Spirit Airlines, Inc. has announced that it reached an agreement with Airbus to defer all aircraft on order that are scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2025 through the end of 2026 to 2030-2031.
These deferrals do not include the direct-lease aircraft scheduled for delivery in that period, one each in the second and third quarter 2025, respectively. The agreement with Airbus will improve Spirit’s liquidity position by approximately $340 million over the next two years.
There are no changes to the aircraft on order with Airbus that are scheduled to be delivered in 2027-2029.
As a result of grounded aircraft due to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine availability issues, along with the 2025 and 2026 aircraft deferrals, Spirit announced it intends to furlough approximately 260 Pilots effective September 1, 2024.
As recently announced, Spirit entered into a compensation agreement with Pratt & Whitney regarding its GTF engines, which is estimated to improve Spirit’s liquidity between $150 million and $200 million over the term of that agreement. In addition, Spirit will continue to evaluate the use of its current financeable asset base to add additional liquidity over the coming months.
The Airbus amendment also defers by two years the exercise dates for optional aircraft included in Spirit’s purchase agreement. There is no change to the total number of aircraft on order or Spirit options for additional aircraft.
Meanwhile, the company welcomed the 400th A320neo delivery from Airbus.
Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
