Spirit logs $15m Q3 profit despite widespread flight disruptions

Buoyed by government aid and despite several days of severe operational disruption, Spirit Airlines turned a $14.8m profit in Q3 2021. “Higher fuel prices, continued travel restrictions and near-term staffing issues have all played their part in delaying our return to sustained profitability,” says Spirit chief executive Ted Christie on 27 October. The Miramar, Florida-based ultra-discount airline generated $923m in Q3 operating revenue, down only 7% from the same period of 2020. Spirit’s third-quarter operating expenses came in at $909m, up 5% from the comparable period of last year. During the quarter, Spirit logged $86m in “special credits”, which include grants received as part of the US government’s pandemic-relief measures. Spirit cancelled hundreds of flights on several consecutive days in August, throwing its operation into disarray. “The company experienced significant operating challenges during the quarter driven in part by adverse weather conditions which, when combined with airport staffing shortages and crew dislocations, led to an unusually large number of flight delays and cancellations,” Spirit says Wednesday. To improve operational reliability, Spirit cut some flights from its schedule following the disruptions.<br/>