Nomadic Aviation Group Repossesses Spirit Jets, Finding 20 Pilots in 6 Hours

2 articles · Updated · Jalopnik · May 14

Nomadic Aviation Group scrambled to line up 20 pilots in six hours after Spirit Airlines’ abrupt liquidation left leased Airbus jets stranded at airports across the U.S.
Those aircraft had to be legally cleared, inspected by mechanics and an FAA representative, fueled and ferried out quickly because planes that sit longer need more maintenance before they can fly again.
Some jets were left at gates after Spirit’s final flights, creating operational problems at airports, and Nomadic used several former Spirit pilots to move them.
Most aircraft are being flown to dry-storage sites near Phoenix and Tucson, where lessors can preserve them while deciding whether to re-lease, part out or scrap them.
Spirit had already tried to return about half its fleet during its second bankruptcy last year, and some of its newer planes could help ease engine shortages affecting other airlines.

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By trying to protect low fares, did regulators seal Spirit's fate?