Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, October 11, 2025
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines is an American ultra-low-cost carrier headquartered in Miramar, Florida. Founded in 1980 as Charter One, the airline rebranded to Spirit Airlines in 1992, focusing on providing affordable air travel options across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Known for its no-frills service model, Spirit has grown significantly over the decades, expanding its fleet and route network to include major hubs such as Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Detroit. The airline’s mission is to offer low fares with optional add-on amenities, making air travel accessible to a broader customer base. Today, Spirit Airlines is one of the fastest-growing airlines in the U.S., committed to providing budget-friendly travel experiences.
News Summary
Spirit Airlines has filed for bankruptcy protection again, raising concerns over its operations at Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). Once a major player at MYR, accounting for half of the traffic, the airline now represents 25%. The only affected route is to Hartford, Connecticut. As the summer tourism season declines, MYR officials are working on diversifying airline options to mitigate disruption, having added carriers like Southwest and Avelo recently. Improvements at MYR continue, including a terminal expansion, as the airport seeks to remain competitive amidst these challenges.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – Spirit Airlines has filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than a year, raising concerns over its ongoing operations at Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). Once accounting for 50% of passengers at MYR six years ago, Spirit now represents approximately 25%, although it remains the largest carrier at the airport.
The bankruptcy could significantly impact MYR’s services, as the only affected route is Spirit’s flight to Hartford, Connecticut, which will no longer be available. While other Spirit flights are still scheduled to operate, adjustments are expected, particularly as the airline has recently implemented service cuts to multiple cities, including Columbia and Birmingham.
As tourism has already declined this summer, airport officials are actively working to mitigate disruption for passengers and have engaged in discussions with Spirit to address potential service changes. This follows an ongoing strategy by MYR to diversify its airline portfolio over the years, thereby reducing reliance on any single carrier. The airport has succeeded in expanding its options by adding three new carriers since 2021: Southwest, Avelo, and Breeze.
Airport officials have assured that any future changes to Spirit’s flight schedule will be short-term. Stuart Butler, president of Visit Myrtle Beach, expressed confidence that lost Spirit routes could be replaced with services from other airlines, if necessary. Recent improvements at MYR, which include renovations and a significant terminal expansion, are expected to support continued airport operations even amidst these changes.
The terminal expansion project will add six new gates, with an expected opening in December. Recent upgrades to the airport also include restroom renovations, signage updates, and new flooring, all contributing to a better passenger experience. In fact, MYR achieved a record number of enplanements and deplanements in 2024, and the figures for 2025 have shown fluctuations, with some months even surpassing those from 2024.
Myrtle Beach International Airport was recognized last year as the No. 1 best small airport in the country and is currently under consideration for the title again this year. Despite the challenges posed by Spirit Airlines’ financial difficulties, MYR continues to position itself as a resilient and competitive airport in the region.
- Key Facts about Spirit Airlines and Myrtle Beach International Airport
-
- Spirit’s current passenger share at MYR is about 25%.
- Spirit recently filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than a year.
- The only service impacted is the flight to Hartford, Connecticut.
- MYR has added three new carriers since 2021: Southwest, Avelo, and Breeze.
- Projected completion of MYR’s terminal expansion is in December.
- MYR was named the No. 1 best small airport in the country last year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of passengers does Spirit Airlines account for at MYR currently?
What is the most recent action taken by Spirit Airlines regarding their financial status?
Which flight service from Spirit is affected by the bankruptcy?
What actions is MYR taking in response to Spirit’s bankruptcy?
What have been additional improvements to MYR?
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Myrtle Beach International Airport Earns Golf Recognition
Spirit Airlines Halts Service in 11 Cities Amid Bankruptcy
Cleveland Honors Community Contributions and Golf Charity Initiatives
Myrtle Beach Golf: The Ultimate Family Getaway for Summer Fun
Affordable Family Getaways with Mini Golf at Myrtle Beach
Breeze Airways Launches Nonstop Flights from New Orleans
25 Fabulous Family-Friendly Beach Golf Destinations
Carolina Country Music Fest Draws 140,000 Attendees
Carolina Country Music Fest Concludes with Big Crowds
Asheville Faces Tourism Turmoil Following Hurricane Helene
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Spirit Airlines Bankruptcy
- Wikipedia: Spirit Airlines
- WBTW: Spirit Airlines Furloughs
- Google Search: Spirit Airlines bankruptcy Myrtle Beach
- The Points Guy: Spirit Airlines Route Cuts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Airline
- NBC Connecticut: Spirit Airlines Exits
- Google News: Latest news on Spirit Airlines
- WPDE: Spirit Airlines Non-Stop Flights
- Google Scholar: Spirit Airlines bankruptcy
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
