Arnold Palmer Regional Airport Confident in Swift Replacement for Spirit Airlines

Latrobe, PA — Officials at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport expressed strong confidence that a new budget airline will replace Spirit Airlines, the airport’s only carrier, which ceased operations early Saturday morning.

“We knew there was a chance this could happen,” said Maurice Haas, Executive Director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority. “That’s why we’ve been actively courting other airlines even before Spirit announced it was shutting down.”

Westmoreland County Commissioner Douglas Chew said the county has supported those efforts for years. The airport recently completed a runway expansion and is nearing the finish of a major terminal expansion project.

“We’re not worried about the airport’s future at all,” Chew said. “This is very important to my constituents. They want convenient parking, short walks to the gate, minimal lines, and easy access to destinations like Florida.”

The main uncertainty is the exact timing of a new carrier’s arrival.

“We will be without an airline for a little while,” Chew acknowledged. “It could be a few months — possibly into mid-summer. It’s hard to say right now.”

He noted that the two airlines the airport has been negotiating with may accelerate their timelines now that Spirit has exited. While details remain limited, Chew said the incoming carrier is expected to offer similar routes to Spirit and operate on the budget side of the industry.

“I’m very confident in our board and airport leadership that we won’t be without service for very long,” he added.

This would not be the first time the airport has successfully replaced a departing airline. Haas pointed out that the airport previously brought in new carriers after losing U.S. Airways and Northwest Airlines.

In the interim, Haas — who assumed his role just one day before Spirit’s shutdown — said the airport is reviewing the possibility of laying off some of its roughly 70 employees. Many of these workers, including ticket agents, were employed directly by the airport despite wearing Spirit uniforms.

“Yeah, that’s tough,” Haas said. “We’re like one big family here at the airport. The majority of people have been here for years. Everybody has their heart and soul in this place and wants to see it thrive.”

He expressed hope that laid-off staff could be rehired once a new airline begins service. Haas and county leaders acknowledged the broader economic impact of Spirit’s departure on the county and surrounding businesses.

In a statement, Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas called the loss a “temporary blow,” but emphasized optimism due to recent infrastructure improvements and active airline discussions.

“Both Kopas and Chew said they feel horrible for the travelers and employees affected. “We’ll make every workforce resource available to help them,” Kopas stated.

Spirit Airlines’ shutdown follows years of financial difficulties for the low-cost carrier, including an unsuccessful last-minute request for federal assistance.