Spirit Airlines Cuts 150 Jobs, Discontinues Service to Five Airports

Spirit Airlines has announced significant cost-cutting measures, including the elimination of approximately 150 salaried positions and the discontinuation of service to five airports. This decision is part of the airline’s broader strategy to address its ongoing financial struggles, which include projected losses exceeding $800 million for the year 2025.

The airline, which has been facing financial difficulties for several years, filed for bankruptcy for the second time in August 2025, following an initial filing in March of the same year. In an effort to stabilize operations, Spirit has been implementing drastic reductions in its workforce, network, and fleet size.

Service Reductions and Job Cuts

Effective January 2026, Spirit Airlines will discontinue all services at 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. The airline will cease operations at three of these airports on January 8, 2026, with the remaining two airports seeing service end on January 13, 2026.

These locations are not significant for Spirit, with Milwaukee hosting just six routes, while St. Louis and Rochester each have three and Phoenix two. The decision to cut these routes reflects a broader trend of reducing flights to destinations that are primarily vacation-oriented, which have traditionally been a strong market for the airline.

In addition to route cuts, Spirit Airlines has initiated a furlough of approximately 1,800 flight attendants, accounting for about one-third of its flight crew. Further reductions include the furloughing of 365 pilots and downgrading the status of another 170 pilots. This follows a previous announcement regarding the furlough of 270 pilots earlier in the year.

Challenges Facing Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines is not alone in facing financial hardships within the aviation sector. Other carriers, including JetBlue, are also experiencing losses, with projections indicating over $100 million in losses for 2025. While Frontier Airlines has begun to stabilize its finances through strategic changes, Spirit’s challenges are compounded by its reliance on connecting major cities to popular vacation destinations, which exposes the airline to competitive pressures from established carriers.

The airline’s business model primarily focuses on the Eastern United States, making it vulnerable to market fluctuations. Additionally, Spirit Airlines has a reputation for offering low-cost, no-frills flights, a brand image that may hinder its ability to attract customers seeking premium services and extensive loyalty programs.

In October 2025, Spirit’s Chief Financial Officer announced plans to reduce the airline’s fleet by nearly 100 aircraft. This will be achieved through early retirements, the storage of new planes, and a refusal to accept future aircraft leases. Currently, Spirit operates a fleet of 132 aircraft, a significant reduction from earlier in the year.

The combination of workforce reductions, fleet downsizing, and route cancellations suggests that Spirit Airlines is attempting to “shrink to profitability.” While this strategy may be effective in other industries, the airline sector is characterized by high fixed costs, which can leave carriers like Spirit vulnerable to competitors.

As the company navigates these turbulent waters, the decisions being made now will be crucial for its future viability. While Spirit Airlines is not necessarily facing imminent failure, the ongoing cuts and financial challenges indicate a precarious position in a highly competitive market.