The administration of US President Donald Trump took a step this Saturday, May 2 announcing help for Spirit Airlines passengers and employees, lAfter the airline announced it was ceasing operations after failing to reach an agreement for a government bailout to inject the money it needed to continue flying.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reported in a statement that after conversations with American Airlines, United, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Allegiant, Frontier, Avelo and Breeze It was agreed to provide support in various ways to passengers of Spirit, a low-cost airline.
According to Duffy’s communication, United, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest are offering special pricing for Spirit customers who need to reschedule their canceled flights, for which they must provide, at a minimum, the flight confirmation number and proof of payment.
Duffy also indicated that for customers concerned about rising ticket prices, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines offer reduced fares on Spirit’s most in-demand routes.
Allegiant too promised to freeze prices on the routes which match those flown by Spirit while Frontier is offering them up to 50% off across its entire network until May 10.
Avianca announced on its X account the option of return without charging airfare for Spirit passengers who have to return to their origin.
The Department of Transportation’s agreement for employees with most airlines It is to take them back home, as well as job interviews preferably.
Aeronautics is pronounced
The General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics in Guatemala (DGAC) issued a statement confirming the closure of the airline, and highlighted that this entity is unrelated to the company’s decision.
He stressed that the airline asked those affected Contact your Epiq claims agent, since customer support is no longer available.
He explained that customers can write to the email SpiritAirlinesinfo@epiqglobal.com or call the number (855) 952-6606, with free calls from the US and Canada, or at (971) 715-2831 for international calls.
The DGAC emphasized that Several airlines also offered to help:
- Avianca: consult the siteayuda.avianca.com
- American Airlines: check the AA.com site
- Delta Airlines: consult delta.com or call 1800-3000005
- JetBule: consult the jetblue.com site
The case
Spirit surprised on Friday by announcing that it will cease operations after a $500 million government bailout deal collapsed.
In January 2024, a federal judge rejected the proposed merger between JetBlue and Spirit by dictating that the merger would reduce competition and raise rates.
The airline, based in Florida, continued to operate under bankruptcy law, and was traveling from the US to the Caribbean and a large number of destinations in Latin America, including Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Peru, Mexico, Colombia and Costa Rica.
The airline announced last August that filed for the second time in a year under the country’s bankruptcy law after a failed attempt at reorganization. His first bankruptcy filing was in November 2024.
Its president and CEO, Dave Davis, said the closure was due to “sudden and sustained increase in fuel prices in recent weeks,” which left the company “no other alternative than to proceed with an orderly liquidation of the company,” the newspaper notes. The Hill.
Spirit had held direct talks with the US government to design a deal that would have provided liquidity in exchange for financial guarantees. which could have become a state stake of up to 90% in the company.
However, the Wall Street Journal He detailed yesterday that they emerged strong disagreements within the Trump administration itself on whether the rescue should be financed and how to structure it.
*With information from EFE
