Spirit Airways is suspending plans to fly to Mexico’s latest main airport earlier than it is even opened to worldwide airways.
In an announcement to TPG on Wednesday afternoon, Spirit confirmed it’s suspending the beginning of its deliberate service to Tulum’s Felipe Carrillo Puerto Worldwide Airport (TQO) indefinitely.
The provider will likely be reaching out to clients with flights already booked to supply various flights or a refund, a spokesperson mentioned.
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The airline blames the route postponement on ongoing operational constraints associated to the defects on a variety of Airbus A321neo engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney. Airline executives famous continued challenges posed by the defects throughout Spirit’s earnings name final week. Dozens of Spirit’s jets are grounded because of the ongoing difficulty, which has develop into a significant head wind as Spirit tries to return to profitability — and compelled the airline to make different route cuts in current months.
Spirit was set to affix a host of different main U.S. airways in launching service to the brand new Tulum airport as soon as it opens to worldwide carriers March 28. The airport has been working for home Mexico flights since December.
Spirit had plans to serve Tulum from each Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Worldwide Airport (FLL).
Ishrion Aviation was first to report the route cutback on social media, which TPG confirmed with the provider.
“We apologize to our visitors for any inconvenience,” Spirit mentioned in an announcement to TPG. “We stay up for the chance to serve Tulum sooner or later and can share extra as soon as we’ve got an up to date schedule.”
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What different choices do vacationers have?
Spirit continues to supply service to Cancun Worldwide Airport (CUN), 70-plus miles from Cancun — or a drive of about two hours in typical visitors situations.
In the meantime, different U.S. airways are transferring ahead with plans to fly to the brand new airport in Tulum.
As of April, American Airways will serve Tulum from its hubs at Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA), Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport (CLT) and Dallas Fort Price Worldwide Airport (DFW).
United Airways will fly to Tulum from Chicago’s O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD), Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (IAH) and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Its service from Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) launches later this yr.
Delta Air Traces will supply nonstop service from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport (ATL).
Backside line
Spirit sees this route postponement as simply that — a brief shuttering of its plans for Tulum service. As airline officers famous of their assertion, the provider hopes to reinstate Tulum plans as soon as sensible, providing vacationers an choice to fly to the brand new airport aboard an ultra-low-cost provider.
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