Spirit Airlines plans to open a new crew base for its pilots at Newark Liberty International Airport, beginning this September.

The carrier said it would locate nearly 200 pilots in Newark initially with additional supervisors and support functions to follow, according to the May 24 announcement. Spirit added that Newark was selected because of the strategic location within its network. Since launching service at Newark airport in October 2016, Spirit has become the second-largest carrier at the airport with up to 32 peak day departures and service to 22 destinations.

“We’re continuously focused on running a strong, reliable operation, and our growth at EWR paired with the airport’s location in the nation’s largest metropolitan area make Newark ideal for our next pilot crew base,” said John Bendoraitis, Spirit’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.

The crew base is where flight crews typically begin and end their trips. The move comes on the heels of an April announcement by Spirit that it was closing its hub at Atlantic City International Airport.

“Spirit has a long history of serving New Jersey travelers, and this investment reflects our commitment to our guests and team members in the Garden State,” said Bendoraitis. “We thank the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Newark Liberty International Airport and our community partners for their continued support.”

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