DETROIT – Spirit Airlines carried more than 1.7 million passengers through Detroit Metropolitan Airport last year, making it the airport’s second-largest carrier behind Delta Air Lines.

Now the discount carrier is gone.

The airline’s collapse leaves a major hole in Detroit’s air travel market and raises questions about whether Michigan travelers will ultimately pay more for flights, particularly as Detroit Metro moves to recover some of the revenue lost by Spirit’s departure.

While aviation experts caution it is impossible to predict exactly how airfares will change, they say the disappearance of a major low-cost carrier could reshape competition at one of the Midwest’s busiest airports.

By The Numbers

  • Spirit carried more than 1.7 million passengers through DTW in 2025.
  • Spirit controlled roughly 13% of Detroit Metro’s airline seat capacity.
  • Delta controls about 70% of the airport’s seat capacity.
  • DTW plans to increase terminal fees beginning July 1.
  • Frontier Airlines is widely viewed as the carrier best positioned to absorb some of Spirit’s former market share.

Frontier Could Be The Biggest Winner

Selim Ozyurek, assistant professor at the Western Michigan University College of Aviation, said Frontier Airlines stands to benefit most from Spirit’s exit.

“For sure Frontier benefits,” Ozyurek said. “Frontier has potential to get benefit from the DTW market. However, it will be Frontier’s decision to make trade-offs for the DTW market.”

Whether Frontier expands aggressively in Detroit remains uncertain. Airlines carefully manage aircraft deployment, route profitability and staffing levels, often shifting resources to markets offering the strongest returns.

If Frontier chooses to expand service at DTW, it could help preserve some of the low-cost competition Spirit once provided.

Airport Fees Also Are Increasing

Complicating matters is a planned increase in airport terminal fees that takes effect July 1.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport has indicated it will increase fees paid by airlines as it seeks to recover some of the revenue lost from Spirit’s departure.

Whether travelers ultimately absorb those higher costs remains unclear.

“DTW airport has lot revenue and planning to recover some portion of loss by increasing the terminal fees,” Ozyurek said. “The pricing strategies of carriers will be determinant to reflect airport increase to the airfares.”

In other words, airlines may pass along some of the higher costs to travelers, absorb them internally, or attempt to offset them through increased passenger volume.

“Assuming the fact that existing airlines will increase their number of passengers at different rates, upward pressure may or may not add meaningful increase,” he added.

Does Delta Gain More Pricing Power?

One concern raised by industry observers is whether Delta gains additional leverage at Detroit Metro now that Spirit is no longer competing for passengers.

Delta already dominates DTW, operating its second-largest hub at the airport.

Ozyurek said the answer is nuanced.

“Partially yes,” he said.

However, he noted that Spirit’s passengers often differ from Delta’s traditional customer base.

“Spirit passenger profile was not exactly aligned with Delta’s passenger profile,” Ozyurek said. “However, this is not a clear distinction as we prioritize connectivity and schedule over the price.”

That means many travelers who previously chose Spirit because of price may ultimately migrate to larger carriers if flight schedules, route options or connections better fit their travel needs.

“It means low-cost passengers have potential to fly with a full-service carrier based on the travel needs, connectivity and scheduling,” he said.

What Happens Next?

The key question for Michigan travelers is whether another airline steps in to replace Spirit’s role.

Frontier appears to be the most likely candidate, but the carrier has not announced major Detroit expansion plans.

If another low-cost airline fills the void, competition could remain relatively stable.

If not, Detroit travelers may gradually find themselves with fewer budget options than they had before Spirit’s collapse.

For now, aviation experts say the market remains in transition.

The Spirit Effect is ending. What replaces it will help determine how much Michigan travelers pay for years to come.