2025 has been quite the year for US-based budget carrier Spirit Airlines. Not only has the company emerged from bankruptcy protection, but it has also lost its CEO Ted Christie. However, looking ahead to the summer of 2025, the carrier has announced that it will open up a range of new flights from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) which lies on the border between Georgia and South Carolina, paving the way for further growth and network expansion.
On April 8, 2025, Spirit announced that it will start daily, nonstop services between Savannah and Newark-Liberty International Airport (EWR) on August 14, 2025, and additionally begin nonstop service between Savannah and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Nashville International Airport (BNA) on October 9, 2025, and between Savannah and Detroit-Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) on October 10, 2025.
“The new service offers Savannah travelers high-value travel options to explore new destinations and makes it easier for visitors to experience Savannah’s world-class hospitality,” said an airline statement.
Flights to Newark Airport will operate daily, while those to Fort Lauderdale will operate four times per week. Services to Nashville and Detroit will both be three times per week. Savannah will become the second market on Spirit’s Georgia route map. The airline first launched service at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in 2006.
“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, Vice President of Network Planning at Spirit Airlines. “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.”
“We have been working hard to get Spirit to add Savannah to their route structure,” said Greg Kelly, Executive Director of the Savannah Airport Commission. “We believe Spirit is a great fit for our market, and the cities they are adding will be a strong addition to our community and region. We appreciate Spirit for adding us to their system, and we will work hard to ensure their success and growth here in Savannah.”
Having emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 12, 2025, the airline is now pressing ahead with expansion plans which include these new routes from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport. The airport exited Chapter 11 restructuring having gained “significantly less debt and greater financial flexibility” after a United States court approved its reorganization plan.
In a statement released on March 12, 2025, the airline said it has completed its financial restructuring, which involved “a consensual, deleveraging transaction that equitizes approximately $795 million of funded debt.” As part of the restructuring, Spirit also secured a $350 million equity investment from existing investors to provide travelers with “enhanced travel experiences and greater value.”
Spirit was recently recognized by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) as a 2025 Four-Start Low-Cost Carrier and by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with the Diamond Award of Excellence for the seventh consecutive year. The airline’s all-Airbus fleet was also recently named one of the world’s youngest for 2025 by aviation data website ch-aviation.
The airline has a current fleet of 213 Airbus A320 and A320neo family aircraft with a further 108 on order. However, ch-aviation reports that 51 of the current planes are inactive due to ongoing and highly-publicized engine maintenance issues. The carrier currently operates 396 routes to 84 destinations across 15 countries.
