Spirit: Fly free on September 11

Schorr: 'I want to personally encourage the public to travel'

Spirit Airlines passengers will fly free of charge on September 11.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (CNN) -- With airlines reporting a drop in bookings for flights on September 11, Spirit Airlines announced Tuesday it will not be charging airfare for any seat on the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

"We are saying 'thank you' to the American public and our valued customers for flying with us throughout this past year," announced chief executive Jacob Schorr. "Had it not been for the support of our passengers and their willingness to get back in the air after the tragedy last year, then Spirit Airlines may not have survived."

The free seats, he said, are intended as a way to support the recovery of business and personal travel.

"I want to personally encourage the public to travel on September 11 and exercise our freedom as Americans," Schorr said.

About 13,000 seats are available for that day, and bookings will be taken through September 8 or until all seats have been filled. Customers must book online at www.spiritair.com with a credit card or through a travel agent.

About 13,000 seats are available for September 11. Reservations will be taken through September 8.

Any passenger who has already booked a flight for September 11 will receive a future flight credit for the amount they paid for that day, the airline said.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Spirit, the largest privately held airline in the United States, expects to fly a full schedule of more than 90 flights to 15 destinations.

American Airlines and United Airlines announced last week that a decline in reservations for the somber anniversary had led them to revise their schedule, in some cases canceling entire flights.