Spirit Airlines
entered into voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings on November 18, having previously entered several aircraft sale or sale-and-leaseback (SLB) agreements. Even then, the company’s short-term plans included deep capacity cuts, partly facilitated by the shedding of some of its assets, including aircraft.

Selling Airbus A320 and A321s

On October 24, Spirit Airlines announced a deal with GA Telesis to sell 23 Airbus A320ceo and A321ceo aircraft, with Airbus having delivered the aircraft between 2014 and 2019. While GA Telesis’ plans were clear – according to its statement, it will “market these aircraft to its extensive global customer base for continued commercial airline operations” – the sale will bolster the airline’s liquidity.

At the time, Spirit Airlines disclosed that the sale price of the 23 aircraft, split between 15 A320ceo
and eight A321ceos, was $519 million, and its liquidity would improve by around $225 million by the end of 2025.

Spirit Airlines Airbus A320 (N606NK) at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

Photo: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

The aircraft had been shipped to Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR) gradually over time. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York documents revealed the manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) of the A320ceo family aircraft, enabling cross-checking the MSNs against the jets’ registrations following ch-aviation data.

Aircraft type

Registration

Last commercial flight (at the time of writing)

Stored at Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR), as of

Airbus A320ceo

N694NK

October 17, 2024

October 18, 2024

Airbus A320ceo

N638NK

October 13, 2024

October 17, 2024

Airbus A320ceo

N632NK

October 15, 2024

October 17, 2024

Airbus A321ceo

N657NK

October 20, 2024

October 24, 2024

Airbus A320ceo

N639NK

December 15, 2024

December 18, 2024

Airbus A320ceo

N650NK

November 6, 2024

November 8, 2024

Airbus A320ceo

N649NK

December 3, 2024

December 10, 2024

Airbus A320ceo

N647NK

November 4, 2024

November 12, 2024

Airbus A321ceo

N658NK

October 27, 2024

November 1, 2024

Airbus A320ceo

N696NK

November 6, 2024

November 8, 2024

Airbus A320ceo

N695NK

November 24, 2024

November 27, 2024

Airbus A320ceo

N693NK

November 27, 2024

December 2, 2024

Airbus A320ceo

N692NK

November 19, 2024

November 25, 2024

Airbus A321ceo

N682NK

January 7, 2025

n/a

Airbus A321ceo

N681NK

November 12, 2024

November 16, 2024

Airbus A321ceo

N678NK

December 1, 2024

December 4, 2024

Airbus A321ceo

N675NK

November 23, 2024

November 30, 2024

Airbus A321ceo

N674NK

November 12, 2024

November 16, 2024

Airbus A320ceo

N640NK

November 30, 2024

December 4, 2024

Airbus A320ceo

N642NK

January 7, 2025

n/a

Airbus A320ceo

N691NK

January 7, 2025

n/a

Airbus A321ceo

N673NK

January 7, 2025

n/a

Airbus A320ceo

N641NK

January 7, 2025

n/a

Ch-aviation and Flightradar24 data showed that out of the 23 A320ceo and A321ceos, 18 were moved to Phoenix-Goodyear at the time of writing. The remaining five aircraft, two A320ceo and three A321ceos
, were actively flying on January 7.

Related

Bankruptcy Court Clears Spirit Airlines To Sell 5 Out Of 23 Airbus A320s To GA Telesis

Out of the 23 aircraft, Spirit Airlines has already stored 11 at Phoenix Goodyear Airport.

Storing A320neos

In addition, one A320neo
, registered as N952NK, had been moved to Phoenix-Goodyear on January 2, with the aircraft operating its last commercial flight the day prior. Ch-aviation data showed that SMBC Aviation Capital
owned the airframe.

The A320neo joined 25 other aircraft of the type at the Arizonian airport, where Spirit Airlines has stored a total of 43 Airbus aircraft, or 20% of its 215-strong jet fleet. Another five have been parked at various airports across the US, such as Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
(FLL) or Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport
(IAH).

Spirit Airlines Airbus A320neo landing at DFW shutterstock_2256371149

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

Ch-aviation records showed that the 26 A320neo had been stored – not necessarily at Phoenix-Goodyear, as they had been moved to the airport at some point during their storage period – between December 2022 and November 2024.

To note, RTX, the parent company of Pratt & Whitney
, disclosed problems with the PW1100G
engine in July 2023. As a result of a rare condition in powder metal to build the engine, also known as the Geared Turbofan ( GTF
), the engines have been forced to undergo accelerated removals and inspections of the PW1100G.

Related

What’s The Latest With The PW1100G Airbus A320neo Groundings?

Seemingly, a low recovery of the capacity of GTF-powered Airbus A320neo family aircraft is around the corner.

17 fewer aircraft

Ch-aviation indicated that while Spirit Airlines began 2024 with its largest fleet number ever, with 232 aircraft, the current year started with 215 jets in its possession, with the carrier shedding 17 A319ceos
throughout the previous year. The latter number so far does not include the aircraft sold to GA Telesis.

Spirit Airlines Airbus A319 landing at Los Angeles International Airport LAX shutterstock_2362723307

Photo: Minh K Tran | Shutterstock

Cirium’s Diio Mi airline planning system showed that in January, Spirit Airlines has scheduled 914 fewer weekly flights, a reduction of 17.6% year-on-year (YoY). As a result, the carrier’s network will have 16.4% fewer weekly seats YoY.

Related

Spirit Airlines’ Plans To Adapt To New Premium Leisure Preference Post-COVID

Spirit Airlines will aim to become an airline of choice for more upmarket segments of passengers.

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