Frontier Airlines, Allegiant and Avelo Airlines are offering discounted fares, rewards and replacement routes as they capture travelers left without options after Spirit Airlines’ closure. The moves focus on Tampa Bay and other Florida leisure markets.
At Tampa International Airport, Spirit carried about 739,000 passengers in the first half of 2025, or roughly 5.8% of total traffic. By December, its share had fallen to about 3.8%, down more than 35% from the prior year, according to airport data.
Frontier is expanding at Tampa International Airport. It now operates former Spirit routes to Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago O’Hare and San Juan. Frontier serves more than 100 former Spirit routes systemwide and plans to add nine routes this summer, along with 15 additional daily flights across 18 markets.
In addition, Frontier is offering discounted fares through Nov. 19 and promoting its $199 GoWild Summer Pass, which provides unlimited summer flights, with limits on availability, booking windows and add-on fees.
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Meanwhile, Allegiant is using secondary airports that serve Tampa Bay, including St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and Punta Gorda Airport. The Las Vegas-based carrier will hold fares steady on routes that overlap with Spirit and is offering a points rebate for passengers who rebook in early May.
Routes tied to former Spirit markets include Atlantic City to St. Pete-Clearwater, Atlantic City to Punta Gorda, Nashville to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando Sanford service through nearby airports.
Similarly, Avelo is expanding in the region through alternative airports, including Lakeland International Airport. It is adding replacement routes in Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers. The airline is offering discounted fares through mid-November and a free status match for eligible Spirit Saver$ Club members.
Avelo is also hiring displaced Spirit employees.
For Tampa Bay travelers, more options remain in the market, but not always at Tampa International Airport. Some routes now run through St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Punta Gorda Airport and Lakeland International Airport. Most fares still exclude taxes and fees, and airlines charge for bags, seat assignments and other add-ons.
Frontier, Allegiant and Avelo are expanding across Florida’s leisure routes as they compete for price-sensitive travelers and absorb demand left behind in markets where Spirit once operated.
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