Spirit Airlines Suspends Cleveland to Orlando Flight Amid Bankruptcy Talk
Spirit Airlines has announced the suspension of its nonstop service between Cleveland and Orlando, in a move that comes amid discussions about the airline’s potential bankruptcy filing. This route suspension is part of a broader series of cutbacks Spirit is implementing to address its financial challenges.
The route, which has been a staple since Spirit entered the Cleveland market in 2015, is slated to be suspended starting November 5 and is expected to resume on January 9, according to the airline’s online schedule.
In a recent report, it was noted that Spirit has engaged in talks with bondholders regarding possible Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, although such a filing is not considered imminent at this time. The low-cost airline, recognized for its budget-friendly fares accompanied by fees for seat assignments and baggage, has faced financial difficulties since the onset of the pandemic.
Earlier in the year, the proposed merger between Spirit and JetBlue Airways was blocked by the U.S. Justice Department, further impacting the airline’s financial strategies. In response, Spirit has made various adjustments to its business model, including eliminating change and cancellation fees and introducing fare bundles to appeal to a broader audience.
Spirit Airlines has been serving Cleveland since early 2015, shortly after United Airlines ended its hub operations at Hopkins airport. During its presence in Cleveland, Spirit has offered flights to up to a dozen destinations, competing directly with fellow budget airline Frontier Airlines in the battle for cost-conscious travelers.
Frontier Airlines has emerged as the dominant low-cost carrier in Cleveland, currently operating flights to 24 destinations from Hopkins airport. With the suspension of the Orlando route, Spirit will only maintain one destination from Cleveland—Fort Lauderdale. This development follows the elimination of Cleveland routes to Atlanta, Miami, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles earlier this year.
Beyond Cleveland, Spirit is also reducing or temporarily halting numerous other routes across the United States, affecting cities such as Boston, Dallas, Las Vegas, Columbus, and more.
The competitive landscape at Cleveland Hopkins airport has shifted, with Frontier Airlines overtaking United as the top carrier, highlighting the evolving dynamics in the airline industry.
