Spirit Airlines announced on Friday that it has reached an agreement with its credit card processor to extend its debt refinancing deadline to December, narrowly avoiding a financial cutoff that was set to expire. This extension is the latest development in the budget airline’s ongoing efforts to navigate its current financial difficulties.
Earlier this week, Spirit drew down the full $300 million available from its revolving credit facility. The company expects to end the year with over $1 billion in liquidity, but continues to face significant financial pressure. Spirit is also in active discussions with the holders of its senior secured notes due in 2025 and convertible senior notes maturing in 2026 regarding the repayment timelines of these debts.
The airline had previously extended the refinancing deadline from September to October 21, before pushing it again to December. These financial issues have been compounded by Spirit’s stock performance, which has plunged dramatically. As of Friday, Spirit’s shares closed at a record low, falling by roughly 3% to under $1.50 per share.
Based in Miramar, Florida, Spirit Airlines has implemented a series of cost-cutting measures over the past year in an attempt to manage its cash flow. These steps have included furloughing employees, reducing flight schedules, and delaying aircraft deliveries. The airline has also grounded a number of its planes due to an engine recall involving Pratt & Whitney engines.
Additionally, Spirit has experienced weaker-than-expected bookings, further exacerbating its financial struggles. Its planned acquisition by JetBlue Airways, which could have provided a lifeline, was blocked by a federal judge on antitrust grounds, leaving the airline to grapple with its growing financial uncertainty.
Spirit’s stock has suffered immensely in 2024, with shares plunging by over 90% for the year and by nearly 40% in October alone. There have been reports that Spirit is contemplating filing for bankruptcy, though no official statement has been made by the airline or its advisor, Perella Weinberg Partners.
As Spirit works to extend its financial runway, it remains to be seen whether the airline will recover from its current challenges or be forced to take more drastic measures in the coming months.
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