Spirit Airlines shuts down instantly, cancelling all flights | EUROtoday

Low-cost Spirit Airlines introduced early Saturday that it will shut down its operations instantly after 34 years in enterprise, leaving hundreds of passengers scrambling to rebook their journey on different airways.

The firm, which operated a whole lot of each day flights throughout the U.S. and employed 17,000 folks, had been in discussions with the Trump administration a couple of $500m rescue bundle, however no deal was reached.

But the hassle has stalled as a result of Spirit has been unable to safe the required backing from bondholders and authorities stakeholders, folks acquainted with the matter advised the Wall Street Journal on Friday.

The airline mentioned on its web site that every one flights have been canceled and customer support is now not out there.

“We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry over the last 34 years and had hoped to serve our guests for many years to come,” the announcement mentioned.

The firm suggested prospects that they may count on refunds however there can be no assist in reserving journey on different airways.

Duffy advised a Saturday press convention at Newark Liberty International Airport that the Trump administration had made “a significant effort” to attempt to maintain the airline afloat.

“There was a number of ideas being floated on how the government could step in and be helpful to Spirit Airlines,” Duffy mentioned. “The president was like a dog on a bone trying to figure out a way to keep Spirit afloat.”

What ought to Spirit passengers do?

Thousands of Spirit passengers should now scramble to search out seats on different flights or make different journey preparations.

In its announcement, Spirit advised passengers it couldn’t assist them rebook their journey on one other airline however would robotically difficulty a refund to those that had purchased via the corporate with a credit score or debit card.

Passengers who booked flights through a journey agent “should contact the travel agent directly to request a refund,” Spirit mentioned.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy introduced on Saturday that United, Delta and Southwest will cap their ticket costs for Spirit prospects making an attempt to rebook their flights. Passengers will probably be requested to offer their Spirit affirmation quantity and proof of fee.

“For any consumers worried about higher prices, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are offering reduced fares on high-volume Spirit routes,” Duffy mentioned in a put up on X. “Allegiant has also committed to freezing fare prices across routes that overlap with Spirit. To support impacted travelers, Frontier is offering up to 50% off base fares across its network until May 10.”

He additionally mentioned that different carriers would assist Spirit pilots and flight attendants return to their dwelling cities. In a press release, he mentioned vacationers might examine with their bank card firm or journey insurance coverage coverage about refunds.

Trump had floated the thought of a bailout final week after the airline discovered itself in chapter proceedings for the second time in lower than two years with jet gas costs hovering due to the Iran battle.

As late as Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump had mentioned that “we’re it” and had given the budget carrier a “final proposal” for a taxpayer-funded takeover.

Spirit has struggled financially since the COVID-19 pandemic, weighed down by rising operating costs and growing debt. By the time it filed for Chapter 11 protection in November 2024, Spirit had lost more than $2.5 billion since the start of 2020.

The finances service sought chapter safety once more in August 2025, when it reported having $8.1 billion in money owed and $8.6 billion in property, in keeping with courtroom filings.

Supporters of a rescue together with labor unions representing Spirit’s pilots, flight attendants and ramp staff mentioned a collapse would put hundreds of Americans out of labor and damage customers by decreasing airline competitors and growing airfares. About 17,000 jobs may very well be impacted, in keeping with Spirit lawyer Marshall Huebner.

Budget-conscious and leisure vacationers would probably really feel Spirit’s absence probably the most, particularly in locations the place the airline has a giant footprint corresponding to Las Vegas and the Florida cities of Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.

The service flew about 1.7 million home passengers in February, roughly half one million fewer than throughout the identical month a yr earlier, in keeping with aviation analytics agency Cirium. Spirit additionally has sharply decreased its capability, with about half as many seats out there this month than in May 2024.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.