Here’s why FLL airport remains central in Spirit’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy
Spirit Airlines is doubling down on Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport as the company says it expects to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings by early summer.
The budget airline announced Friday, March 13, that it filed a “restructuring support agreement and plan of reorganization,” a news release reads.
As part of the plan, Spirit said it will focus its network on its strongest markets — Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Detroit and the New York City area (LaGuardia and Newark airports).
The company, based in Dania Beach, filed the proposal in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
“While we still have work to do with other important stakeholders, [Friday’s] agreements and filings are very material steps forward toward emergence,” President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Davis said in the news release.
The airline remains the largest carrier at FLL, although its market share has declined since filing for bankruptcy last year. The Sun Sentinel reported Spirit’s shares declined to 25.5% from 28.5% at the end of 2025.
What will the company change?
Spirit will plan to operate with a smaller fleet.
The airline said it plans to reduce its aircraft count to about 76 to 80 planes by the third quarter of 2028, primarily Airbus A320 and A321.
If all goes according to plan, the company said it will add aircraft between 2027 and 2030.
Before the Chapter 11 filing, the airline operated more than 200 aircraft, according to the Sun Sentinel.
As part of the “optimized network” part of the proposal, the airline seeks to increase plane use on peak business days, reduce flights during slower periods and adjust routes to align with seasonal demand.
Travelers, however, can look forward to a growth in the airline’s “Spirit First and Premium Economy products” as the carrier will add a “third row of the Big Front Seat and continuing its rollout of Premium Economy seating, while continuing to lead the industry on price and focus on value,” the news release says.
With the changes, Spirit said its total debt and lease obligations are expected to drop from $7.4 billion before filing to about $4 billion after exiting bankruptcy.
During the restructuring, passengers can continue to book flights, travel and use tickets, credits and loyalty points as normal.
