Spirit Airlines

Largest six US airlines would have to pay back about a third of the payroll assistance they will receive in COVID-19 rescue.

South Florida-based Spirit Airlines is seeking relief from minimum service requirements attached to the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, as the ULCC looks to suspend service to at least a third of its network amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines have applied for emergency exemptions to the minimum service order outlined in the US government’s CARES Act.

The provision in the CARES Act may have unintended consequences for US airlines receiving government aid.

Spirit Airlines, citing declining yields but not the falloff in bookings that most other U.S. carriers are facing, will trim its planned April capacity 5% and could extend the cuts deeper into the spring if necessary.

A senior Spirit Airlines executive defended the ULCC business model on Capitol Hill, telling U.S. lawmakers that Spirit’s low fares empower first-time and infrequent flyers to select air transportation over other forms of travel.

Spirit Airlines is increasing service between the US and Honduras with the launch of a new 3X-weekly route.

The ULCC believes it can stimulate more demand to and from Texas’ capital.

Spirit Airlines’ newly announced expansion from Austin, Texas is a “natural fit” to the carrier’s 2020 route strategy of connecting existing points within its network, VP-network strategy John Kirby said in an interview.

Orlando, Myrtle Beach and Fort Lauderdale will all get more frequencies from the New Jersey resort city.

The airline will relocate its operational control to reduce hurricane risk as it eyes expansion.

Increasing connectivity in its existing network is the Florida-based airline’s priority for 2020.

Spirit Airlines will prioritize increasing network connectivity over adding new destinations in 2020, marking a shift in strategy amid signs of route maturation across its network.

Myrtle Beach also in the mix in 2020.

The second largest carrier at Baltimore/Washington International will increase its presence at the airport this spring.

Starting April 1, Spirit will be the only airline operating the FLL-OAK route.

US ultra-LCC Spirit Airlines will fly from Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL) to two more destinations in Colombia starting in April, expanding its Colombian network to seven cities.

Florida-based airline will focuse on using new capacity to “connect the dots” across its existing 75-destination network.

Spirit Airlines has firmed up an order for 100 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft with options to purchase 50 more, as the South Florida-based budget carrier looks to double its all-A320 fleet to 300 aircraft over the next decade.

Spirit Airlines will add fewer new destinations in 2020, as the Florida-based ULCC focuses on using new capacity to “connect the dots” across its existing 75-destination network, company officials told reporters at Spirit’s hangar at Detroit Metro Airport recently.

Spirit Airlines has begun retrofitting its all-Airbus fleet with newly-designed seats in a bet that passenger comfort can be enhanced without budging on seat pitch.

US LCC Spirit believes niche markets and fare-based market stimulation will continue to present growth opportunities.

American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit and a host of other carriers are taking part.

This week: Spirit orders up to 150 Airbus A320neos; Qantas and Virgin secure one Haneda slot each; Aeroflot to open Krasnoyarsk hub; Etihad and Saudia extend codeshare partnership and more.

This week: Passenger demand picks up in August; Austrian Airlines to start Birmingham service; Spirit increases Puerto Rico focus and more.