Quantcast

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

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

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of a new route connecting Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa.

Oct 27, 2025

United Airlines has unveiled its Summer 2026 schedule, which includes new flights from Newark to Bari, Split, Santiago de Compostela, and Glasgow, as well as from Newark to Seoul and Washington, D.C., to Reykjavik.

Oct 27, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced a limited-time 20% discount on fares between Addis Ababa and Porto.

Oct 27, 2025

Avianca has announced that passengers are encouraged to register for the Biomig biometric migration system to avoid lines and delays at participating airports in Colombia.

Oct 27, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced an upgrade to its mobile application, enhancing travel convenience ahead of the holiday season.

Oct 27, 2025

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to commence significant renovations aimed at enhancing the passenger experience.

Oct 27, 2025