Spirit Airlines’ financial challenges are having a pronounced impact on Harry Reid International Airport’s passenger numbers. In September, the airport saw 4.5 million arriving and departing travelers, a 6.4 percent decline from the previous year. This decrease closely mirrors the drop in Spirit’s passenger count, which plunged 45.8 percent to 367,625, accounting for a loss of 310,574 travelers—almost the entire airport’s year-over-year decline.
Spirit, currently grappling with its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing this year, has slashed its route network systemwide. The airline has indicated it may sell aircraft to improve its financial standing and is exploring a potential sale or merger, according to a recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Although JetBlue Airways and Frontier Airlines have previously shown interest in acquiring Spirit, regulatory approval remains uncertain.
Domestic passenger numbers at Reid were down 6.1 percent in September, while international traffic fell 13.5 percent. For the first three quarters of 2025, domestic passengers are down 4.9 percent to 38.1 million, and international passengers are down 3.3 percent to 2.6 million.
Among domestic carriers, Southwest Airlines remains dominant with 1.8 million passengers in September, a 5.5 percent increase year-over-year. Delta Air Lines is second with 425,014 passengers (down 2.1 percent), followed by Spirit, United (359,666, up 5.4 percent), and American Airlines (357,789, down 5.3 percent).
On international routes, Air Canada leads with 43,553 passengers (down 18.4 percent), followed by Westjet (40,566, down 44.3 percent), British Airways (31,677, up 9.5 percent), Vivaaerobus (28,948, up 28.5 percent), and Volaris (26,572, down 9.3 percent). KLM saw the largest percentage growth on international flights, up 46.8 percent to 13,261 passengers, while Porter Airlines experienced the sharpest decline, down 45.9 percent to 7,028 passengers.
Spirit’s troubles are a significant factor in the overall decrease in passenger traffic at Harry Reid International Airport, with broader implications for route availability and airline competition in the Las Vegas market.