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Spirit Airlines plans to reduce its fleet by nearly 100 aircraft as it emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time this year. The airline's Chief Financial Officer, Fred Cromer, announced that this move is part of a broader strategy to address rising operational costs, weak yields, and significant debt burdens.
The reduction will be implemented through lease returns, early retirements, and accelerated phase-outs of older or less efficient planes. According to Spirit, these changes are intended to help balance capacity with market demand and lower maintenance and leasing expenses. The company will focus resources on profitable routes while discontinuing service in underperforming areas.
Cromer explained that Spirit will exit underutilized markets, retire older planes ahead of schedule, renegotiate lease agreements, and prioritize strong routes for remaining capacity. "The cuts will likely affect smaller regional and leisure routes that struggle with load factors or face stiff competition," he said. Some aircraft may be returned before their leases expire as a cost-saving measure.
