Spirit Airlines, the low-cost airline known for its affordable prices, announced it could end its service in 11 cities in the U.S, including Chattanooga, Tennessee. This decision coincides with a moment when the company is going through a very difficult situation, since it recently re-filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on the 29th of August of 2025.
The end of operations will start from the 4th of October of this year and it will directly affect passengers and communities that had already started to count with Spirit Airlines presence at the airports.
This is not the first time a company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, many others had to experience the same situation, but today we are focusing on this airline. So, let’s find out more about what is behind this situation.
Impact on Chattanooga
The announcement is very significant for Chattanooga because Spirit Airlines had launched its first service in the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport in June 2025. This meant an opportunity of offering affordable travel choices to local passengers, who were looking for alternatives other than traditional airlines.
However, just a few months later, Spirit Airlines confirmed it would completely withdraw from the city. Of course, this was a huge disappointment for local authorities and the community, and this feeling was expressed by President and CEO of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority in an official statement:
“While we are all disappointed with this outcome, we very much appreciated Spirit’s commitment to our market and wish them a speedy financial recovery.”
11 cities where Spirit Airlines will stop working
Spirit Airlines’ decision will affect more places than Chattanooga. According to CNBC, the complete list includes:
- Chattanooga, TN
- Albuquerque, NM
- Birmingham, AL
- Boise, ID
- Columbia, SC
- Portland, OR
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Oakland, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Sacramento, CA
We should also mention that plans previously announced with the aim to open a service in Macon, Georgia, are unthinkable now.
Why is Spirit Airlines doing this?
The decision to end operations in these cities belong to a strategy of reorganization after filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. This process allows Spirit Airlines to work on a financial recovery while adjusting its routes and operations to a more sustainable model.
Even though the news represents a setback for average-size airports that were putting their faith in the arrival of Spirit Airlines. However, the company clarified it needs to focus its resources in markets where it can be more competitive.
Uncertainty moment
For Chattanooga and the rest of the cities we previously mentioned, the end of Spirit Airlines means losing an airline that, even though it was new in these markets, represented more travel choices and competitive fares. So, the situation reflects the volatility of the aviation sector, where airlines with low-cost models must adapt very fast to the financial challenges.
To sum up
Unfortunately, these cities on the list we mentioned before will have to adapt to Spirit Airlines’ decision, which is thought to reinforce the company’s strategy by pausing its presence in average-size airports. The most important aspect for the company is to look for a recovery that allows it to keep going as one of the main low-cost airlines in the U.S.
For many people this news is disappointing, but this decision is also a reminder of how quickly the airline industry can change. You, as a traveler, should stay informed about any updates from the company that might help you avoid last-minute disruptions.
So, will this change affect your travel plans? If so, would you consider flying with Spirit Airlines again if it returns to your city in the future?