United to launch new routes as Spirt pulls back

Sept. 4 (UPI) — United Airlines announced new routes in markets served by Spirit Airlines, as the later closed routes amid a bankruptcy filing.

The new United flights will begin on Jan. 6 and will include additional service to Houston, Texas and Las Vegas, Newark, N.J., Columbia, S.C., Chattanooga, Tenn., New Orleans, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago and Florida cities Miami, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.

United has also announced new weekly flights between Houston and Guatemala City, Guatemala and San Salvador, El Salvador, as well as a new weekly flight between Houston and San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

It will also add more flights between Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles and will utilize larger aircraft between Chicago and LaGuardia in New York to further expand service.

“If Spirit suddenly goes out of business it will be incredibly disruptive, so we’re adding these flights to give their customers other options if they want or need them,” said United Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances Patrick Quayle on Thursday in a press release.

On the other hand, Spirit will cease operations in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Birmingham, Alabama; Boise, Idaho; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Columbia, Macon, Georgia; South Carolina; Portland, Oregon and Salt Lake City, Utah plus California cities Oakland, San Diego, Sacramento and San Jose come October.

Spirit announced last week in a press release it has filed bankruptcy for the second time in six months, and while it has stated its customers can still book, travel and use tickets, credits and loyalty points, it will be axing a number of routes next month.

“As we move forward, guests can continue to rely on Spirit to provide high-value travel options and connect them with the people and places that matter most,” said Spirit President and CEO Dave Davis in the release.

Meanwhile Frontier Airlines announced last week that it’s adding 20 new routes from American metro areas, including Baltimore, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale and Houston.

This creates a 35% overlap with Spirit’s coverage and service, more than any other airline.