Spirit Airlines Plans 25% Network Reduction by November

Spirit Airlines plans to cut its network schedule by 25% in November compared to the previous year. This move is part of an ongoing restructuring effort by the ultra-low-cost carrier. The airline recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in less than a year, leading to significant operational changes.

These scheduling reductions will likely lead to further furloughs and layoffs. Spirit aims to reduce costs and stabilize its financial position. The airline had already removed flights from 11 US cities starting October 2, indicating a rapid pace of these deep cuts.

Spirit's Restructuring and Capacity Cuts

Spirit Airlines is undergoing a major restructuring. The airline's goal is to optimize its network and focus on its strongest markets. An internal memo circulated on Wednesday, confirming the planned 25% capacity reduction for November 2024.

The memo also informed employees about ongoing negotiations with vendors and aircraft lessors. These discussions aim to evaluate and potentially shrink the airline's fleet size. This strategy is designed to help Spirit achieve a more stable financial footing.

"These evaluations will inevitably affect the size of our teams as we become a more efficient airline. Unfortunately, these are the tough calls we must make to emerge stronger. We know this adds uncertainty, and we are committed to keeping you informed as these decisions are made."

Dave Davis, Spirit CEO

Impact on Workforce

Spirit's CEO, Dave Davis, stated in the memo that fleet and network reductions will impact the airline's workforce. The airline had already furloughed 270 pilots earlier this year. Another 100 pilots were demoted. Flight attendants have also taken voluntary unpaid leaves of absence.

Spirit's leadership is now engaging with labor unions to discuss the impact of further cuts. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) has indicated that this bankruptcy process might be more challenging than the previous one. The union is preparing for discussions regarding potential changes to the collective bargaining agreement.

Anticipated Network Changes and Vulnerable Routes

The exact cities and routes affected by the November cuts are not yet public. However, predictions can be made based on Spirit's operational strategy. The airline will likely maintain normal operations at its largest bases. These include its Florida routes and flights from Las Vegas to the Northeast. These routes generate nearly half of Spirit's total revenue.

Spirit is more likely to cut operations in smaller cities. These cities often have minimal strategic value or few daily flights. Removing an entire city from the network reduces flight costs and eliminates associated support costs. These support costs include ground handling, airport staff, and gate leases.

Cities at Risk

Cities such as St. Louis and Savannah, which have only a single route, are almost certainly vulnerable. Many other locations with just two or three routes, operating less than daily, are also potential targets. Examples include Milwaukee and Phoenix.

Competitive factors also play a role in these decisions. For instance, in Minneapolis, Spirit operates daily flights. However, both routes are high-traffic inter-hub routes for Delta Air Lines. Spirit currently lacks the financial resources to compete effectively with a larger, more profitable carrier like Delta.

Here is a list of some US cities likely to be impacted by Spirit's network cuts:

• Burbank: 1 route to Las Vegas (2x daily)
• Cleveland: 2 routes to Fort Lauderdale (5x weekly); Nashville (2x weekly)
• Hartford: 2 routes to Fort Lauderdale (3x weekly); Nashville (2x weekly)
• Milwaukee: 3 routes to Detroit (2x weekly); Las Vegas (2x weekly); Orlando (2x weekly)
• Minneapolis: 2 routes to Atlanta (Daily); Detroit (Daily)
• Orange County: 2 routes to Detroit (Daily); Las Vegas (2x daily)
• Phoenix: 2 routes to Detroit (4x weekly); Fort Lauderdale (2x weekly)
• Reno: 1 route to Las Vegas (2x daily)
• Rochester: 2 routes to Fort Lauderdale (2x weekly); Orlando (4x weekly)
• Savannah: 1 route to Newark (Daily)
• St. Louis: 1 route to Fort Lauderdale (3x weekly)
• West Palm Beach: 1 route to Atlantic City (Daily) (Fort Lauderdale route scheduled to end in November)

Competitors Move into Spirit's Markets

Spirit's network reductions are creating opportunities for other airlines. Several US carriers are already expanding their services to fill the gaps left by Spirit. More competitors are expected to follow in the coming weeks.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines, a direct competitor to Spirit, has been particularly active. Since late August, Frontier has announced 42 new routes. Its first announcement included 20 routes, all of which compete directly with Spirit. A week later, Frontier added 22 more routes, specifically targeting Spirit's bases in Atlanta and Orlando.

JetBlue

JetBlue, a New York-based hybrid carrier, has also expanded its presence in Spirit's key markets. JetBlue added nine new nonstop routes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Spirit's largest base. Furthermore, JetBlue increased service from Boston and New York to Vero Beach and Daytona Beach, reinforcing its presence in Spirit's Florida heartland.

United Airlines

According to Upgraded Points, United Airlines has announced new or additional flights to several cities where Spirit operates. These include major Spirit bases like Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Las Vegas. United is also launching new routes to Columbia and Chattanooga. Both of these cities were among the 11 locations that Spirit previously announced it would exit.

Spirit anticipates finalizing its new schedule by the end of next week. This leaves a tight timeline for winding down operations in any cities the airline chooses to exit. The full impact on Spirit's staff and customers remains to be seen.