US carriers rushed to assist stranded passengers after Spirit Airlines abruptly announced it was winding down operations, effective immediately, following failed last-minute talks with creditors and the White House. The low-cost airline, known for its bright yellow planes, cancelled all flights and shut down customer service overnight, leaving thousands of travellers stranded.
Major airlines including American, Delta, United, and JetBlue quickly stepped in, offering discounted “rescue fares” and increasing capacity on routes previously served by Spirit. United Airlines said it helped rebook around 14,000 passengers within 12 hours. Some carriers also moved to accommodate displaced Spirit staff and explore hiring opportunities.
Spirit Airlines, which has been in and out of bankruptcy since 2024, blamed rising fuel costs and financial pressure for its collapse, stating it had “no choice” but to begin winding down due to lack of additional funding. The company, which employed nearly 7,500 workers last year, has promised refunds to affected customers.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the government lacked funds for a bailout and blamed earlier regulatory decisions for weakening the airline’s position. Meanwhile, unions representing employees criticised the sudden shutdown, warning of severe job losses.
Founded in 1992, Spirit had carried about 28 million passengers between 2025 and 2026, but repeated bankruptcies and rising fuel prices ultimately pushed it out of operations.
