In a recent investor update, Spirit Airlines announced that it anticipates a larger-than-expected loss for the last quarter, primarily due to a shortfall in non-ticket revenue. The low-cost carrier noted that revenue from various fees, which have long been associated with its rock-bottom fares, came in "several dollars lower than anticipated" per passenger.

Spirit Airlines now expects to report an adjusted loss ranging between $160 million and $173 million for the three months ending June 30. This estimate is higher than the previous projection, which indicated a loss of no more than $145 million. Additionally, the airline predicts sales of $1.28 billion, down from the initial forecast of at least $1.32 billion.

Shares of Spirit Airlines dipped approximately 6% during after-hours trading following the release of this update in a securities filing. The airline is facing various challenges, including weak fares and oversupply in the U.S. market. Furthermore, the company is still grappling with the repercussions of an engine recall that has grounded several aircraft and the fallout from the failed acquisition attempt by JetBlue Airways earlier this year.

To address these challenges, Spirit Airlines, along with rival Frontier Airlines, recently revamped its ticket-selling strategy by offering bundle packages that include seat assignments and carry-on bags. This approach aligns the company's business practices more closely with larger competitors.

"While the Company progresses on its transformation strategy, it anticipates that over time it will be able to drive an improvement in total revenue per passenger segment," said Spirit Airlines in its statement.

It remains to be seen how Spirit Airlines will navigate these obstacles in the coming months. However, as the company takes steps towards enhancing its revenue and addressing market conditions, it hopes to eventually achieve positive results.