Spirit Airlines to End Nonstop Flights from Chattanooga as Part of Restructuring

Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has announced plans to discontinue service to 11 cities, including Chattanooga, as the company re-enters Chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to aviation magazine Flight Global, the decision to end flights to Chattanooga and other cities was made in an effort to focus on the strongest performing markets and position the airline for long-term success.

CEO April Cameron released a statement on Thursday, expressing disappointment in the outcome but thanking Spirit Airlines for their commitment to the market. The discontinuation of service to Chattanooga and other cities is set to take effect on October 4.

In June, Chattanooga leaders celebrated the launch of Spirit’s first direct flights to Newark, New Jersey, as well as Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Cameron stated that the new flights would not only benefit leisure travelers but also improve business connectivity in and out of the city.

Fortunately, Chattanoogans will still have a direct flight to Newark, as United Airlines has announced nonstop service to the city starting on January 6. This new service will operate five days a week, excluding Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Cameron highlighted the importance of Newark as a global hub, offering convenient access to New York City and a wide network of destinations. She also noted that Newark has more European destinations than any other airport in the United States, with flights to 176 locations across 56 countries.

In a statement from Spirit Airlines spokesperson Michael Lopardi, the company is making adjustments to its network in order to focus on its strongest performing markets. This is part of their effort to transform the business and ensure long-term success. As a result, service to Chattanooga and other cities will be discontinued, effective the week of October 2.

In addition to Chattanooga, Spirit Airlines will no longer move forward with plans to launch service in Macon, Georgia, which was set to start on October 16. Lopardi also apologized for any inconvenience this may cause and stated that Spirit will reach out to affected guests to discuss their options, including a refund.

Chattanooga was Spirit’s third destination in Tennessee, following Memphis and Nashville. The airline’s entry into the market in 2016 came at a time when the airport was seeing a rebound in passenger boardings after the pandemic. However, the company has faced challenges in recovering from the pandemic and competing with larger carriers, resulting in a loss of over $2. 5 billion since the start of 2020.

After exiting bankruptcy in March, Spirit Airlines recently filed for Chapter 11 again. CEO Dave Davis acknowledged that there is still work to be done and expressed a commitment to providing high-value travel options for customers. The airline currently carries $2. 4 billion in long-term debt and reported a negative cash flow of $1 billion at the end of the second quarter.

Airport officials have advised customers with questions about ticketing or future reservations to contact Spirit Airlines directly