01:47 PM EDT, 09/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- United Airlines (UAL) will not pursue Spirit Airlines' assets even if they become available under a bankruptcy restructuring, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing Chief Executive Scott Kirby.

Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy last month for the second time in a year and the carrier will implement a restructuring plan that will shrink its fleet and network, the report said.

Spirit's aircraft are ill-suited for United and would take two to three years and about $15 million per plane to reconfigure, making a purchase unrealistic, Kirby told Reuters in an interview.

He added that Spirit's key markets, such as Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also lack enough gate space to be viable for United.

United Airlines didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from MT Newswires.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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