Spirit Offers Updates on Haiti Service, Relief Efforts

Spirit Airlines said it is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in transporting much needed humanitarian aid to those devastated by the earthquake in Haiti, including professional aid and supplies.

Spirit’s humanitarian aid flights, including seats and cargo space, are already full. “Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to all of the people in Haiti during this terrible tragedy,” said Spirit Airlines CEO and President Ben Baldanza. “We are dedicating aircraft for humanitarian aid efforts, including transporting medical aid teams and supplies to Port-au-Prince, and stand ready to assist in any way possible in bringing relief to our friends and neighbors in Haiti.”

Spirit announced the following updates relating to its service to Port-au-Prince, Haiti: the airline’s regularly-scheduled passenger flights between Fort Lauderdale and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, are cancelled through Sunday, January 17 as a result of the airport closure. Spirit will reinstate service to Haiti when the airport is open to commercial passenger traffic.

In order to offer customers flexibility, Spirit has updated its Flexible Travel Protection Policy in response to flight changes resulting from the earthquake that is impacting Haiti. For customers holding reservations for travel to, from or through Haiti through Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, Spirit will waive the change fee and difference in fare, provided that customers rebook their travel plans before the date and time of their original reservation, and travel on or before Feb. 28, 2010. Customers who wish to move their travel beyond Feb. 28, 2010, will not be charged a change fee, but any difference in fare will apply. Customers must call the Spirit Reservations Center at 800-772-7117 to make their flight changes.

Spirit said it is providing updates at http://www.spiritair.com/ with details about flights, flexible travel protection policy and the relief effort as they become available. The airline also is continuing its effort to assist in raising funds for relief agencies. As announced earlier, it is giving 5,000 free Spirit miles to everyone who donates at least $5 to the Red Cross, UNICEF or Yéle Haiti, enough miles for a free flight.