Spirit Airlines to Cut Fleet, Reject 87 Aircraft Leases

Spirit Airlines’ parent company, Spirit Aviation Holdings, has asked a U.S. bankruptcy court to approve the rejection of 87 aircraft leases as part of its ongoing restructuring plan. The move represents one of the most significant fleet reductions in the carrier’s history, impacting more than a third of its current aircraft.

The filing includes nineteen Airbus A320-200s, sixty-five A320neo aircraft, and three A321neo jets, all scheduled to be surrendered by October 27, 2025, at Goodyear, Arizona. Major lessors affected include SMBC Aviation Capital, Jackson Square Aviation, Aviation Capital Group, and AerCap. Many of the aircraft slated for return are already out of service.

Combined with an earlier agreement with AerCap covering 27 aircraft, Spirit plans to reduce its fleet from 214 to around 100 jets. This sharp downsizing is intended to align operations with current market demand and cut costs under the airline’s Chapter 11 restructuring process.

Spirit Airlines’ Chief Financial Officer, Fred Cromer, said the decision is part of a broader effort to redesign the airline’s network, concentrating flights in profitable markets and improving service frequency in key cities. He emphasized that the restructuring will “right-size the fleet to match capacity with profitable demand.”

The carrier’s previous Chapter 11 reorganization, concluded in early 2025, did not include lease renegotiations—a decision that left the airline vulnerable amid persistent financial strain. The new approach signals a more aggressive bid to stabilize operations and restore long-term viability.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com