Spirit Airlines has rejected its commitment to buy 52 Airbus aircraft and declined options on an additional 10 jets as part of a fleet-optimization settlement. Lessor AerCap will take over the orders and options, shifting delivery and financing obligations off Spirit’s balance sheet.
Discovered |
Briefing
The move removes 52 firm Airbus commitments plus 10 options from Spirit’s obligations and transfers delivery, financing and residual risk to lessor AerCap, altering OEM order exposure and lessor balance-sheet positions — see AerCap’s recent fleet activity (AerCap delivery context).
The transfer comes amid Spirit’s recent liquidity and restructuring actions, including Chapter 11 scrutiny and a $275 million draw from its credit facility, underscoring why the carrier is shedding commitments to conserve cash (Spirit restructuring and $275M draw).
The deal illustrates an expanding role for lessors in absorbing airline order risk and reshaping narrowbody delivery flows, a trend also visible in large lessor Airbus order activity (lessor order context).
Reported By
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Spirit Airlines on ch-aviation • ch-aviation
Spirit Airlines Cancels Order for Up to 62 Airbus Aircraft • Airline Geeks
(FR) Spirit Airlines agrees with AerCap and Airbus to reduce its fleet • Le Journal de l’Aviation
(DE) Spirit Airlines cancels large order with Airbus • airliners.de
