Spirit Airlines is delaying its plans to fly to Mexico’s newest major airport, Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO), before it’s even opened to international airlines. The airline blames the postponement on ongoing operational constraints related to defects on a number of Airbus A321neo engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney. This issue has forced Spirit to ground dozens of its jets, affecting its profitability and resulting in route cuts in recent months.
Spirit had initially planned to serve Tulum from both Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). However, the carrier is now reaching out to customers with flights already booked to offer alternative flights or a refund. The airline apologized to its guests for any inconvenience and expressed its desire to serve Tulum in the future once it has an updated schedule.
While Spirit is postponing its plans, other major U.S. airlines are moving forward with their plans to fly to Tulum. American Airlines, for example, will serve Tulum from Miami International Airport (MIA), Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) starting in April. United Airlines will also fly to Tulum from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Newark Liberty International Airport (IAH), and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), with service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) starting later this year. Delta Air Lines will offer nonstop service from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Tulum.
Spirit sees the postponement as temporary and hopes to reinstate its plans for Tulum service in the future. This would provide travelers with the option to fly to the new airport aboard an ultra-low-cost carrier.