Over the last 13 days, Spirit Airlines has performed select flights to bring home more than 1,000 United States citizens, residents, and family members. Global flight restrictions have made it a tough job for those abroad to travel. Spirit has helped these passengers to travel safely during this tough time.

A helping hand

The Florida-based carrier proudly shared details of its essential operations today in a press release sent to Simple Flying. It has been working closely with US embassies and local governments to obtain exemptions to certain international restrictions.

Therefore, it has already managed to operate a total of eight services of this kind. These have been departing from Latin America and the Caribbean. Countries include Colombia, Panama, Haiti, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras.

Spirit FLL
Fort Lauderdale-based workers welcomed home those flying in from Panama in patriotic fashion. Photo: Spirit

More to come

Those still in limbo can take advantage of Spirit's further special flights over the next few weeks. The scheduled flights are as follows:

  • Cali (CLO) – Medellin (MDE) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - Thur. April 16
  • Santo Domingo (SDQ) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - Thur. April 16
  • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - San Pedro Sula (SAP) - Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - Sat. April 18
  • Medellin (MDE) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - Tue. April 21
  • Bogota (BOG) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - Wed. April 22
  • Cali (CLO) – Cartagena (CTG) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - Thur. April 23
Spirit Bogota
Passengers flying in from Bogotá made it home after a period of uncertainty amid all the restrictions. Photo: Spirit

One big family

The operator is glad that it can help its passengers in this time of need. Spirit President and CEO Ted Christie gave a massive thanks to those who helped achieve this uphill task.

“We have been looking for ways to bring our Guests home ever since international travel restrictions started being implemented,” said Christie, as part of the press release.

“Our company is made up of Team Members who care deeply about doing whatever we can to help. I sincerely thank our Spirit Family, our airport partners and our government officials for working with us to reunite people around the Americas with their families.”

Spirit testing
Rigorous testing was carried out at airports before passengers boarded the planes to the US. Photo: Spirit

Hard times

Altogether, it is great to see airlines such as Spirit recognize their duty as national institutions. The company is also going through struggles with much of its aircraft remain grounded during the inactivity. However, it is still doing its best to assist during the harsh climate. Anyone still needing to get home should contact their embassies to be placed on flights such as these.

Simple Flying reached out to Spirit for further comment on its repatriation flights but did not hear back before publication. We will update the article with any new information.

What are your thoughts on Spirit's work to transport those who are stuck abroad? Have you been on one of these flights? Let us know what you think in the comment section.