Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett sees no significant impact to Jamaica from the closure of United States budget carrier, Spirit Airlines.

The airline announced last weekend the shuttering of operations after failing to secure a US$500 million federal bailout, leading to immediate flight cancellations and an orderly wind-down. In responding to the news, Minister Bartlett noted that Spirit only accounted for a relatively small share of the island’s air traffic, arguing that other carriers are expected to absorb the affected passenger demand. 

According to him, “spirit represents just under three per cent of passenger load, a projected about 30,000 to 40,000 seats for the summer….But Spirit flies out of Fort Lauderdale, which is very well served by other airlines, so we anticipate that they will pick up the passenger load that Spirit was projected to move.”

Winding down operations

Bartlett reports that the last scheduled Spirit Airlines flight out of Jamaica is expected on Tuesday, and that discussions have already been held with hotel partners to support stranded passengers while they make alternative travel arrangements.

Spirit Airlines began winding down operations early Saturday after negotiations for a reported US$500 million bailout by the Trump administration collapsed. The shutdown has affected some 1,500 employees, while thousands of passengers booked on the low-cost carrier have been left scrambling to rebook flights from destinations across its network.

The Tourism Minister explains that Jamaica is closely monitoring developments in the global aviation sector, pointing to ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties that continue to shape airline operations and travel demand.

“We are watching the aviation industry very carefully given the current global geopolitical situation,” Bartlett said. In the meantime, tourism officials remain confident that Jamaica’s airlift capacity will remain stable in the short term with partner airlines expected to adjust schedules and capacity to meet demand previously served by Spirit.