Spirit Airlines Ceases Operations

Spirit Airlines ceased operations immediately after its last flight, NKS1833 [DTW-DFW] by N604NK (msn 4431), an A320-232. The airline tried to get a $500M bailout from the federal government, but failed due to financial complications.

While there is no direct impact to Hawai‘i, there will be residual effects as the other airlines work to assist stranded Spirit passengers get on flights.

We wish those Spirit Airlines employees well, and hope they can find work with other carrriers.

Further information in this Fox Business article.

There may be a chance that some airlines in Asia will pick up some of Spirit's Airbus fleet. China Airlines is expected to lease three ex-Spirit A321-200Ns, on top of the two they have already leased that stopped through HNL.

N334AL

Air Lease Corporation is ferrying the second of five A321-271NXs for China Airlines. N334AL (msn 12588), still in the Spirit Airlines livery, is flying from MLB to TPE, via SBD, HNL, MAJ, and GUM. It's making its overnight stop at HNL tonight. 

12588's History:

Aug 2025: Not taken up by Spirit Airlines as N747NK (f/n 6747), and delivered to Air Lease Corporation as N334AL at MLB.

12 September 2025 UPDATE

Registered in Taiwan as B-18135.

N553AL

Air Lease Corporation is ferrying N553AL (msn 12632) from MLB to TPE, via SBD, HNL, MAJ, and GUM. This A321-271NX was to be leased by Spirit Airlines as N748NK (f/n 6748), but not taken; and will now be leased to China Airlines. CH-Aviation reports that China Airlines will lease five A321-271NXs from Air Lease Corporation.

12632's History:

Aug 2025: Delivered to Air Lease Corporation, and ferried from BFM to MLB.

12 September 2025 UPDATE

Registered in Taiwan as B-18136.