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Nomadic Aviation Relocates 23 Spirit A320s to Arizona Desert

5/17/2026

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Summary

Nomadic Aviation Ferries

Nomadic Aviation Group ferried 23 Spirit Airbus A320 jets to Arizona desert storage after Spirit shut down at 3 a.m. ET on May 2, 2026.
Crews began moving the aircraft at 6 p.m. on May 1, 2026.
Bob Allen secured 20 pilots, many former Spirit crew, within six hours.
Each jet required inspections, fuel, flight plans and FAA clearance before ferrying to the Arizona desert, where the dry climate limits corrosion.

Summary

Spirit Evaluates Jets

Spirit Airlines said the stored jets will be evaluated for lease, sale, or cannibalization.
61 of the 67 aircraft are stored at Phoenix Goodyear Airport (31) and Marana Pinal Airpark (30).
One A320-200 (N643NK) moved to Dothan, Alabama, two (N649NK, N650NK) to San Salvador, and three (N626NK, N633NK, N635NK) to Hamilton, Canada.
Flightradar24 data show 94 A320 jets were active in the past 30 days, with 67 (71.3%) already in storage.

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Nomadic Aviation Ferries

Nomadic Aviation Group ferried 23 Spirit Airbus A320 jets to Arizona desert storage after Spirit shut down at 3 a.m. ET on May 2, 2026.
Crews began moving the aircraft at 6 p.m. on May 1, 2026.
Bob Allen secured 20 pilots, many former Spirit crew, within six hours.
Each jet required inspections, fuel, flight plans and FAA clearance before ferrying to the Arizona desert, where the dry climate limits corrosion.

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