. The airline’s withdrawal from the listed cities marks significant operational cutbacks in a bid to stabilize its finances amid restructuring efforts.

Following Spirit’s announcement, competing airlines like United Airlines and Frontier Airlines have begun revising their flight schedules to absorb the routes left vacant by the airline’s exit from certain markets. United Airlines plans to commence flights to 15 new cities starting on January 6, 2026, expanding routes to major destinations such as Houston, Chicago, and Las Vegas.

A senior executive at United remarked on the situation, indicating that the discontinuation of Spirit’s services could lead to significant disruption in the industry if the airline were to cease operations entirely. Meanwhile, Spirit representatives acknowledged the competition but emphasized their commitment to effectively navigate the current market landscape.

Furthermore, Frontier Airlines has announced plans to introduce 20 new routes from various locations, including Detroit and Baltimore, in an effort to capture market share following the cuts in Spirit’s service.

History of Operations

Spirit’s exit from Salt Lake City marks the end of its service in that market, which had lasted for 3½ years. Despite this challenging period, Spirit Airlines plans to maintain operations to various destinations across North, Central, and South America, including the Caribbean, as it works towards long-term stability.

The current adjustments at Spirit Airlines reflect broader challenges facing the airline industry, as carriers adapt to shifting market conditions and strive for sustained operational success amidst financial restructuring.