ROMULUS, Michigan — David Ogloza had a front-row seat when Spirit Airlines suddenly shut down, removing a key source of customer traffic for his confectionary shop in the Warren Evans Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport.

Nearly 40% of the 4.5 million travelers who passed through the terminal last year flew on the budget carrier's yellow jets, and Ogloza saw an immediate drop in business at Quix Chocolate after the airline went dark May 2.

"We literally had like four (Spirit) gates right across from our store," he said. "(That) means that we have less foot traffic passing by, so there are moments during the week where the walkway just feels very empty. So that's not always the most pleasant, if you're working at the store, to see it very empty.

"If there's no action here at these gates," he said, "they're not going to be browsing here."

Spirit's abrupt exit, which occurred when the Florida-based airline ran out of cash and financing, comes amid an effort by the Wayne County Airport Authority to attract more specialty retail outlets to the Evans Terminal. Quix Chocolate and Rebel Nell, a Detroit-based jewelry seller, moved into custom-built spaces there in August 2024 through the Small Business Operators Arriving Ready program.

Fewer travelers, fewer shoppers

Rebel Nell departed the airport in January, for reasons the airport authority would not discuss. There remain 24 concession locations in the Evans Terminal.

"We do not comment on the individual business outcomes of our concessionaire partners. We have noticed some concessionaires are reporting lower sales; however, as flights continue to increase, we are seeing an improvement in sales," said airport authority spokesperson Cortez Strickland. "We will continue to monitor the situation closely."

Last month, the number of travelers using the terminal decreased by 28% compared to June 2025 when Spirit carried 154,503 passengers. In May, total passenger use of the terminal dropped 27%.

The airport authority is running a marketing campaign, Discover More, that is specifically designed to increase awareness of its shops, restaurants and the DTW Destination Pass — which allows non-flying guests access to both the Evans and McNamara terminals without a boarding pass.

Steve Mangigian, owner of Zingerman's Coffee at Detroit Street Cafe, which has locations in both terminals, said the Evans Terminal is quieter since Spirit left, something he's noticed as a business operator and frequent flyer.

"I do see a drop-off in traffic," he said. "I can't dispute that."

Traffic is down at Ogloza's shop, which sells treats such as chocolate-covered almonds and sea salt oysters. But he says it could be worse.

"Ever since Spirit left, I think we've seen a sales drop of about 15%, which is less than I expected because of the volume of passengers that Spirit left and also the people that work for Spirit, which are also a part of our customer base," he said.

The defunct carrier operated through six gates in the Evans Terminal, which are now common-use gates. Of the others, American Airlines occupies seven gates, United Airlines has five, Southwest Airlines has three, and Air Canada, Frontier Airlines and JetBlue each occupy one gate.

Rivals fill Spirit void

There has been some movement by Spirit's former rivals to pick up some of its business in the Evans Terminal. Frontier Airlines announced this month a deal with DTW to absorb some of the customers left after Spirit's collapse.

Frontier Airlines this month launched three new routes previously operated by Spirit, adding daily nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

“We are pleased to grow our service at DTW, ensuring a wide array of low-cost travel options remain available for Michiganders,” Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design for Frontier Airlines, said in a statement.

Frontier began increasing service from Detroit in the spring and said it expected additional growth this summer.

Southwest Airlines confirmed that beginning in mid-March 2027 it would add new nonstop routes from DTW to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Tampa International Airport.

Its planes will travel nonstop from Detroit to Austin four times a week, from Detroit to Dallas six times a week and from Detroit to Tampa once a week.

"The Airport Authority continues to engage in negotiations with various airlines," Strickland said in an emailed statement. "At this stage, it is premature to disclose any details regarding ongoing discussions or potential lease agreements with Frontier or other carriers."

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