Spirit Airlines, the U.S. low-cost carrier, announced on May 2, 2026, the immediate and orderly shutdown of all operations, canceling every flight and suspending customer service.
The decision follows failed negotiations for a last-minute federal rescue package worth about $500 million, which President Donald Trump had expressed interest in to save more than 15,000 jobs. Trump stated Friday, ‘Lo estamos analizando pero ninguna institución ha podido cerrar nunca un buen acuerdo. Me gustaría salvar esos empleos.’
Spirit, operating for 34 years and ranking as the eighth-largest U.S. airline by seats in 2025, cited rising fuel prices and its second bankruptcy as key factors. The carrier had filed for Chapter 11 protection in November 2024 after losses exceeding $2.5 billion since 2020, and again in August 2025 with $8.1 billion in debt against $8.6 billion in assets. It had not posted annual profits since 2019.
The shutdown impacts over 600,000 passengers worldwide, including routes to 20 Latin American destinations such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena. At Bogotá’s El Dorado airport, where Spirit ran two to three daily flights, around 100 workers are affected directly.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched an emergency aid program, securing commitments from airlines like Avianca, LATAM, Delta, United, and others for priority job interviews for Spirit staff and special fares for stranded passengers. Customers can request refunds, though no rebooking assistance is provided. A federal court ordered the halt after an antitrust probe, linked to the 2024 blockage of Spirit’s merger with JetBlue.