Bargain hunters for domestic air travel are bemoaning the demise of Spirit Airlines, which shut down on May 1 after 34 years in service.
With the closure of the Dania Beach, Fla.-based air carrier, Newark Liberty International Airport lost one of its cheapest operators, sending travelers scrambling to find transportation alternatives.
Thirty-four Spirit flights in and out of Newark were canceled the day operations ceased, slashing competition on many domestic leisure routes. A CBS analysis found that fares jump about 23% on routes Spirit leaves.
Spirit began flying out of Newark Liberty International Airport in October 2016, marking its second base in the New York area alongside LaGuardia Airport.
The loss of a budget competitor may strengthen United’s already dominant position at Newark, as United already controls a large share of the airport’s traffic. Other carriers may temporarily add capacity, but no air carrier is likely to replicate Spirit’s low‑cost model at Newark in the near term.
With fewer low‑cost seats, average prices on Newark routes — especially to Florida, the Southeast, and other leisure destinations — will likely remain elevated as the summer travel season nears.
Some of Spirit’s point‑to‑point leisure routes may disappear altogether unless another low‑cost carrier fills the void.
If there is any upside to Spirit’s closure, Newark may see fewer short-term delays due to reduced congestion.
As to the impact on the Newark region’s labor force, it appears minimal. Spirit, which employs 17,000 people nationwide, employed only about 68 Newark‑based employees before the shutdown, according to news reports.
The 68 employees included 34 pilots and additional ground and support staff assigned to Newark Liberty International Airport. New Jersey WARN filings show that Spirit had 80 employees affected in Newark during its layoffs, according to the website layoffalert.org.
Newark served more as a destination station rather than a crew domicile, which is why staffing levels were lower.
Meanwhile, other airlines and New Jersey employers are offering job outreach to those idled by the Spirit shutdown. Other airlines — including United and American — offered preferential employment interviews to former Spirit workers. Delta, whose presence at Newark is smaller than that of either United or American, is providing a dedicated hiring microsite to encourage idled workers to apply.
Shore Medical Center is extending support to employees and offering them the opportunity to apply for jobs at the Somers Point institution.
Shore Medical Center is encouraging displaced Spirit workers to explore a variety of open positions across various departments. The organization offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a mission-driven environment focused on patient care and community service.
“While we will truly miss the presence and service of Spirit Airlines, Shore Medical Center stands ready to support those affected. We’re always looking for people who care about others and want to make a difference,” said David Hughes, chief executive officer of Shore Medical Center.
“Many of these employees bring valuable experience in service, teamwork, and high-responsibility roles — skills that translate well in a healthcare setting. We’d welcome the opportunity to connect.”
Brian J. Tyrrell, professor of Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management at Stockton University, said secondary airports such as Atlantic City International Airport will see some near-term demand that cannot be satisfied following the closure of Spirit Airlines.
It will take competing airlines some time to react to the reduced supply with their own strategy for satisfying demand.
“For Atlantic City International Airport, this is somewhat lessened by the airport being serviced by two other airlines. The recent additions of Allegiant and Breeze airways positions ACY well for future expansion to cover Spirit’s popular routes.”
Allegiant, which began flying out of Atlantic City in December, has already announced it will start service to Myrtle Beach, S.C., direct from Atlantic City International Airport starting May 21. Breeze Airways will begin service out of Atlantic City International Airport on May 6.
“With respect to travelers to Atlantic City, airline travel has always represented a very small fraction of total travel to the resort, which is historically a majority drive-market,” added Tyrrell.
Estimates of the airport’s traffic suggest about a third of travelers are visiting the area, with a majority of ACY travelers residing in southern New Jersey and traveling to other destinations serviced out of the airport.
The airline’s closure represents an opportunity for many airlines that previously served Spirit Airlines’ secondary and major airports. The near-term pricing power of remaining airlines should help offset rising fuel costs that are hurting margins as the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continues to impact the worldwide supply of oil and related products.
Entering the busy summer season for travel, expect a scramble to satisfy demand for Spirit Airlines’ former customers.