The American ultra-low-cost airline Spirit Airlines, which operated scheduled flights in the United States, the Caribbean and Latin Americaofficially closed its operations during the night of May 3. However, its closure was a complicated process, mainly because it was declared in bankruptcy at the end of 2025.
Additionally, a few months after declaring bankruptcy, the US conflict with Iran skyrocketed prices fuel and further worsened its financial situation, leaving it on the brink of closure, despite the fact that in 2024 it was the seventh largest airline big of North America and the largest ultra low cost of the country.
It was for this reason that, throughout the month of April, the low-cost airline held conversations with officials of the president donald trump on the possibility of a rescue package US$500 million; Therefore, this proposal would give the United States Government control of the majority of the shares of Spirit Airlines.
“I’m all for it if we can get it at the right price. They have good planes, good assets and, when get off the price of oil, we would sell them at a profit,” Trump suggested in early April, after meeting with the Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffyand the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnickto explore all the options.
The closure of Spirit
However, according to what was stated by the American network cnnalthough for the secretary of TradeHoward Lutnick, a deal with Spirit was going to be a political victory for the Trump administration, for the White House deputy secretary, Stephen Millerthere were a lot of concerns about pumping money into the company.
Furthermore, according to the American newspaper The New York Timesthe idea of a bailout for a single airline caused a strong reaction in the airline sector, since previous bailouts had been carried out in support of all airlines, in response to a paralyzed industry, such as when the population feared fly after terrorist attacks.
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Later, the War Department rejection the possibility of invoking the Defense Production Lawlegislation that gives the US president authority to direct the private industryso Donald Trump’s officials were never able to identify a source of financing for the US$500 million.
Given this situation, the general director of Spirit Airlines, Dave Davis, publicly announced last Saturday, May 2, that there would be no government bailout and automatically started canceling the night flights and at dawn, after the Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, announced that the agreement would not exist.
What happens to Spirit reserves?
According to the American television network Telemundo, in May more than 960 thousand passengers will be seen affected due to the collapse of Spirit Airlines, because now everyone will have to rebook with another airline, “probably facing higher rates as they rush to find new tickets to last minute“.
However, although the Secretary of Transportation indicated that Spirit No can help reschedule flights with other companies, some airlines such as United Airlines, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest are capping fares for those affected, so travelers must provide a Spirit confirmation number to receive the discount.
Under the circumstances, the United States Department of Transportation urged travelers to consult with other airlines to verify if they accept the ticket, with a confirmed reservation or on a waiting list, because they can offer a discount on a new ticket by eliminating advance purchase requirements or other restrictions.