Spirit Airlines announced on Monday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it seeks to navigate challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, increased competition from larger airlines, and a failed merger attempt with JetBlue. The airline, which is the largest budget carrier in the U.S., has accumulated losses exceeding $2.5 billion since the onset of the pandemic and faces significant debt obligations in the coming years.
Despite this setback, Spirit emphasized that it plans to maintain normal operations during the bankruptcy process. Customers can continue to book flights and utilize their frequent-flyer points without interruption, and employees and vendors will continue receiving compensation.
The airline has secured a $350 million equity investment commitment from current bondholders and plans to convert $795 million of its debt into equity as part of its restructuring efforts. Furthermore, Spirit will receive a deferred loan of $300 million from bondholders, alongside its existing cash reserves, to support its operations during this transition.
Following reports of the bankruptcy filing discussions, Spirit’s shares fell by 25% last Friday. The airline recently missed a deadline to release its financial results for the third quarter, and projections indicate a more substantial operating loss compared to the previous year.
Travel demand remains steady, with a 2% increase in passenger numbers during the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. However, Spirit faces a 10% decline in fare prices, leading to a nearly 20% reduction in revenue per mile, impacting its financial performance.
To adapt to market changes, Spirit has begun to offer bundled fare options, which include added benefits such as bigger seats, free baggage, and internet access—shifting away from its traditional model of ultra-low fares augmented by many add-on costs. Additionally, the airline plans to cut its scheduled flights from October to December by nearly 20%, a strategy aimed at stabilizing fares.
However, industry analysts suggest this approach may inadvertently favor competitors like Frontier, JetBlue, and Southwest, who could capture more of the market share as a result of Spirit’s operational cuts.
Spirit Airlines has also faced mechanical challenges with its fleet, particularly involving necessary repairs for Pratt & Whitney engines, leading to grounded aircraft and pilot furloughs. Despite these difficulties, analysts believe Spirit’s relatively young fleet keeps it as a potential candidate for acquisition in the future.
Historically, many U.S. airlines have sought bankruptcy protection during tough economic times, often emerging with a renewed focus and operational restructuring. The last major airline to file for bankruptcy, American Airlines, successfully emerged from Chapter 11 in December 2013, ultimately merging with US Airways.
This challenging phase for Spirit Airlines could be viewed as an opportunity for renewal and rethinking in the ultra-low-cost travel sector. As the airline restructures, it aims to adapt to the evolving competitive landscape while ensuring that customers continue to enjoy travel experiences that resonate with their budget-conscious needs.