Spirit May Pause or Drop Jet Orders
Spirit Airlines might delay or cancel orders for Airbus A320neo jets. This is because U.S. tariffs on products from the European Union are getting higher.
The airline flies mostly from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport. It says trade problems are now a big threat to its fleet plans and financial comeback.
Spirit just came out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In a report to U.S. regulators, it said that new tariffs might make Airbus planes and parts more expensive.
Because of that, and other issues like unstable prices and a shaky economy, Spirit might cut back on how many planes it buys.
Spirit Uses Only Airbus Jets
Spirit’s fleet has only Airbus jets, and most come from Europe.
Right now, the U.S. has a 10% tax on EU products. But this could jump to 20% if a 90-day delay, which began on April 9, isn’t extended. That would make both planes and parts even more costly.
The airline said these higher tariffs could seriously hurt its money, daily work, and growth plans. Spirit also said it’s hard to plan because no one knows how long the tariffs will last—or how high they’ll go.
In its latest financial report, Spirit said it might cancel or push back some of its 92 new jet deliveries. That includes four Spirit Airlines Airbus A320neo cancellation jets due in 2025. If canceled, it would affect its goal to grow and update its planes to keep prices low.
Supply Chain Is at Risk
By 2025, Spirit will run 213 planes:
- 63 Airbus A320s
- 91 Airbus A320neos
- 29 Airbus A321s
- 30 Airbus A321neos
All of them are built by Airbus in Europe. That makes Spirit more open to trade issues between the U.S. and EU. The airline needs steady access to these planes and parts to keep running smoothly.
If tariffs rise, it may mess up the supply chain and raise costs. Price changes, weaker spending by customers, and low demand could slow Spirit’s financial growth even more.
Tough Competition Ahead
Spirit raised this concern while facing strong competition. Big U.S. airlines now sell cheaper tickets. This hurts budget airlines like Spirit.
In the first quarter of 2025, Spirit lost $289 million in operations. Still, it posted a $61 million profit thanks to gains made after leaving bankruptcy. It fixed its finances in March, but still struggles to stay steady.
Now, with aircraft prices rising and rivals offering low fares, Spirit must find a way to survive in a crowded market.
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