Spirit Airlines Sells Aircraft and Rehires Flight Attendants During Bankruptcy Process
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Spirit Airlines has recently announced a significant move to sell 20 of its Airbus jetliners. This decision comes as the airline recalls some flight attendants who were furloughed late last year, amidst ongoing financial challenges.
Currently, Spirit is navigating its second bankruptcy in less than two years. The airline initially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024 and completed its first restructuring by March 2025. However, a second bankruptcy filing occurred in August 2025, leading to service cuts and furloughs.
The sale of the aircraft is expected to enhance Spirit’s financial standing. The airline has indicated that this fleet reduction will not disrupt its flight schedule, pending court approval for the jetliner sales, as most of the planes are currently not in service.
In a statement, Spirit noted, “As part of our ongoing restructuring, we have reached an agreement to sell 20 aircraft that have been held for sale for some time. Most of these aircraft are not currently in revenue service.”
Spirit Airlines reached a deal pending court approval to sell 20 of its Airbus jetliners. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Spirit further explained, “If approved by the court, this transaction will give us greater financial flexibility. The aircraft involved will be phased out of our fleet starting in April 2026. We do not anticipate any changes to our near-term schedule or staffing as a result of this transaction.”
The airline has formally requested a federal bankruptcy court to approve the sale. Proceeds from this transaction are intended to help pay off debt associated with the aircraft and contribute to reducing operational costs.
According to Reuters, the first bidder, CSDS Asset Management, an aviation asset manager, has agreed to purchase the 20 planes for approximately $533.5 million. If approved, Spirit will seek competing offers starting at around $554 million, with the auction and sale scheduled for April.
JetBlue won a bid to acquire Spirit in 2022, but the deal was blocked by regulators over antitrust concerns. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
In a positive development, Spirit Airlines announced plans to recall 500 of the more than 1,300 flight attendants who were furloughed in December due to the airline’s financial difficulties.
Spirit stated, “As we continue to make adjustments to meet the evolving needs of our business, we are issuing recall notices to 500 Flight Attendants who were involuntarily furloughed on Dec. 1, 2025. Recalled Flight Attendants will be sent a notice on Feb. 12, 2026, and those who accept will return to duty in the timeframe detailed in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.”
UNITED AIRLINES CEO GIVES 5-WORD PREDICTION THAT LOW-COST RIVAL WILL GO OUT OF BUSINESS
Frontier Airlines attempted to buy Spirit in 2022 and 2025, but faced regulatory barriers in the first attempt and had a bid rejected last year. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service)
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents Spirit flight attendants, stated that recalls will be issued based on system seniority, prioritizing those who were involuntarily furloughed first.
The union expressed optimism, stating, “This is good news for 500 Flight Attendants and their families and critical to those of us on the line that have faced a grueling operation over the last two months. The company’s goal in recalling Flight Attendants is to ease some of the operational issues since the furloughs.”
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The union also emphasized its commitment to addressing scheduling issues, healthcare access, and other benefits, as well as a dependability policy and additional matters.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com.
Spirit Airlines has recently announced a significant move to sell 20 of its Airbus jetliners. This decision comes as the airline recalls some flight attendants who were furloughed late last year, amidst ongoing financial challenges.
Currently, Spirit is navigating its second bankruptcy in less than two years. The airline initially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024 and completed its first restructuring by March 2025. However, a second bankruptcy filing occurred in August 2025, leading to service cuts and furloughs.
The sale of the aircraft is expected to enhance Spirit’s financial standing. The airline has indicated that this fleet reduction will not disrupt its flight schedule, pending court approval for the jetliner sales, as most of the planes are currently not in service.
In a statement, Spirit noted, “As part of our ongoing restructuring, we have reached an agreement to sell 20 aircraft that have been held for sale for some time. Most of these aircraft are not currently in revenue service.”
Spirit Airlines reached a deal pending court approval to sell 20 of its Airbus jetliners. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Spirit further explained, “If approved by the court, this transaction will give us greater financial flexibility. The aircraft involved will be phased out of our fleet starting in April 2026. We do not anticipate any changes to our near-term schedule or staffing as a result of this transaction.”
The airline has formally requested a federal bankruptcy court to approve the sale. Proceeds from this transaction are intended to help pay off debt associated with the aircraft and contribute to reducing operational costs.
According to Reuters, the first bidder, CSDS Asset Management, an aviation asset manager, has agreed to purchase the 20 planes for approximately $533.5 million. If approved, Spirit will seek competing offers starting at around $554 million, with the auction and sale scheduled for April.
JetBlue won a bid to acquire Spirit in 2022, but the deal was blocked by regulators over antitrust concerns. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
In a positive development, Spirit Airlines announced plans to recall 500 of the more than 1,300 flight attendants who were furloughed in December due to the airline’s financial difficulties.
Spirit stated, “As we continue to make adjustments to meet the evolving needs of our business, we are issuing recall notices to 500 Flight Attendants who were involuntarily furloughed on Dec. 1, 2025. Recalled Flight Attendants will be sent a notice on Feb. 12, 2026, and those who accept will return to duty in the timeframe detailed in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.”
UNITED AIRLINES CEO GIVES 5-WORD PREDICTION THAT LOW-COST RIVAL WILL GO OUT OF BUSINESS
Frontier Airlines attempted to buy Spirit in 2022 and 2025, but faced regulatory barriers in the first attempt and had a bid rejected last year. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service)
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents Spirit flight attendants, stated that recalls will be issued based on system seniority, prioritizing those who were involuntarily furloughed first.
The union expressed optimism, stating, “This is good news for 500 Flight Attendants and their families and critical to those of us on the line that have faced a grueling operation over the last two months. The company’s goal in recalling Flight Attendants is to ease some of the operational issues since the furloughs.”
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
The union also emphasized its commitment to addressing scheduling issues, healthcare access, and other benefits, as well as a dependability policy and additional matters.
Reuters contributed to this report.
