Spirit Airlines is discontinuing its services at Salt Lake City International Airport and several other locations as part of its bankruptcy restructuring plans. The airline, which has been operating in Salt Lake City for 3½ years, will end its operations on October 2nd.
In a statement released on Thursday, the low-cost carrier announced that it is shifting its focus to its strongest performing markets as part of its efforts to transform and ensure long-term success. It also apologized for any inconvenience caused and stated that it will reach out to affected customers to discuss their options, including a refund.
According to Nancy Volmer, a spokeswoman for the airport, Spirit Airlines currently accounts for about 1% to 2% of Salt Lake City International Airport’s seating capacity. She also mentioned that while the airline offers services to four cities (Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Orlando), these cities are covered by other airlines as well.
Expressing regret over the news, Volmer stated that the Salt Lake City Department of Airports understands the challenges faced by the airline and wishes them well.
Spirit’s decision comes just a week after the airline filed for bankruptcy for the second time in the past year. CEO Dave Davis explained that although the airline had previously exited the process, it became evident that more work needed to be done to position the company for the future.
Earlier this year, Spirit had announced plans to expand its services to Salt Lake City, with a launch date set for early 2022. At the time, airport officials were excited about the prospect of a new airline, as it had been eight years since a new airline had started operations at the airport. They believed that the airline’s low-cost model would be popular among Utah families looking to save on travel expenses.
However, the pandemic has had a significant impact on the airline, and it has struggled to recover in the same way as Salt Lake City’s airport. The Associated Press reported that Spirit had lost over $2. 5 billion since the start of 2020, leading to its bankruptcy filing in November 2024.
But, the airline has received approval from the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York for its restructuring plan. This allows the airline to continue its operations while developing a repayment plan for its vendors and suppliers.
In addition to Salt Lake City, Spirit is also ending its services to the following locations on October 2nd: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Birmingham, Alabama; Boise, Idaho; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Columbia, South Carolina; Oakland, California; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; and San Jose, California. The airline has also canceled its plans to start services to Macon, Georgia, which were scheduled to begin on October 16th.
The company expressed gratitude to the airports, business partners, and community members in these markets for their support and welcomes.
In conclusion, Spirit Airlines’ decision to end its services at Salt Lake City International Airport and several other locations is part of its bankruptcy