Spirit’s 91 Grounded Jets Face Desert Storage, Repossession, or New Lifecycles
Spirit Airlines abruptly ceased operations after two bankruptcies and soaring fuel costs, leaving 17,000 workers unemployed and 91 of its 114 aircraft grounded across 26 airports. The planes are being ferried to desert storage facilities as creditors decide whether they’ll be sold, returned to owners, or repurposed for other operators, with Nomadic Aviation Group handling many of the ferry flights. While some planes may re-enter service under new branding, the high fuel prices and airline backlogs complicate quick dispositions and reshaping of Spirit’s fleet.