Low-cost airline to depart Bay Area in October

"Low-cost airline Spirit Airlines, which recently refiled for bankruptcy protection as it continues to face turbulent financial headwinds, is officially departing the Bay Area. A spokesperson for the airline confirmed to SFGATE that it's pulling out of Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport and San Jose Mineta International Airport next month. By the week of Oct. 2, Spirit plans discontinue service at 11 airports across the country, including SJC and OAK."

""We apologize to our Guests for any inconvenience this may cause and will reach out to those with affected reservations to notify them of their options, including a refund," a spokesperson for the airline said in an emailed statement Thursday. Spirit is also ending service in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Birmingham, Alabama; Boise, Idaho; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Columbia, South Carolina; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento; Salt Lake City; and San Diego."

"Spirit was recently the second-largest airline operating out of OAK, but airport spokesperson Kaley Skantz expressed confidence in the airport's continued ability to serve travelers. "It's unfortunate that Spirit Airlines could not overcome its larger financial challenges," she told SFGATE. "Spirit represented less than three percent of our recent seat availability and daily flights at OAK." At SJC, where Spirit flights to Las Vegas were as cheap as $32, a spokesperson for the airport said the airline's final service to Sin City will be on Oct. 4."

Spirit Airlines recently refiled for bankruptcy protection and is pulling out of Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) and San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) next month. By the week of Oct. 2, Spirit will discontinue service at 11 U.S. airports including Albuquerque, Birmingham, Boise, Chattanooga, Columbia, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and San Diego. The airline will notify affected guests and offer options such as refunds. Spirit had been the second-largest carrier at OAK but accounted for less than three percent of recent seat availability and daily flights there. Final SJC service to Las Vegas runs through Oct. 4.

Read at SFGATE