Spirit Airlines is facing significant operational changes this year, with its flight schedule experiencing a noticeable reduction. According to data provider Cirium Diio, the carrier plans over 39,200 flights in May and June, averaging 643 daily flights. This marks a 24% decrease compared to the same period last year, which recorded 51,800 flights or 849 daily flights. The airline has drastically reduced its flight activities across all months of 2025 compared to 2024, though the drop is particularly pronounced in May and June.
The airline, which operates as an ultra-low-cost carrier with several hubs across the United States, emerged from bankruptcy protection in March. The restructuring has allowed Spirit to shed debt, receive new investments, and appoint a new CEO. The company has also been affected by the ongoing Pratt & Whitney engine issues, forcing it to expect to operate 23 fewer aircraft by the end of 2025. As part of its strategy, Spirit aims to become a more premium operator, thereby enhancing revenue per seat-mile.
Despite emerging from bankruptcy, Spirit's reduction in flights is evident when considering pre-pandemic numbers. The carrier's services are fewer than in 2019, reversing any growth seen since then. Comparatively, its international flights have seen an 8% reduction, while domestic operations are down by 1.5%.