Quantcast

Spirit Airlines pilot arrested on stalking charges; airline faces scrutiny over recent incidents

Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 22, 2025)
First new Qantas Airbus jets come with one toilet for every 90 economy passengers – worse than Jetstar, Scoot and Ryanair
Breeze Airways becomes the first new US flag carrier in a decade — just as rival Spirit fights its 2nd bankruptcy
Airport runway close calls spur hopes for wider adoption of cockpit alert technology
Family sues American Airlines over deadly crash near National Airport
United Airlines briefly grounds all flights in US, Canada for second time in 2 months
2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike
Spirit Airlines preparing to furlough one-third of its flight attendants
‘Hypocrisy’ and ‘blackmail’: Ryanair’s feud with Spain
Exclusive: Turkey's surprise Air Europa deal came down to one key thing: control
Major airline launches exciting new route from Scotland to popular US location
Airlines fear carbon tax as flagship climate scheme develops holes
Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
Turkish Airlines has no intention of raising stake in Spain's Air Europa, chairman says
US lawmakers want Trump to reinstate delay compensation plan for air travelers
IATA pushes to raise international pilot retirement age to 67
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest’s New Wheelchair Policy Will Require Passengers to Remove 1 Item Before Boarding — What to Know
Aviation expansion: IndiGo to start direct Mumbai-Copenhagen flights from Oct 8; marks entry into Nordics - The Times of India
Major change for ALL Aer Lingus passengers flying from busy airport to offer 'modern and streamlined' experience
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Southwest requiring removal of batteries from mobility devices before boarding
Qantas’ milestone move for huge, new planes
EasyJet to launch 11 new flight routes from small UK airport named the best in Europe
Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Boeing and Airbus ground green plane projects
50 New Routes Launching In September 2025
JetBlue's Network Shake-Up: Its Top 10 Routes This Month
Spirit Airlines pilot arrested on stalking charges; airline faces scrutiny over recent incidents
Policy
Webp davis
Dave Davis, Spirit’s President and Chief Executive Officer | Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines pilot Dominic Cipolla was arrested at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on June 17, 2025, following a warrant from Kansas authorities for alleged stalking. According to police information, the victims in the case are aged 12 and 17. Cipolla, who is 40 years old and a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, faces felony and misdemeanor charges related to incidents that allegedly occurred in Olathe, Kansas. If convicted of the felony charges, he could face one to three years in jail; misdemeanor convictions could result in fines up to $2,500.

After his arrest as a fugitive before boarding a scheduled flight—where another pilot replaced him—Cipolla was transferred to Johnson County jail through an extradition process. He was released on bail set at $12,500 and is awaiting his court date on August 12, 2025. Authorities have not indicated any connection between the alleged criminal actions and Cipolla’s professional duties as a Spirit Airlines pilot.

A representative from Spirit Airlines commented: “[Spirit Airlines is] aware of a matter involving a pilot at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport … which was unrelated to the performance of their job duties. The pilot was removed from duty pending our investigation into the matter. And we arranged for another pilot to operate the flight.”

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Cipolla joined Spirit Airlines in 2022 after serving in the US Military, according to reporting by The Guardian.

Recent months have seen other criminal incidents involving Spirit flights or passengers. On July 29, 2025, John Daniel Fowler was arrested for allegedly groping a teenage girl during a flight from Indianapolis to Orlando. Fowler reportedly touched the girl while she slept and made repeated attempts to interact with her before being detained upon arrival.

In another incident in January 2024 reported by the Miami Herald, a passenger assaulted a flight attendant on board Spirit flight 693 from Louisville to Orlando. The man allegedly grabbed the attendant and made inappropriate comments before being moved by crew members; he was found intoxicated and arrested after landing.

Additionally, there is an ongoing lawsuit against Spirit Airlines stemming from an incident in May 2024 when two female passengers were sexually accosted by an intoxicated traveler on a Dallas/Fort Worth–Fort Lauderdale flight. The legal complaint alleges that crew members failed to intervene or prevent further alcohol service despite ongoing harassment. Results of this case are still pending.

Spirit Airlines operates as an ultra-low-cost carrier based in the United States with multiple hubs including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025

The SFO Facility recently hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which was deemed a success by organizers.

Oct 22, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. recently held an appreciation event at its SFW facility to honor its employees.

Oct 22, 2025

Flying Food Group has announced that it contributes all of its taxable income annually to the Chicago-based Sue L. Gin Foundation Trust, which supports healthcare, education, legal aid, and immigration rights.

Oct 21, 2025