https://airlinegeeks.com/2025/09/02/...to-bankruptcy/

ago
So Spirit’s latest Chapter 11 wasn’t really about them running out of money—it was more about AerCap pulling the rug out from under them.

On Aug. 25, AerCap (their biggest lessor) suddenly canceled 36 future Airbus deliveries for 2027–2028 and claimed defaults on 37 planes Spirit already flies, which is about a quarter of their fleet. Spirit says they weren’t behind on payments and calls the whole thing “extraordinary.”

Once those notices hit, Spirit had to disclose it to the SEC. That’s when things got messy—because if other lessors or lenders saw Spirit’s “biggest partner” claiming default, they could’ve all piled on. Filing Chapter 11 was basically Spirit hitting the pause button to stop a domino effect.

Now they’re saying they’re in talks with AerCap to work it out.