Spirit Airlines announces closure. Flights cancelled and customer service discontinued

Spirit Airlines announced the cessation of operations, initiating liquidation with immediate effect. All flights were cancelled and customer service was closed. The US low-cost airline, one of the best known for its low fares, is exiting the market after months of financial difficulties. Among the main causes of this bankruptcy are the weight of past debts and the soaring price of fuel.

The situation has worsened in recent months. According to the company, the increase in jet fuel, also linked to tensions in the Middle East, has had a decisive impact. Fuel prices have more than doubled since the start of the conflict with Iran, making operating costs unsustainable. CEO Dave Davis explained that, in order to continue operations, 'hundreds of millions of additional dollars' would be needed, which the company was unable to obtain. The difficulties had already started with the Covid-19 pandemic and continued in the following years, until the two bankruptcy filings in 2025. In March, the company had devised a restructuring plan to return to being a sustainable company, but the crisis in the Middle East 'left it with no choice but to initiate an orderly phasing out of the company', Davis explained in a statement.

In the preceding weeks, several hypotheses had been considered to avoid closure. At the end of April, US President Donald Trump had evoked a possible public intervention to save the company and jobs. A takeover attempt by JetBlue, which was blocked on competition grounds, had already failed previously. Attempts to obtain government aid were also unsuccessful. After Spirit's decision, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy downplayed the possibility of government intervention. "I don't think a bailout is necessary" for the low-cost airlines, he said, while leaving open the possibility of state support as a lender of last resort. 'If they could find private funds that would be preferable,' Duffy added. Meanwhile, passengers were advised not to go to the airport, as all flights were cancelled.

Founded in 1992, Spirit Airlines was one of the first low-cost airlines in the United States. In the last twelve months it had transported some 28 million passengers and had over 11,000 employees according to the latest figures. The closure is likely to affect key areas such as Florida and Las Vegas, where the company had a strong presence. The company has announced that it will make refunds for tickets already purchased, while other companies are considering measures to limit the impact on passengers and staff affected.