SPIRIT Airlines will cease operations at two US airports entirely on December 1, discontinuing all flights to and from those locations as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts.
The Florida-based budget carrier confirmed it will cancel services at the two airports from that date, tightening its network as it tries to stabilise operations.
The ultra-low-cost carrier is shedding nearly 100 aircraft from its all-Airbus fleet[/caption]
The December 1 exit is one piece of a wider reset.
Spirit has announced that it will suspend around 40 routes and cease operations at two airports, a move aimed at reducing costs quickly while the company restructures.
In a statement from a company, a representative told the Minnesota Star Tribune: “We have adjusted our upcoming schedule to focus on our strongest markets.
“We apologise to our guests for any inconvenience and will reach out to those with affected reservations to issue a refund.
“We thank our airport, business and community partners in Connecticut and Minnesota for their support over the years.”
In the near term, the airline has also been trimming flying days and frequencies across its network to match demand and conserve cash.
For travellers, that means checking bookings and emails closely — especially if you’re scheduled to fly to one of the affected airports after December 1.
Why Spirit is doing this now
Spirit is deep into a bankruptcy overhaul and is shrinking to survive.
The ultra-low-cost carrier is shedding nearly 100 aircraft from its all-Airbus fleet and dropping routes under court supervision, backed by up to $475 million in financing to keep the lights on.
The carrier’s restructuring follows repeated financial pressure this year; Spirit has acknowledged multiple bankruptcy filings in quick succession as it tries to reset the business.
Network cuts have already started. This week, Spirit is ending service to nearly a dozen cities, part of a staggered schedule of reductions that lead into the December airport exits.
The upshot is fewer options on some point-to-point leisure routes, particularly those that rely on rock-bottom fares and high aircraft utilisation — the bread and butter of ultra-low-cost carriers.
What happens on December 1
From December 1, Spirit will no longer serve the two impacted airports at all — no departures, no arrivals.
If you’re booked to travel there with Spirit after that date, the airline says it will cancel services and cease operations at those locations, with affected passengers to be notified of their options.
In similar network pullouts, carriers typically offer rebooking to nearby airports or refunds.
However, you should wait for Spirit’s official communication regarding your itinerary and respond promptly to avoid losing your place on any alternative arrangements.
Expect knock-on effects before then. Even if your flight is in November, schedule tweaks are possible as aircraft and crews get repositioned ahead of December’s hard cutoff.
Keep an eye on departure times and gate changes, and allow a little extra time if you’re connecting onward on a separate ticket.
How travellers are being impacted
The cuts reach beyond airports and routes.
Spirit has warned of large-scale staffing changes while it restructures, including plans to furlough around 1,800 flight attendants — roughly a third of its cabin crew — as flying hours drop.
Route suspensions and staff furloughs often lead to last-minute roster and aircraft swaps, so download the airline’s app and turn on notifications if you haven’t already.
If you need alternatives, consider nearby airports served by other carriers and compare the total journey time and cost before selecting the first option you see.
When airlines leave an airport completely, competitor capacity sometimes fills the gap — but not always immediately, and not always at Spirit-level prices.
Booking sooner rather than later can help you avoid post-announcement fare spikes on the remaining routes.
