JetBlue wins Spirit Airlines’ coveted slots at LaGuardia Airport in NYC: report

Key Points:

• JetBlue has secured Spirit Airlines' takeoff and landing slots at New York’s LaGuardia Airport and plans to move into Spirit’s former Terminal A, with any expansion expected to begin in 2027.
• Spirit Airlines ceased operations in May after failing to obtain a $500 million bailout, marking its second bankruptcy in under two years, and its assets are currently in US Bankruptcy Court.
• JetBlue's move to Terminal A, previously its base before relocating, aims to capitalize on a convenient location favored by travelers amid fierce competition for limited airport space.
• The 12 roundtrip slots are pending final court and regulatory approvals, and this acquisition would represent a significant expansion for JetBlue at a highly congested airport.
• Spirit struggled financially for years, losing $1.61 for every dollar earned, heavily impacted by rising jet fuel prices and intense competition, despite growing into the nation’s eighth-largest airline over 34 years.