**Spirit Airlines to Cease Operations at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Early 2026**
Spirit Airlines announced on Tuesday that it will be discontinuing service at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport starting January 8, 2026. The airline stated that Phoenix is one of four U.S. airports where it will stop flying into or out of as part of a strategic realignment.
In an official statement, Spirit Airlines said:
*”As part of our efforts to better position the airline for the future, we have adjusted our 2026 schedule to better align with our smaller operating fleet and focus on our strongest performing markets. This includes the difficult decision to discontinue service at Milwaukee (MKE), Phoenix (PHX), Rochester (ROC), and St. Louis (STL), effective January 8, 2026, and to discontinue seasonal service at Bucaramanga, Colombia (BGA), effective January 13, 2026. We apologize to our Guests for any inconvenience and will reach out to those with affected travel plans to notify them of their options, including a refund. Thank you to our partners and guests in these communities for their support over the years.”*
### Spirit Airlines Files for Bankruptcy Amid Struggles
This decision comes less than three months after Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in two years. The Florida-based budget carrier, known for its distinctive bright yellow planes and low fares, disclosed in a quarterly report issued in August that it has been struggling due to adverse market conditions and weak demand for leisure travel within the United States.
The airline has faced ongoing challenges recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting in its November 2024 bankruptcy filing that it had lost more than $2.5 billion since the start of 2020. After exiting bankruptcy proceedings in March 2025, Spirit refiled for protection just five months later.
### Sharp Decline in Phoenix Sky Harbor Passenger Numbers
Spirit Airlines has experienced a significant decline in passenger traffic at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona’s largest airport. According to airport statistics, Spirit carried 113,613 passengers at Sky Harbor between January and September 2025 — a nearly 64% decrease compared to the 314,540 passengers in the same period in 2024.
Currently, Spirit offers nonstop flights to eight U.S. cities from Phoenix Sky Harbor, but with the upcoming service cessation, these routes will no longer be available after early next year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://ktar.com/arizona-news/spirit-airlines-sky-harbor/5770450/