Spirit Airlines Cuts 150 Jobs, Halts Service to Five Airports

Spirit Airlines has announced significant changes as part of its ongoing effort to reduce costs and streamline operations. The airline will cut approximately 150 salaried positions and discontinue service to five airports, reflecting its struggle to maintain profitability amid substantial financial losses. According to Reuters, the airline anticipates a loss exceeding $800 million in 2025, following a recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in August of the same year.

The five airports affected by this decision include St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, and Bucaramanga Palonegro International Airport in Colombia. Service will cease at three of these locations on January 8, 2026, with operations at Milwaukee and Bucaramanga ending on January 13, 2026. These airports are not major hubs for Spirit, with the airline operating limited routes—six to Milwaukee, three to St. Louis and Rochester, two to Phoenix, and only one to Bucaramanga.

The decision to cut these routes comes as part of a broader strategy to shrink the airline’s network and improve financial performance. In recent months, Spirit has faced mounting challenges, including a significant reduction in its fleet. In October 2025, the airline’s Chief Financial Officer announced that Spirit would reduce its fleet by nearly 100 aircraft through early retirements and deferring new aircraft leases. Currently, the airline’s fleet has dwindled to 132 aircraft, nearly half of what it was at the beginning of the year.

Further staff reductions have also been announced, with Spirit furloughing approximately 1,800 flight attendants, which constitutes roughly one-third of its total cabin crew. The airline has also downgraded the status of 170 pilots and furloughed an additional 365 pilots, building on previous furloughs of 270 pilots. This pattern of extensive cuts underscores the airline’s strategy of “shrinking to profitability,” a tactic that has proven challenging in the competitive airline industry.

The financial difficulties faced by Spirit Airlines can be attributed to several factors. The airline’s focus on connecting major urban centers to popular vacation destinations, such as Florida and Las Vegas, exposes it to intense competition from larger legacy carriers. Furthermore, Spirit’s network predominantly targets the Eastern United States, where it encounters direct competition that further pressures revenue.

Other budget airlines are experiencing similar struggles. For instance, JetBlue is projected to incur losses exceeding $100 million in 2025, while Frontier Airlines has seen improvements only after a significant shift in its business strategy. Conversely, Southwest Airlines is modifying its operational model under the guidance of activist investors, seeking to enhance its financial standing.

Spirit’s brand image, characterized by low-cost, no-frills flights, presents another challenge. Today’s customers often lean towards premium airlines that offer extensive frequent flyer programs and comprehensive service options. This preference places Spirit Airlines in a precarious position, where its largely negative brand perception may inhibit recovery efforts.

While Spirit Airlines has made substantial cuts in its operations and workforce, these measures reflect an urgent need to adapt to a rapidly changing marketplace. The effectiveness of these strategies remains to be seen, as the airline navigates its financial hurdles and aims to regain a foothold in an increasingly competitive industry.