Spirit Airlines is taking a dramatic step by ceasing operations in twelve cities—this comes just days after the budget airline revealed its second bankruptcy filing this year.

Marked for closure on October 2 are Albuquerque, Birmingham, Boise, Chattanooga, Oakland, Columbia, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, and San Jose. Additionally, Spirit has scrapped its plans to launch new services in Macon, Georgia.

As one of the prominent low-cost carriers, Spirit Airlines has served a multitude of destinations across North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean.

A spokesperson expressed apologies to passengers affected by the changes, assuring that those with existing bookings would be contacted to discuss their options, including refunds.

This drastic move underscores the airline's turbulent financial state. Spirit first entered bankruptcy protection in November 2024, following years of escalating operational costs and crippling debt. Just as it was beginning to recover from its initial Chapter 11 restructuring, the airline filed for bankruptcy again in August.

During the restructuring process, Spirit assured the public that it would maintain normal operations, allowing customers to continue booking flights.

In a bid to alleviate financial strains, Spirit has chosen to eliminate several unprofitable routes. In its recent quarterly report, the airline expressed "substantial doubt" about its ongoing viability, citing weak demand for domestic travel and challenging market conditions.

Rival Airlines Move In Fast!

In the wake of Spirit's announcements, rival airlines wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to expand their market presence.

United Airlines, the largest air carrier in the world, was quick off the mark, revealing plans to introduce flights to 15 new destinations starting January 6, including Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Patrick Quayle, United's senior SVP of global network planning, highlighted the necessity of these additions, stating, "If Spirit suddenly goes out of business it will be incredibly disruptive, so we're adding these flights to give their customers other options if they want or need them."

In response, Spirit brushed off the competition with confidence, asserting that it remains focused on operating efficiently and providing low fares for years ahead.

Meanwhile, Frontier Airlines has jumped into the fray, announcing 20 new routes from major cities like Detroit and Dallas, with fares ranging from a wallet-friendly $29 to $89.

As the airline industry watches these developments, Spirit Airlines' tumultuous journey underscores the fierce competition that characterizes the low-cost travel market.