Spirit Airlines to End Service at Rochester Airport
Travelers departing from Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport will soon have one fewer airline option. Monroe County confirmed that Spirit Airlines will discontinue its operations to and from Rochester after January 7, 2026, following its bankruptcy filing.
The airline, which has faced financial struggles since the pandemic, cited low domestic travel demand as a major factor leading to this decision. This marks Spirit’s second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing within a year, prompting it to withdraw from several U.S. airports.
“Spirit Airlines will no longer operate at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) after January 7, 2026 as a result of their recent bankruptcy filing,” said airport director Andy Moore.
Impact on Flight Options
- Spirit currently operates nonstop flights from Rochester to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.
- Southwest Airlines will continue to offer nonstop service to Orlando every Saturday before expanding to daily flights starting in January.
- Avelo Airlines will continue providing multiple weekly flights to the Lakeland/Orlando area.
Despite Spirit’s exit, Rochester travelers will retain direct access to Florida destinations through other carriers.
Author’s Summary
Spirit Airlines will end flights to and from Rochester after January 2026 due to bankruptcy, but passengers will still have Florida routes through Southwest and Avelo Airlines.