JetBlue Adds Flights at Fort Lauderdale After Spirit Airlines Shutdown

JetBlue Airways announced more than two dozen new flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport hours after Spirit Airlines shut down last weekend. The carrier moved quickly to add service at Spirit's former base as it seeks to attract travelers left without options.

The airline is attempting to strengthen its position at the airport near Miami and make it a key part of its network. The company has faced years of financial losses and is working to return to profitability. It has shrunk to under 5 percent of domestic air travel, roughly one-fourth the size of the largest U.S. carriers.

JetBlue's costs have risen faster than revenue, leaving it unable to match either the scale of major airlines or the low-fare model of ultra-low-cost carriers. From 2019 to 2025, the airline's operating costs increased nearly 29 percent while revenue rose 13 percent.

JetBlue has reported losses each year since 2019 and carries about $8.5 billion in debt. The company has reduced its overall footprint in recent years as it searches for a sustainable path forward.

JetBlue is seeking to build Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport into a central hub for its operations. The rapid addition of flights represents an effort to capture demand from passengers affected by the sudden end of Spirit's service. The airline views the airport as a potential pillar for future growth.

An aviation data provider described the airline's position as difficult. "It is the most uncomfortable place in the world," the analyst said. " The carrier must expand to improve its competitive standing but faces limited straightforward options. It cannot match the network scale of larger rivals while its cost structure prevents it from fully adopting a low-fare strategy.