Spirit Airlines has warned that it may need to cancel Airbus aircraft deliveries amid tariff uncertainty since the US government introduced new charges on imports in April 2025.
In a SEC filing posted on May 30, 2025, the ultra-low-cost airline voiced concerns about the impact of new tariffs and the potential for retaliation and escalation between countries.
Spirit Airlines, which operates an all-Airbus fleet, relies on imports from the European Union (EU) and fears the “imposition of these tariffs may increase the cost of, among other things, imported new Airbus aircraft and parts” required to service its fleet.
A 20% tariff introduced on April 9, 2025, for goods imported from the EU into the US was suspended for 90 days. A standard universal 10% charge remains in place.
“We may also seek to postpone or cancel delivery of certain aircraft currently scheduled for delivery, and we may choose not to purchase as many aircraft as we intended in the future,” said Spirit Airlines.
The carrier added: “Any such action could have a material adverse effect on the size of our fleet, business, financial condition and/or results of operations.”
According to ch-aviation, Spirit Airlines is currently awaiting delivery of 25 Airbus A320neos and 32 A321neos.
In March 2025, Spirit Airlines successfully exited Chapter 11 restructuring, having gained “significantly less debt and greater financial flexibility” after a US 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.”
