Spirit Airlines is Shutting Down, Thousands of Employees and Travelers to Be Affected
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
Spirit Airlines is ceasing operations, a decision that will impact thousands of scheduled flights and nearly as many employees. The troubled low-cost airline has canceled all flights and announced an 'orderly liquidation' of its operations, effective immediately as of early Saturday morning. 'To our passengers: all flights have been canceled and customer service is no longer available,' the company said in a statement. 'We are proud of the impact our ultra-low-cost model has had on the industry over the past 34 years and had hoped to serve our passengers for many more years,' it added. Spirit, which has struggled to maintain consistent profitability since the Covid-19 pandemic, was attempting to emerge from its second bankruptcy in less than a year. However, those plans were derailed by skyrocketing jet fuel costs driven by the outbreak of war with Iran. Last month, Spirit sought financial assistance from the White House, and President Donald Trump initially appeared receptive. However, reports emerged Friday indicating that an orderly shutdown was imminent after negotiations between the company, its bondholders, and the White House apparently broke down. On its dedicated closure website, the airline advised passengers not to go to the airport and stated that all Spirit flights are canceled, directing them to a page where they can check refund statuses and next steps. At its peak in the mid-2010s, Spirit launched up to 28 new routes in less than a year and was valued at up to $6 billion. The airline attracted passengers with its 'bare fare' offers, where everything—from beverages to carry-on luggage in overhead compartments—came at an additional cost, while the base fare remained minimal.
