Spirit's network planning VP John Kirby told Routes Americas 2021 that Miami International’s decision to lower costs, coupled with soaring leisure demand, prompted the ULCC's big expansion in South Florida.
The airline will fly to 12 US destinations by late July—the same number as before the pandemic—with capacity to and from the country around 60% of 2019 levels.
The angry response follows accusations that the US carrier is cooperating with American Airlines on routes “outside the scope” permitted by their new Northeast alliance.
Carriers are hopeful that direct air service will resume in the coming months despite an ongoing federal prohibition on flights between the US and Venezuela.
The carrier which pioneered cheap transatlantic flights between Europe and the US will now focus on short-haul routes as part of a plan to exit insolvency.