Spirit Airlines is No Longer Canceling Hundreds of Flights Out of Columbus
Spirit Airlines seems to have worked out the problems that left dozens of flights grounded in Columbus earlier this month.
After canceling the majority of its flights two weeks ago, Spirit has logged no canceled flights out of John Glenn Columbus International Airport since Aug 8, according to recently released data from the flight tracking firm Flight Aware.
In the preceding week, Spirit cancelled more than half of its flights out of John Glenn (the airline doesn't fly out of Rickenbacker International Airport). The problem was particularly acute on Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, when around 84% of Spirit's flights were grounded.
Thousands of Spirit flights were called off nationwide, leaving passengers stuck in crowded airport terminals, struggling to make last minute changes to their travel plans.
In comments to national media outlets, Spirit CEO Ted Christie blamed bad weather and staffing shortages.
"This is not our proudest moment," he told reporters on Aug. 5.
A Spirit spokesperson did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Monday morning.
Stranded passengers vented to reporters and took to social media to complain about long waits in airport lounges and upended travel plans.
The airline promised to provide free hotel stays and when possible.
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