Spirit Airlines Cuts 40 Routes, Slashes November Schedule Amid Bankruptcy

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business

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Image Credit: Brandon Bell | Getty Images

Spirit Airlines will suspend about 40 routes and cut its November schedule by 25% as part of sweeping cost saving measures during its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.

In a memo to staff on Friday, Chief Commercial Officer Rana Ghosh acknowledged the “tough” nature of the decision but said the clarity would help the airline “move forward as a team.” The route cuts include halting operations in Hartford, Connecticut, and Minneapolis, though the airline has not provided a full list of affected destinations.

The restructuring comes just days after Spirit announced plans to furlough roughly 1,800 flight attendantsabout one-third of its cabin crew. The carrier filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month, the second such filing in less than a year, citing higher-than-expected operating costs and weaker-than projected demand for travel.

The airline is also reshaping its leadership team. Spirit has appointed Andrea Lusso, formerly of Amazon Air, as vice president of network planning. Lusso previously worked on supply chain and network design at the e-commerce giant’s air freight division. He replaces John Kirby, who retired last month after a four decade career in the aviation industry.

Spirit’s bankruptcy underscores the challenges facing low-cost carriers as they navigate rising expenses and shifting passenger demand. While the airline has long promoted its ultra-low-cost model, analysts warn that scaling back routes and workforce reductions could erode its competitive position in a crowded U.S. aviation market.

Despite the turbulence, executives say the restructuring plan is designed to ensure Spirit focuses on profitable routes and stabilizes its operations. The airline has not indicated how long the suspended routes will remain grounded but emphasized that the changes are intended to strengthen its financial footing in the months ahead.