Winter Time And Our Spirits Are Flying; DFW International Airport Sends Inaugural Spirit Airlines Flight Off Today With Caribbean Style

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, (January 10, 2006) – The rhythmic sounds of Caribbean music streamed through DFW International Airport this morning as passengers boarded the inaugural Spirit Airlines non-stop flight from DFW to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Passengers boarded the 6:05 a.m. departure with an extra bounce in their step as they listened to Watussi, a Caribbean trio, and were welcomed by dignitaries and executives. 

“We are happy to have Spirit at DFW International Airport,” said Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW International Airport. “Spirit adds to an already impressive grouping of airlines to offer a great service at an affordable price. With Spirit’s low fares to Fort Lauderdale and many points across the Caribbean, DFW travelers will have trouble deciding which great destination to choose for their next vacation.” 

Spirit is now DFW’s sixth low cost carrier, joining AirTran, ATA, US Airways/America West, Frontier, and Sun Country. Fort Lauderdale will become the thirteenth nonstop city offered by DFW low cost carriers. In addition to the nonstop cities, DFW’s low cost carriers can take North Texas travelers to over 150 domestic cities with just one connection. 

“Over 80 percent of North Texas travelers can use a low cost carrier to reach their destination,” said Joe Lopano, executive vice president of marketing and terminal management at DFW. “Our low cost carriers have seen 12 percent growth over the last year. At the start of 2006 more than 3 million passengers now enjoy low cost service out of DFW on an annual basis.” 

Spirit will offer service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with connecting service to some of North Texas travelers' favorite destinations including Nassau and San Salvador (Bahamas), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Santo Domingo and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), as well as Montego Bay and Kingston (Jamaica), Cancun (Mexico), Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands), St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands), Orlando, Providenciales and Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos). 

“Our low fare service at DFW continues to expand with more options and lower prices for North Texans,” says Jeff Wentworth, chairman of the DFW International Airport,” One of the top priorities for our board and staff is to give the North Texas region a wide range of airlines and destinations. Spirit is a great addition to the DFW family and we will continue to seek new and expanded service from other low cost carriers.” 

Spirit Airlines, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was founded in 1990 and is the largest privately held airline in the nation. Spirit now serves 28 destinations in the United States and Caribbean with 125 daily departures. Spirit is the leading low cost carrier to the Caribbean and Latin America and will have more than 20 percent of its schedule operating to the region this winter. 

"I am delighted to be here to welcome in a new era of low fare service to South Florida and the Caribbean from DFW," said Marc Cavaliere, vice president of sales and distribution for Spirit Airlines. "Spirit, the brand of the future, is pleased to bring our low fares and quality service to the North Texas community and serve DFW. We offer new airplanes, low fares and terrific tropical destinations. We're thrilled to have DFW as the newest addition to our route map." 

Spirit will begin operations with one gate in DFW's Terminal E. It will receive more than $250,000 in support from DFW, which announced an unprecedented incentive package in January 2005 to attract new low fare service to the Airport and fill gates vacated by Delta Air Lines. Spirit will assign a brand new A319 to the DFW route. 

"In a competitive marketplace, our incentive package has proven to be a differentiating factor for Spirit," said Lopano. "I am happy to welcome Spirit Airlines and look forward to seeing even more of their beautiful new jets taxiing in every day as their new service takes hold and captures the imagination of North Texas travelers.” 

About Spirit Airlines

Fort Lauderdale-based Spirit Airlines is the best-capitalized, low fare carrier to the Caribbean with hubs in Detroit and in Fort Lauderdale and service to 28 cities in the United States, Bahamas, and the Caribbean. 

In addition to comfortable Coach class service, Spirit offers Spirit Plus business class with 2-by-2 leather seats with an extra 6 inches of legroom vs coach in the new Airbus fleet, complimentary cocktails and snacks. 

For more information, fares, schedules and reservations visit www.spiritair.com or call 1-800-772-7117 (en Español, 1-800-756-7117).