Spirit Airlines has been in the news quite a bit recently, for a variety of reasons.
The most concerning headlines have been regarding the budget airline’s long-term viability, which remains up in question. Yet despite concerns about Spirit’s financial status, the company is moving forward with some of its new direct flight initiatives.
Last Thursday, Spirit launched its direct daily service between Newark, New Jersey and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Georgia.
“This new service opens up exciting travel opportunities for visitors heading to southeast Georgia and the coastal areas of southeast South Carolina,” said Greg Kelly, executive director of the Savannah Airport Commission, in a statement. “For our local community, it means convenient access to four of Spirit’s most popular destinations — bringing more choice, value and connectivity.”
More trips to Savannah upcoming
Newark to Savannah is just the first direct route Spirit is adding to the Lowcountry this year.
In October, the airline will begin nonstop service between Savannah and Fort Lauderdale, Nashville and Detroit. Flights will be available four times weekly to Fort Lauderdale, three times per week to Nashville and twice a week to Detroit.
“We look forward to welcoming our Savannah Guests onboard soon and offering them new, elevated travel options with unmatched value to visit exciting destinations across the East Coast and Midwest,” said John Kirby, Spirit Airlines’ VP of Network Planning. “Savannah is an incredible destination, and we know our Guests will love exploring this coastal gem while immersing themselves in the city’s historic charm and vibrant art scene.”
Lingering questions remain
Of course, there are still concerns over Spirit Airlines’ staying power. These questions were raised earlier this month when the company filed paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) expressing “substantial doubt” about its future.
“Because of the uncertainty of successfully completing the initiatives to comply with the minimum liquidity covenants and of the outcome of discussions with Company stakeholders, management has concluded there is substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within 12 months from the date these financial statements are issued,” Spirit said in the filing last Monday.
Nevertheless, Spirit Airlines CEO Dave Davis attempted to calm the waters by explaining that his organization is working to make the necessary changes to increase its long-term potential.
“Yesterday, we filed our 10-q, outlining our second quarter 2025 financial results. This filing generated media coverage and, naturally, a lot of questions,” Davis said in a statement, via Live and Let’s Fly. “… The report uses the phrase ‘substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.’ This is a phrase required by our outside auditors to convey that there is risk if we do not make changes. But, we are.”
