Spirit Airlines recently made news when it announced they would have to cancel flights in order to inspect certain aircrafts. With canceled flights come inconveniences to flyers, leaving them with little choice but to understand the need for safety inspections.
Spirit Airlines’ CEO, Ted Christie, reported that the cancelled flights were preemptive action on the airlines’ part in order to meet certain safety standards. Christie did not mention any particular issue, but he did state that all cancelled flights had been inspected and that there was no immediate concern for passenger safety. The airline also noted that the inspections were in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration as well as company protocol.
The cancelled flights impacted approximately 400 Spirit customers. To compensate for the inconvenience, Spirit offered vouchers to passengers that were affected. Passengers also had the option to rebook their flight or receive a refund without penalty.
Insuring air travel safety is one of the highest priorities at Spirit Airlines, and given the current pandemic circumstances the airline wanted to take extra precaution. Spokeswoman Misty Pinson said, “We have worked closely with our partners at the FAA to ensure all of our aircrafts meet the highest levels of safety and regulatory compliance. We remain committed to our guest’s safety and to providing them with the highest quality service.”
Overall, Spirit Airlines received high marks for how it handled the situation. The proactiveness of the airline demonstrated that safety is the number one priority, even when it causes disruption with hundreds of passengers. It is refreshing to see airlines hold themselves to the highest standards and this instance showcases Spirit’s commitment to its passengers’ safety.