Spirit Airlines’ unwanted Airbus A320neos could be scrapped as lessors explore part-out sales
December 3, 2025
A portion of Spirit Airlines’ Airbus A320neo fleet could be broken up for parts, as several leasing companies explore teardown bids following the US carrier’s decision to reject dozens of aircraft under its Chapter 11 restructuring.
Industry sources have told aviation data service Ishka that lessors are in active discussions with part-out specialists, with some now seeing outright scrapping as a realistic option for grounded aircraft heading towards costly engine-shop visits.
Spirit Airlines rejected Airbus A320s could be scrapped
Spirit has already sought court approval to cancel contracts for 87 A320-family jets leased from 16 owners.
The batch covers 67 aircraft from the A320neo series alongside 20 earlier-generation A320ceos, many of which are powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G-JM geared turbofan.
A number of those engines are understood to require significant maintenance before returning to service, adding cost and delay for any operator that might contemplate taking the aircraft on.
It was reported in October that some lessors holding ex-Spirit A320neos were assessing whether the airframes might generate higher value through disassembly than through placement with a new airline.
That view has gained further traction in recent weeks, Ishka said, with multiple parties confirming they have opened structured talks with teardown companies.
“One part-out source told Ishka that he thinks there might be as many as 10 A320neos sold to the part-out market in the first half of next year, including some aircraft potentially from IndiGo,” the company noted.
Nineteen A320neos have already been disassembled globally this year, according to Ishka research.
Spirit restructures with route cuts and downsizing
In recent months, the troubled US carrier has been announcing further cuts it plans to make to ensure its long-term survival.
As well as shedding around half of its all-Airbus fleet, the carrier has been closing operations at several of its bases, as the airline undergoes a drastic downsizing to ensure longevity.
Spirit emerged from its first round of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March.
With a revised business plan in place and a reshuffling of its top management, the airline had hoped that fortunes would turn in its favour.
However, with US demand remaining stagnant, cheap fares offered by competitors flooding its markets, and operating costs remaining high, the airline struggled to regain a stable footing.
With losses continuing to mount, Spirit filed for bankruptcy protection again in late August.
Spirit Airlines rejects both aircraft lease and purchase contracts
Spirit’s retreat from the A320 family extends beyond its existing fleet. In parallel with the lease rejections, the carrier has confirmed it will walk away from commitments to purchase 52 new Airbus aircraft, as well as options for a further 10.
Those orders are being reassigned to AerCap under a three-way agreement approved by the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
For lessors, the calculus around the rejected jets is complex. Some A320neos, particularly those requiring deep engine work, may face placement challenges in the near term.
Others may simply be more valuable as a source of material for operators struggling with long turnaround times for GTF engine repairs.
Airframe components, landing gear and serviceable interiors remain in strong demand, and teardown firms have reported steady appetite from MRO providers seeking to reduce dependency on slow OEM supply chains.
Featured image: Markus Mainka / stock.adobe.com
