Spirit Seeks to Return 87 Airplanes to Lessors Amid Bankruptcy

Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc is seeking court approval to return 87 airplanes to lessors as the low-cost carrier continues to pare down operations following its bankruptcy filing.

The airline is asking the court to return 87 Airbus SE A320-family planes, according to a court filing on Thursday. The Dania Beach, Florida-based company has slashed its fleet by more than half since seeking bankruptcy protection on Aug. 29 in it’s second such filing in less than a year.

“Spirit has identified cost savings to be achieved through a significant reduction in its fleet by eliminating aircraft and other related equipment that ...