Spirit to defer Airbus plane deliveries, furlough 260 pilots this year

Discount carrier Spirit Airlines said it is deferring all aircraft on order from Airbus that were scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2025 through the end of 2026. Spirit said Monday that it came to an agreement with the European plane manufacturer to delay delivery of the planes until 2030 and 2031. Spirit said the deferrals will bolster Spirit’s liquidity by about $340 million over the next two years. Florida-based Spirit also said it plans to furlough 260 pilots effective Sept. 1, 2024 as a result of the deferrals and ongoing problems with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines.