Spirit and Control Tower Had Not Been Advised of Parked Aircraft
MIRAMAR, Fla., Jan. 2, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spirit Airlines (Nasdaq:SAVE) said today that it has completed its preliminary internal investigation into the incident on the night of December 31, 2012 involving Spirit Airlines flight 403 traveling from Atlanta and landing at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Following landing, air traffic control instructed the pilot to taxi to the gate using taxiway T. While taxiing, the Spirit Airbus A320 made contact with a parked US Airways A320 aircraft. Spirit was not advised by air traffic control of the presence of the other aircraft. As part of Spirit's investigation, Spirit has been informed by officials that the control tower had also not been advised that the other A320 was parked in such close proximity to an active taxiway.
In addition, Spirit Airlines has advised the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and they will not be investigating given the minor nature of the incident.
Customers deplaned at the gate as normal and there were no injuries. There were 167 customers on board. Spirit's aircraft was returned to service within hours following minor repairs.
About Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines (Nasdaq:SAVE) empowers customers to save money on air travel by offering ultra low base fares with a range of optional services for a fee, allowing customers the freedom to choose only the extras they value. This innovative approach grows the traveling market and stimulates new economic activity while creating new jobs. Spirit's modern fleet, configuration and other innovations enable Spirit to burn less fuel per seat than competitors, making Spirit one of the most environmentally-friendly U.S. carriers. Spirit's all-Airbus fleet currently operates more than 200 daily flights to over 50 destinations within the U.S., Latin America and Caribbean. Visit Spirit at www.spirit.com.
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MEDIA NOTE: Spirit aircraft photos and video b-roll are available in the press room section of spirit.com at http://www.spirit.com/Pressrelease.aspx.
CONTACT: Media Contacts:
Misty Pinson
Director, Corporate Communications
misty.pinson@spirit.com
954-628-4827/cell 954-918-9432
Manuel Jaquez
Senior Manager Commercial - Latin America
manuel.jaquez@spirit.com
954-628-4898
