CLEVELAND, Ohio – Spirit Airlines is suspending nonstop service between Cleveland and Orlando amid talk that the carrier is considering filing for bankruptcy, according to a report.

The route suspension is one of dozens of cutbacks that the carrier is implementing in an effort to shore up its financing.

The route – one of carrier’s original destinations when it entered the Cleveland market in 2015 – will be suspended starting Nov. 5, according to the airline’s online schedule. It is scheduled to return on Jan. 9.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported last week that Spirit has been in discussions with bondholders about a possible Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The filing is not imminent, according to the report.

Low-cost Spirit, known for its discounted fares plus fees for seat assignments and baggage, has been struggling financially since the pandemic.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Justice Department blocked the carrier’s proposed merger with JetBlue Airways.

More recently, the carrier made several adjustments to its business model, eliminating change and cancellation fees, adding fare bundles and other policies to attract more fliers.

Spirit has flown from Cleveland since early 2015, shortly after United Airlines closed its hub at Hopkins airport. Since then, it has flown to as many as a dozen destinations from Cleveland, battling fellow low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines in a competition for price-sensitive travelers.

Frontier has clearly won the battle in Cleveland, currently flying to 24 destinations from Hopkins airport.

With the suspension of Orlando, Spirit will be down to just one destination from Cleveland – Fort Lauderdale. The Plain Dealer/cleveland.com reached out to Spirit for comment.

Earlier this year, Spirit eliminated routes from Cleveland to Atlanta, Miami, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

In addition to the reduction in Cleveland, Spirit is eliminating or suspending dozens of routes throughout the United States, including service from Boston, Dallas, Las Vegas, Columbus and other cities.

Read more: Frontier overtakes United as top airline at Cleveland Hopkins airport

Spirit Airlines on retreat at Cleveland Hopkins, cutting three nonstops including Las Vegas

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