Spirit Scales Back Again, Exits Five More Cities

The ultra-low-cost carrier continues trimming its network as it adjusts to a smaller fleet and ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.

Spirit A321
A Spirit Airbus A321 (Photo: Shutterstock | Ron Adar)
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Spirit Airlines is ending service at four U.S. airports (Milwaukee, Phoenix, Rochester, St. Louis) and Bucaramanga, Colombia, effective January 2026, as part of a strategy to align with a smaller operating fleet.
  • These service cuts are a continuation of network adjustments following Spirit's second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and recent withdrawals from 11 other airports.
  • Despite the cutbacks, Spirit plans to significantly expand its operations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, targeting 100 peak daily departures next year, and will increase frequencies on more than 40 existing routes.
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Spirit is reshuffling its network for 2026, ending service at four U.S. airports along with an international destination.

A Spirit spokesperson told AirlineGeeks the changes are part of broader efforts to “better position the airline for the future” and “align with our smaller operating fleet.”

The carrier will discontinue service at Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Phoenix; Rochester, New York; and St. Louis, effective Jan. 8, 2026. Seasonal flights to Bucaramanga, Colombia, will end Jan. 13.

“We apologize to our Guests for any inconvenience and will reach out to those with affected travel plans to notify them of their options, including a refund,” the spokesperson added. “Thank you to our partners and Guests in these communities for their support over the years.”

Spirit A320neo
A Spirit A320neo in Los Angeles (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The latest cuts follow a series of recent airport exits as Spirit continues to navigate its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in less than a year. Over the last several months, the airline has withdrawn from 11 airports.

Florida Boost

Even as the airline pares down its footprint, Spirit says it plans to expand flying in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where it will grow to 100 peak daily departures next year. The carrier is also increasing frequencies on more than 40 routes across its network.

In the coming weeks, Spirit will launch three previously-announced new routes from Fort Lauderdale — to Key West, Belize, and Grand Cayman — and will resume flights from Newark to Palm Beach and San Juan.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
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