Spirit Airlines expresses cautious optimism about pricing improvement in the sagging US market

Similarly to the largest US global network airlines, the ULCC Spirit is welcoming signs of a modest improvement in the US pricing environment. The company's decline in total unit revenues year-on-year in 3Q2016 slowed to single digits - compared with some of the steepest decreases recorded among US airlines for the past year. If the overall trends in the US market stick Spirit's sequential unit revenue improvements should continue, reflected in projected further improvement in 4Q2016. However, unlike some US airlines, Spirit is not offering a specific timeframe for a return to positive unit revenue.

Spirit also posted sequential improvement from non-ticket revenue declines in 3Q2016. The airline has been battling soft pricing in baggage fees tied to lower ticket prices. It has been in the process of incorporating ways to shore up non-ticket revenue, including adopting more dynamic pricing of its ancillary products.

Throughout 2016 Spirit has retained a number of smaller-gauge Airbus A319s as it adopts a pivot in its network strategy - to smaller markets. Looking forward, the company is not ruling out talks with other manufacturers about its long-term fleet needs, reasoning that with Airbus' strength among low cost airlines other airframers are ultimately going to act aggressively to secure new business.