(NewsNation) — Spirit Airlines will end flight service to 12 cities starting in October.
The cut to service comes less than a week after the budget airline filed for bankruptcy for the second time amid financial losses. The airline now carries $2.4 billion in long-term debt, most of it due in 2030.
CNBC reports that the following cities will be impacted by the service cuts in October: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Birmingham, Alabama; Boise, Idaho; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Columbia, South Carolina; Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City, Utah; as well as Oakland, San Diego, Sacramento and San Jose in California.
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In a statement to CNBC, Spirit apologized for the inconvenience these cuts may cause, adding that it will be reaching out to customers to notify them of their options.
Spirit, known for its bright yellow planes and no-frills service, has struggled since the COVID-19 pandemic and is fighting to rebound amid rising operational costs and its mounting debt.
In a statement posted to social media on August 29, CEO Dave Davis defended the decision to file for bankruptcy, arguing the move will help Spirit moving forward.
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“Spirit took a proactive step to build a stronger foundation and future for our company. We have voluntarily entered the Chapter 11 restructuring process to ensure the long-term success of our airline — so we can continue to serve our Guests well into the future,” Davis said.
Competitors have been watching closely to see what Spirit will do next. Both United and Frontier announced Thursday they’ll be adding new flights to cities this fall and into early 2026.
